Business Administration MBA

If you have the stamina to take it on, the Manchester MBA (full-time) can help you transform your career and change your life in 18 months. We ensure you get a thorough grounding in business theory, then give you the opportunities to put it into practice with international projects, live consultancy work and internships with high profile, multinational corporations. Take your international experience up a level with one of the strongest and largest international exchange programmes in the world.

Our unique, hands-on approach to learning gives you more client-facing hours than almost any other MBA course - nearly six months' worth - so you can test theories immediately in real world situations and won't feel completely removed from the commercial environment.

The MBA is the first step of your journey; where you are at the end is up to you. If you have the determination to build your own networks and develop your own career opportunities, our dedicated MBA Careers Service have the contacts, resources and expert guidance to help you achieve your career goals.

Stage 1: Analysing business problems (first 9-months) 

The aim of this stage is to equip you with the tools for analysing business problems and introduce you to the concept of applied learning through project work. A number of core courses cover the basic disciplines of business and management. You will be involved in three major projects: the Not-for-Profit Project, Mergers and Acquisitions Project and the UK Consultancy Project. In addition, the Skills for Successful Management module aims to develop your practical interpersonal and management skills. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, tutorials and group project work.

This stage must be successfully completed in order for students to progress to the next stage.

Stage 2: Tailoring your journey (final 9-months)

The aim of this stage is to allow you to tailor your journey and deepen your knowledge in specialist subject areas. You will have the opportunity to select a path from a range of options that include internships, international exchange, electives and group projects. This leads to the final stage and highlight of your MBA journey: the International Business Project.

Test yourself to the limit with the International Business Project - working with four or five of your fellow students as a consultancy team for a large international organisation. You will bid for clients' work and travel the world - expenses paid - to research and complete your project. The choice of project is yours - either bid to win one of the wide choice of projects supplied by Manchester Business School, or source your own if you prefer.

Detailed programme information and course structure

Scholarships 

A range of part-tuition fee scholarships are available for British, EEA, and international candidates, as well as for candidates with specific industry backgrounds.

Scholarships are generally awarded at £5,000, £15,000 or £20,000. A small amount of larger scholarships are available for highly-exceptional candidates who attend an assessment centre. Please check the MBS website for most most recent information.

Manchester Loyalty Bursary

The following candidates will be eligible for a Manchester Business School Loyalty Bursary: 20% discount on the Full-time MBA programme tuition fee (£37,400 for September 2012 entry)

• If you hold an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from the University of Manchester (or former UMIST).
• If you have successfully completed the Manchester Business School High Flyers Programme.

The Alumni Bursary discount will be applied to the fees remaining after any scholarship has been awarded.

Our students come from across the globe to study for the Manchester Full-time MBA. The diversity of cultures, languages and backgrounds adds to their rich experience.

Read our Student testimonials.

Academic entry qualification overview:

Normally an honours degree, or the equivalent, from any academic background. If you do not have a first degree, you may be eligible if you have significant work experience.

If you are applying under the Young Potential Leaders's entry-route then a First Class honours degree is required.

English language:

If English is not your first language you are required to prove your competency in English and take an English language test. Meeting the English language test minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. We use a combination of indicators to assess your English level including: English Language test, GMAT verbal and analytical writing assessment score and your interview.

You may be eligible for an exemption. Check our current English language requirements.

Other international entry requirements: We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country.

Relevant work experience:

You need to have at least 3 years post-graduate work experience to apply to the programme. Gaining this experience, before you start your MBA, will benefit your studies and employment prospects, as well as the return on your investment. We admit high quality candidates with the talent and potential to become effective business and management leaders. 

In certain circumstances we will consider applicants with at least two years' post-graduation work experience.British applicantswithout work experience can be considered for our Young Potential Leaders entry route (see below).

Young Potential Leaders: Full-time MBA opportunity 

At Manchester Business School, we believe there is an essential need to invest in and develop young British* talent who can rise to the future challenges of the global business environment and make a real difference as socially responsible business managers and leaders.

With the aim of nurturing and fast-tracking future talent, we have decided to provide Full-time MBA programme opportunities for up to ten very talented high-flyers who have less than three-years' post-graduation work experience. These individuals will demonstrate high potential for rapid career advancement and a track record of using their talent to improve society.

* To be considered, you need to be a permanent British resident (i.e. the UK is your main place of residence) for a consecutive period of three years prior to the start of the Full-time MBA programme (28 August 2012).

Young Potential Leaders entry-route

Other entry requirements:

GMAT

We require all our applicants to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test), regardless of nationality, education and professional background. We take a holistic view when we evaluate your application and your GMAT score is just one of several admissions criteria. 

find out more about the GMAT

Applicants must submit a Full-time MBA application form (not a standard University application form), references, a CV, degree certificate and transcripts, sit the GMAT and/or English test(s), and attend an interview. All applications should be submitted online and there is no application fee.

The MBA Young Potential Leaders entry route has a seperate application process .

We take a holistic view of your application and the final decision is made on the basis of a combination of factors and overall evaluation of your application in comparison to the applicant pool and number of places available.

We consider:

• Intellectual ability
• Admission test score
• Academic credentials
• Length, relevance and quality of work experience, and career progression
• Leadership and management experience and potential
• Ability to contribute to the programme and international project teams
• Creative and innovative thinking
• International exposure
• Personal skills and attributes
• Personal motivation and maturity
• Fit to programme and diversity
• English language ability

Read our Admissions strategy

An interview at the School is a great opportunity for you to meet with us, our students and get a feel for the School and the city of Manchester. Of course, if you can't attend an interview day then we will interview you in your home country with a member of our faculty or alumni.

If English is not your first language then you are required to take either an IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge language, or Pearson Test of English proficiency.

An English test is not required if:

• You have studied and successfully completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in an English speaking country or your undergraduate degree was conducted entirely in English (official proof is required).

• Since graduating from your degree you have lived and worked in an English speaking country for two or more years.

You cannot waive the test if you have worked in an English speaking company based in a non-English speaking country.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

GMAT is a compulsory requirement for all applicants to the Full-time MBA programme. Our applicant Full-time class is made up of candidates from 35 countries, from various industry sectors and with various qualifications.  The GMAT is a reputable method used by leading business schools to provide consistency across all applications and is there to act as a benchmark for recruitment.

Please note that you do not need to have your GMAT score at the point of application.  Please let the Admissions team know when you have your score.

Read more on the GMAT

We consider very carefully any transfer request because of the unique teaching method at Manchester.  Unless you have taken the core courses at MBS, it is very difficult to compare the results.  This may not be the case with other business schools - each school has its own admissions policy, and some are more flexible than others. 

Choosing the Manchester MBA could be the best investment you ever make. As well as advancing your own personal development, it is a proven route to accelerating or changing the direction of your career.

Whether that lies, at your current company, at one of the world's top consultancy firms or running your own exciting business venture, you can be assured your MBA from MBS will give you the opportunity to take on any challenge.

Our MBA programmes will give you instant credibility due to its worldwide recognition and practical approach, giving you invaluable skills and experience to draw on in the future.

The Financial Times Global MBA ranking 2011

We don't rely on our rankings alone to assure you of our reputation. Rankings can only give an indication of quality and prestige, supported by the quality assurance provided by accreditation.

Manchester Business School

We're ranked first in the UK for business research but world-class research alone is not enough. Our original thinking is applied for impact across business and management, government and communities. Find out more.

Telephone: +44 (0)161 275 6414

Facsimile: +44 (0)161 275 6556

Email: mba@mbs.ac.uk

Website: www.mbs.ac.uk/programmes/mba/