Master of Business Administration
of Cardiff
Metropolitan University
The MBA programme at IUC, ending up with a Cardiff Metropolitan University degree is a three-semester programme which can be taken in Sofia or Dobrich.
The programme is designed to provide the students with a comprehensive background in the analysis and applications (managerial techniques) needed for the management decision making process at the company level.
Programme Features and Aims
Programme structure
Teaching and Learning
Study Trip
Learning Resources
Career Prospects
What Students Say About the Programme
Admission Requirements
Programme Features and Aims
The MBA programme is company-focused and takes a string of cross-cultural and international perspectives in most areas of study. It will boost your confidence in your management abilities. Graduation from this programme will give you an opportunity to shift into top gear and speed along the fast lane of the business world. The program aims to:
 • Develop an ability to analyse a broad range of approaches to the study of business and management and to critically evaluate the influences of controversial issues in the business environment.
• Enable students to critically assess changes in business administration in the context of wider political, social and organisational changes.
• Build on students’ ability to autonomously synthesize information/ideas and create responses to problems and /or develop new approaches in new situations.
• Encourage students to objectively appraise the range of economic, human and ethical dilemmas that impinge on the modern manager.
Programme structure
The programme lasts three semesters. The first two semesters are taught semesters, while the third one is for the preparation of the dissertation.
Semester 1
Accounting for Decision Makers
Enables students to evaluate the financial situation of their organisations and compare it to that of other organisations, as well as provide the tools for the effective evaluation of capital expenditure.
People & Organisations
Provides insights into the factors influencing the behaviour of people within organisations and how these influences might be taken into account to achieve maximum organisational effectiveness. Particular attention will be paid to organisation culture, conflict and the management of change, and to the relationship of national culture to ways of doing business.
Marketing
Provides students with a practical understanding of how the dynamics of the market, the business environment, consumer trends and behaviour and the organisation’s own capabilities impact upon its ability to develop and deliver profitable customers propositions. An emphasis is placed on the development of appropriate marketing strategies and plans.
Research Methods
Provides an overview of the key quantitative and qualitative methodologies that are needed to undertake, evaluate and present a small-scale research project. It helps the students develop research questions/hypotheses and produce a robust and realistic research proposal and research design considering issues of data validation, triangulation and reliability. Following satisfactory completion of Part 1, students will progress to implementing the research proposal and writing up the dissertation.
Semester 2
Strategic Management
Provides insights into the factors influencing the formulation and implementation of strategy. These factors will encompass those external to the firm, such as market structure and demographic changes, and those internal, such as style of leadership and organisational culture. The module also aims to facilitate the understanding of issues arising out of the process of internationalization. The students will be able to take these into account when recommending strategies appropriate for a variety of circumstances.
Managing Change
The main aim of this module is to provide a systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of approaches to managing change and the key themes that permeate the change management process, particularly strategy, leadership, people, organisational structure and organisational process. Another goal is to encourage an appreciation of the links between change management theory and its practice in different business operations and contexts.
Management of Finance
The aim of this module is to provide a critical understanding and application of the main concepts and models used to manage an international business from the financial perspective. It also aims to enable the student to critically evaluate international business opportunities and assess the impact of the financial dimensions within a dynamic global market in order to be able to make astute investment decision.
Semester 3
Dissertation
The dissertation is an essential part of the process of achieving a master’s level. It will provide the students with the opportunity to work independently and develop their ability to make critical and evaluative judgments. Students will specialize in an area of their choice but will be expected to draw upon a major theme of the taught part of the MBA and relate this to research. Using primary data, they will be guided by a personal tutor throughout the process. It is expected that this will provide an opportunity to integrate the course with practice, developing the ability to be an effective reflective practitioner. The dissertation should demonstrate that the student is able to produce work that is relevant in practice, particularly at the strategic level, and has an academic standing at the master’s level.
Teaching and Learning
Tuition is full-time. Classes are scheduled on Thursday and Friday evenings and on Saturdays. This allows the participants to carry out their professional duties while studying.
A wide range of teaching methods are used, including presentations, seminar discussions, computer-based work, group projects, and study trips. This variety enhances the learning process and enriches the study experience. All students are also expected to do considerable reading in order to gain additional knowledge about important management issues.
Visiting lecturers from business and industry are invited to participate in the teaching programme where appropriate.
The assessment of the courses varies, depending on the nature of the discipline. Combinations of essays and case-studies are quite common. The marking process follows British rules and practice: double marking, followed by moderation and an external examiner in the UK.
Study Trip
The MBA study trips give an excellent chance to study, analyse and anticipate business opportunities and risks in a truly international context. The work programme includes business meetings, team work and discussions and, naturally, a lot of fun.
The 2010 study trip was to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore. The core topic was the Blue Ocean Strategy and the students had very interesting and fruitful meetings and discussions with prominent professionals working on this topic. The academic programme in Malaysia was focusing at the Blue Ocean Strategy and the discussions there were with the Institute Senior Fellow of the Malaysia Blue Ocean Strategy Institute (MBOSI) Mr Ioan Carpus and with Mr Claudiu Carlogea from Enhance Worldwide. In Singapore the focus was on the Singapore social-economic model of development, which led to transforming that extremely poor of natural resources little island into one of the most prosperous economies in the world. Our host there was Mr  Georgi Pirinski who serves in the long term analysis and planning unit of the world’s biggest producer of metal ore BHP Billiton. George works and lives in Singapore for over three years and knows well the specifics of doing business in the region.
In addition to the academic discussions the students had excellent time discovering the beauty of these two very interesting countries, including Kuala Lumpur and the new capital Putrajaya In Malaysia, and Singapore and Sentosa island.
For 2012 we plan a study trip to Bangkok and Singapore. As usual the work programme includes business meetings, team work and discussions and, naturally, a lot of fun.
Learning Resources
All students have access to computer facilities in our labs. We also have a library with state-of-the art publications on all study subjects (www.iuc-edu.eu/library). For most courses, materials are also posted on-line on our blackboard web page so that the students can have access to it from any location.
All teaching staff on the programme are recognized experts in their field, with very substantial experience. Many are actively engaged in research, which is published in leading international journals. Other are executives in leading firms and organisations. The staff regularly participate in international conferences and business meetings and projects, which enables them to bring state-of-the-art knowledge to the classroom.
Career Prospects
The programme provides excellent opportunities to candidates for jobs with leading international and Bulgarian companies as well as to successful entrepreneurs. It can also be a vehicle for promotion to a higher position in the same company.
What Students Say About the Programme
“Being part of the Cardiff Metropolitan University and IUC community is an unmatched opportunity for me. I had been looking for new perspectives in order to understand people’s positions on different matters and form my own opinion. This MBA programme enabled me to do just that. The staff are a mix of professors and business people, and the contents combine scientific findings and real business situations. As a result, the programme raised my educational level to a higher standard, refined my skills and set me on a path to becoming an outstanding professional.”
Yulia Dikova, Executive Manager, Sunrise Holidays JSC
“After almost eight years of working experience, I have been appointed to different managing positions in the state administration. Nevertheless I am very excited to be in this MBA class for it provides me with more inspiring opportunities and new horizons to the world of business. It gives me an understanding of what I really missed all those years.”
Azer Melikov, Former Adviser to the Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria
“The MBA program of Cardiff Metropolitan University, offered by IUC, Sofia, is a challenge and I am glad I took it. I am now capable of enhancing my practical knowledge with theory, presented in a high-quality manner.”
Elitsa Gabenska, Marketing Assistant, Nestle Bulgaria
Admission Requirements
Applicants should meet one of the following:
• Possess, or expect to obtain, a degree from a recognized university
• Have relevant management experience
• Hold a professional or other qualification which is deemed acceptable for admission by the Cardiff Metropolitan University
Two recommendation letters from employers/academics, copy of a higher education degree (Bachelor), application form, registration fee and 4 passport-size photos are required.
The MBA programme is conducted in English and candidates are expected to have an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS score if they have not undertaken their previous studies in that language.
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