The options develop knowledge gained in the core modules by building on their content to gain a more advanced understanding, or by studying other areas of business to gain knowledge in new areas.

This allows Hull MBA students to specialise in a business area such as marketing, finance, logistics or international business, or to diversify and receive a broad grounding across a number of topic areas.

By carefully choosing the right combination of options and dissertation topic, students will enhance their core MBA study and vastly improve their value to employers.

Around fifteen optional modules are available in any year, the exact number depending on student demand. (Special note - no optional modules are available in the Gulf)

Research methods and the MBA dissertation

The Research Methods element covers research skills and methodological approaches and prepares students to undertake a substantial piece of independent work.

Students are introduced to research methods that are commonly used in business and management (for example, interviews, questionnaires, participant observation and action research) and asked to critically reflect on their strengths and weaknesses. This critical reflection provides a platform for the development of understanding about how to select and design research methods giving due consideration to the research question(s), contextual constraints and issues of ethics and validity. The course includes the preparation of a research proposal that normally links to the dissertation topic.

The length of the dissertation itself is 15,000 words and provides students with an opportunity to carry out a significant piece of research in an area of personal interest related to the world of business and management. Students are supported by a dedicated academic supervisor during the dissertation period (June-August).