Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Most business schools in the UK offer only the MBA for experienced managers and professionals certainly the top ones, will require at least two years' work experience. However some business schools offer two MBA streams. They are both high quality programmes that have been designed to meet the personal and professional needs of the individual at different stages of their career.

The MBA for recent graduates:
Is a full-time programme designed for those graduates without previous work experience and provides participants with an understanding of the key issues and processes required by world-class managers.

These programmes aim to be exciting, stimulating and challenging. Candidates develop a broad appreciation and understanding of the principles, concepts, terminology, purpose and practice of management in contemporary organisations.

These programmes are designed to encourage a breadth of knowledge in key management disciplines such as strategy, marketing, finance, accounting, human resource management, information systems and economics. Electives and a group dissertation offer the prospect of further specialisation. Such programmes instil an appreciation of the value of the team in modern organisations and provide opportunities for the development of teamwork skills. These programmes also enable participants to discover those areas of management they might wish to pursue in future careers.

As students are attracted from all over the world, participants experience first-hand the opportunities and challenges of multi-cultural team management. They are also given the opportunity to develop an international network of contacts.

These programmes are most likely to be attractive to a mixture of UK and international students who wish to pursue careers in management and business. Students are likely to be recent graduates with a degree in Social Sciences, Arts, Engineering or Sciences.

The MBA for experienced managers:
Is for professionals with at least 2-3 years managerial experience. Participants on such programmes come from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds and from organisations in both the public and private sectors. All participants seek to develop their understanding of business practice and to extend their competence as managers. The average age of MBA students is early thirties, with a range from mid-twenties to mid-fifties.

These programmes consist of a set of taught courses assessed by a mixture of course work and formal examinations. Following successful completion of the courses/modules and examinations, candidates become eligible for the award of the Diploma and are permitted to proceed to the next phase of the programme. Under the supervision of a member of staff candidates carry out original work in their chosen field of study, which is written up in the form of a Masters dissertation. Following successful examination of the dissertation candidates are awarded a Masters degree (MBA).