Full-time MBA

Start date
September
Duration
12 months
Course Type
Postgraduate, Continuing professional development, Taught
Fees
For 2024/25:
£35,850 (UK and International students)
My Birmingham MBA Experience

On the MBA course you will work closely with businesses in the UK and overseas, experiencing a wide range of business dynamics at all levels. Our approach is to constantly apply theory to practice, enabling you to immediately apply your learning in the real world and make a lasting impact on your industry.

Why study this course?

  • Ranked #97 in the Financial Times Top 100 for full time MBAs 2023.
  • Ranked in the top 10 in the UK Financial Times for full time MBAs 2023
  • Access the latest research – as a research-led business school, we give our students access to the latest trends, data and knowledge within the global banking and finance industry.
  • Ranked #29 for Career Progression in the Financial Times for full time MBAs 2023. The programme will equip you to move into more senior management positions, either in your own organisation or moving elsewhere.
  • Accredited business school – We hold the prestigious ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), AMBA (Association of MBAs) and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System).
  • Boost your employability prospects - The 4th most targeted university of top UK employers (High Fliers Research 2022)
  • Ranked #98 in the Which MBA? 2022 for the full-time MBA
  • In the top 50 in Europe in the QS Global MBA rankings 2023
  • Ranked #31 for value for money for full time MBAs in the Financial Times 2023

Study online

Learn more about our Online MBA. This is the first distance learning MBA in the world to be accredited by AMBA.

I was selected as one of the 40 students across the globe to attend a fully sponsored real time business case study in Tokyo.

Darshan Chapla, Alumnus

Modules

Core modules:

  • Purposeful Leader 
  • Global Perspectives in Responsible Business    
  • Understanding the Economy 
  • Strategy in a Complex and Uncertain World   
  • Managerial Finance   
  • People Management and Organisations  
  • Marketing  
  • Sustainable Operations   
  • Accounting, Accountability and Decision-Making  

Students must choose ONE of the following. 

  • MBA Company Project 
  • Entrepreneurial Project 
  • Research Project: Dissertation 

Students must choose an additional 40 credits in total. When choosing the optional modules, students can also choose a specialism. There are three specialisms students can choose from: Marketing; International Business & Strategy; and Innovation & Business Transformation. These require a specific combination of optional modules. 

Marketing pathway: 

Students who wish to be awarded the Marketing pathway must choose at least two of the following modules (each worth 10 credits): 

  • Digital Marketing 
  • Corporate Communication and Reputation Management 
  • Global Marketing Consultancy: Foreign Residential (Immersive module) 

Any remaining credits should be chosen from the full list of optional modules below (can include one from the immersive modules, unless global marketing consultancy: international residential has been chosen). 

International Business and Strategy pathway: 

Students who wish to be awarded the International Business and Strategypathway must choose the following module: 

  • International Business in A Complex Environment 

And at least one of the following modules: 

  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
  • Change Management 

Any remaining credits should be chosen from the full list of optional modules below (can include one from the immersive modules). 

Innovation and Business Transformation pathway: 

Students who wish to be awarded the Innovation and Business Transformation pathway must choose the following modules: 

  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
  • Fintech, Digital Finance and Blockchain 

And at least one (and no more than one of the immersive modules) of the following modules: 

  • International Business Experience: Doing Business in Mexico   
  • Doing Business in the Middle East: Energy transition and post-oil economies    
  • The future for South East Asia Economies: regionalisation and de-globalisation    

Any remaining credits should be chosen from the full list of optional modules below (which can include one from the immersive modules, unless international business experience: doing business in Mexico, doing business in the middle east, or the future for southeast Asia economies have been chosen). 

Optional modules if no specialism has been chosen: 

Students choose three or four from the following selection of modules as long as at least one is in students’ home location. Each module is worth 10 credits. 

  • Crisis and Resilience Management  
  • Fintech, Digital Finance and Blockchain   
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation   
  • Change Management   
  • International Business in A Complex Environment   
  • Digital Marketing   
  • Corporate Communication and Reputation Management    

Students who chose three options from the above can choose one of the following modules: 

  • Doing Business in the Middle East: Energy transition and post-oil economies    
  • The future for South East Asia Economies: regionalisation and de-globalisation    
  • International Business Experience: Doing Business in Mexico   
  • Global Marketing Consultancy: Foreign Residential    

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

To learn more about fees and funding, please view the University's guide to tuition fees for postgraduates.

Scholarships and studentships  

Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

For further information view the currently available MBA scholarships, contact the School directly or visit the University of Birmingham's Students Academic Services.

