MBA Master of Business Administration

Key facts

  • Accreditation: Triple-accredited business school: AMBA, AACSB & EQUIS
  • Study mode and duration: MBA / PgDip: full-time / part-time options available
  • Ranked: FT Executive MBA 2023; Corporate Knights Better World MBA 2023

  • International: study in Glasgow, Scotland or in five centres throughout the world

  • Over 50 years: Delivering our prestigious MBA programme

Study with us

Studying an MBA degree at the University of Strathclyde you'll be learning at a leading international technological University.

The University won Times Higher Education University of the Year in 2019 - the only institution to win the accolade twice.

Strathclyde Business School is also one of only 127 business schools in the world that hold triple accreditation from the most sought-after international accreditations: AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS (MBA Today, 28 January 2024).

  • gain an internationally-recognised qualification
  • learn in a cross-cultural environment
  • study strategy with internationally-acclaimed academics
  • develop confidence as a manager and leader
  • improve your career prospects or change career direction
  • study at Strathclyde Business School, founded in 1948
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Why this course?

The Strathclyde MBA is not just a business programme, it's a stimulating, challenging, life-changing experience, which will make you question, re-think and re-evaluate how you do business.

The programme is highly experiential and based on collaborative learning. Students share their varied work experiences, knowledge, understanding and skills.

The MBA course will shape and guide you as a reflective, open-thinking, adaptive learner. This is facilitated through an enhanced understanding of the interplay of theory and practice in management. In particular it:

  • provides the skills required for progression to higher level policy-forming positions
  • allows you to make successful career transitions
  • facilitates the move from technical specialism to general management
  • polishes the skills and enhances the abilities of people working for themselves or about to set up in business

The Strathclyde MBA brochure

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner
  • Triple-accredited
    One of only 127 business schools in the world - MBA Today (28 January 2024)
  • Study at five centres throughout the world
  • Relationships with world-leading organisations
  • Learn from world-leading academics

At Strathclyde, we are exceptionally proud to have delivered a renowned MBA programme since 1966. Over the years we have pioneered developments in the MBA, such as offering the first one-year full-time MBA programme in the UK, the first part-time route, and the first distance learning programme.

As a world-class business school in a leading international technological university, we continue to innovate with our MBA and other programmes to ensure they are completely relevant and impactful to today’s business world.

Professor David Hillier
Associate Principal, Executive Dean

Professor David Hillier.

Ranking

Top EMBA programme

The Strathclyde Executive MBA has repeatedly featured in the annual Financial Times top 100 ranking of EMBA programmes. The 2023 ranking places us in the top 10 of UK Executive MBA providers, and the only Scottish provider to be ranked.

European Business School

In the 2023 Financial Times Business School rankings, Strathclyde Business School was ranked 1st in Scotland and 62nd in Europe.

Financial Times EMBA 2023 Ranking logo.

 

The course is structured in such a way that everything comes as practical experience in learning. That's the key highlight of this programme.

Amith Narayanan, Master of Business Administration (MBA) student

What are the prime benefits of the Strathclyde MBA?

Self-development 

  • a broad understanding of business and management issues
  • strategic orientation and the ability to successfully implement the strategies formulated
  • development of management skills and techniques
  • self-awareness as a manager and leader
  • increased confidence in all areas of business

Career development

  • enhanced promotion prospects
  • new career opportunities
  • access to the extensive Strathclyde alumni network

In particular it:

  • provides the skills required for progression to higher level policy-forming positions
  • allows you to make successful career transitions
  • facilitates the move from technical specialism to general management
  • polishes the skills and enhances the abilities of people working for themselves or about to set up in business

Benefits for employers & sponsors

Improved corporate performance

  • improved leadership and critical thinking capabilities of key staff
  • increased capability to exploit new ideas and technologies for organisational benefit
  • developed ability to manage complex stakeholder needs
  • enhanced capacity to manage change in a sustainable and responsible way

Human resource development

  • greater ability to attract and retain high potential managers
  • flexible approach to management education
  • structured development of individual managers
  • integral part of succession planning and development of tomorrow’s leaders
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Course content

The Strathclyde MBA programme structure has three distinct ‘pillars’ at its core:

  • Responsible Leadership
  • Building Capabilities
  • Strategy in Practice

The pillars comprise a series of 10 credit modules and one 20 credit module, which clearly embrace the specific leadership challenges and responsibilities impacting business leaders.

Our Building Capabilities module provides you with a solid foundation in the management of key functional areas found in today’s business organisations.

Electives

A number of electives will be on offer each year, led by subject specialists from across the Business School which has a wide pool of academic experts offering a wide range of classes.

To reflect both the latest challenges facing business and the latest insights from our world-leading research, the range of electives is revised annually.

A highlight of the Strathclyde MBA calendar is the annual MBA Summer School which takes place in Glasgow over May and June. The Summer School is open to all study routes of the MBA who have reached the elective study stage, and is a wonderful opportunity to study your elective choices alongside a group of like-minded international colleagues.

MBA Project

Your MBA journey concludes with the capstone MBA project. You'll be able to choose the MBA project that suits you best. You can opt for a research dissertation, entrepreneurial project or consultancy project.

Business engagement activities

Throughout your studies, module and programme-level business engagement activities ensure that your MBA journey is a highly experiential one, and reflective of current issues impacting the business world.

Strategic Leadership Development

Strategic Leadership Development is designed to be a reflective leadership journey for each MBA student, in which a personal portfolio is constructed to track and action-plan personal strategic leadership development outcomes arising from the MBA experience.

You'll explore the trends and future directions of strategic leadership in organisations through expert speakers, cases, careers and development initiatives, industrial visits and engagement activities.

Learning objectives
  • understand multiple perspectives of what constitutes effective strategic leadership from practitioners across organisational type, history and international location
  • explore and become conversant in methods, thinking and changes in cutting edge strategic leadership practice
  • enhance your professional development network and practice engaging with a broad range of stakeholders interested in strategic leadership theory and practice
  • identify effective strategic leadership practices for addressing organisational change risk management and sustainable performance outcomes in modern organisational contexts
  • critique your strategic leadership identity based on self-reflection and observations gained from the MBA experiences and the views of those around you

Leading a Sustainable Organisation

This module will explore the nature of organisations from multiple perspectives and how to nurture a high-performance organisation by addressing:

  • structure and design
  • culture
  • politics and processes
  • organisational behaviour
  • the role of the workforce

Organisational studies, organisational behaviour and human resource management will be examined through the perspective of sustainability.

You'll consider the role of the leader in setting the vision, shaping the environment and supporting change. You'll also explore how to create sustainable workplaces that attract and retain talent and ensure the health and wellbeing of employees.

Learning objectives
  • discuss the challenges in leading organisations that nurture employee health, wellbeing, commitment and high performance
  • demonstrate awareness of key concepts, considerations and methods of managing organisations through understanding and application of theory in organisational studies, organisational behaviour and human resource
  • critique contemporary perspectives on organisational design, culture, politics and processes, and the workforce
  • examine theories and practical considerations relating to planned organisational change and what these mean across the four perspectives of organisational design, culture, politics and processes and the workforce
  • understand where sustainable practice sits in relation to organisational design, culture, politics and

Grand Challenges of Corporate Governance

This module takes a systems approach to corporate governance. It examines at an institutional level the culture, context and compliance to global and regional governance best practice and the benefits thereof.

The module examines the key contemporary factors that are challenging boards of directors and the options for dealing with them to help create sustainable organisations that have a positive impact on shareholder and wider stakeholder groups.

You'll be asked to critically analyse the implications for organisations of governance ‘grand challenges’ – specifically related to:

  • risk
  • ethics
  • social and environmental impact
  • options for quantifying impact, sustainability, and globalisation
Learning objectives
  • develop an understanding of the issues that organisations face when designing a corporate governance system
  • critique the tools, principles and practices used to measure adherence to governance standards both externally mandated and internally agreed
  • discuss the characteristics and role of governance in the life of an organisation, and the impact of governance philosophy/ approach on organisational culture, performance, ethics & sustainability
  • critique an organisation’s governance approach relative to expectations and measures particularly related to environmental and social impact
  • critically analyse the standards, codes and measures that ensure boards and senior leaders are performing effectively

Applied Strategic Management

Most strategic decisions are made in the face of uncertainty about the future. The module introduces ways of making decisions under uncertainty about the future business environment and evaluates and provides practical experience in scenario thinking as a team-based method.

