The Master of Business Administration

The one-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at Oxford comprises an intensive series of stimulating lectures, energetic seminars, intensive small group work, and team project work. A key aim of the programme is to develop your ability to think logically and independently.

The course initially focuses upon building a broad foundation of theoretical knowledge about business through core modules in subjects ranging from accountancy to strategy, and from managerial economics to organisational analysis. Once these core building blocks are in-place, students can take advantage of the Oxford MBA’s extremely flexible course structure by tailoring elective courses to suit target career paths.

There is also a strong practical emphasis embedded within the course through project work. In the second term students do an entrepreneurship project which gives them first hand experience of planning all aspects of a new business venture. Students can choose to gain experience of a strategic consulting project within a sponsoring company or to work upon an individual academic thesis of not more than 12,000 words.

Each course is taught intensively with 24 contact hours split between lectures, seminars and tutorials. Students work in study groups, which facilitate collaborative learning. Online individual access to essential readings and a range of material from academic and business sources is provided for each course. Students are regularly given problem sets, which allow them and their lecturers to assess learning.

Teachers are encouraged to tailor assessment methods to most effectively achieve the desired learning outcomes. Assessment is performed at the end of each course. Credits are earned for all courses and projects on which an overall mark of at least 50% must be achieved and a minimum of 40% must be achieved on individual formal coursework and examinations. Students are permitted to re-sit a failed assessment on any course on which they failed to obtain an overall mark of 50 (or where they fail to obtain a mark of 40 on an individual coursework or examination component). Courses may be assessed by examination, individual assignment, group assignment, and practical work.

Each student has an Academic Supervisor, who completes a progress report at the end of each term. Students experiencing any problems are asked to discuss them with their Academic Supervisor, subject lecturers, and/or the MBA Director. They will be advised and offered extra tuition or set specific work if necessary.

The Sainsbury Library offers a modern and attractive study area and an innovative information support service with a strong emphasis on electronic resources and delivery. In addition to print collection, the library provides a dedicated gateway to a rich and powerful collection of electronic resources accessible from the School’s Intranet which includes access to business databases, financial and economic data, industry and market research reports, e-journals, e-books, and course reading lists with direct links to online readings. A tutorial on using the library and IT facilities will be provided at the induction sessions.

To be considered for a place on the Oxford MBA, a good undergraduate degree or equivalent is required. All candidates must take the Graduate Management Admissions Test. Oxford MBA students on average have 6 years of work experience. We do consider those with less work experience who are able to demonstrate a high level of maturity, combined with evidence of leadership ability.

The course fee for the Oxford MBA for 2015-16 is £44,775.

The MBA programme is designed to be both intellectually challenging and practically relevant, equipping students with essential skills and allowing them to specialize and then pursue these specialisms through a variety of electives and business projects. The objective is to prepare students for fast-track careers.

For details applicants should consult the University’s Graduate Prospectus available on-line.

(b) Search the text for the English equivalents of the following phrases:

1) подобрать факультативы в соответствии с карьерными целями;

2) способствовать совместному/групповому обучению;

3) приспосабливать/отбирать методы оценки для наиболее эффективного достижения желаемого результата обучения;

4) студентам разрешается пересдавать любой несданный / «заваленный» курс, по которому они не смогли получить общую оценку в 50 баллов;

5) научный руководитель, который составляет отчет об успеваемости в конце каждого семестра;

6) предлагается дополнительное обучение;

7) консультация по пользованию библиотекой и информационными ресурсами будет проводиться во время вводного курса;

8) поступающим следует обращаться к рекламному проспекту для выпускников (университета).

(c) Answer the questions, for more details of this programme watch a video¹⁵:

1. What is the main objective of the MBA programme at Oxford?

2. What skills and qualities are mastered in the Oxford MBA programme?

3. How long does the programme last?

4. What aspects of this programme provide students with a foundation of theoretical knowledge about business?

5. What aspects of the MBA programme provide practical application of the knowledge students obtain in theoretical courses?

6. How and by whom is students’ progress assessed?

7. What happens if students fail any of their courses?

8. What are the requirements for the MBA programme?

9. What is the tuition fee for the MBA programme?

10. How can the Business School's alumni be characterized?

Systems Compared: the US and the UK