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Innovation, Enterprise and Circular Economy

Postgraduate Certificate

Duration
Start date
Location

Suitable for applications.

Overview

We offer the world’s first and only Postgraduate Certificate focused on the Circular Economy.

This new economic model aims to:

  • use resources and energy more effectively
  • reuse products and materials
  • deliver increased profit for organisations

As a student you’ll have a unique qualification and first-mover advantage, opening up a range of new career opportunities.

This Postgraduate Certificate sits as a separate award within the Innovation, Enterprise and Circular Economy distance-learning MBA programme. It is designed for those who wish to solely focus on Circular Economy without the additional MBA elements. You can however convert to the MBA at a later date, subject to the approval of the programme director.

The curriculum has been developed in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. You’ll study topics including:

  • regenerative product design
  • new business models
  • reverse logistics
  • materials, resources, energy and competitiveness
  • operations, marketing and strategic management

The programme is studied part-time through distance-learning, using a combination of self-study, online teaching and group discussions. This flexibility means that you can fit your learning around your work and home commitments, and complete the programme at a pace to suit you in anything from 9 months to six years.

Contact our Distance Learning MBA team

Professional accreditation

We are proud to be in an elite group of business schools to hold the triple accreditations of Equis, AMBA and AACSB, often referred to as the "triple-crown".

Equis Accredited logoAMBA Accredited logoAACSB accreditation logo

Entry requirements

If you'd like a quick view on your suitability and eligibility for The Bradford MBA before you complete a full application, simply send us your CV and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Please email it to mba@bradford.ac.uk

All applications are considered on their individual merits and will be assessed using a collective approach, which takes into account professional status and work experience as well as academic achievement.

Work experience

Candidates must have at least three years’ postgraduate work experience, which can be from any industry, including both private and public sectors, and charitable organisations.

Academic and professional achievements

You should have a good first degree awarded by a UK university or overseas equivalent, or a relevant professional qualification. If you do not have a first degree or professional qualifications you will need to demonstrate significant management or business leadership experience (normally eight years). We will also consider an academic recommendation based on interview.

Numeracy and literacy competencies

We will require evidence of numeracy and literacy competencies, and you may be required to complete an authorised online aptitude test such as the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we may need evidence of your proficiency in English through a recognised test (IELTS, TOEFL or PTE-A). You will be required to achieve a minimum score of:

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no sub-test less than 5.5; or
  • Internet-based TOEFL:
    • For EU, non-UK applicants: 90 overall, with minimum scores of: Listening – 17, Reading – 18, Speaking 20, Writing – 17
    • For International, non-UK/EU, applicants (UKBA requirement): 90 overall, with minimum scores of: Listening – 21, Reading – 22, Speaking – 23, Writing – 21; or
  • PTE-A (Pearson Test of English Academic): 60 overall, with no sub-test less than 51

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

What you will study

All module information is for 2024-25 entry, and is subject to change.

Core

  • Circular Economy: Principles and Strategies (Distance Learning)
  • Design for Circularity (Distance Learning)
  • Diversity, Scale and Development (Distance Learning)
  • Responsible Innovation
  • Management Project

Option

  • Project Management
  • Corporate Finance and Venture Funding
  • Global Supply Chain Management
  • Contemporary Marketing Communications
  • Management Consulting
  • Organisational Sustainability in Practice
  • Financial Risk Management in European Banking
  • Digital Health and Informatics
  • Data Visualisation for Business Leaders
  • AI for Organisations
  • Contemporary Issues in Global Business
  • Organisational Agility

Learning and assessment

All assessments are designed to be enquiry based, to allow you to follow your own professional and academic interests within a broad overarching assessment structure.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2024

£6,748.

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Related courses

Find out more

Explore our MBA programmes and flexible study options.

Career prospects

An MBA is an opportunity to either change career direction or consolidate experience then return and progress in a previous industry or job.

The Financial Times Global MBA rankings show that alumni continue to operate in a wide range of sectors with, on average, 20% of them being in board level positions within three years of graduation.

Career support

AWS Academy program from Amazon Web Services (AWS)

The School of Management has joined the prestigious worldwide AWS Academy program from Amazon Web Services (AWS). All students will be given an opportunity to enhance their employability skills, helping to make them ready for the world of work.

