Business Management

MA (Hons) Business Management

Study Business Management at AFG College with University of Aberdeen in Qatar.

Business Management

Business Management explores the theory and practice of how people and organisations are managed in a highly competitive global business environment, taught by leaders in this highly topical field.

You will benefit from real-life scenarios, giving you the skills, experience and attributes for a head start across a wide range of careers in the international business world. You will gain a wide perspective and thorough grounding through studying subjects such as Management, Accountancy, Marketing and Business Ethics and CSR. Your skills will develop in a dynamic learning and research environment, inspired by staff with a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds.

Please note: MA (Hons) is equivalent to a Bachelor degree with Honours.

At a glance

On Campus Learning
MA (Hons)
4 Years
Full Time
September

What You'll Study

Business Management is a wide-ranging programme, and you will benefit from the University's holistic approach to the subject. You will learn about the latest business management techniques and models and will study topics such as managing organisations, the economics behind business and society, accounting and entrepreneurship, statistics, human resource management and consumer behaviour. You will have the opportunity to study a range of optional courses alongside compulsory courses.

We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Depending on start date, courses may vary or change.

Year 1
Academic Practice for Study (QB 1001)

Introductory course focusing on developing academic practice skills.

View detailed information about the Academic Practice for Study course

English for Academic Purposes (QB 1002)

This course aims to provide students with relevant competencies and skills in the use of English for academic purposes, to critically engage with reading and listening material, and to develop skills for analysis and critical assessment.

View detailed information about the English for Academic Purposes course

Culture, Society and Business in the 21st Century (QB 1003)

The Business, Culture and Society course is designed to cover broad issues and trends in business, and to do this in a way that encourages students to understand what is that makes up appropriate university level practice.

View detailed information about the Culture, Society and Business in the 21st Century course

Data, Information and Knowledge for Business (QB 1004)

This course aims to equip students with the foundational academic and practical skills to enable the further study of business, finance, statistics, and economics.

View detailed information about the Data, Information and Knowledge for Business course 

Introduction to Accounting (QB 1501)

This is an introduction to accounting which aims to provide an understanding of how organisations – particularly small and medium sized businesses – capture, create and use accounting information both to guide their activities internally within the management function and to communicate their financial performance and position to external users of the accounts.  This course allows students to develop practical and analytical skills through a problem-solving approach to accounting-related aspects of business performance reporting and control, particularly in relation to bookkeeping, accounts preparation, budgeting and management accounting.

View detailed information about the Introduction to Accounting course 

Introduction to Economics (QB 1502)

The course is an introduction to Economics and aims to develop an understanding of the economics of the markets at a microeconomic level and  the economy at the macroeconomic  level. It will include the study of the behaviour of economic agents such as consumers, workers, households, firms, central banks and governments. It seeks to investigate how objectives such as utility, social welfare, profits, GDP and growth are pursued. The course allows students to acquire skills in positive analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the factors determining trade in markets, whilst also start to develop some of the normative analytical policy tools, with attention given to optimal industry specific, monetary and fiscal policy recommendations.

View detailed information about the Introduction to Economics course 

Introduction to Finance (QB 1503)

This foundation course in finance, risk and investment is the requisite for several degree programmes and for level 2 real estate and finance courses. The module considers the nature and operation of investment markets, focusing on three asset classes; shares, bonds and real estate. It looks at the characteristics of these investment options in terms of their risks and returns. The module introduces basic financial mathematics: time value of money, calculation of present values and investment rates of return. Finally, it considers the role of financial institutions and regulatory bodies in personal finance, where consumers and financial markets interact.

View detailed information about the Introduction to Finance course

Introduction to the Management of Organisations (QB 1504)

A level 1 Introductory course to introduce theoretical and management concepts of organization in order to develop and understanding of their relevance and application in today’s world of business.

View detailed information about the Introduction to the Management of Organisations course 

Year 2
Personal Investment (QB 2003)

The objective of the course is to introduce the concept of personal financial management. This is done by developing financial awareness and capability in evaluating contemporary products of the financial services industry through an understanding of the industry's institutions, regulation, marketing and products. The aim is to give students the knowledge that they need to make long term decisions about their own and other people's finances that will increase life-time wealth. They will also learn about the role of the financial advisor and the qualifications required both from the perspective  of a consumer and as a potential career option.

View detailed information about the Personal Investment course

Finance 2: Business Finance (QB 2004)

The main aim of this course is to develop a sound understanding of fundamental principles underlying the theory and practice of finance, thereby providing a strong basis for further study of advanced finance theory and cognate disciplines. The course introduces students to important concepts in finance: principles of assets pricing,  concept of risk and return, theory of interest rates and pricing fixed income securities, evaluation of investment project with a focus on embedded real options. It equips students with good analytical skills in order to understand the implications of financial decisions by understanding  the fundamentals that govern them.

