Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Programme Overview
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) offered through London Examinations Board (LEB) provides a prestigious, internationally recognised postgraduate qualification designed for ambitious professionals seeking to accelerate their careers to the highest levels of leadership and strategic management.
The programme is delivered through a flexible two-stage structure, offering two distinct MBA pathways depending on your chosen awarding university. This dual-stage approach allows you to achieve a recognised postgraduate diploma before progressing to the MBA, making it an ideal choice for working professionals.
Stage 1 involves completing the SCQF Level 11 Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) , which builds your foundational and strategic business knowledge.
Stage 2 is the Master’s Stage , which consists of a research methods training module followed by a Dissertation. Upon successful completion, you will be awarded an MBA from either:
Jesselton University College (JUC) , or
University of Gloucestershire (UOG) .
Programme Aims
Stage 1: SCQF Level 11 Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA)
To enable the advanced study of organisations, their management, and the changing external context in which they operate.
To equip individuals with professional-level skills for senior managerial and leadership positions.
To develop the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of business and management to complex issues, both systematically and creatively.
To enhance lifelong learning and personal development, enabling you to work with self-direction and originality.
Stage 2: Master’s Stage (MBA)
To enable learners to undertake a substantial, self-directed piece of research that demonstrates mastery of advanced knowledge, critical evaluation, and original application in a chosen area of business, management, or leadership.
To develop the ability to identify complex management issues, design rigorous investigations, and synthesise theory with practice to produce actionable insights.
To foster high-level intellectual autonomy, ethical research conduct, and effective communication of findings at a level appropriate for senior strategic roles or further doctoral study.
Programme Learning Outcomes
SCQF Level 11 Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA)
On successful completion of the PDBA, students will be able to:
Demonstrate a critical understanding of management theories, current issues, and the development of conceptual frameworks to guide their application within organisations.
Acquire a strong foundation in key functional areas of business management to succeed as effective managers and leaders.
Acquire and use a range of concepts, tools, and techniques for problem-solving and decision-making when analysing complex business scenarios.
Demonstrate and apply independent research and critical skills enabling the investigation and evaluation of valid and relevant management issues.
Demonstrate initiative, insight, attitudes of responsibility, and ethical leadership in the development of the strategic management agenda.
Master’s Stage (MBA)
On completion of the Master’s Stage, students will be able to:
Research Design and Scholarly Independence: Design and execute a well-defined, independent research project demonstrating originality, methodological coherence, and effective engagement with supervisory support.
Advanced Analytical Competence: Critically analyse complex business problems using appropriate qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, ensuring methodological validity and reliability.
Critical Literature Engagement: Conduct a systematic and critical review of contemporary academic literature to identify research gaps and construct a robust conceptual framework.
Ethical and Responsible Research Practice: Demonstrate adherence to research ethics, governance standards, academic integrity, and data protection regulations.
Evidence-Based Decision Making: Generate well-substantiated findings and develop actionable, strategically relevant recommendations grounded in empirical evidence.
Scholarly Communication and Defence: Communicate research processes and outcomes effectively through written submission and viva voce examinations.
Programme & Curriculum Structure
This is a two-part programme. You must successfully complete Stage 1 to be eligible to progress to Stage 2.
SCQF Level 11 Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA)
The PDBA is a 120-credit programme comprised of 8 Common Core Modules, each carrying 15 credits at SCQF Level 11.
| Module | Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 15 |
| Module 2 | Managing Business Strategy | 15 |
| Module 3 | Managing Human Capital | 15 |
| Module 4 | Marketing Management | 15 |
| Module 5 | Managing Operations | 15 |
| Module 6 | Leading Organisations | 15 |
| Module 7 | Financial Management | 15 |
| Module 8 | Business Research Methodology | 15 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
Master’s Stage (MBA)
Upon successful completion of the PDBA, you will progress to the Master’s Stage, which consists of a 60-credit Dissertation module.
Mode of Study: Blended or Fully Online
Notional Learning Hours: 600 hours (Scheduled Contact: 10 hours; Independent Learning: 590 hours)
Minimum Duration: 6 months
Entry Requirements
Admission to Stage 1 (SCQF Level 11 Professional Diploma in Business Administration)
Academic Qualification: A Bachelor’s Degree qualification in any subject from an institution recognised by LEB.
Professional Qualification: A professional qualification equivalent to a degree with a minimum of two years of working experience.
Mature Entry (without a degree):
Hold a Diploma or Advanced Diploma with more than six years of work experience, of which at least two years are at a supervisory/managerial level.
Without a Diploma qualification but with more than eight years of work experience, of which at least three years are at a supervisory/managerial level.
English Language Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in English to participate in the programme.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL): Consideration may be given for prior certificated or experiential learning.
Admission to Stage 2 (Master’s Stage – MBA)
To be admitted to the Master’s Stage, you must:
Have successfully completed the SCQF Level 11 Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) or an equivalent qualification (e.g., a regulated qualification at EQF Level 7 with 120 credits in business/management).
Demonstrate a minimum of English Language proficiency of CEFR B2 or other equivalence accepted by the awarding university.
MBA Pathways
1. MBA awarded by Jesselton University College (JUC)
This pathway is delivered through a collaborative arrangement between LEB and JUC.
Dissertation Module: 20 Credits (Level 7 MQF)
Notional Learning Hours: 750 Hours (with 6-8 scheduled supervision meetings)
Duration: 4 months (minimum) to 8 months (maximum)
Assessment: A 20,000-word dissertation.
2. MBA awarded by the University of Gloucestershire (UOG)
When you successfully complete your LEB Professional Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) or another postgraduate diploma taught in English and approved by UOG, you can continue your studies to obtain an MBA by completing the Master’s Stage with LEB through a collaborative arrangement with the University of Gloucestershire. It requires that you undertake research methods training followed by a dissertation delivered and supervised by LEB.
The PDBA, which has been accredited with 120 credits at Level 11 (equivalent to EQF Level 7) by a Credit Rating Body of the SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework), only requires successful learners to undertake the 60-credit research methods training and dissertation with LEB.
Learners who successfully complete the PDBA will be awarded a Professional Diploma in Business Administration which will be internationally recognised. The programme is listed on the SCQF database and can be found at https://scqf.org.uk/about-the-framework/scqf-database/ by searching for “London Examinations Board” under “Owner of Qualification.”
Master’s Stage Credits: 60 Credits (Dissertation)
Notional Learning Hours: 600 hours (Scheduled Contact: 10 hours; Independent Learning: 590 hours)
Duration: 6 months
Specialisations
Students have various options for their MBA, including specialisations available provided that students are able to prove they can conduct research in the specialist area and that they have the knowledge and access to suitable data to conduct relevant research. Ideally, they should be working in the same field as their chosen specialisation.
Available Specialisations:
General MBA
MBA in Accounting and Finance
MBA in Human Resource Management
MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management
MBA in Marketing Management
MBA in Healthcare Management
Dissertation Assessment (UOG)
10% Assignment: Individual Proposal (1,500 words)
80% Dissertation / Major Project (15,000 words)
10% Assignment: Individual Reflective Paper (1,500 words)
Mode of Delivery
The programme is delivered through flexible modes, designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals.
Stage 1: PDBA
Blended Learning (Mode A): Combines 8 hours of face-to-face lectures per module with self-study using Online Learning Resources and online interactions with the Module Leader.
Fully Online (Mode B): Offers 8 hours of asynchronous classes per module. Support is provided by a Programme Tutor. Learning is supported by pre-recorded video lectures and self-study using Online Learning Resources.
Stage 2: Master’s Stage (MBA)
Blended Learning (Mode A): Each taught module has a total of 8 hours of face-to-face lectures, supported by self-study using Online Learning Resources and online interactions with the Module Leader.
Fully Online (Mode B): Each taught module has a total of 8 hours of online classes, tutorials, and interaction with the Module Leader. This is supported by self-study using Online Learning Resources. Pre-recorded video lectures for each module will be provided.
Duration
Stage 1: PDBA
Full Programme (8 Modules):
Minimum Duration: 6 months
Maximum Duration: 12 months
With Exemptions through APL Process (2 Modules):
For students exempted from 6 taught modules.
Minimum Duration: 2 months
Maximum Duration: 4 months
Stage 2: Master’s Stage (MBA)
JUC Pathway: 4 months (minimum) to 8 months (maximum)
UOG Pathway: 6 months (minimum)
Ready to Achieve Your MBA?
This programme offers a prestigious and flexible pathway to one of the most respected qualifications in business. Enrol today and take the next step in your leadership journey.
