MBA Master of Business Administration

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Key facts

Accreditation: Triple-accredited business school: AMBA, AACSB & EQUIS
Study mode and duration: MBA / PgDip: full-time / part-time options available
International: study in Glasgow or in seven centres throughout the world
Over 50 years: Delivering our prestigious MBA programme

Study with us

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

How could the Covid-19 pandemic affect my studies?

Covid-19: information & FAQs

Why this course?

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Why this course?

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 102 business schools in the world hold triple accreditation from the most sought-after international accreditations: AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS (MBA Today, August 2020).

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

The MBA programme 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

Exterior of Strathclyde Business School with students walking past

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner

Triple-accredited

One of only 102 business schools in the world - MBA Today (August 2020)
Study at eight locations 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.

Many routes - one MBA

What are the benefits of the Strathclyde MBA?

Benefits for you

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

Benefits for employers & sponsors?

Improved corporate performance

greater understanding of corporate goals
more knowledgeable and successful management
advanced communication through mutual understanding
greater awareness of external influences and recognition of the need for a quality customer focus and market orientation
increased potential for the effective utilisation of valuable corporate, human and other resources

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

Course content

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Course content

The Strathclyde MBA is based on collaborative learning. You share work experience, knowledge, understanding and skills.

Our purpose is to help to develop you in diverse areas of management.

The MBA will shape and guide you as reflective, open-thinking, adaptive learners.

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The Reflective Practitioner

This module is designed to help you respond to the increasing emphasis in the business world about corporate social responsibility, stakeholder expectations and the professional practice of management. It provides you with the foundations to become an adaptive manager open to life-long learning. There are three classes within this module:

Learning Manager
Comparitive Corporate Governance
Entrepreneurial Management & Leadership

More information on The Learning Manager

Here's a short introduction to the Learning Manager module of the MBA.

More information on Comparitive Corporate Governance

Here's a short introduction to the Comparitive Corporate Governance class of the MBA.

More information on Entrepreneurial Management & Leadership

The aim of this class is to enable participants to experience and reflect on entrepreneurial skills and practices that are appropriate to managing and leading organisations in competitive, uncertain and fast-changing environments. There is a filming session scheduled for December on this.

Making the Business Work

This module helps you understand the management fundamentals and processes vital to business success and that are operated by specialist functional teams in an organisation.

By becoming aware of these disciplines you’re more able to appreciate each function as well as the relationships and tensions between them.

The module has six classes:

Finance and Financial Management
Marketing Management
Analytical Support for Decision Making
Operations Management
Managing People in Organisations
Financial & Management Accounting

Finance & Financial Management

Here's a short introduction to the Finance & Financial Management module of the MBA.

Marketing Management

Here's a short introduction to the Marketing Management module of the MBA.

Operations Management

Here's a short course introduction to Operations Management.

Managing People in Organisations

Here's a short introduction to the Managing People in Organisations module of the MBA.

Financial & Management Accounting

Here's a short introduction to the Financial & Management Accounting module of the MBA.

Strategic Management for Sustainable Success

This module is designed to help you integrate the classes in the 'Making the Business Work' module.

The classes are designed to help you explore, understand and confidently manage internal and external ambiguity, complexity and uncertainty. The Strathclyde MBA is renowned for its reputation in these aspects of management.

There are four classes in this module

Exploring the International Environment
Strategy Analysis and Evaluation
Making Strategy
Strategic Consulting in Practice - This provides you with an opportunity to work with a live organisational issue in conjunction with a client organisation. The client will feature significantly in the evaluation of the class. Designing the class in such a way provides you with many insights into the uncertainties of managing yourself, the task of strategising and meeting the expectations of the client.

Exploring the International Business Environment

Here's a short introduction to the Exploring the International Business Environment module of the MBA.

Making Strategy

Here's a short introduction to the Making Strategy module of the MBA.

Strategic Consulting in Practice

Here's a short introduction to the Strategic Consulting in Practice module of the MBA.

Personal Development

As you progress through the Strathclyde MBA we work with you to help you personalise your learning and development. We do that through two routes – Elective Classes and the final MBA Project.

Online Class - Information and Technology Management

In everyday discussions about technology, IS and ICT, people generally are referring to computers. In this class the focus is not on computers but on the picture we have about computers. By doing this we will examine the ‘big picture’ of IS/ICT, and technology more generally, in order to gain a better understanding of what computers can do for us, and when we should switch off our computers, smartphones, tablets, and wearable technology and take matters back into our human hands. Delivered online to mirror the subject matter, this class covers fundamental concepts of technology and IS/ICT although students should be aware that overall this is not a technical course.

Elective classes

We have over 120 academic experts across a wide range of specialist departments in Strathclyde Business School (SBS). We offer more than 25 different electives all taught by our subject specialists.

There’s a range of study routes open to you – full-time, weekend classes and classes in the international centres.

A major advantage of these elective classes is the opportunity to learn about the chosen subject alongside a group of like-minded international colleagues.

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

For a full list of the latest selection of electives on offer please ask our admissions office.

MBA Project

The MBA project gives you an opportunity to examine in-depth a managerial, organisational or environmental issue of your choice over an extended period of time.

The project allows you to put into practice the knowledge and skills that you have developed throughout the Strathclyde MBA.

We have close links with industry and can offer a number of company sponsored projects across different sectors. These may focus on:

Supply Chain
Change Management
Corporate Social Responsibility
Market Entry Strategy
Brand Management
Social Media/Strategic Change Management
Operations/CRM Strategy

Many of these projects are likely to lead to internships.

The final project is an integral part of the Strathclyde MBA and can be done on an individual basis or as part of a group.

Interaction with real companies

There will be a number of opportunities during the core classes to undertake mini-consulting projects with real companies presenting you with real issues and challenges. You’ll form groups who will analyse the information given. Using tools and techniques taught in class, you’ll present a strategy to the company on how to move forward.

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
examinations
group work
presentations

Examinations

There are three examination schedules each year:

December
March
August

All examinations are available at each sitting and you choose which is most appropriate for you. It’s possible for Executive (part-time) course members to sit examinations off-campus.

Full details, including current locations, are available from our programme administrators.

Entry requirements

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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 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 may 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.

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. Entry at Diploma level may 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). are exceptional candidates over the age of 24 with a minimum of two years' managerial experience. This is available only to candidates applying to routes other than full-time.
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.
Exemptions	Some exemption may be available from subjects in the ‘Making the Business Work' Module and will be considered on a case by case basis. For further information contact the admissions team.

Our students

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.

Find out more about Rami's experience

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.

Find out more about Cathy's Strathlife

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.

Find out more about Camila's experience

Careers

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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

Doing an MBA in the time of COVID-19

As COVID-19 changes our ways of working, studying and living, MBA student Ryan Mahindapala provides an account of doing an MBA during the pandemic and how he feels we will come out the other side with new attitudes.

Read Ryan's blog

Student studying on Zoom.

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