View detailed information about the Finance 2: Business Finance course

Management Accounting 2 (QB 2002)

This course extends the operational tools and techniques introduced in AC1514.  It develops more complex problem-solving techniques in the planning, control and decision-making process.  It shows how quantitative methods and analytical techniques can be applied in management accounting solutions to management problems.  It also emphasises the diverse industrial, commercial and not-for-profit settings in which management accountants work.  It seeks to develop in students an understanding the organisational context as well as the nature of management accounting information.  The focus is to enhance students’ problem-solving and communication skills, and develop their ability to select and apply appropriate techniques in specific contexts.

View detailed information about the Management Accounting 2 course

Introduction to Human Resource Management (QB 2006)

This course designed is for Business Management students and covers one of the most important functions in an organisation/business, that of Human Resource Management (HRM). HRM links people-related activities to the strategy of a business or organisation. This course develops an appreciation and understanding of the role of HRM in delivering on business strategy and organisational objectives. In doing so, the course introduces relevant concepts and theories in the field of HRM. Topics include: Evolution of HRM; International HRM; Recruitment and Selection; Reward and Performance Management; Training and Development; Work-Life Balance and Flexible Working; and Equality and Diversity.

View detailed information about the Introduction to Human Resource Management course

Financial Markets and Regulation (QB 2501)

This course provides students with an understanding of the financial system, primarily from a UK perspective, introducing students to the reasons for, and nature of, financial markets and institutions before moving on to explore the need and importance of financial regulation, and investigating the causes and consequences of the recent global financial crisis. The course will introduce students to a variety of topics including the role of wholesale and retail banks, non-bank financial institutions, the debt and equity markets, and the derivative markets; market efficiency, UK and international regulation, consumer protection and market abuse.

View detailed information about the Financial Markets and Regulation course

Understanding Statistics (QB 2504)

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of statistical concepts and methods relevant to accounting, management, finance, real estate and economics. The course is intended to enable students to:

  • understand the principles of descriptive statistics, index construction, statistical inference, correlation, regression and time series analysis
  • apply statistical techniques to the analysis of accounting, business and economic issues and interpret findings
  • identify important sources of data in accounting, business and economics

View detailed information about the Understanding Statistics course

Operations Management (QB 2505)

Operations is the part of management that considers processes rather than people and focuses on the  organisation rather than its environment. We study processes and process types: when we produce goods or provide services through projects, jobs, batches or by mass production or mass services. We study layout–how facilities are arranged–, capacity and inventory–how much we can make and when to store–, supply chains, project management, quality and improvement. The course considers theories such as lean and just-in-time but also practice. You will need a calculator besides the ability to write reports.

View detailed information about the Operations Management course

Financial Accounting 2 (QB 2502)

The objective of FA2 is to build upon material introduced in first year in order to develop students'  technical skills in financial statement preparation. Students will gain an appreciation of the regulatory framework for financial reporting. They will examine the usefulness of financial statement information, by looking at the form and content of accounts produced by partnerships and public limited companies.  Students will explore how to account for basic transactions through the implementation of current accounting standards and apply their knowledge in both the manual and the computerised environment, the latter through the SAGE accounting package.

View detailed information about the Financial Accounting 2 course

Introduction to International Business (QB 2506)

This level 2 course is a part of the Undergraduate Business Management programme in Qatar. International Business by necessity spans a number of discipline subject areas and as such it is difficult to locate its boundaries precisely. However, the topic covers a set of ever changing issues and relationships that affect both individuals (whether as consumers, employees, entrepreneurs etc.) and organisations (whether governmental, Not-for-profit, or commercial), and in this course it will be studied from these different perspectives. It should also be noted that whilst study in the international business area has its origins in economics (trade and finance), and these aspects still contribute to our understanding of the globalising world, study will also include the increasingly significant organisational and cultural areas.

View detailed information about the Introduction to International Business course


In Year 2, first half session, you have the option of:

  • Management Accounting 2 (QB 2002) OR Introduction to Human Resource Management (QB 2006)

In Year 2, second half session, you have the option of:

  • Financial Accounting 2 (QB 2502) OR Introduction to International Business (QB 2506)
Year 3
Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (QB 3004)
What is Business Ethics and why should we care? There is an impression amongst many that Business and Ethics are opposed ideas. This course seeks to address these issues. Exploring Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, tracing its historical origins through to current practice within organizations and the impact on the wider world.  The course covers the fundamental question of what ethics is, granting a context for wider discussion. It looks at why ethics is relevant in the business world today and does so through traditional lectures and interactive learning such as the debates that have proven popular with students.