The module presents the Intuitive Logics scenario method and gives students practical experience. Developing the skills of scenario thinking is a strong underpinning practical part of the class.

Learning Objectives
  • identify the key principles of scenario methods, specifically the Intuitive Logics method
  • develop practical skills in the application of the Intuitive Logics scenario method
  • appraise the domain of application of scenario methods
  • develop a critical understanding of scenario methods
  • review the process of anticipating the future in organisations

Digital Transformation & Technological Innovation

In this module, you'll examine the role of digital disruption, digital maturity, and digital initiatives in shaping organisational outcomes. You'll also learn how technological innovation can create value through digital transformation.

Learning objectives
  • develop an understanding of the organisational and institutional implications of digital disruption and digital technological innovation trends
  • analyse an organisation’s digital maturity and organisational readiness to engage in digital transformation and technological innovation
  • demonstrate a capacity to innovate business processes, business models and operational approaches through the application of digital technologies and organisational change methods > Build a personal capacity in communicating with, and educating others, about digital transformation at strategic and operational levels, and with a variety of stakeholder groups
  • demonstrate strategic decision-making, business planning and influencing skills in relation to identifying, appraising and recommending digital transformation and technological options

Economic Analysis for Strategists

Markets can often be highly complex and judgement can be clouded by this complexity. By taking an approach based on microeconomic analysis, you'll learn to undertake a rigorous and “emotionless” approach to analysing opportunities in existing and new markets, and the potential these hold.

This provides an alternative but complementary perspective on the assessment of business activity, looking externally, rather than internally, at the consequences which are influenced by the nature of demand and the behaviour of competitors.

Learning objectives
  • understand the key influences of profit in a business: production conditions on the supply side; and the nature of demand
  • learn about a range of decisions businesses face in a market environment
  • understand the impact of market structure and competition on profitability
  • gain command of the issues associated with entering foreign markets
  • appreciate the impact of competition policy on business activity
  • develop an ability to apply this thinking to contemporary business issues

Entrepreneurial Thinking & Practice

This module will examine the entrepreneurial mindset and ways to bring creativity to bear in pursuit of new sources of value creation.

You'll compare attitudes and practices across national and organisational cultures. Entrepreneurial Thinking and Practice may be delivered online or in-person depending on programme variant.

Learning objectives
  • differentiate between traits and mindsets and recognise the role of growth mindsets in entrepreneurial thinking and action
  • consider ambiguity and uncertainty in the entrepreneurial journey and examine your personal responses to these conditions
  • identify your personal frames of reference and appraise the impact of these on your creative thinking and action
  • assess your ability to communicate with empathy and consider how to foster trust and psychological safety to support entrepreneurial thinking and practice for yourself and those around you
  • reflect on your entrepreneurial skills, competencies and linked behaviours and how these have developed over the course of the class

Business Intelligence & Data Analytics

This module will teach methods for collecting data, how to conduct quantitative analysis and translate the outcomes into actionable insights that might inform business decision making, resource allocation and investment choices.

You'll consider a range of data from market, financial and customer analysis to operational performance factors, and learn how to present information in accessible formats for different audiences.

Marketing & Brand Management

In this module you'll examine the concept of marketing and how it operates within consumer, business-to-business, service and public organisations. You'll examine the underlying concepts and frameworks that help organisations to design appropriate strategies.

Learning objectives
  • understand the principles and practice of marketing in different business sectors: consumer, business-to-business and services
  • evaluate theories of buyer behaviour and assess their relevance in different contexts: consumer, business-to-business, services, public and private sector
  • discuss the central concepts, issues, and strategic value of branding across organisational settings, markets and territories
  • examine the value-creating potential in areas such as product development, omnichannel management, communications and pricing strategy in an environment which recognises changes in technology, social media and a focus on long-term sustainability
  • assess the challenges of managing the customer journey in the digital environment
  • appraise the marketing and brand management approach of an organisation, and identify strategic marketing and branding initiatives to improve performance
  • understand the relevant responses from marketing to the issues of corporate social responsibility and sustainability

Operations & Project Management

You'll explore the principles of contemporary operations and project management in this module. In doing so, you'll evaluate the inherent tension between managing ‘business as usual’ and change. You'll also examine how these systems of management can contribute to the strategic success of their organisation.

