Online MBA

Start date
July, October
Duration
2.5 years
Course Type
Postgraduate, Continuing professional development, Distance learning, Taught
Fees

Total tuition: £24,284/£1,868 per module.

 

Make an impact at the highest level. Learn how to take your career further with the world’s first AMBA-accredited 100% Online MBA.

Advance your career at a gold standard institution

Designed for ambitious professionals with at least three years of management experience, the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) will enhance your understanding of business theory, practice and leadership.

The programme is part of a range of MBAs run through the Birmingham Business School, the UK’s oldest business school. As well as being acclaimed internationally, it appears regularly in global league tables and holds the rare ‘gold standard’ triple-crown accreditation. In the Financial Times 2023, it has been ranked in the top 100 for full time MBAs. The School is committed to promoting curiosity and thought leadership for responsible business; two core principles running throughout the Online MBA. 

Unlock new career opportunities with the 100% Online MBA

Thanks to the highly transferable, practical and contemporary programme content, you will graduate with the real-life skills and confidence you need to step into a senior leadership role and make a greater impact in the world of business.

Enquire now for detailed programme and pricing information

Did you know?

If you are fairly new to the principles of business, or if you are looking to enhance the earlier stages of your career, we offer an AMBA-accredited 100% Online MSc International Management too.

Request Information

Read our FAQs

Whether considering the University, Business School or the course itself, for the University of Birmingham’s Online MBA, it’s tick, tick, tick!”

Harriet Jeckells, Online MBA graduate, University of Birmingham

Modules

Curriculum

Exploring all the core areas of business, from marketing and strategy to operations management and accounting, this 180-credit programme is split between twelve modules, plus a final dissertation. Spanning 2.5 years, you’ll have time to delve deeply into the module content and reflect on everything you’ve learnt and apply it directly to your career.

In your first year, the focus of the MBA distance learning programme is centred around core module content. In your second year, you will be able to build upon theories and practices by choosing from a selection of elective modules (such as Critical Integration in Management and Entrepreneurship and Innovation). This, along with your dissertation in the final six month, will allow you to tailor and align your studies with your interests and career objectives.

To assess your understanding, you will be asked to complete a range of coursework-based assignments, including written reports, essays and group presentations.

Programme outcomes include:

  • Further your ability to overcome complex problems in global business
  • Develop critical managerial skills and master practical applications
  • Enhance the people management skills necessary for more effective leadership
  • Challenge critical thinking on business issues within global society
  • Understand business management and its application in professional life
  • Gain international perspectives of organisations and management theory

The Online MBA is a 180 credit full masters programme. As a student on the programme, you would study six 10 credit modules in year one, followed by six 10 credit modules in year two. Each module lasts approximately eight weeks. Students enrol onto these modules one at a time and in a linear structure to ensure they grasp the fundamentals in manageable sections. 

Year one core modules:

Online MBA year two module choices:

*These elective modules are repeated to allow more flexibility.

To fulifil the requirements of the masters degree, students then have the opportunity to complete a dissertation at the end of year two. This is a research project which can be tailored to a specific area of interest, or to your own work environment. The dissertation is equal to 60 credits of study. 

The optional modules listed on the website for this programme may unfortunately occasionally be subject to change. As you will appreciate key members of staff may leave the University and this necessitates a review of the modules that are offered. Where the module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you make other choices.

Request Information

Fees


The full cost of this programme is £24,284* GBP. This can be paid in full or in instalments of £1,868 GBP per module.

Scholarships, funding and loans

International students can occasionally gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or via your home government. It’s good to do your research to find opportunities which you could be eligible for.

The UK government has reconfirmed its commitment to loans for postgraduate degrees. UK and EU students (with settled or pre-settled status) are now able to receive up to £12,167 (for 2023/24 entry) for taught masters degrees – and this includes students who wish to study online. See detailed criteria and information regarding the application process.

Find out more about the wide range of scholarship and funding opportunities available at the University of Birmingham.

How To Apply

Click on the ‘Apply now’ button and create an account. You will be directed to an application specifically designed for the Online MBA. Submit your application and supporting documentation online. Your supporting documents include:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé: Demonstrate your academic and work experience, in addition ot any other skills that may support your application. This will help our recruitment team ensure that you have the right experience for the programme.
  • Statement of purpose: Draw attention to your skills, experience and goals, and to explain why you wish to apply for this programme. This should be no longer than one page of text.
  • One references: Send details of your references either as a letter of recommendation or a recorded transcript by email or by post to our recruitment team. These must be signed, on letterheaded paper, or supplied with your referee’s business card.
  • Transcripts: To verify your education, we ask you to submit your previous academic transcripts, either in notarized form or sent directly from your previous institution.
  • Evidence of language (if applicable): If English is not your first language, you will need to also supply an up-to-date English language certificate which meets the entry criteria – as detailed in our standard entry requirements section.

