THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MBA CONTENTS

04 Start something 06 Aston 08 The Aston Edge 09 Right from the start 10 MBA core modules 12 Your MBA project 13 Climb higher 14 Aston MBA Achievers 15 Business in 16 Our campus 18 Aston MBA Achievers 19 Accomodation 20 Take the next step towards an Aston MBA ASTON MBA 22 Aston MBA Achievers ACHIEVERS 23 Our UK location “For me, the benefits of the Aston MBA, come from 3 main areas - 1. A broadening of your thinking - across business functions and sectors 2.Daniella Enhancing your Genas professional ‘tool-kit’ - developing approaches toEntrepreneur addressing business problems, through exposure to the latest management thinking and thought leadership. 3.“What Professional started as and an personalMBA project development at Aston Business- being exposed School turnedto like-minded intoprofessionals my company, with Genas a variety Enterprise of backgrounds Consultants, and a industryconsultancy experience.” firm providing unique, female-specific support to entrepreneurs.”

Aston.ac.uk/MBA

2 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 3 START SOMETHING The Aston MBA is the next The best leaders have mastered the art Aston has built its reputation on of decision-making and action based strong relationships with business. chapter in your career. on critical thinking. Your Aston MBA will MBA students have the opportunity Whether your ambition teach you how to reflect on your own to undertake consultancy projects for career, perceive emerging opportunities businesses and organisations. is to lead in international and develop a growth mind set. You will organisations or start become enterprising in everything you do. something closer to home, We offer a choice of pathways to enable the course will hone your you to combine your MBA studies with strategic thinking, preparing your professional commitments: Full- you for a career at the Time, Executive Part-Time and online. forefront of business.

4 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 5

Aston Business School is among Europe’s largest business schools, with approximately 3,000 students. It has been conducting pioneering research into modern business and management issues for over 60 years, making We are globally The Aston MBA is it one of the longest recognised, valued by one of the world’s top established, research- employers, and hold MBAs (Tier 1) in CEO based business schools triple accreditation, Magazine Global MBA in the UK. which is shared by only Ranking 2019. 1% of business schools in the world. CEO Magazine 2019 Online MBA Rankings Part of an elite group joint 12th in the world. of Business Schools worldwide with triple Ranked in the top accreditation from 100 for Business and AMBA, AACSB and Management (QS World EQUIS. University Rankings 2020). We hold The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award for Ranked in the top 20 in teaching quality - the QS Global Online the highest possible MBA Ranking 2019 accolade.

6 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 7 RIGHT FROM THE START

To help you reflect on Your mentor will have an essential role during your time at Aston, acting as a your learning, you will be sounding board and feeding in to your partnered with an Aston studies. They will provide you with senior career advice and share their MBA graduate mentor*. experiences to help prepare you for a career at the top.

You’ll be matched with a mentor based on your skill–set, previous work experience and future ambitions. Our offer is more than an We often place MBAs with mentors THE MBA. Sharpen your thinking working in sectors different from their specialisation. This will help widen with a personal development your experience and provide a fresh ASTON programme designed and perspective. delivered by professors in EDGE behavioural science.

Through a mixture of masterclasses, team challenges, speaker events and My mentor was always mentoring, the edge will transform you willing to share her into an influencer in your area. You will experience and knowledge learn how to: to find career related Drive innovation and bring others with information and exposure you to various professional Master intercultural nuances that resources, opportunities unlock business opportunities and networks. She has Be personally adaptable provided both emotional Manage conflict constructively and moral support and Develop a growth mind set encouragement through Adapt an entrepreneurial mind set in teaching.” everything you do Lead with credibility and confidence Shelly Wang Coach and inspire others. Mentee, Full-time MBA

*MBA graduate mentoring is available on the Full-time MBA

8 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 9 MBA CORE MODULES

Our course content has been carefully curated to ensure you develop the detailed commercial understanding and management skills needed to be a successful leader in the modern international business environment.

