Aston Business School, Aston University

Aston University, Aston Business School Aston Business School is one of the most experienced providers of business and management education in the UK. Today, it is among the largest of the leading business schools in Europe, with over 100 full-time academic staff and many visiting specialists. Aston can boast accreditation from AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB, one of only a small number of schools in the world to hold all three. The School was also ranked amongst the top business schools in Europe in The Financial Times' 2005 ranking of European business schools.
'I have the knowledge and the confidence to do what I want to do and I had a fantastic time during the course.'Jasone Andonegui, full-time MBA student 2003/04

Academic excellenceThe 2005 FT Executive MBA Ranking placed Aston in the top 20 in Europe, and the 2005 FT Business Schools ranking placed Aston in the top 30 in Europe. In 2007, the Aston MBA was also listed in The Financial Times' ?32 of the top Distance Learning MBA programmes'. The 2006 Economist Intelligence Unit Which MBA? guidebook placed Aston in the top 20 in Europe.
The quality of the Aston MBA rests on the excellence of the teaching and research, and the very strong links with employers. All MBA modules feature corporate connections and an international dimension. With more than 25 nationalities represented last year, the programme has a truly international environment essential for those aiming to be global managers.
The Aston MBAThe full-time MBA starts in September each year, with a two-week induction programme designed to enable students to adjust to the challenges ahead and hit the ground running. The Aston MBA programme has a straightforward, logical structure, which is the same for all modes of study. Students follow twelve taught modules, ten of which are compulsory. Two elective modules are then chosen, which include all the major areas of interest. Students can then tailor their studies to meet their own particular interests and personal development needs. On completion of the taught part of the programme, students proceed to a ?live' business project. They already have all the skills needed to accomplish this by attending regular project workshops throughout their time at Aston.
Facilities and resourcesIn January 2006, Aston opened brand-new purpose-built teaching facilities exclusively for the use of MBA students in the School's Nelson Building HQ. These include new lecture theatres, a common room and teaching rooms, as well as an MBA study and lounge area. This excellent facility allows all full-time and part-time Executive MBA students the opportunity to learn and socialise together in an encouraging environment tailored to their needs. Included in the Aston MBA tuition fee is a one-week study visit to another leading European business school, key textbooks for all modules, the use of DVD recordings of lectures (held in Aston's library), and also membership of AMBA and the Chartered Management Institute for the year of study.
The road to successAston's graduates can be found working in senior management positions around the world. For banking executives in Hong Kong, industrialists in India and company presidents in the USA, not to mention hundreds of senior managers in the UK, the Aston MBA has been the key that has helped open the door to employment opportunities and career success.
MBA programmes on offerGeneral MBA
Entry requirementsApplicants must have:■A UK honours degree or an overseas degree recognised by Aston University.■At least three years' work experience.■ If their first language is not English, evidence that their undergraduate degree was taught mainly or entirely in English, and a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based), or an IELTS score of 6.5 overall.
Length of programme■ Full time: one year.■ Part time/distance learning: 30?60 months.
Modes of studyFull time, part time or distance learning (European-based students only).
Number of places■ Full time: approximately 80.■ Executive part time/distance learning: 200.
Language of instructionEnglish.
Programme locationThe city centre of Birmingham,West Midlands, England, UK.
Fees■ Full time: £18,925 (all students).■ Executive part time/distance learning: £13,250 (home/EU students); £18,925(international students).
Scholarships/funding availableA limited number of scholarships are available for outstanding applicants. See Aston's website for up-to-date details (http://www.astonmba.com/).
Starting dates■ Full time: mid-September.■ Executive part time/distance learning: October, January and April.
Application procedureApplication forms are available to download from the Business School's website. Alternatively, call or e-mail the School to request an information pack, which includes application forms.
Full time MBACommences mid-September.
The full time MBA course is taught over three terms and followed up with a business project. You will complete up to five modules each term, with each module based on 100 learning hours and 30-40 hours in class. It is possible to complete the course by the end of July if you have an early offer of employment.
Full time students will visit and study at a top European Business School for a week, which is included in the cost. In previous years, MBA students have visited New York, Nice, Paris, Barcelona and Leuven. In turn, we host MBA students from our international partners.
You can transfer to the part time or distance learning routes during the year, if a job offer or personal commitments demand.
Part time MBACommences January & October.
The taught part of the programme can be completed in 21 months, after which there is a project of up to 6 months’ duration. Most part time students study 2 modules per term for 6 terms. They then complete a project that typically takes another 6 months.
You would study on campus once a week for three hours per module, either during the day or in the evening. You would also attend regular skills workshops run by our MBA Careers Advisor. At this pace, you would need to do 6-10 hours of private study a week, too.
You can swap to Distance Learning and back, change the pace at which you study, or take breaks of up to a year if work or personal commitments demand.
MBA by Distance Learning(Available in the UK and the rest of Europe only). Commences January, April & October.
For many years the Aston MBA has been pioneering distance learning. You will be sent DVDs that contain a recording of the actual lecture that was delivered at Aston to the oncampus students, plus PDF files of notes and handouts. It’s like having a seat in the classroom but without the need to leave your home or office. And three times a year you must attend a study weekend here at Aston. Examinations also take place on-campus.
Unlike many other business schools, the degree awarded is the regular Aston MBA, not a special Distance Learning version.
All students study ten Core Modules. In addition, they choose two Elective Modules. Finally, they choose a Project in a field of interest to them.
Many students choose to be awarded a generalist MBA. But by linking your choice of Elective Modules to the subject of your project, you can gain a specialist MBA in your chosen field. You could then be awarded:
MBA e-BusinessMBA FinanceMBA International BusinessMBA Managing Public ServicesMBA MarketingMBA Leading People for Competitive AdvantageMBA Strategic Management
For example, for a MBA Marketing, you would choose Marketing Strategy and International Marketing as your Elective Modules. Alternatively, you may choose any 2 electives and develop a project in any subject to be awarded a general MBA.
Whatever option you choose, in every module you will be drawing upon the world-class research done by our academics, and using it to reflect upon real-world business issues. Every module also has a strong international element.
Professional ExemptionsAll modes of the MBA are accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA)