Frequently Asked Questions

Are any scholarships available?  

Yes, there are some part-fee scholarships. Visit our website to find out more. 

Can Durham University Business School send emails directly to my personal email account?  

No. All Full-Time MBA students are given a Durham email address which will be the principal means by which the University and the Business School contacts you during your programme. It is particularly important that you check it regularly.   

How is the programme delivered?  

The programme is delivered 100% on site at the Durham University Business School with students expected to attend lectures Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and to undertake programme related activities on the afternoon. 

How do I reset my password if I have forgotten it?  

Once you are a registered student, you can reset your password by accessing the MyDigitalDurham page:  

MyDigitalDurham   

How does the college system at Durham University work?  

All postgraduate students are members of a college throughout their time at Durham University. Your college provides an environment which encourages and supports your studies and personal development, and links you to an international network of current students and alumni.  

How is the programme assessed?  

Assessment for each module differs and may include essays, assignments, projects, business reports, case analyses, learning logs, presentations, online exercises, and case study based exercises. 

I have professional qualifications; can I gain an exemption to any MBA modules?  

Exemptions are not offered on the Durham MBA, students must study all modules and the final project. 

I may need to withdraw from the programme, what should I do?  

If you feel you may need to withdraw from the programme, please email business.mbaadmin@durham.ac.uk to set up a time to meet with the programme team. There may be other options to explore, such as a suspension of studies. If you feel that withdrawal is the only option, then please be aware of the following:  

  

• You will be charged tuition fees for any University term, or part term, when you have been a registered student. The date of withdrawal is used to calculate fees. If you have already paid all fees, a refund will be calculated on this basis.  

• If you have successfully completed at least 60 credits from the programme, the Board of Examiners will consider an exit award. Please see programme regulations for further information.  
• It may be possible to return to the programme later but only within 5 years of the date of withdrawal and this is at the discretion of the Programme Director, who will assess the modules you have already successfully completed, and any changes to the programme content during that time.  
• Fees may increase each year. If you return to the programme later, tuition fees for that year of re-entry will apply.  
• If you hold a scholarship and withdraw from the programme you lose the scholarship. If you return to studies you cannot get the scholarship reinstated. 

Is there an introduction period?  

There are two weeks allocated to the Welcome & Orientation programme. Through week 1 students are introduced to the programme, the wider University and team. Students will work on various activities and prepare for the formative assignment into week 2 (career / skills activities and University welcome & orientation activities). The formative assignment does not count towards the MBA but allows students a practice run at an assessment to gain valuable feedback to help with future assessments. 

Useful contacts  

MBA programme related questions – business.mbaadmin@durham.ac.uk   

What are the fees and the payment structure?  

Please see the fees and funding section of the website here.  

What is my ‘anonymous code’?  

You can view your anonymous marking code (Z code) by accessing Banner Self Service. All written summative assessment is submitted anonymously, so you must use your Z code to replace your name on all submissions. Instructions on how to submit summative assessments are available during Welcome and Orientation and can be found on each Learn Ultra course site.  

Your code is normally generated during the first few weeks of your programme. Your Welcome & Orientation formative assignment is submitted with your name, it is not anonymous.  

What is my ‘Banner ID’?  

Your Banner ID or Student Number is a 9-digit code that identifies students on the University’s online systems. It always begins with the digits ‘00’ and is the reference number you should include when contacting the office.  

What time commitment is expected from me?  

You will be required to attend lectures Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm with group, academic and college/university activities taking the rest of your time. 

When can I expect to be invoiced for the first year?  

Your invoice will be raised within the first three months of the start of your programme. It is sent to you directly from the University’s Finance team (studentbilling.query@durham.ac.uk). You will be enrolled before the start of term regardless of whether or not you have received your invoice. 

How do I request a receipt for my payment? 

The University Cashier team provide receipts for payment and can be contacted at finance.cashiers@durham.ac.uk  

When will I have access to the module sites on Learn Ultra?  

Online module sites (courses) are made live at the start of each term. We have four terms each year for the MBA programme with the final Strategic Consulting Project being worked on over the summer. You will be notified when these sites become live. Any pre-reading will be posted on the module site.  

When do I make my pathway choice? 

An initial choice is made by students at the point of enrolment and registration. During October various Masterclasses are delivered per pathway for students to obtain more in-depth information before making their final pathway choice. 

How are students allocated to the International Business in Context language/study trip? 

Students will be provided with information about the study trips/language choice during Welcome & Orientation and must make their selection by the end of the Welcome & Orientation period as language classes start in Week 1 of teaching. 

What costs are associated with the international trip? 

The University will provide accommodation and a budget for flights from the UK to the destination and returning to the UK. Transport during the visit to companies, etc. is covered by the School. Breakfast is included with the accommodation.

Students are responsible for securing a visa, and any associated costs, food and refreshments and any travel they may undertake outside of the arranged trip activities. 

STRATEGIC CONSULTING PROJECT  

What is the purpose of the Strategic Consulting Project?   

• It helps ‘mature’ your thinking and allows you to link concepts from various areas of the modules.   
• It can indicate your skills in applying academic concepts to practical situations.   
• It demonstrates your self-development and abilities in organising your ideas/work.   
• It demonstrates your ‘soft skills’ – working with others, problem solving etc., as well as ‘hard’ skills.   

What are the aims of the Strategic Consulting Project? 

• To contribute to the overall aims of the programme by providing students with the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation at an advanced level of an issue or a business challenge which is applicable to an industrial, commercial, public sector or charitable organisation. The positioning at the end of the programme is intended to promote integration of material covered in the core and elective phases.  
• To provide a consulting report based on specific research question(s) relevant to the investigated strategic issue, problem of challenge.  
• To analyse the strategic problem, issue, or challenge, using appropriate structure, research methodology, tools, and techniques to be included in the strategic consulting report.   
• To equip students with the appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods knowledge and skills to enable them to undertake a research project at Masters level, as the strategic consulting project should normally involve undertaking empirical research.  

• In case you are an Entrepreneurship specialised student or interested in setting your own business, the strategic consulting project can be utilised to create your own new venture and develop your new business plans and ideas.  

What are the credits and assessments for the Strategic Consulting Project?   

• The Strategic Consulting Project is worth 60 of the 180 credits for the MBA, so is a particularly important part of the programme.   
• The formative assessment is feedback on a draft of one chapter of the Strategic Consulting Project.  
• You are required to deliver a written strategic consulting project of 12,000 words maximum.  

What support will be available as I work on the Strategic Consulting Project?   

• You will be allocated an individual supervisor to provide guidance throughout the study period, including one-to-one consultations.   

How do I get started?   

• Students can choose to pursue a Strategic Consulting Project in two ways, either by working with a host organisation, sourced either by the student or by the Business School, or, for entrepreneurship specialised students or students interested in setting up their own business, by creating their own new venture and developing their new business plans and ideas.  
• The topic (which is formally approved by the Module Leader on behalf of the Chair of the Board of Examiners) should be one that is suitable for in-depth investigation.  
• Consulting projects of this nature have typically been based in a wide variety of organisations, including profit-seeking companies in both manufacturing and the service sector; nationalised industries; public agencies and local authorities; non-profit seeking organisations; multinationals and companies seeking to internationalise; and owner-managed small firms.  
• Consulting projects can be self-sourced by students, using their own network, to build on their experience in certain areas of expertise or to develop their understanding of certain sectors they are interested in exploring for future career opportunities.