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This course has places available for 2020/21 entry.
If you're thinking about applying, or you've applied for a postgraduate course starting in 2020/21, see guidance for prospective students during the Coronavirus outbreak.
What happens when you mix an arts school with a business school?
The Central Saint Martins Birkbeck MBA is a different kind of MBA that places creative approaches and social engagement at the heart of future leadership. It is part of the Culture and Enterprise programme.
We are honoured to have been shortlisted for the Reimagine Education award for innovative business education:
The next open days will be scheduled from December 2020 to July 2021. Please check back here by November 2020 to book online
Central Saint Martins Birkbeck MBA Scholarships
Please email csmbbk.mba@arts.ac.uk and we'll respond as quickly as possible.
Louis Edwards credits the skills he learned on the Central Saint Martins Birkbeck MBA for helping secure financial support during the coronavirus crisis, keeping his venture – a refreshed take on the great British pub – afloat.
Over the past year, Central Saint Martins has been exploring whether to set up a new kind of MBA (Master of Business Administration) course. This series of blog posts is […]
With the College launching an MBA, in partnership with Birkbeck, we asked the new course’s leader Pamela Yeow what happens when business and creativity meet. “Why combine the art school with the […]
Our Postgraduate Art Auction celebrated its tenth anniversary last night with lots by friends and alum flying off the podium. The Auction broke previous records raising £47,545 and with all […]
Currently glued to a fascinating podcast: Algorithmic Fairness featuring an interview with @Aaroth from @DataSkeptic on the relationship between #privacy & accuracy in #data. https://t.co/dSqHfAbrap Thanks to @Devon_Michael66 & @PamYeow for the heads up.
40 years in the #CreativeIndustry: @garysknight (one of our #MBA students) provides decades of insider insight to @UALPGCommunity. He also says nice things about us, so there's that. https://t.co/VebBFdtb7z #branding #Production #broadcasting @PamYeow
The course challenges the orthodox business school approach to education. Instead, it focuses on cross-disciplinary collaboration. You will become a new type of business graduate: one who can combine creative thinking and innovation with core financial and strategic management skills. We train future leaders with compassion, resilience and the ability to adapt to an increasingly complex world.
For this MBA, Central Saint Martins has entered into a high-level collaborative partnership with Birkbeck, University of London. Birkbeck is ranked amongst the top universities in the world. Over 90% of academics are research-active and many are renowned experts in their fields. It offers over 200 full-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
The MBA recognises the crucial role that the cultural economy will play in wealth creation in the coming decades. The course aims to create a new network of practitioners and leaders. You will emerge with hybrid skills and approaches suited to the social and political challenges of a digital and data-driven world. That is, a world in which innovation and creativity are central to the development of new industries, products and services.
In 2016, the World Economic Forum consulted business leaders from major global organisations for its The Future of Jobs Report. It concluded that the ten skills and qualities an employee will need by 2020 are:
The Central Saint Martins Birkbeck MBA embeds these in its curriculum. You will develop key management and leadership skills through a progression of assessments, activities and education sessions. You will cover expected MBA disciplines such as strategy, marketing, finance, human resources, management, operations, planning, innovation and problem-solving. You will be exposed to these throughout your studies, starting from the induction and orientation weekend. As part of this, you will be expected to negotiate, make decisions, manage and lead teams in activities and solve problems.
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.
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).
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.
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?
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.
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 at alternating Central Saint Martins and Birkbeck campuses.
Each sprint runs all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at regular five-week intervals and is accompanied by three online sessions of 1.5 hours each.
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.
Central Saint Martins Birkbeck MBA, Course Leader
Head of Central Saint Martins and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of the Arts
Director of the Social Design Institute and Professor of Contemporary Design Practices
Associate Lecturer, MBA; MA Innovation Management, Associate Lecturer
Programme Director, Culture and Enterprise: Charlotte Bonham-Carter
Professors: Andrew Pettigrew (Birkbeck), Richard Vidgen (Birkbeck)
Senior Lecturer: Amy R Hackley (Birkbeck)
Lecturer: Sorin Piperca (Birkbeck)
Associate Lecturers: Chris Cornell (Birkbeck), Dominic Stone (CSM), Catherine Keane (CSM), Jean-Jacques Lescure (CSM), Jocelyn Bailey (CSM), Julian Sims (Birkbeck).
