University of Birmingham expands online postgraduate degree offerings in Business and Public Administration

The University of Birmingham is expanding its global academic borders with the announcement that it will now be offering a number of its postgraduate distance learning courses through its online learning platform. These comprehensive courses will pair world-class academics with the latest teaching methods.

The programmes include a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and a Masters of Science (MSc) in International Business, both from the award-winning Birmingham Business School, as well as a Masters in Public Administration (MPA). Classes for all programmes start in September 2015 and applications are now being accepted.

The move presents a modern and more flexible learning alternative for career professionals around the world. Accessible on computers and all mobile devices, the University of Birmingham’s online learning platform allows for study with a prestigious academic institution while maintaining control over daily schedules in a way that goes beyond that of an on-campus degree programme.

The online MBA is conducted by Birmingham Business School and designed for students who are already working in business. It is ideal for professionals with three to five years of experience who are seeking to enhance their practical knowledge as the next step in their careers. The online format puts students in a strategic position to interact and network with peers from around the world in a diverse learning environment.

The MSc in International Business is also offered through Birmingham Business School. As with the MBA, modules are taught by scholars and experts in globalisation, accounting, finance, marketing, human resources and operations. This business course, however, is designed to offer recent graduates with the critical business skills and international outlook to gain a competitive edge in their career before they are eligible to enrol in an MBA.

Birmingham Business School carries triple-crown accreditation with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). This gold standard places Birmingham Business School among just a handful of elite business schools worldwide.

The online MPA is organised by the Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV), the University of Birmingham’s academic centre for research and teaching on local governance and strategic public management. This gives students who enrol an opportunity to study contemporary public administration theory and strategy while connecting with strategic links from many different locations in Europe and further afield.

Students will have access to the latest in digital media to experience more dynamic and interactive learning. Course curriculum encourages participation and connectivity through the use of video lectures, case studies, interactive assignments, digital resources and peer-to-peer social interaction.

Professor Glyn Watson, Director of Alternative Modes of Delivery, University of Birmingham said:

“The launch of these three new programmes represents an exciting new opportunity for the University of Birmingham. They allow us to offer a high quality, state-of-the-art online learning experience to a constituency which, given their other commitments, would normally find it difficult to study at university full-time.”

Birmingham’s commitment to building a strong online learning portfolio is further demonstrated by the creation of a new department under the direction of Ian Myatt, formerly Head of Knowledge & Learning for BBC Online. Together with the University’s partnership with the Canvas online learning platform – a UK first – Birmingham aims to revolutionise the distance learning experience.

ENDS

More information about online postgraduate courses from the University of Birmingham can be found on their website.

For interview requests or for more information, please contact Ben Goodwin, International Media Relations Manager, University of Birmingham on +44 (0) 121 414 8254

For out of hours media enquiries, please call: +44 (0) 7789 921 165

• The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions (64 in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15), its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 4,000 international students from nearly 150 countries.