MBA Master of Business Administration
ApplyKey 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 2021; Corporate Knights Better World MBA 2021
International: study in Glasgow or in six 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 108 business schools in the world that hold triple accreditation from the most sought-after international accreditations: AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS (MBA Today, July 2021).
- 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
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
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Triple-accreditedOne 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
Many routes - one MBA
Top EMBA programme
The Strathclyde Executive MBA has repeatedly featured in the annual Financial Times top 100 ranking of EMBA programmes. The 2021 ranking places us in the top 10 of UK Executive MBA providers, making us the only Scottish provider to be ranked.
More about the EMBA rankings
When I was enquiring with the University and the MBA programme, I felt that they were a good fit with what I wanted...It really reframed my thinking about where I was, what I have done so far and what I wanted to do.
Pilar, MBA graduate & business owner
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
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.
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
- Comparative Corporate Governance
- Entrepreneurial Management & Leadership
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
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
- Exploring the International Business Environment
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
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
- group work
- presentations
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 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:
Entry at Diploma level may be offered to applicants who do not hold sufficient recognised degree-level qualifications, but who do:
|
|---|---|
| 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
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
Apply
For information and guidance on the application process, take a look at our How to Apply web page.
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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