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
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
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Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (QQ1003) This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students (and articulating students who are in their first year at the University), is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
View detailed information about the Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen course
Academic Practice for Study (QQ1001) The overall learning aim (goal) of this course is to equip students with the foundational academic practice skills for studying business. The course will identify key areas of Academic Practice and consider how students can use and develop these within their studies as they progress through their four year programme. It will equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed for studying at the HE level and act as a building block for all other courses. This course teaches knowledge and develops key transferable skills.
View detailed information about the Academic Practice for Study course
The Economics of Business and Society (EC1006) This course is an introductory course in microeconomics where we study the decision making of individual actors (consumers, employees, firms, governments, etc.) in an economy. Actors must make decisions about behaviours because they face scarce resources, but often they find that trading with other actors in markets can increase the wellbeing of all parties. This course models and examines the nature of these interactions, highlighting when they work well and when they fail to increase wellbeing and what might be the solution to these failures.
View detailed information about the Economics of Business and Society course
Managing Organisations (MS1009) The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of management, the internal structure and processes of organisations. Students will understand the main functions of management, what management is, what managers do and the factors that influence behaviour and performance of managers and other employees within an organisation.
The course will introduce a range of theories, research and real-life illustrations of a diverse range of management practices and organisational behaviour. The course will cover areas of: Staffing, Groups and Teams, Leadership and Management, Human Resource Management, Organisational Structure, Culture and Change, Communication, Marketing, Branding and Organisational Processes.
View detailed information about the Managing Organisations course
Accounting and Entrepreneurship (QB1501) The course provides an understanding of how organisations, particularly small businesses, capture, create and use accounting information both to guide their own activities and to communicate their financial performance and financial position to parties external to themselves. It develops knowledge and understanding of accounting, accounting techniques and accounting information, so that students become informed users of accounting data and information, not creators of that data and information.
View detailed information about the Accounting and Entrepreneurship course
- Year 2
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Marketing (QB2007) This course provides students with an overview of the underpinning concepts of marketing, and the requirements for the development of a market oriented organisation. Specifically introduces the basic concepts of buyer behaviour, market research, the marketing mix and the strategic context of marketing. The linkages between marketing and other key functional areas of management, notably operations and human resource management are highlighted by this course, encouraging the adoption of a systems perspective.
Finance 2: Business Finance (QB2004) 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
Human Resource Management (MS2512) This course provides an introduction to key theories and concepts in Human Resource Management (HRM). Key themes to be covered include core HRM topics such as the link between strategy and HRM, reward and performance management, training and development, equality and diversity management.
View detailed information about the Human Resource Management course
Operations Management (QB2505) 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
Contemporary Issues in Business (QB2009) The aim of this course is to provide an introduction and overview of contemporary business issues. Contemporary business issues are cultural, economic, political or technological factors in the business environment which have emerged as having an important impact on contemporary organisations. These may vary, over time, as new business issues emerge and become important.
Currently the course will focus on two contemporary issues: (1) environmental sustainability and climate change, and (2) the impact of new information and communication technologies such as mobile technologies (smartphones, computers etc) and artificial intelligence (algorithms, AI) technologies on work.View detailed information about the Contemporary Issues in Business course
Introduction to International Business (QB2506) 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
- Year 3
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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
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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
Understanding and Managing Change (QB 4008) This course introduces the theory and practice of change management, a key area in consultancy. You will explore how individuals and organisations navigate transformation, gaining practical skills through case studies, group work, and presentations. Designed to build your consultancy competencies, the course helps you understand how to diagnose problems, develop strategies, and support change in today’s fast-paced and evolving business environment.
View detailed information about the Understanding and Managing Change 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
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.
Academic Requirements
- Qatar Public Schools: 70% or above in the Thanawiyah.
- British Schools: 5 passes at C or above in IGCSE and 2 passes at C or above in AS.
- American Schools: Minimum cumulative 2.3 High School GPA.
- International Baccalaureate – IB: Complete International Baccalaureate with a minimum of 26 points, including 3 subjects at 4,3,3 at HL.
- Diplomas and International transfer: There will be advance standing opportunities for suitably qualified applicants. We would expect such applicants to have successfully completed either a minimum of two years of an equivalent degree, or hold a relevant diploma from international institutions and in Qatar.
English Language Requirements
If the most recent academic qualification was not taught in English, we will ask applicants to supply us with evidence of English proficiency by providing a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in each section or equivalent.
Documents Required
- High School Certificate
- High School Transcript
- Attestation letter from the Equivalency Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education – Qatar
- NOC from Military Service (Male Qataris only)
- Diploma certificate (Transfer applicants only)
- Diploma transcript (Transfer applicants only)
- CV (Transfer applicants only)
- Copy of QID
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.