Recently, the Newcastle University Business School (NUBS) joined the ranks of the global elite after receiving the triple crown from leading accreditation bodies. It also received AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation, a hallmark of business education excellence. In an interview with The Hindu Education Plus, Professor John Wilson, Director of Newcastle University Business School, speaks about the university’s MBA programmes and more.
Which are the most sought after MBA specialist programmes at NUBS?
We offer more than 21 business master’s programmes and two executive education programmes (MBA and executive MBA). Our MBA programmes are designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional experience and to meet the increasing demand for innovation and change.
Our programmes include 11 compulsory modules and a range of electives that provide students with an opportunity to tailor their MBA programme to suit their interests and career trajectory. The elective modules depend on current faculty, research and relevance to business and can be changed accordingly.
The elective modules currently offered are: Business Process Modelling; Corporate social responsibility and business ethics; Current affairs, news and organisations; Entrepreneurial Management; Finance and Investment; International Marketing; Leadership in Action; New Business Development; Understanding Partnership Working and Entrepreneurial Strategy
Can you elucidate some of the unique modules that set NUBS apart?
Our MBA programmes focus on collaboration and real-life application, and empower students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be business leaders. Students are provided with opportunities to apply their learning in practice through live case studies and company projects, enhancing their career prospects.
The Global Political Economy module enables students to identify, analyse and discuss the macro-economic and institutional forces influencing the development and regulation of the global economy.
We have also developed a Global Strategic Design module which aims at helping students engage with the challenges, tensions and opportunities when doing business on a global scale. This module is also linked to the university’s aim of international engagement.
Business in Action is a theme that runs throughout the MBA programmes and enables students to explore the practical challenges associated with business. Students engage with real-time action learning in which they have the opportunity to consolidate and apply what they have learnt within constrained time-frames.
What is the Global Experience Opportunity programme? What is the nature of NUBS’ tie-up with the RBI?
The Global Experience Opportunity (GEO) is a programme of activities created to provide students with opportunities to enhance their global employability through a mixture of study and work experience initiatives. It introduces students to the international business community and equips them with the practical skills needed to succeed in today’s hugely competitive and fast-paced global business environment.
Students who take up this programme get the opportunity to intern with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and undergo a challenging 6-week summer internship. The participants undertake project-based work within the key functional areas of the bank, while gaining insights into India’s diverse culture. They are also exposed to the fast-paced business environment.
This year, Newcastle students will have the unique opportunity to work at RBI along with students from Boston University.
Are there any scholarships available for Indian students? What is the approximate fee structure?
There are a range of scholarships being offered to students from India. These include Newcastle University Indian Scholarship (NUIS PG); Newcastle University International Postgraduate Scholarship (NUIPS) and Country Specific scholarships for Indian Students. Details of the full range of scholarships will be published on the university website www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding as soon as they become available. For international students, the fees for a full-time MBA is £16,500 and executive MBA (Two years part-time) is £7,500 per year (as of 2014).
What are the eligibility criteria to apply for these courses?
Both our MBA programmes require a minimum upper-second-class honours (2:1) bachelor degree or its international equivalent. Our full-time MBA programme is designed to suit a variety of high-calibre professionals with at least three years of postgraduate work experience. Due to the flexibility of the MBA programme, cohorts comprise a wide range of experience and expertise which creates a rich and diverse learning experience. Our executive MBA programme is aimed at senior managers who want to combine a part-time programme with their careers. The programme is based on a block delivery mode to enable a suitable work-life balance. Applicants to all programmes need to meet our English language criteria.
Is work experience mandatory or can fresh graduates apply for these courses?
Both our MBA programmes require work experience at managerial level. However, the school offers a diverse portfolio of master’s programmes where work experience is not mandatory.