If you would like any feedback or advice about your application, our recruitment team would be happy to help. You can fill out a request for information or call +44 (0)800 032 7101.

Further information on how to apply online can be found on our Postgraduate pages.

Our Standard Requirements

In order to be eligible for the Online MBA, you will need to possess (or be predicted to obtain) an upper second-class degree or postgraduate diploma from a UK university or equivalent. You will also need to have a minimum of three years’ professional experience at a management level. Select your country from the drop down below for details on equivalent qualification levels.

Standard English language requirements also apply. If English is not your first language, you must also have an up-to-date English language test certificate. We accept an Academic IELTS certificate with a grade of 6.5 and no less than 6.0 in any band. Other forms of English language certificates are accepted. Please discuss this with a recruitment coordinator.

Speak to a recruitment coordinator to find out more.

International Requirements


What is it like to study for an MBA online?

Distance learning involves a whole lot more than just putting campus programmes online. The 100% Online University of Birmingham MBA has been purpose-built from the ground up to harness the full power of the technologies available, involving everything from cloud-powered collaboration to interactive live lectures. The format is ideally suited to working professionals who are balancing their careers and personal commitments alongside their studies.

Learning for future leaders

Online Master in Business Administration students have access to a cutting-edge digital platform throughout their studies. We have moved beyond the traditional classroom structure, taking full advantage of digital media with modules that draw on interactivity, active student participation and social connectivity to provide a more dynamic learning experience.

Rather than simply reading lecture transcripts and sending in assignments, the University of Birmingham’s online students engage with the curriculum directly using:

  • Video lectures: accessing content at any time and from any device
  • Interactive assignments: actively participating in learning exercises
  • Real-life case studies: gain skills you can apply to your organisation immediately
  • Peer interaction: connect with peers, professors and tutors online
  • Digital resources: rely on support for any of your admissions, enrolment, technology or career needs

Module structure

In every module, there live lecture sessions, (known as connect sessions). These are mandatory sessions which are held every other Saturday throughout your studies. You will be allocated a time for these sessions that fits best with your time zone. In each session you will have the opportunity to present your work and/or discuss case study exercises.

  • Be taught by our internationally respected course leaders.
  • Communicate and network with fellow students in forums and via instant chat.
  • Undertake assignments (reports, essays, presentations, quizzes, group work), with deadlines structured at reasonable intervals to help guide you through your student journey.

Case study example

Gain an authentic feel for studying the online MBA courses through our business case study webinar, hosted by Senior Teaching Fellow Andrew Parker, which explores the service delivery challenges that arose out of the launch of the Starbucks mobile app.


 

View a full transcript of the above video

Career opportunities: Online Master in Business Administraiton

Thrive in a global business environment

Drawing on insights and expertise from our partnerships with leading international businesses, Birmingham Business School is a gateway to a number of new MBA career paths or perfect training for progression within your current company.

This exposure to world-class teaching and research informs your understanding and capacity to advance sustainable, responsible business strategies in an increasingly competitive global business market.

Build your future

As well as providing one-to-one MBA careers advice, we offer contemporary industry insights through online lectures from distinguished business leaders, and optional on-campus workshops. These unique learning experiences not only equip you with the necessary business knowledge, they challenge you to thrive.

Since the programme is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), you can be confident that employers will recognise your qualification as the gold standard certificate for business excellence.

Become more employable

We want to ensure that you can progress in this competitive environment and have designed our course content with a practical approach and contemporary subject matter. It is this experience that will give you a commanding position when it comes to taking advantage of the career opportunities available.

Request Information

During your studies, you should expect to:

  • Apply your specialist subject knowledge in practice
  • Draw on critical awareness of business and leadership strategies
  • Explain theoretical and contemporary business issues
  • Expand your horizons to understand global business
  • Tailor management methods and techniques to business cases

Why choose the University of Birmingham for your MBA?

  • Bespoke in-house MBA careers advice from professionally qualified consultants at Birmingham Business School
  • 4th most targeted university of top UK employers (High Fliers Research 2022)
  • Birmingham Business School thrives on strong industry links with its global partners and takes pride in the services they offer to business
  • Russell Group graduates earn 40% more than non-Russell Group graduates.
    Reference: BRITTON, J. (2017) The degrees that make you rich… and the ones that don’t. BBC News [online] [Accessed 21.02.2020]

Request Information

Culture and collections

Schools, institutes and departments

Services and facilities