Leading Enterprises Leading Teams and Projects Personal Leadership Focus Individual Business Project You’ll gain an understanding of the key We continue to develop your & Elective Modules The Aston MBA concludes with an functions of an organisation, their role commercial understanding across a These modules give you flexibility and individual business project. You’ll draw and core processes. Through critical range of key business areas, including allow you to personalise your study upon all the knowledge and skills you’ve analysis, you’ll develop skills and gain strategy, accounting and finance, programme to your interests or career developed throughout the programme experience in evaluating commercial operations and marketing. Workshops aspirations. to conduct either: challenges and making appropriate explore advanced and stimulating strategic decisions by working as part of subject matter, such as: The Personal Leadership Focus • An applied business research project a leadership team during an innovative • Market-led innovation component enables you to create • A live consultancy project business simulation. • Financial decision-making tools your own module from a wide range • A new venture plan • Scenario planning of fascinating, contemporary business • A growth plan for an existing Workshops during the first term cover • Project management topics. You’ll select a number of organisation. a wide range of topics across multiple • Quality management and performance workshops, learning experiences disciplines, with subject content improvement or dynamic business activities to This element provides another including: participate in. These topics may include: opportunity for you to design your own • Analysing and interpreting financial Using the knowledge and skills you’ve • Blockchain learning experience. Whichever route information developed, you will tackle a real-life • Servitization in a global/digital you choose, you’ll be guided by an • Analysing the internal and external consultancy project as part of a group. marketplace academic supervisor, who will support environment This will provide you with valuable • The management of innovation you throughout your project, as well • Business and corporate level strategy experience in undertaking research, • Big data / data analytics as an Aston alumni mentor, who will • Supply chain and supplier relationship analysing problems, identifying potential provide practical guidance and advice. management solutions to commercial challenges You can further tailor your MBA • Responding to ambiguity and crisis. and effectively presenting your programme by choosing from the recommendations in a professional following elective modules: A series of team coaching sessions also context. Additional coaching support • International Business helps to develop your collaborative skills will be given to further develop your • International Marketing Management within a working environment. teamwork and self-reflection abilities. • Advanced Strategy • International Finance

Taking place throughout the This module will enable you to become organisations and discover techniques THE MBA programme, The Aston a skilled negotiator, develop your to overcome these challenges. Edge focuses on equipping you entrepreneurial mindset and empower you to lead, inspire and influence As well as practical skills workshops, ASTON with the leadership capabilities others effectively. You will also gain you’ll benefit from guest lectures from and soft skills required by an in-depth understanding of the top executives, company visits, alumni EDGE successful business leaders. complexities involved with leading mentoring and dedicated career guidance.

10 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 11 YOUR CLIMB HIGHER

MBA Enhance your career options PROJECT with an Aston MBA

The MBA project ties together everything that you have learnt on the course. It will enable MBA students are provided with a you to apply theory diverse range of careers support and method to real throughout the course and beyond, managerial issues in real including:

organisations. Ansari Yasmin consultant MBA careers Dedicated careers seminars Career management appointments You will have the opportunity to with the MBA careers adviser conduct an in-depth research project The Aston MBA’s Psychometric testing into a particular organisation or Workshops to build skills such as business area using the knowledge and dedicated careers negotiation and leadership skills you have developed throughout consultant, Yasmin Ansari CV’s, Linkedin and job research the course. advice draws on a wealth of Seminars with Executive Search The project is a practical learning experience to provide Consultants, Aston alumni and experience and you will be expected to bespoke and practical industry experts take initiative in planning and executing A range of market leading, digital the project under the guidance of a advice to help you reach careers resources. dedicated supervisor with specialist your potential. knowledge of your area of interest. We work with you to: Yasmin is an experienced and qualified Deepen your understanding of the Project options job market across the globe and in You may choose your project from one careers consultant and has worked the UK of the following options: in careers within a Higher Education (HE) setting for over eight years. Refine your CV skills interview A specific or themed research She supports students with career technique project management, career change, as Build strategic networks A consultancy project with a well as delivering practical support Take control of your own local business or within your own such as writing an engaging CV, professional development organisation using LinkedIn, interview skills, and Support you with the sourcing A business plan for a new venture or navigating the labour market. Having and application to your MBA an existing business previously worked with a wide range of consultancy projects. Complete a report about an disciplines, Yasmin has knowledge of internship in the UK or abroad. many career areas ranging from business and consulting to finance, third sector, government, sport, science, education and medical.

12 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 13 BUSINESS IN BIRMINGHAM

Aston Business School is located in the centre of one of the UK’s most entrepreneurial cities, Birmingham. The city for enterprise.

If you want to make it in business, Birmingham is a great place to make your move having been voted the UK’s most entrepreneurial region by Start Up Britain. At the heart of a £94 billion regional economy (HM Revenue and Customs, 2019). Today, the West Midlands is a major banking and finance centre, with 321,000 employees working at more than 43,000 BPFS companies. The region is a base for big names such as Deutsche Bank, PwC BIRMINGHAM VOTED and HSBC, which started as the THE UK’S MOST ASTON MBA Birmingham and Midlands Bank in 1836. ENTREPRENEURIAL REGION Birmingham has seen the fastest growth in business numbers in the BY START UP BRITAIN. ACHIEVERS country. (West Midlands Growth Company Ltd, 2019). Sally Gillespie Highest number of employees of Head of Corporate Affairs any city outside with just “For CrossCountryme, the benefits of the Aston MBA, come from 3 main areas - under 500,000. (West Midlands 1. A broadening of your thinking - across business functions and sectors Growth Company Ltd, 2019). 2.“The Enhancing MBA was your a transformational professional ‘tool-kit’ experience. - developing It made approaches me stop and A major international airport, just thinkto addressingabout my career business and problems,develop new through skills exposureand a new to network the latest which 10 minutes by train from the centre. havemanagement allowed me thinking to progress and thoughtin my career. leadership. Mentoring also played an 143 direct routes, including cities in 3.important Professional role. Itand was personal helpful todevelopment have a sounding - being board exposed who tocould like-minded share Europe, North America and Asia. theirprofessionals experiences with and a insights. variety of I very backgrounds much benefited and industry from it experience.” and am delighted to support the Aston mentoring programme.”