View detailed information about the Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility course

New Venture Development (QB 3005)

Entrepreneurship skills are highly important to current economy and they are required to reach higher levels of economic growth and innovation. It is also widely believed that increased levels of entrepreneurship can be reached through, especially, entrepreneurship education. Therefore, this course help students build fundamental blocks that essential to embarking on an entrepreneurial venture.

View detailed information about the New Venture Development course

Understanding the Consumer (QB 3503)

This theoretically informed and practical course aims to explore the key concepts and theories of consumer behaviour. Students will explore: the consumer as an individual (understanding motivations, psychographics, demographics and cognitive processes) and social and group aspects of consumer behaviour (the role of friends, family and reference groups). The course uses interactive lecture sessions and tutorial activities to encourage students to reflect both on theory and their own experiences as consumers. The course will be very useful for those interested in marketing and market research careers.

View detailed information about the Understanding the Consumer course

Research Methods for Business (QB 3504)

This course introduces students to what is involved in undertaking research into business phenomena. It introduces philosophical issues in the theory of knowledge, ethical issues in research conduct, and considers quantitative and qualitative methods in turn, addressing issues in sampling and design, details of specific approaches, and considerations in data analysis. The course is taught through weekly lectures and an extended two hour tutorial every fortnight, with two pieces of coursework and a two hour written exam. The emphasis throughout is on understanding the conceptual underpinning of different methods, and their strengths and limitations in research.

View detailed information about the Research Methods for Business course

Year 4
Understanding and Managing Behaviour in Organisations (QB 4005)

This course is concerned with managing and understanding organisational behaviour. Organisational behaviour is one of the most complex and perhaps least understood academic elements of modern general management but since it concerns the behaviour of people within organisations it is also one of the most central. This course designed to prepare students for what lies within organisations, thus avoiding the 'reality shock'. The emphasis will be on real-life rather than theoretical examples although wherever appropriate theory will be grounded in practical examples.

View detailed information about the Understanding and Managing Behaviour in Organisations course

Dissertation in Management Studies (QB 4503)

Students in this course conduct independent research under the guidance of a supervisor. They can select their own dissertation topic or choose one of a range of topics offered by staff within Management Studies. Students undertake a qualitative and/or quantitative piece of empirical research and produce a dissertation at the end of the process. This course provides them with an opportunity to develop a range of generic and research-specific skills including critical thinking, argumentation, writing, time management, review of literature, research design, and data analysis.

View detailed information about the Dissertation in Management Studies course

Business Strategy (QB 4505)

This course is about business strategy and covers a broad range of topics that come under the general heading of “Business Strategy” or “Strategic Management”. The course has been designed to help you gain an understanding of the key areas of strategic management including an understanding of: what strategic management is and why it is important; the different types of strategic analysis tools available; the difference between corporate, business and functional strategy;  the complex issues associated with the implementation of strategy;  the concept of strategic fit; and the role for strategic leadership in shaping and implementing strategy. 

View detailed information about the Business Strategy course

How You'll Study

Course delivery is by means of lectures, seminars and small group tutorials. On specific courses, these will be supplemented by external speakers.

Learning Methods

Group Projects
Lectures
Tutorials

Assessment Methods

 

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

  • Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
  • Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
  • Written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses. Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Business Management?

 

  • You will gain a wide perspective and thorough grounding in all areas of business.
  • You will be taught by internationally renowned academics with strong track records in publishing international papers and articles.
  • This is a Business Management programme with the perfect balance between theory and practical work.
  • We have strong links with local and global businesses, giving you the benefit of cutting-edge insights into the subject.
  • Our degree programmes are accredited by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
  • Our business degree programmes in both Aberdeen and Qatar are EQUIS accredited.

Entry Requirements

  • 65% or above in the Thanawiyah or 5 passes at C or above in IGCSE
  • 40 UCAS points at AS/A Level or completed IB Certificate
  • Proof of English language at IELTS 5.5 or above (minimum 5.0 in all sections) or equivalent qualification*

*if the most recent academic qualification is not taught in English.

Advanced Entry

  • Applications for advanced entry will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Documents Required

  • Equivalency Statement Letter from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education
  • No objection certificate (NOC) from the National Military Service, Ministry of Defence. (For male Qatari Nationals only)

Fees

  • The tuition fee for entry in September is 89,000 QR per year.
  • Tuition fees are fixed at the point of entry so there is no annual increase for returning students.
  • Flexible payment methods are available.