AWS Academy is a global program that provides educational institutions with access to cloud computing content to support student learning in a competitive digital workplace. As a member of the AWS Academy, the University of Bradford will help students become proficient and certified in the use of AWS technologies and ready to join the dynamic cloud IT workforce.

All learners will have the opportunity to seek professional certification with the skills gained through AWS Academy content, delivered by University staff that are AWS Academy accredited.

AWS Academy logo

Career Booster

During your time studying at the Faculty of Management, Law and Social Sciences you will have the opportunity to take part in our distinctive career booster programme throughout the duration of your course. The programme is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and graduate attributes to be job-ready when seeking employment with leading innovative organisations.

The Career Booster Programme offers you the opportunity to gain certificates in:

  • The European Computer Driving License (ECDL) - the benchmark for digital literacy
  • Sage 50 Accounting and Sage 50 Payroll - training that will allow you to develop leading accounting and payroll software skills
  • Project Manager Professional certificates - giving you the edge when seeking to become a Certified Project Manager
  • Big Data analysis and reporting skills - using Software and Services (SAS) that will lead to certification.

In addition, the programme will also include activities to promote teamwork, confidence, communication and many other skills sought by employers.

Developing a portfolio of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certificates will demonstrate to employers that you are not only ambitious but also take responsibility for your own professional development.

Study support

Each module has been designed so that your understanding and knowledge is developed through using a variety of materials from textbooks and academic journal papers through to video clips, podcasts, on line discussions and live on line tutorials.

Supporting materials

For each module you will be provided with electronic access to a study book and the core text book through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The study books contains essential study notes, case studies and short exercises to develop your understanding. The study books are written by academics from the Bradford School of Management many of whom are world leading authorities in their subject area. Each study book contains:

  • 9 study units, each unit is designed to develop your understanding of a particular subject area

  • 2 optional assignments which you submit to your tutor for feedback. These assignments  enable you to track your progress ensuring that you understand key subject areas

  • A series of short case studies and exercises reinforcing key principles and ideas and demonstrating how academic theory can be put into practice.

  • Clear guidance on accessing additional learning materials that will help reinforce your understanding and knowledge   

Tutorial groups 

While distance learning allows you to study at a time, place and pace to suit your needs we ensure that you will never feel like you are studying alone. When studying a module you will be part of a small tutor group. As a tutor group member you are expected to contribute  to the weekly on line discussion boards and a series of live on line tutorials. You can also discuss issues with other distance learning students and academics through the Bradford School of Management on line social networking site - The Atrium.

Virtual Learning Environment

The University of Bradford School of Management uses a virtual learning environment. Each module you study will have a dedicated site containing:

  • A copy of the module study book

  • Guidance on the assessment used for the module

  • PowerPoint slides and audio recordings (where available) taken from Bradford based full time or part time MBA lectures

  • Film from 3 key on-site lectures (where available)

  • Key readings selected by Bradford academics from leading academic journals, trade publications and broadsheet newspapers

  • Selected audio and video clips helping to underline your knowledge and understanding of  particular subject areas

  • Additional non-compulsory readings enabling you to further engage with a subject and advance your understanding 

  • A comprehensive bank of multiple choice questions allowing you to monitor your understanding and get instant feedback on your progression     

University of Bradford Library

As a distance learning student you will have access to the University's online library resources. This means wherever you are in the world you can access thousands of academic journals, market reports and textbooks all from your computer.

Distance learning students also have their own dedicated librarian who can provide students with photocopies of various materials including journal papers, book chapters and company reports.

Effective Learning Service

It may be some time since you last studied for a formal qualification and so some of your key learning skills such as essay writing, critical analysis and revision may require some attention. The School of Management Effective Learning department can provide you with all the help you need to overcome such obstacles. 'Quick Read' leaflets are available with titles such as 'How to Improve Your Marks' and '5 Stage Report Writing Structure'. A variety of additional information is available and you can even have a one-to-one consultation with our effective learning advisor.

Research

The Circular Economy components of the course are based on the latest research and thought leadership from around the world, supported by our academic partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.