Learning objectives
  • deploy operations management principles and techniques to support the strategy of the organisation
  • use project management principles and techniques to support the strategy of the organisation
  • explain how project management and operations management can be effectively integrated within organisations
  • evaluate how the implementation of these systems of management might vary between new value creation and support of ongoing operational activity
  • generate strategy from both operational and project perspectives

Accounting & Financial Management

This module will teach you the language and methods of managerial and financial accounting. You'll learn about the key processes and criteria of financial decision-making.

Learning objectives
  • demonstrate an ability to discuss, interpret and react to information in financial statements and reports
  • explain key accounting and financial management concepts and how they can be applied in the evaluation of organisational financial performance
  • appraise the strategic and operational value of accounting and finance functions to organisational leadership teams and performance
  • critique the challenges of matching actual practice to ideal standards of ethics, audit activity, regulation and compliance in organisational governance, managerial behaviours and decision-making
  • apply accounting and financial management, principles, concepts and methods in conducting a review of financial strategy, performance and governance for an organisation

The capstone element of the Strathclyde MBA is the project, which will showcase your learning and allow you to examine an issue of your choice over an extended period of time.

You can opt to write a research dissertation, put together an entrepreneurial business plan or undertake a consultancy project.

The MBA project will enable you to put into practice the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout the MBA experience, and allow you to showcase the learning you have gained.

Option A: Management Research Thesis

You'll complete a traditional research project and identify implications for practice. Assessment for this option is based on a dissertation.

Option B: Consultancy Project

With this option, you'll undertake a project that delivers operational cost improvement, enhanced customer experience or a transformed business model within an existing organisation. Assessment is based on an extensive client project report and final client presentation.

Option C: Entrepreneurial Business Project

You'll undertake an entrepreneurial project, leading to the submission of a business plan as part of the final assessment.

Triple-accredited business school

Learning & teaching

The Strathclyde MBA is not just a business programme. It’s a stimulating, challenging and potentially life-changing experience, which will make you question, re-think and re-evaluate how you do business.

The Strathclyde MBA is highly experiential and based on collaborative learning. You share your varied work experiences, knowledge, understanding and skills.

The MBA will shape and guide you as a reflective, open thinking, adaptive learner.

Assessment

Assessment throughout the programme involves a combination of:

  • course work
  • workshops
  • group work
  • presentations

Global Practitioner initiative

At Strathclyde we recognise the pace of change in higher education has accelerated, disrupting traditional operating models and driving innovation in the design and experience of the learning journey.

In this shifting context, Strathclyde Business School has introduced the Global Practitioner initiative – this is an organisational innovation aimed at placing practical expertise and content relevance alongside academic knowledge and intellectual challenge at the heart of a high-quality, transformative student experience.

Bridging theory and practice, Global Practitioners play a crucial role in stimulating and facilitating learning for our MBA, executive education and specialist Masters students. Our Global Practitioners are a new class of colleagues from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds, reflecting the broad nature of subjects addressed in our general management programmes and the rich variety of students and colleague profiles in our learning environment.

30 Global Practitioners have joined the Business School to support the development and delivery of the MBA and specialist Masters programmes from September 2022.

MBA students talking in common room.

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MBA entry requirements

Our selection process is designed to identify talented professionals from a wide range of academic, business and cultural backgrounds.

While there are formal requirements for entry to our MBA listed below, we take into consideration:

  • your potential
  • your interpersonal and team working qualities
  • the range and nature of your managerial experience

In order to assess these skills, we ask you to complete a number of essays outlining your experience and aspirations alongside references supporting your work experience and academic record.

We will ask you to undertake a formal interview to discuss your achievements and aspirations. We encourage you to visit the school or centre you’re applying to and to ask as many questions as you need to clarify your decision.

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Qualifications & experience

For entry to the MBA programme you must:

  • hold a degree from a UK university, or equivalent academic qualification from a comparable non-UK institution. If you studied for your undergraduate degree at a non-UK institution we'll need a copy of your degree transcript. Professional qualifications will also be considered.
  • be at least 24 years of age.
  • have a minimum of three years' full-time postgraduate experience where the management of people and resources has played a significant role.

