Mini MBA AI for Business Advantage

About

The Mini MBA AI for Business Advantage is designed for executives, managers and entrepreneurs who want to combine business strategy with applied AI skills. Across one intensive semester, you will learn how to critically evaluate and apply AI technologies to real-world business challenges, while also developing the leadership and management knowledge needed to drive organisational transformation.

Why study this course?: AI is transforming every sector, from finance and marketing to healthcare and manufacturing. Businesses urgently need leaders who not only understand AI’s potential but can also apply it responsibly and strategically.
What will you gain?: You will gain a unique blend of MBA-level strategy and leadership insights, practical hands-on AI skills and the ability to design phased AI roadmaps. You’ll also learn how to embed responsible and ethical AI adoption into organisations.
Industry relevance: The course directly addresses current job market demands where employers seek leaders who can manage AI-enabled transformation. By engaging with case studies, applied labs and strategic projects, you’ll graduate with immediately transferable skills that position you as a future-ready professional.
Who is the course for?: This course is designed for executives, managers, entrepreneurs and professionals who want to:
Lead digital and AI transformation projects
Gain confidence in applying AI for innovation and growth ·
Understand governance, ethics and cultural implications of AI
Position yourself as a future-ready leader

By the end of the programme, you’ll not only understand AI, you’ll be able to lead responsible adoption and position yourself as a transformative leader in the digital economy.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme will be equipped to step into leadership and strategic roles in industries undergoing AI-driven transformation. Potential career pathways include:

Job roles:

AI Transformation Manager
Digital Strategy Lead
Business Innovation Consultant
Product and Operations Manager with AI expertise
Entrepreneur or Founder in AI-enabled ventures

Transferable skills:

Strategic leadership and decision-making
Critical problem-solving using AI
AI roadmap design and governance
Communication and stakeholder engagement at board level
Ethical and responsible leadership in technology adoption

Course Duration and Delivery Format

The course will start in Semester 2, 2026. The course will be taught on the Derry-Londonderry Campus in day ‘blocks’ with additional online content. There will be 3 days on campus and 2 days online.

Proposed Dates:

Wednesday 25 March 2026
Wednesday 15 April 2026
Wednesday 22 April 2026

* Please note, dates and timetabling may be subject to change.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Learning is delivered through a blend of lectures, interactive seminars, hands-on AI labs, hackathons and strategic project work. The structure combines theory with practice:

Coursework (100%), with no traditional exams.
Coursework 1 (40%): Individual diagnostic presentation, diagnose an AI opportunity in your organisation and pitch a pilot with ethical considerations .
Coursework 2 (60%): A strategic roadmap report, develop a boardroom-ready or pitch ready plan for AI adoption, including applied artefacts and governance models.
Unique elements:

(a) On-campus Generative AI creation labs

(b) Industry masterclasses and case studies

Integration of Ulster University’s Global Learning Goals including digital fluency, entrepreneurship and sustainability

Campus

Derry~Londonderry and Online

Module details

The course is delivered as a 15-credit module focused on AI in business practice. Indicative content includes:

Lead with AI-forward leadership and culture: Understanding how AI reshapes leadership roles, governance and ethics.
Apply people management and AI adoption: Applying AI tools in HR, change management and adoption maturity frameworks.
Create AI-driven artefacts in generative AI Labs: Hands-on sessions building AI-driven artefacts (marketing campaigns, strategic reports, chatbots).
Design innovation and responsible AI strategies: Designing AI-enabled business models and drafting responsible AI policies.
Build and implement phased AI roadmaps: Building phased, resourced AI roadmaps using frameworks like Kotter and Lewin

Course Entry requirements

You should hold a Second-Class Honours Degree or better OR have significant managerial / business experience.

Fee Funding Eligibility

Places are limited and open to applicants who:

are over 18 years of age;
are eligible to work in Northern Ireland;
are ‘settled’ in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland (ROI)*, and has been ordinarily resident for at least three years;
meet the Ulster University general entry requirements (opens in new window)

* For anyone resident in ROI, you need to be a UK or Irish citizen to be able to apply for this course.

Please note that this programme is not available to applicants with the following residency statuses:

GB and Islands
EU excluding ROI qualifying residents
International students

Terms and Conditions

Fee funding is paid directly by the Department for the Economy to Ulster University.
Students cannot redeem the funding for an alternative programme nor redeem the cash value.
Students cannot redeem this funding in conjunction with any other course fee funding.
Students can normally only enrol on one programme at Ulster in any one academic year. There may be exceptions if the total credits from more than one programme do no exceed 60 credits.

Apply now

There are a limited number of places on the course.

Offers will be made to those applicants who meet the entry requirements, and have provided evidence of such, on a first come , first served basis.

Therefore, when creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:

Passport
Evidence on meeting three year residency in NI/ROI
Degree Certificate
English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else)
BRP - If applicable

Apply now for Mini MBA AI for Business Advantage