Flexible training to fit around your busy lifestyle and business demands
An international trip to expand your global network and gain insights into international business practices
An Executive MBA is a globally recognised postgraduate qualification designed to help develop and enhance your skill set within your senior-level role. Our Executive MBA explores a wide range of business topics, and will help you to understand and implement strategic thinking, taking you out of your comfort zone within a supportive framework, and launching you into the next phase of your career.
If you are working in a managerial role and are enthused by the prospect of learning from sector experts and networking with like-minded individuals, our Executive MBA might be the course for you.
During the course, you will learn to apply theoretical concepts to the real-world setting of your own business. Embedded throughout the programme are themes of leadership, sustainability, enterprise, and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Each helps to ensure that we support and build future-focused, digitally able strategic leaders who can drive change and meet the challenges of the modern business world.
The Executive MBA has been designed for busy professionals and will be taught flexibly. Online sessions will take place one evening (6-9 pm) each week, with a compulsory in-person session at our city-centre campus 2-3 Saturdays per semester. Integrated into the programme is a one-week international study and business trip, which will be in early November.
Why should I choose this course?
- DEVELOPED BY INDUSTRY – Developed in collaboration with a range of SMEs, senior leaders and entrepreneurs, our Executive MBA focuses on equipping business leaders with highly applicable skills, through real world case teaching
- PERSONALISED JOURNEY – We are widely recognised and award-winning for the outstanding student support we provide; the Executive MBA is no different. Our 'no fear' Executive MBA is tailored to meet business needs as well as that of the student, you will have personalised support throughout your course and beyond, in a programme designed for the working professional
- FLEXIBLE LEARNING – The Executive MBA is designed to be commitment-friendly, supporting those with already busy lives. Delivery is both live and independently guided in your own time. With online sessions complemented by six Saturday sessions per year to facilitate face-to-face networking, learning and collaborative working, enabling you to structure your learning to suit your needs
- ACCREDITED – Adding value to you AND your CV – you will receive CMI accreditation and membership (with the ability to apply for fast-track chartered status on completion), an additional digital marketing short course of your choice, international residential study trip and membership of the Institute of Directors (IoD) - all supporting you to add tailored breadth and depth to your existing CV and skillset
- SUPPORT – With our award-winning student support, we ensure your experience is a true 'no fear' Executive MBA. From day one, we are committed to challenging, developing and supporting you at every stage of your journey, regardless of your starting point. Join us for an Executive MBA adventure where your growth and success are our top priorities
Executive MBA versus MBA
What's the difference and which is right for me?
Business School
The Business School at University College Birmingham offers a whole suite of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, all taught in our award-winning facilities. Our lecturers come from industry themselves, and because of our smaller size, we are able to give you a more personalised experience, complete with graduate advantage, employability and enrichment sessions throughout the curriculum.
With plenty of placement and networking opportunities, our Business School courses are accredited by leading industry associations including the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Business Graduates Association and the Digital Marketing Institute, and sit within our Department of Business and Enterprise, Department of Hospitality and Tourism and Department of Creative Industries.
Course breakdown
- Year 1
- Year 2
Core Modules
Navigating the business landscape
Navigating the Business Landscape gives you a broad understanding of contemporary issues in Business. You will learn about the global business environment and the theories and practices that help us manage in a volatile world. Working in mutually supportive learning teams, you will tackle realistic case studies that give you new perspectives on your own management practice, and your final assessment will challenge you to identify new ways to improve your organisation’s performance. Guest speakers will provide their own insights into both leadership challenges and career opportunities. This module includes an international study trip to support your development as a leader and give you a personal understanding of what world-class competition and innovation look like first-hand. You will have the opportunity to explore cross-cultural working and global business perspectives and build networks with a range of stakeholders in our host location.
