Rethink the way you lead your business
The Global (Executive) MBA is an 18-month accelerated pathway of the Global MBA for a closed cohort of senior MBA candidates with a minimum of 8 years of professional experience and significant managerial expertise.
The programme equips you to lead effectively through uncertainty, seize opportunities to innovate in a changing business landscape, and solve the complex business challenges you face every day in a senior role.
Ranked 5th in the UK
(Financial Times 2024)
Triple, Acclaimed Accreditations
from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBAs
Blended Delivery
Online classes + face-to-face workshop residentials + business projects
Accredited by
Licensed by The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Programmes accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation
Key Information
Qualification: MBA - Triple Accredited AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA
Duration: 18 months
Next intake: July 2025
Workload: Approx 20 hours per week
How to apply:
The intakes for Manchester Global (Executive) MBA take place every January and July.
To join, complete the Global Executive MBA application form, take an admissions test, and provide supporting documents. Our admissions team will guide you through every step of the process.
If you need assistance with our admissions process, please contact us:
Tel: +971 (0)4 446 8664
Email: mba.me@manchester.ac.uk
Programme Structure
Structure
The Global Executive MBA will immerse you in our global study locations. You will attend four core workshop residentials as a cohort in Manchester, Dubai and Hong Kong for greater exposure to international business culture, then choose your own electives at any of our global centres. We will provide 26 nights of accommodation across the three core global workshops locations.
Course Units
Pre-MBA
Manchester MBA Preparation Course (Online)
• After securing your spot in our MBA programme, gain immediate access to our exclusive Manchester MBA Preparation course.
• This self-paced, 15-hour online course provides you with key study skills and insights into our 'Learning by Doing' approach.
• You'll also get a head start in Marketing and Operations Management through our Business Essentials courses.
Core Courses
Leading Global Transitions
The unit will provide students with analytical tools to evaluate the global business environment from a cultural political economy perspective. It will cover major contemporary management issues of: shareholder value and governance; financialised business models and global economy; discursive managerial practices in the context of firm behaviour in contemporary economy; managing in unstable and complex global financial environment; and the social context of businesses in contemporary globalised economy. Factors impacting on inequality, uncertainty, sustainability, and household finances and wealth will be discussed as part of understanding the present day social context of businesses.
Operationalising and Communicating Value
4-day workshop in Hong Kong + online learning
- Understand the complex dynamics between Operations Management and Marketing, learning to balance and integrate both.
- Apply theories to real-world challenges, thanks to our focus on practical, scenario-based learning.
- Collaborate on solutions with multinational peers, expanding your network and enhancing your problem-solving skills.
Business Accounting and Finance
3-day workshop in Dubai + 1 virtual workshop + online learning
- Gain a foundational understanding of financial reports, learning how to interpret and analyze critical financial information.
- Equip yourself with key techniques and practices in Management and Cost Accounting for enhanced decision-making.
- Build your expertise across both domains, enabling a well-rounded approach to financial strategy and planning.
Strategy and Competition
4-day workshop in Manchester + online learning
- Tackle emerging issues like global instability, technology disruption, and the sharing economy alongside traditional strategic theories.
- Benefit from a balanced blend of theory and hands-on practice to solidify your understanding.
- Participate in team-based learning to analyse real-time cases, providing practical insights into strategy implementation.
Digital Economy
3-day workshop in Dubai + online learning
- Understand core economic theories and Internet market principles to gain a comprehensive understanding.
- Examine the impact of technology and Artificial Intelligence on pivotal sectors, including advertising, financial markets, and healthcare.
- Acquire skills to innovate platform-based firms and strategise the digital transformation of traditional corporations.
The Reflective Executive
2 workshops in Manchester (3 days in total) + workplace application + online learning
- Address the need for thoughtful decision-making in uncertain and intricate scenarios.
- Through inquiry-based learning, delve into the nuances of senior managerial duties.
- Enhance practical expertise, fostering a more contemplative approach to decision-making.
Applied Learning
Business Inquiry
1-day workshop in Manchester + group work (six months in total)
• Live business project uniquely designed to expand your perspective and enhance social responsibility by partnering with a not-for-profit organisation.
• Apply newly-acquired skills and insights to distinct business challenges, stepping out of the traditional corporate sphere.
• Receive hands-on, invaluable experience while delivering high-quality consultancy to the client, benefiting both parties.
• Option to engage in a commercial project available, catering to your individual career objectives.
Electives
Electives (Choose two)
Per elective: 3-day workshop (minimum) in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore + online learning
• Customizable elective courses to fit your career aspirations, offering a wide range of subjects from Advanced Strategic Management to Work Psychology for Managerial Success.
