The Central Saint Martins Birkbeck MBA curriculum has four units. Across all units, business and management-related theories are integrated into a real-world problem-solving approach to learning and teaching. This ensures a genuine convergence of theory and practice.
Unit 1: Provocation and Enquiry
This unit starts by setting aspirations and unpacking the potential of the MBA. We begin with a series of questions: Why are you here? What are you trying to achieve? This activity will introduce you to the notion of co-production as pedagogical practice, in which you will create teaching and learning content and act as co-producer. This unit is predicated on learning to build new networks. Content, skill and knowledge are experienced through a series of “sprints” (short projects and topic areas).
Unit 2: Entrepreneurship in Action
How does a perceived need become a product or service? This unit explores the ways creativity, innovation, problem-solving and entrepreneurship intersect. You will explore the development of enterprise, entrepreneurs as individuals and teams and to identify and formalise opportunities. You will then apply these tools to a practical project.
Unit 3: Effecting Change: Collaboration in Practice
This unit asks you to consider what it is to bring about positive change. How do we identify the need for change and how do we evaluate and reflect upon change? For whom is the change beneficial and how? What is the role of leadership and how do change agents interact with complex stakeholder networks?
Unit 4: Extended Live Project or Dissertation
This final unit acts as a culmination to your learning. It will require you to critically reflect on previously encountered theories, discourses, tools and process. You will also develop new approaches to social challenges and organisational opportunities. This will take the form of either a self-directed live project or a self-directed final dissertation.
Mode of study
The Central Saint Martins Birkbeck MBA is offered in low-residency mode which runs for 60 weeks over 18 months. You will be expected to commit 30 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.
This course is delivered via a blended part-time/distance learning pathway, online and through 12 intensive study weekend sprints.
Each sprint runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at regular five-week intervals and is accompanied by two online sessions of 1.5 hours each.
Credit and award requirements
The course is credit-rated at 180 credits.
On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Master of Business Administration (MBA degree). Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, an MBA is Level 7. All units must be passed in order to achieve the MBA and the classification of the award is derived from the achievement in all units.
If you are unable to continue on the course, a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) will normally be offered following the successful completion of 60 credits, or a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) following the successful completion of 120 credits.
