Master of Business Administration (Part-time) (MBA)
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Carmarthen Business School is designed for people who want to take the next step in their careers - Whether you’re already working in a business role or thinking about starting your own company, this course helps you build the skills and confidence to lead in today’s fast-moving world.
What makes this MBA different is its focus on sustainable and small to medium-sized businesses, especially those based in rural communities. Instead of looking only at big, global companies, the course explores how smaller organisations can grow in a way that supports people, places, and the planet. You’ll learn how to manage teams, make smart financial decisions, and adapt to change - all while keeping long-term impact in mind.
Throughout the programme, you’ll explore real business problems and develop practical solutions you can use straight away. You’ll also work with others on real projects, learning how to lead with care, think creatively, and make decisions based on solid research. The course supports flexible learning, which means you can study alongside your job or other commitments.
This MBA helps you become the kind of leader who can guide a business through change while keeping people at the heart of what you do. You’ll explore how to manage marketing, develop strategy, and respond to global challenges - all within the context of smaller, agile, and values-driven businesses.
Carmarthen Business School takes a fresh approach to business education. With its roots in rural Wales, the school is committed to building a better future through responsible leadership and community-focused learning. By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to take on new challenges, grow your career, or start something of your own - with the tools to make a real difference.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Part-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our MBA programme is designed to prepare students for managing sustainable and agile businesses in a rapidly changing environment, promoting a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Through modules focused on leadership development, innovation, and real-world practice, you will develop critical general management skills to carry forward into your career. The course provides a flexible learning option, with this pathway being available as part-time and distance learning.
The first year covers foundational topics such as Managing Marketing Change and Finance for Business Managers. These modules focus on giving you a solid base in general management and innovation, enabling you to manage teams and drive business growth.
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Year two continues with the advanced module in Strategic and Agile Business Management, which expands on leadership development while emphasising networking and collaboration. This year is critical for refining your understanding of global business challenges through research and strategy.
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
In the final year, you will complete your dissertation, focusing on applying your learning to a real-world business problem, integrating skills in entrepreneurial path and lifelong learning.
(60 Credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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Applicants must be over 21 years old and possess one or more of the following:
- Recognised honours degree (minimum of a 2:2) or equivalent.
- Professional qualification.
- The university’s diplomas/certificates in business management.
- Applicants who are over 25 years old and do not meet the above criteria may be admitted to the course provided their professional or managerial experience is deemed appropriate.
Certain exemptions from taught modules may be considered and will be decided on an individual basis in accordance with UWTSD’s Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning process.
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.  
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Modules are assessed by coursework. This may take various forms, work-based projects, small research projects, presentations, case study analysis and the dissertation.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.
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As an institution, we seek to continually enhance the student experience and as a result, additional costs may be incurred by the student on activities that will add value to their education. Where possible these costs will be kept to a minimum, with additional activities being optional.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Past students have enhanced their career advancement in the private, public and voluntary/not-for-profit sectors in the UK and overseas.
The content of the programme is vocationally focused, using real case studies of current organisations. Students are encouraged to share their own work experience and apply their knowledge and skills in creative and innovative ways.