Current electives:
- Business-to-Business Marketing
- Corporate News and Shareholder Value
- Engaging Human Talent
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
- Exploring Decision Making in Practice
- International Business Strategy
- Negotiation Skills
- Platform Ecosystem Strategy
- Practical Investing
- Strategic Financial Analysis
- Leading Business Projects
- Strategic Supply Chain Management
- The Sustainable Change Agenda
- Venture Capital Private Equity
- Design Thinking, Creativity & Co-creation
- Work Psychology for Managerial Success (up to Jan 2026)
Digital electives:
- Big Data Analytics
- Digital Economy: Platforms, AI & the Firm
- Digital Marketing Strategy
- Fin Tech Digital Banking and Blockchain
- Information Systems and Digital Strategies
- Managing Disruptive Technologies
To give you added flexibility, we offer some electives that are entirely online or that include longer/shorter face-to-face workshops.
- Continuously updated course offerings that balance core business tenets with emerging topics like fintech and sustainability, ensuring relevancy.
- Global workshop options are available at centers in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai, and Singapore, providing you with networking opportunities.
- Added flexibility with elective formats—choose between entirely online courses or varying lengths of face-to-face workshops.
GEMBA+
GEMBA+
• GEMBA+ is a set of targeted extra-curricular activities designed to hone your skills, define your goals, and boost your global corporate profile.
• Engage in facilitated professional discussions with senior alumni to enhance your learning and career growth, leveraging our extensive international business network.
• Enjoy exclusive Global Careers Service and Alumni Relations events such as welcome dinners, speaker sessions, and visits to global organisations.
• Access to MBA+ activities across all our part-time MBA programs, including online career seminars, employability sessions, and extensive alumni engagement opportunities.
Post-MBA
Post-graduation elective (optional)
• 3-day workshop (minimum) in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore + online learning.
• Extend your post-graduate journey and enhance your CPD by enjoying a complementary elective at any of our global centers.
Workshop schedule
January intake
Year one:
January: 6 days in Manchester
March: 6 days in Dubai
September: 7 days in Hong Kong
Months 13-18:
January: 7 days in Manchester
March: 2 x 3-day workshops in locations of your choice (Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore)
July intake
Year 1:
July: 6 days in Manchester
September: 6 days in Hong Kong
March: 6 days in Dubai
Months 13-18:
July: 7 days in Manchester
September: 2 x 3-day workshops in locations of your choice (Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore)
why manchester
The Global Executive MBA merges blended learning with intensive on-campus workshops. This format balances the depth of a traditional full-time MBA with the flexibility needed for working professionals, allowing you to integrate studies into your daily life.
Workshop residentials
The program features five key workshop residentials over 32 days, spread across global business hubs like Manchester, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore.
Each core course begins with a three-day workshop focused on experiential learning, teamwork on real-world business issues, and networking. Electives offer additional choice between more intensive online sessions or further face-to-face learning tailored to fit your schedule.
Online learning components
- Dedicated online learning and support hub
- Live online lectures and virtual workshops to support face-to-face workshops
- Virtual office hours with world-leading academics
- Online student surgeries
- Digital library
- Discussion forums
- Pre-sessional study skills and foundational review courses
- Virtual guest speakers and networking opportunities
Course delivery and assessment
- Each course unit involves 150 hours of study, typically over six months, blending online learning with a three-day workshop.
- Our teaching methodology focuses on practical application through problem-solving, case studies, and interactive activities, ensuring you can immediately apply what you learn.
- Continuous assessment replaces traditional exams, involving a mix of individual and group projects. Each course is backed by the latest research and delivered by experienced academics.
Fees & Entry Requirements
Please find below our tuition fees for the MBA programmes commencing July 2025. If you need assistance or want to speak to a course counsellor, please contact us; we will gladly help.
Global Executive MBA - Total Tuition Fee - GBP £43,250 paid as follows:
Global Executive MBA Fees
GBP 43,250
GBP 2,000
GBP 12,416
GBP 14,417
GBP 14,417
GEMBA Scholarships
If you are self-funding and would like to be considered for a scholarship to support funding your MBA, please add one page of a slide at the end of your presentation explaining why you feel you are a strong candidate and what you will contribute to the GEMBA cohort. In your slide, please specify which scholarships category you would like to be considered. All aspects of your application will be taken into consideration, including how you will contribute to the diversity of the GEMBA cohort. You can find information about the scholarships that we award here.
