MBA (Professional Practice) Full-time

Take advantage of a 12-month taught course followed by a 12-month work placement, facilitated by the University. Grasp the opportunity to demonstrate business skills and knowledge in the workplace.

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Start date/study mode:

Course codeCID1322

Duration24 months

Fee(s)View fees

LocationOn campus

Course summary

This is a two-year course that includes a 12-month work placement. Securing a placement is competitive, but we’ll support you every step of the way. We'll help you write applications, prepare for interviews and connect with employers.

If you don’t secure a placement, you won’t miss out. We’ll transfer you to the standard MBA route and include an extra postgraduate certificate in either Human Resource Management or Digital Marketing and Analytics, at no extra cost. You’ll still complete everything within the two-year time frame. Please note, you'll study the extra certificate alongside the MBA, but its modules won’t count towards your final MBA grade. Both the MBA and the certificate must be completed within the original two-year time frame.

Each year, students apply for placements in areas such as marketing, human resources, finance, operations, and supply chain management. Our dedicated placements team has strong connections with both national and local employers. This includes companies like Nissan, Caterpillar, Fujitsu, Network Rail, and a wide range of smaller businesses across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.

As part of the MBA experience, you’ll also hear from real business leaders through our guest speaker programme. Past speakers have included the Head of Sales and Marketing at Divine Chocolate and the CEO of Sunderland Football Club. These sessions are a great opportunity to explore your career options or start building your professional network.

Throughout your studies, you’ll receive one-to-one academic and personal support. Our team will help you set goals, stay on track, and build your study skills in areas like writing and critical thinking. We're known for being a welcoming and supportive place to study. Many students build lasting friendships and professional networks during the course.

The MBA is a demanding qualification, but it’s also valued and respected by employers. It shows that you’re committed and capable of leading in a business environment. You’ll gain practical experience, learn from experts, and have access to a range of opportunities through our strong industry links.

Why Sunderland for Business and Management

Since I was a child, I always dreamed of studying abroad. After researching several UK universities, I chose Sunderland – the tuition fees are affordable and they offer attractive scholarships for international students.
Amy Phuong Do
Read Amy Phuong Do's story

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

How you'll learn

Teaching methods include:

Lectures
Seminars
Class discussions
Case studies
Group work
Presentations
Applied study.

We'll assess your progress through a dissertation and assignments.

Compared to an undergraduate course, you'll find that this master's degree requires a higher level of independent reading and research.

Entry requirements

We require a relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification.

You'll be required to attend a short Skype interview as part of the application process.

This course supports career acceleration for applicants with suitable academic qualifications. We'll consider all levels of practical work and work experience. This includes applications from candidates with pre-graduation or limited/no work experience post-degree if you can demonstrate that you'll benefit from this course.

You also need three passes at GCSE grade C or above. This must include maths and English language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you've studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Fees and finance support

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See all course tuition fees.

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Start date/study mode:

Full-time October 2026
Apply now

If you're applying for a postgraduate course, please contact admissions@sunderland.ac.uk.

Find out more about how to apply.

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.