Direct entry to the MBA may also be offered to applicants who do not hold sufficient recognised degree-level qualifications, but who do:

  • hold non-degree/professional qualifications plus at least five years' varied management experience.
  • have no formal qualifications but extensive and varied management experience (10 or more years).

This option is not available for candidates applying to the full-time programme.

Admissions testing

Although the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is not a standard requirement of our admissions process, strong verbal reasoning and numerical abilities are critical for the MBA and we may ask you to undertake such a test.

Competence in English

The MBA programme is highly interactive and requires a high level of competence in English speaking, writing, reading and understanding. A minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS is required for those applicants whose first language is not English. We may consider applicants who fall slightly below these standards if they're willing to undertake pre-sessional study.

Computer competence

In order to undertake the Diploma/MBA you need to be competent in word processing, the use of spreadsheets and in report writing.

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Careers

We recognise that career development is one of the main reasons why people invest in an MBA. The MBA job market offers plenty of global opportunity but can be complex and challenging.

That's why we offer a dedicated careers service for MBA students. This consists of career planning and skills development as well as unlimited access to personal advice and coaching. Our careers service is delivered in-house and by a team of top consultants.

We work with you to compliment your own proactive job search efforts. We help use your own particular career background and strengths to help with your next career move.

You’ll gain the understanding and tools to develop your personal, strategic career plan, as well as the self-marketing and communication skills to make effective applications and impress at interview.

You’ll have the knowledge of the global job market and a range of contacts to make it work for you.

Where you'll find our recent graduates

Consulting 26% 
Financial Services 18%
Engineering 10% 
FMCG 10%
Professional Services 10% 
Public Sector/NGO 10%  
Manufacturing 4% 
Media/Entertainment 4%  
Pharma 4% 
Technology 4% 

Dedicated careers resources

You’ll have access to a library of MBA-specific information and resources through our Careers Portal. This offers:

  • company and market information, both UK and global
  • vacancies all over the world
  • links to top MBA sites

Further information

Go to our dedicated Careers section to get information on:

  • Career planning
  • Preparing your CV
  • The job market
  • Interview advice
  • Entrepreneurship and innovation
  • Employers
  • Alumni
  • Projects and client consultancy
  • Overseas support

Our students

Rami Baddour, MBA UAE graduate

Rami Baddour

MBA part-time (UAE)

Although complex and intensive in nature, I recommend that the students make best use of the MBA programme given that it exposes them to useful theory, comprehensive business topics and real case studies.
Cathy Kidero, MBA student

Cathy Kidero

MBA full-time (Glasgow)

So far, all the modules have given me a better understanding of businesses by bringing together academic theories and real-life experiences.
Camila Zrein.

Camila Zrein

MBA full-time (Glasgow)

Throughout the entire application process, I felt that I was more than just a number. The response rate was quick, people answered my questions and wanted to know me as a candidate.

Atul Chavan

MBA full-time

The programme's structure was excellent, offering a comprehensive overview of business. I was thoroughly impressed by the professors' expertise and passion for their subjects.
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Apply

For information and guidance on the application process, take a look at our How to Apply web page.

Start date:

Glasgow

MBA
full-time

Start date:

Glasgow - Executive

MBA
Part-time

Start date:

Bahrain - Executive

MBA
part-time

Start date:

Greece - Executive

MBA
Part-time

Start date:

Malaysia - Executive

MBA
Part-time

Start date:

Oman - Executive

MBA
part-time

Start date:

UAE - Executive

MBA
Part-time

Start date:

Greece - MBA with a Specialism in Shipping (part-time)

MBA
Part-time

Start date:

Glasgow - MBA with a Specialisation in Sustainable Energy Futures (part-time)

MBA
Part-time

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Contact us

Further Information

Marketing and Student Recruitment

Telephone: +44(0)141 553 6118 / +44(0)141 553 6119

Email: sbs.admissions@strath.ac.uk

University of Strathclyde Business School
199 Cathedral Street
Glasgow
G4 0QU

MBA Admissions Adviser

Book an appointment with our MBA Admissions Adviser Gordana Nesterovic

Email: g.nesterovic@strath.ac.uk