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
And normally at least three years of relevant professional experience.
Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
Or a combination of these factors.
Each application will be considered on its own merit but cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
IELTS level 7.0 or above, with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements webpage).
We select applicants according to potential and current ability in the following areas:
We actively seek applicant whose prior experience and track record will equip them to make a meaningful contribution to classroom activity and discussion.
This course has places available for 2020/21 entry. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.
You should apply by clicking on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:
Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
Current English language level
Current and/or previous education and qualification details
Employment history
Your personal statement should be approximately 300 words in length, and outline the following:
This course requires two professional references, one of which must be from a current employer. All references must be received from a verifiable source or on headed company paper. The reference should address the following points:
Please get in touch with the admissions team if the submission of your reference is delaying the completion of your application.
You should provide a full and detailed CV or résumé which demonstrates career progression. Applicants must have a minimum of three years full time post-graduate work experience, preferably with some managerial responsibility.
We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all of the information above.
We recommend you apply by 31 May 2020 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.
If you are an EU offer holder, it is important to consider that, from 2021-22, you may be charged International fees, which are higher. Read our Coronavirus guidance for prospective students for details.
This course has places available for 2020/21 entry. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.
There are two ways international students can apply:
If you are applying directly you click on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:
Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
Current English language level
Current and/or previous education and qualification details
Employment history
Your personal statement should be approximately 300 words in length, and outline the following:
This course requires two professional references, one of which must be from a current employer. All references must be received from a verifiable source or on headed company paper. The reference should address the following points:
Please get in touch with the admissions team if the submission of your reference is delaying the completion of your application.
You should provide a full and detailed CV or résumé which demonstrates career progression. Applicants must have a minimum of three years full time post-graduate work experience, preferably with some managerial responsibility.
Whether you are applying online or through a UAL representative you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check we will not be able to proceed with your application.
We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all of the information above.
We recommend you apply by 31 May 2020 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents or book an audition, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. Following a review of the application documents, successful applicants will be invited to an interview, either in person or by skype.
A key element of the interview involves consideration of how your prior experience and track record will equip you to make a meaningful contribution to classroom activity and discussion and to determine whether the course is right for your aims and expectations.
You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Portal.
£27,000 (2020/21)
£500 per annum discount for all students who have completed a PG Dip/Cert or an undergraduate course including Grad Dip/Cert, at UAL.
You can pay course tuition fees in instalments for this course.
£27,000 (2020/21)
£500 per annum discount for all students who have completed a PG Dip/Cert or an undergraduate course including Grad Dip/Cert, at UAL.
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.
You can pay course tuition fees in instalments for this course.
To accept the offer you will need to pay an initial pre-payment of £450. The MBA tuition fees of £27,000 can be paid over three instalments as follows:
Read our terms regarding Sponsors payment options.
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
UAL alumni can receive a 20% tuition fee discount on a taught Masters course at UAL. Visit the progression discount page to find out more.
The World Economic Forum consulted business leaders from major global organisations for its The Future of Jobs Report (2016). It concluded that the ten skills that an employee will need by 2020 are:
The MBA embeds these in its curriculum.
The course aims to prepare graduates for the next step in their careers, whether it be a transformational senior management role within their current industry, or a new role in a completely new field of work. Entrepreneurial students are encouraged to set up their own businesses.
The emphasis on positive transformation, and a socially-motivated desire to change the world, coupled with a solid understanding of business and management will create graduates who are keen to bring about fundamental innovation and systemic change.
With this MBA, students will be able to transfer their skills within their current industry, or across industries. With developed managerial competences and innovation practice, graduates will be able to seek employment or further their career opportunities in positions that apply design thinking to complex problems, and take a holistic view of business issues. With developed leadership capacities, they will be able to combine ‘thinking’ and ‘doing’ with robust knowledge and application in organisations.
For details of the wide range of careers support provided for students, please visit:
