Business Administration with Artificial Intelligence (MBA)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
This programme is designed for people like you; people with relevant work or technical experience, who have the ambition to accelerate their progression to senior leadership roles through a period of focused study and personal development.
A Cardiff welcome
Springboard into the course and learning community with a custom-made orientation and team building programme.
Career Advantage Service
Access to a career consultant and personal coach for personalised professional development.
Leadership development
Assess your leadership capability, craft a personal development path and build key leadership skills on our bespoke, wrap-around programme.
Make Cardiff connections
Become part of our capital business community through networking events, access to business leaders and alumni.
Accelerator project
Consolidate your learning and professional experiences as you respond to a complex, multi-faceted problem posed by a business client.
Are you an ambitious manager interested in driving positive business change using recent developments in Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining and Machine Learning? If so, then join us and thrive on the Cardiff MBA with Artificial Intelligence.
This programme is designed for people like you; people with relevant work or technical experience, who have the ambition to accelerate their progression to senior leadership roles through a period of focused study and personal development.
Contemporary integrated themes run through all modules, such as the future of work, responsible leadership and digital transformation. You’ll also study a specialist module on Artificial Intelligence, taught within the Data Science Academy in the School of Computer Science and Informatics.
Alongside students from a range of backgrounds and with diverse experiences, you will develop your business knowledge, increase your self-awareness and sharpen your ability as an effective and inspiring leader. You will consider the wider commercial, social and environmental implications of decision-making in a variety of practical contexts and have the opportunity to understand the management challenges of the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning within business. As a member of the Cardiff Business School community, you will benefit from opportunities to make a difference to society and the economy through study and extra-curricular activity in line with Public Value.
The Cardiff MBA with Artificial Intelligence will help you make a difference.
Accreditations
Where you'll study
Cardiff Business School
We’re an AACSB International and AMBA-accredited Business School with a clear mission: to make a positive impact in the communities of Wales and the world.
School of Computer Science and Informatics
Our degree programmes are shaped by multidisciplinary research, making them relevant to today's employers and well placed to take advantage of tomorrow's developments.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:1 honours degree, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 7.0 with 6.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
- A reference from your employer and/or previous employers to evidence that you have three years of relevant work experience. References should be signed, dated and less than six months old at the time you submit your application.
- An up-to-date CV which includes your full academic and work history.
If you do not have a degree your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer references.
Application deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet the entry requirements, we will invite you to an interview, either in person or online, to establish your level of work experience, your aptitude for the programme, and your motivation. If you satisfy these requirements at interview, you will be made an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
The Cardiff MBA with Artificial Intelligence is structured around a series of six challenge-focused modules, based on cross-functional and action-based scenarios typically found in the workplace. These may include Responsible Leadership, Digital Transformation and The Future of Work.
The learning required to engage with the challenges is experienced in immersive blocks designed to stimulate your curiosity, inform your process of enquiry and strengthen the application of your learning.
This approach provides an enriched opportunity for:
- the use of multiple and extended activities to enhance understanding
- student interaction to support shared sense making
- guided in-depth inquiry
- collaboration between students and the programme team
- frequent review of insights and development
- focused learning rather than the distracting demands of multiple modules
- structured independent learning
Challenges include a business strategy simulation, a time-constrained solution to a brief from a senior management team, and the development of an innovative business solution. A specialist module on the technologies, algorithms and tools driving the advancement of machine learning and artificial intelligence, will challenge you to develop a holistic view of the application of technology within new or existing business domains. The Accelerator Project is a real-world project using artificial intelligence and/or machine learning to develop solutions to a significant strategic issue. The concluding module then uses a crisis management simulation to consider the multiple facets of current leadership challenges. It also anticipates the future landscape and transformative change this requires.
This immersive challenge-based structure will enhance your capability in four interrelated areas. You will:
- develop a holistic understanding of core business areas and processes, drawing on contrasting functional, disciplinary and contextual perspectives;
- integrate theory and practice to promote critical thinking and problem solving;
- engage with the complex, dynamic and ambiguous nature of strategic decision-making;
- gain enhanced insight into your personal potential and develop advanced leadership skills.
Running throughout the programme is a supporting package of activities provided by the MBA’s Leadership Development Programme. These directly address the personal and professional skills needed for you to perform effectively in each challenge, and in the next stage of your career.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
Global Challenges and Strategic Decision Making | BST901 | 20 credits |
People Perspectives | BST902 | 20 credits |
Financial and Business Analytics | BST903 | 20 credits |
Creativity, Innovation and Enterprise | BST904 | 20 credits |
The Accelerator Project | BST906 | 40 credits |
Leading Change and Transforming Futures | BST907 | 20 credits |
Leadership Development Programme | BST908 | 10 credits |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Techniques and Applications | CMT225 | 30 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
An active learning approach is embedded in the Cardiff MBA with Artificial Intelligence. We believe that effective learning is founded on two things – your involvement in diverse and challenging experiences, and the way you make sense of those experiences, both individually and with others. A team that includes academics from multiple disciplines, and practitioners representing a range of functions and sectors will facilitate each module. This will reflect workplace practice and encourage the cross-fertilisation of different perspectives.
You will find that each block of learning involves a rich variety of activities including company visits, industry speakers, time-limited challenges, role-play, and simulations. These are all designed to reconsider your existing understanding and to explore issues from different perspectives. The diverse backgrounds within the student cohort make a valuable contribution here.
We will help you to enhance your higher order reflective skills, including observation, analysis, and synthesis to develop comprehensive conclusions about these experiences.
We will also encourage you to reflect collaboratively with peers, academics and practitioners to challenge your existing knowledge structures, assumptions, values and skills. This will also enable you to negotiate and build new insights into the nature of leadership and business practice and develop creative responses to business problems.
You will have opportunities to integrate and apply new understandings, together with skills from the Leadership Development workshops, in practical tasks embedded in each learning block, and formal coursework challenges around which each module is designed.
How will I be assessed?
The block programme structure provides plenty of opportunities for you to reflect on your learning and development informally. Short knowledge/skill review activities are built into each module to help you check your progress and improve your approach to learning. This will build your confidence and enhance your approach to formal assessment tasks.
Realistic work problems form the basis of formal module assessments. You will be expected to show extended academic reflection on each task, and also adopt typical business formats to present your findings, including oral presentations, and written reports. Assessment tasks require you to work individually and as part of a team, just as you would in the workplace.
All formal assessments are completed within each module block. This enables more in-depth consolidation and application required for successful performance in assessment tasks based on the complex work undertaken by business leaders. It also reflects realistic workplace timescales for the completion of tasks.
How will I be supported?
The University offers a wealth of support for postgraduate students. These include:
Learning Central
Learning Central is the University’s virtual learning environment. All programme and module materials are posted here for students to access before, during and after lectures.
Libraries
A variety of hard and electronic copies of books, journals and databases are available for participants on the programme.
Personal Tutor System
Each student is allocated a Personal Tutor. This member of academic staff will maintain an overview of your learning and educational experiences. If you are experiencing difficulties, your Personal Tutor will be there to listen and where possible provide professional guidance or else direct you to the appropriate source of support.
The Student Advisory Service
A free, impartial, non-judgemental and confidential service is offered to students on a wide range of personal, financial and academic matters.
Disability & Dyslexia Service
Confidential advice and support is provided for students who are disabled or who have a specific learning difficulty (e.g., dyslexia) or long-term medical condition.
Counselling Service
The Cardiff University Counselling Service provides members of the university community with an opportunity to examine issues that prevent them from maximising their full potential and to explore options for change. The Counselling Service is confidential and free of charge. It has had international recognition as a Centre for Excellence for individual and group counselling.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the programme you will be able to:
- Draw on discipline-based knowledge and management experience to design integrated solutions to complex organisational problems.
- Critically evaluate current management frameworks, models, debates and evidence and integrate with practice.
- Critically evaluate contrasting research and consultancy skills for engaging with multi-faceted business problems.
- Analyse the complex environmental context that informs strategic decision making in organisations and practice.
- Demonstrate a holistic awareness of challenges faced by businesses in making both an economic and social contribution.
- Critically evaluate the risks and opportunities of harnessing developments in artificial intelligence within a new or existing business
- Analyse and select relevant tools, technologies and algorithms for a particular domain or business area
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the programme you will be able to:
- Find and discriminate between competing sources of research and consulting evidence.
- Analyse methods for generating primary data and management information.
- Critically analyse and synthesise contrasting perspectives and their supporting evidence.
- Use standard software tools and libraries to analyse data.
- Integrate theory and diverse workplace experiences.
- Develop compelling arguments to support viable and creative plans of action to convince and brief a range of audiences.
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the programme you will be able to:
- Evaluate the practical applications of theory and practice to generate practice-based solutions to unstructured problems.
- Demonstrate proactivity and the ability to take the initiative.
- Demonstrate responsible and ethical leadership.
- Identify and address personal and professional development needs.
- Develop credible methods for gathering primary data.
- An ability to make decisions in challenging situations.
- Work effectively in a leadership team.
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the programme you will be able to:
- Solve problems creatively.
- Communicate to diverse audiences through a range of media.
- Demonstrate self-reflection and self-awareness.
- Work independently and collaboratively.
- Use digital technology.
- Manage self and others.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
---|---|---|
Year one | £19,950 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
---|---|---|
Year one | £33,200 | £2,500 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
At Cardiff Business School, you’ll receive a career-changing MBA education from world-leading academics that have different points of view. They’ll challenge your thinking as you consider the world of business from a range of alternative perspectives.
The Cardiff MBA is designed with your future in mind. You’ll benefit from our Career Advantage Service (CAS), which gives you access to the knowledge and expertise of a career consultant and coach for personalised professional development.
Alongside the CAS, a bespoke, wrap-around Leadership Development Programme will help you assess your leadership capability, develop a personal development path and build key leadership skills.
We’ve developed relationships that range from the largest multinationals to the smallest micro-businesses, and include a wide variety of social enterprises and cooperatives. We use these networks to deliver value for our students through:
- real-world case studies and insights
- collaboration with our Public Value Entrepreneurs in Residence
- guest lectures
- field trips and workshops.
Completing this wide ranging and varied learning experience will enable you to apply for more senior positions or seek transformative career change.
This programme is designed for those with existing work experience. Successful completion of the programme will enable you to apply for more senior positions or seek transformative career change.
This programme is designed for those with existing work experience. Successful completion of the programme will enable you to apply for more senior positions or seek transformative career change.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.