The main categories are:
Social Responsibility Scholarships
- Social Responsibility
- Leadership in Not-for-Profit Organisations
- Contribution Through Entrepreneurship
- Sustainability
Diversity Scholarships & Outstanding Achievement Scholarships
- Women Business Leaders
- Cultural Diversity
- Professional Diversity
- Significant Industry Contribution Scholarships, for exceptional senior leaders who can demonstrate significant contribution to their industry sector.
Corporate Partnership
Applicants who will be receiving substantial (over 50%) financial company sponsorship towards their tuition fees will not typically be considered for a scholarship award. Corporates supporting multiple employees onto our MBA programmes may be eligible for a corporate discount, please contact us to discuss.
Company Sponsorship
Many companies sponsor employees on the Global Executive MBA. We can help you put together a business case outlining the benefits to your organisation. We can also schedule a meeting or call with your HR department to discuss the programme.
Further, we have Strategic Talent Partnerships with several organisations. Our STPs get a preferential rate. Click HERE to see if your organisation is an STP.
0% Interest Instalment Plan with Emirates NBD
Our students can pay the semester or entire fees using Emirates NBD credit card and get 6-12 months instalments at 0% interest.
- One-time AED 49 processing fee per transaction.
- Log on to ENBD Online / Mobile Banking or Call 600 540000 to assist with the 0% interest instalment plan. More details are listed on this page
- Students can apply for free for life Emirates NBD credit card through this link. This offer is only valid for UAE residents
Entry Requirements
Professional Experience and Leadership Positions:
- Applicants must be influencing their company’s strategy, decisions, and goals, currently holding titles such as President, Vice President, Chairman, Managing Director, CEO, CFO, or other C-level positions.
- A minimum of two years of P&L responsibility or participation in a team with P&L accountability for four or more years.
- Roles like General Manager, Divisional Manager, or Senior Manager with high-level accountability for a business unit, country, or region.
- Senior management roles with cross-functional responsibilities, such as a Director within the senior leadership team.
- Established entrepreneurs who have significantly scaled businesses or are actively involved in strategies for business growth.
International Exposure (Preferred):
You should have experience:
- Working in a global environment
- Operating across international borders
- Dealing with complexity and uncertainty, preferably across multiple sectors
- Leading international teams, or managing virtual teams across geographies and time zones.
You should also have a global mindset developed through:
- Exposure to new business cultures and experiences
- International placements or through living and working in countries other than the UAE.
Professional Qualifications:
- For Global Executive MBA: At least two years of P&L responsibility or four years in a team with clear P&L accountability, with a senior leadership role influencing company strategy and decisions.
- For Global Finance Accelerated MBA: A professional accountancy qualification is required (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ACMA).
Academic Qualifications:
A strong undergraduate or master's degree, or an international equivalent, is expected.
Admissions Tests:
Acceptable tests include GMAT®, GMAC Executive Assessment, GRE®, or the Manchester Admissions Test.
English Competency:
The program is conducted in English, requiring participants to have excellent communication skills. English competency is assessed throughout the admissions process.
Application Process and Selection
Application Deadline
Next intake: July 2025
Stage One: Online Application
1. Register and Apply:
- Access the university application portal to create an account and apply for the Global Executive MBA.
Apply Here
2. Upload Supporting Documents:
- Prepare and upload the following documents with your application:
- CV detailing your senior leadership experience.
- Degree documents (include English translations if necessary).
- Supporting evidence for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) if you do not hold a degree.
- The application form will include an essay question regarding your leadership experience.
3. Professional Reference:
- A professional reference is required. Provide contact details for your referee in the MBA application form. Upon submission, your referee will receive an email link to complete an online reference form, which is automatically uploaded to the admissions system once completed.
4. Admissions Test:
- All applicants must take the Manchester Admissions Test (MAT) unless they already have a valid GMAT, Executive Assessment, or GRE score.
- The MAT is conducted online and can be taken at your convenience. It consists of three short assessments (verbal, numerical, and logical) and takes approximately 45 minutes. No prior preparation is needed.
After submitting your application and supporting documents, you will receive login details via email from notifications@talentqgroup.com to take the test. Ensure this email is saved to prevent it from going to junk mail.
Stage Two: Interview
Review and Selection:
- The MBA Admission Committee reviews all complete applications. Candidates who successfully pass the initial review are invited to an interview with a panel.
- The interview assesses your suitability for the program, leadership potential, and ability to contribute to the cohort.
If you need advice or assistance with our admissions process, contact us on our email or speak to our programme counselor.
Email: mba.me@manchester.ac.uk
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