How To Apply

7 May 2024 is the application deadline for international students applying through the student route who wish to study in the United Kingdom. We are not able to consider applications for 2024 made after this date. The deadline for Home students is 30 August 2024.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

  • Usually 5 years of experience and at least 3 years in cases of exceptional potential,
  • 2.1 good honours degree or equivalent, such as a degree level professional qualification.
  • IELTS 7.0 (with no less than 6.5 in any band); TOEFL IBT 95 (with no less than 22 in any band); Pearson Academic Test of English 67 (in all four skills) 

Please note we will also consider candidates without a first degree or professional qualification but with at least ten years’ work experience including significant managerial responsibility. 

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) 

Although we do not require GMAT to study our MBA, we recognise it as a rigorous and challenging assessment of analytical, numerical and verbal reasoning skills. We welcome applicants in possession of a GMAT and we will consider it alongside your other qualifications and experience.

Learn more about entry requirements

International Requirements



International Students

12 month route: IELTS 7.0 (with no less than 6.5 in any band).


  • IELTS 7.0 with no less that 6.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any band
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: PTE Academic 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced or Proficiency – minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component

 

During your time on this MBA in International Business, you will take twelve modules and submit a research or company-based project. 

Classes and seminars supplement lectures, where fuller analysis and discussion takes place and important business skills, such as analysis, argument and synthesis, can be developed. Case studies are used as a means of relating theory to practical situations and students will often work in small groups with other students on assignments designed to develop problem solving and interpersonal skills.

Cross-Cultural Management skills are developed in a variety of workshops and Issues in Global Competitiveness is the focus of a specialist series of seminars. Researching and writing a project develops skills in information gathering, analysis and report writing.

A supporting programme of consultant delivered career-development workshops allow you to reflect on the impact of what you have learnt on your MBA in International Business, and put it into practice for your future career development.

Learn from business leaders

This MBA in International Business delivers a series of industrial seminars, given by outside speakers from industry and commerce which provides contemporary ‘real world’ perspectives on the business environment. Often these speakers are Birmingham MBA alumni who can lend their perspective on how the course helped them to develop their career.

The Birmingham MBA Deloitte Consultancy Challenge

One of the unique aspects of the Birmingham MBA is the opportunity to apply to take part on the Birmingham MBA Deloitte Consultancy Challenge. This is a week-long intensive consultancy training programme delivered exclusively at Birmingham by Deloitte, one of the world’s leading and most prominent financial services firms. Those who take part receive direct training and feedback from a range of Deloitte personnel right through to partner level.

Note: numbers are necessarily limited because of the practical nature of the challenge, and the high degree of interaction with Deloitte, so participants are chosen through an application process in the spring semester.  

See the Challenge in action and hear our students and Deloitte partners talk about the experience.

 

From the start of your MBA, you can receive bespoke advice from our career consultants. Through one-to-one coaching, our industry experienced consultants will work with you to clarify your aspirations and support you in your future career, jointly developing a winning employment strategy to take you to the next level and to open doors to a range of potential employers.

Group and individual activities to enhance your skills

Throughout your MBA, you will have the opportunity to be involved in group and individual activities aimed at helping you develop the skills and techniques to support you to achieve your career aspirations.

Some examples of the activities that you can undertake include online MBA profile building, industry specific networking events, Distinguished Leaders alumni seminars, mock assessment centre experience and video recorded interview practice.

Skills coaching

Employers aren’t just looking for great qualifications. They want to see high-quality personal skills too, such as team working, leadership, presentation and interpersonal skills. Our Skills Development Consultant offers individual appointments to help you shape and hone these qualities.

Employer and Alumni engagement

During your MBA you will have the opportunity to engage with employees and alumni working at top international companies. Our MBAs have participated in a range of activities with employers including IBM, Accenture, Capgemini, Deloitte, Mondelez, Santander and HSBC.

End of Study Consultancy Projects

As you near the end of your studies, you will have the opportunity to apply for a three month work-based project starting in September.  Projects will vary, but are likely to be with UK based companies who are seeking additional support with a particular aspect of their business. In previous years, this has included projects within IT, Marketing and Finance. This real life business experience will enhance your CV, providing you with evidence of consultancy skills and an entrepreneurial mind set.

BBS Careers and Careers Network

As a Birmingham Business School student, you will benefit from two award-winning Careers teams.  

Careers Network is the University of Birmingham careers and employability team offering: career fairs, employer events with top firms across the UK, start-up and entrepreneurial activities, and support. Internships and bursaries are also available exclusively to University of Birmingham students.   

BBS Careers is a dedicated service for Birmingham Business School students. The team provides guidance, support, and work experience opportunities, tailored to business school students, to help you succeed during and after university. We offer workshops, alumni and employer events, and 1-to-1 consultations. These will help you to develop your skills and learn how to submit high-quality internship and graduate applications.  

BBS Careers is one of a few, if not the only business school career service to offer life-long support.  

We are here to support you! 

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