Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is recognised internationally and is considered one of the most prestigious qualifications in the business world. If you are seeking a senior role in business, this challenging and thought-provoking programme has been designed to sharpen your leadership acumen and give you the practical skills, theory and workplace understanding to progress your career. The course is delivered by Manchester Metropolitan Business School, one of only a handful of business schools in the UK that is accredited by both AMBA and AACSB.

From our easy three-step enrolment process to flexible fee payment, we’re dedicated to making studying and balancing your career as straightforward as possible. You will have the freedom to study wherever and whenever - all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. You will also be accompanied by a cohort of similarly determined peers from across the world, from various business backgrounds, who are keen to share their knowledge and experience and root not only for their success - but yours too.

• Globally accredited - Impartial professional bodies think our MBA programme is one of the best, which is why it’s fully accredited by AMBA. Our Business School is also placed among the world’s elite according to AACSB, for its degree programmes, research, business engagement and innovation. We are one of only a handful of universities to have this double accreditation, a true hallmark of excellence.
  
  
• Be at the forefront of business thinking - With expert teaching that is grounded in the latest research, you will gain first-hand knowledge of pertinent cross-industry issues that will help you grow your career and boost your earning potential.
  
  
• Become Chartered Management Institute qualified - As a Manchester Metropolitan MBA student, you will be awarded affiliate membership of the prestigious Chartered Management Institute (CMI). You will also achieve the CMI’s Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership Diploma upon completion of the programme, distinguishing you from the competition when looking for your next career move.
  
  
• Study your way - Global Online has been designed to help you to achieve an MBA degree without taking a career break: from a fast and easy application process, the opportunity to begin your studies at three different entry points in the year, to the choice to pay per unit you study. Our flexible study format has been expertly designed to suit students in different time zones and offers the option to watch seminars at a time that suits you.
  
  
• Grow your worldwide professional network - Whether it’s through our optional annual Executive Conference or online seminars with tutors and peers, you will regularly collaborate with business professionals around the globe, making invaluable industry connections that can open doors now or in the future.
  
  
• Be supported every step of the way - We pride ourselves on our students’ study experience. As a Global Online MBA student, you will be assigned a dedicated Student Success Advisor. They’ll be there to cheer you on from the sidelines, ensure you hit important deadlines and help you to get the most from your time with us.

Our online MBA course is designed to work around your work and life commitments. It can be completed within two years at a pace that suits you, with a recommended study week of up to 15 hours.

Our innovative Virtual Learning Environment has been designed with the latest pedagogical research at its heart. It will encourage you to develop independent thought, reflect on your own work and engage with your fellow students across the globe. You will enjoy a programme of highly interactive live online seminars and presentations, have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of group tasks that are aimed at developing your transferable skills and receive personalised feedback from your tutors, all at a time that suits you best.

There are three intakes annually for this course, with programmes starting in January, May and September.

Typical units of study may include*:

• Leading, Managing and Developing People (15 credits)
• Operations Management (15 credits)
• Strategic Marketing (15 credits)
• Accounting and Financial Management (15 credits)
• Global Economic Environment (15 credits)
• Strategic Management (15 credits)
• Leading Change and Creativity in the Organisation (15 credits)

You will also have the opportunity to take one optional unit* (worth 15 credits) which could include:

• Performance
• Reward Management
• Governance, Risk and Control
• Financial Technologies
• Performance Management and Control
• Developing Skills for Business Leadership
• International Human Resource Management
• Global Resourcing and Talent Management 
• Employee Engagement 

Dissertation

As part of the course, you will also complete a dissertation. This is a chance to demonstrate the skills and know-how you’ve acquired throughout the course. Through the project, you will be able to draw on the different strands of learning you’ve been taught so far, and will be able to tailor your dissertation to a ‘real world’ project.  Plus, you’ll be given the opportunity to get some hands-on experience by engaging in a real project from your workplace.

The dissertation research project can be an enterprise project, business consultancy or an empirical dissertation. You will use thorough research methods to produce a substantial piece of work of approximately 15,000 words, which will address a business issue of your choice.

^{*These units and their timing are subject to change.}

Your programme leads are:

Dr. Sara Ward, MBA & Executive Programmes Director

Sara has been teaching at the Manchester Metropolitan Business School since 2008. During that time, she has led the launch of several specialist programmes including the Master of Sport Directorship in 2015 and the new 100% online flagship MBA programmes in 2017.

Alongside being instrumental in the recent transformation of the Business School’s MBA programmes, Sara is particularly passionate about sports governance, diversity in sport boardrooms and governance reform in the industry.

Dr Iain Reid, Reader in Operations Management & Programme Leader for Global Online MBA programmes

Iain joined Manchester Metropolitan’s Business School from the University of Huddersfield, where he was the acting subject group head for Operations Management and programme leader for the MSc in Operations and Supply Chain Management. He was also the Director of the Northern Productivity Hub, a centre that supported local businesses on building operational resilience and agility, creating new Knowledge Transfer Partnerships for the school.

During his academic career, Iain has undertaken research collaborations with universities across the world, including the University of Baltimore (USA), University of Bradford (UK), University of Liverpool (UK), University of Palemo (Italy) and University of Athabasca (Canada). His research focuses on Professional Service Operations Management, specifically mass customisation and service modularity in the context of Legal Services and Knowledge Transfer. His work has been published in peer review journals, including the International Journal of Production Research, Educational Technology Research and Development and the Journal of Quality Engineering and Reliability.

Prior to joining academia, Iain worked in the manufacturing sector, specifically oil and gas and machine tools. He later joined the University of Liverpool’s Agility Centre as a Senior Projects Manager and worked on EU funded ERDF project, implementing operational agility and supply chain optimisation with local SMEs. Iain also held faculty positions at the University’s Management School and was the Director of Studies for their MSc in Operations and Supply Chain Management (Online).

He is also the Track Chair for the sessions on Sports and Operations Management for the Production Operations Management Society in the US.

To enrol on the programme, you’ll need the following:

• A UK honours degree (2:2 or above) or an international equivalent plus three years of work experience
• OR significant management experience (10 years+) and a record of achievement in business and leadership
• Minimum 25 years of age
  
• If you’re applying with non-UK qualifications, you can find further information for international students on our international website

English language requirements: 

Applicants whose first language is not English (and whose first degree was not taught in English) are required to produce evidence of English language proficiency. We provide a FREE Pearson English test to all applicants if required.

Read more about our English requirements.

With our flexible payment options, regional subsidies and discounts, we have made paying for your programme, and your professional development, as easy as possible.

We offer you the option to pay unit by unit, pay the full fees upfront or pay via a sponsor. No matter what payment option you choose, we accept payment online in any currency via our secure portal, Flywire.

Unit fee: £1,200*

Programme fee: £14,400

We are currently offering a 10% Early Bird Discount to eligible professionals joining this programme.

Apply and pay your first installment by 29 March for May intake. To find out if you are eligible, please contact our enrollment team.

We offer a subsidised fee to students from certain countries:  

Unit fee: £1,033*

Programme fee: £12,400

Click here to see the full list of eligible countries.

*Fee based on 15 credits per unit 

For more information on our payment structures and financing your degree, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.