14 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 15 OUR CAMPUS

As an Aston student you get the best of both worlds: a green, well-equipped, friendly campus in the centre of a vibrant city. With our entire social, support and academic facilities based on campus you’ll never have far to go.

Campus facilities include: Library: open seven days a week, (24 hour opening during exam periods) Health and welfare services including dental, optician and counselling services The Martin Luther King Multi-Faith Centre 24 Hour on-site security Sports centre with sports halls, a 110-station gym and swimming pool Extensive IT facilities, some with 24 hour access General store, bookshop, computer shop, supermarket and 24 hour cash points WiFi internet access available across campus Aston Students’ Union (SU) at the heart of Aston community with With modern on campus social spaces, meeting rooms and accommodation and the event facilities, stylish bar and city of Birmingham on your restaurant. doorstep there are a wide range of housing options to suit all tastes and budgets.

16 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 17 ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is on Aston’s city centre campus and everything is within walking distance.

All accommodation is ensuite and has access to high speed internet.

We guarantee a room offer to all international applicants who accept their offer and pay their deposit before the accommodation deadline.

Facilities include: Bedroom complete with study space All utility bills included Free high speed internet

Private bathroom facilities

Onsite safety

Laundry

ASTON MBA For further information, including rents, see: ACHIEVERS aston.ac.uk/accommodation Vishal Dourado Technology Project Consultant Cap Gemini “My journey at has been a life changing one, both in terms of gaining new skills and a favorable career change. Pursuing a full-time Aston MBA was a good decision as it enabled me to self reflect and develop leadership qualities that are essential in the current dynamic business climate. The practical approach of the course truly highlights Aston’s motto of ‘Learning By Doing’.”

18 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 19 TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS AN ASTON MBA

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND ADMISSIONS INFORMATION HOW TO APPLY

To be eligible to study the Aston Applicants with extensive work Applying is easy, just visit: If you need a visa to study in the UK, MBA (all routes) you will need one of experience aston.ac.uk/mba remember to allow sufficient time for the the following: visa application process. We accept applications from You will be asked to upload the A good UK honours degree candidates with extensive work following documents: Please contact our University visa experience who have not completed a advice team for more information An equivalent overseas degree graduate qualification. An assessment A degree certificate (see entry by email [email protected] or recognised by Aston University will be made through your CV, requirements on page 20 for details phone +44 (0) 121 204 4567 references and interview to assess your of what will be expected) A degree-level professional suitability for the course. If you would like to talk to qualification An official academic transcript of us please contact our MBA International students your grades (with an official English admissions team at any stage for Plus translation where necessary) support and guidance by email If you are an international student, you [email protected] or phone +44 At least three years of relevant post- will require: Confirmation of your English (0) 121 204 3100 graduation work experience language qualification if required (see An official academic transcript, with entry requirements on page 20 for Two references – at least one from an official English translation of your details of what will be accepted) your current or previous employer. university grades The second can be another A copy of your passport (or other professional reference, or an A well-rounded GMAT score may be official form of identification) academic reference. required if you have not undertaken CV/resume any business, finance or economics- related study or do not have relevant Supporting evidence for home fee demonstrable work experience. status (if required).

20 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 21 OUR UK LOCATION

Our green and friendly campus

is based in the cosmopolitan city centre of Birmingham. It’s just a 10 minute walk to reach the centre of our modern, international city. BIRMINGHAM, ASTON UNIVERSITY Home to the Commonwealth Games 2022. LONDON

Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city.

Birmingham International Airport is a 10 minute train journey to and from the city centre. ASTON MBA ACHIEVERS Parveen Rai CEO Rai Property Investments Ltd

“The best thing about Aston is the quality of its teaching and staff. The MBA has helped me develop the soft skills that have really elevated my leadership capability. I am now working as a non executive director on three boards, continuing to grow my businesses and learning from For MBA enquiries high level business leaders. This has all helped me to strategically consider entering new markets in the property industry.” please contact: Email: [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0)121 204 4910 Website: www.aston.ac.uk/MBA

22 THE ASTON MBA THE ASTON MBA 23 Aston Business School Aston University Aston Triangle Birmingham B4 7ET UK

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