Leading for high performance
Leadership requires navigating complex market dynamics with often limited resources, fostering innovation amid rapid changes, and managing diverse teams while maintaining a cohesive vision. Great organisational leadership can drive exponential growth, foster a resilient and adaptable company culture, and create strategic advantages through agile decision-making and visionary foresight. In this highly individualised module, you will be examining your own leadership skills, values, communication and ability to lead within a challenging and changing landscape. You will look at a range of areas including change management, strategic decision making and leading for high performance; benefitting both your own leadership and those you lead.
Marketing and innovating for growth
Marketing is a fast-paced and constantly changing practice that drives business success. It requires flexible, agile practitioners to respond quickly and decisively to changing consumer behaviours, market trends and global shocks. The module will provide the practical skillset and specialist knowledge to accelerate your development as an innovative leader who can implement marketing strategies that deliver sustainable growth. We will guide you in cultivating a deeper understanding of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, enhancing your ability to think critically and strategically across various marketing challenges. You will develop expertise in persuasive evidence-based communication, trend scanning, and understanding the impact of disruptive technologies with highly applicable outcomes for you and your organisation.
Managing financial performance
Strategic leaders need solid financial skills to make big decisions effectively. Finance plays a huge role in how well organizations perform, and with technology evolving fast, it's even more important for leaders to manage finances wisely. This module works with leaders to enhance skills in finance, accounting, and technology, helping them understand how to manage a company's financial performance. By blending these skills, leaders can steer their organizations to success, surpassing goals with confidence. This module supports strategic leaders in understanding the main finance functions and practices of managing financial performance of contemporary organisations. There are three essential elements embedded including finance, accounting, and technology. The implementation of technology, either for organisational or finance specific use, allows leaders to explore project accounting, governance, ethics and emerging technological factors, for organisational success.
Core Modules
Operating for a sustainable future
This module explores the issues affecting ethically responsible, economic, and sustainable operations management in a global business environment. The module will expose you to the global challenges that drive change, equipping you with essential research-informed strategic decision-making skills underpinned by an evaluation of how operations management affects the economy, society, and the environment. You will explore how businesses respond to sustainability challenges through Corporate Social Responsibility, shared value, and the circular economy. Alongside the critical debates around the unsustainability of conventional business models focused on economic growth, this module provides an in-depth understanding of research on governance and transitions toward sustainable and stable economies, supporting your work in leading your organisation towards a sustainable and innovative future.
Transforming through technology
Every aspect of modern life encounters technological innovation, and over time, business and industry have experienced revolutions because of technological advancement. You will gain knowledge of the latest transformative technology applications such as AI, VR, Gamification, and Big Data used across B2C and B2B distribution channels. By applying technology roadmaps, you will develop skills in planning operational and strategic transformation through technology and knowledge of the risks and challenges. This module will support you with enhanced skills to critique and implement change using the latest technologies and innovative approaches. With a guided discovery approach, you will consider trends, digital innovation, and technologies within various industry contexts, which you can apply to your working environment.
Consultancy project
Building on the strong foundations of the taught modules, you will apply these skills and knowledge base to a consultancy challenge either within your own organisation or with one of our partner businesses. This module is the culmination of all aspects of the EMBA programme, your skills, experiences and knowledge base, applied in a setting to benefit you, your organisation and/or future career. It is intended to provide maximum impact for both you and the organisation.
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Academic
As well as having at least five years’ experience, applicants will need to demonstrate the ability to meet the requirements of post-graduate study, either through previous university-level academic achievement (a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2:2) and/or professional qualifications. We are also happy to consider candidates with substantial management experience who lack higher-level academic qualifications but whose professional achievements indicate their likely ability to succeed in the EMBA programme.
If you have any questions or concerns about your qualifications and prior experience before you apply, please contact Admissions so that we can discuss your application on an individual basis.
Work-Based
- For the programme, we can only consider currently employed applicants who wish to apply to University College Birmingham.
- To apply, you must have a minimum of 5 years of demonstrated industry experience and be in either a leadership position or a role with significant management responsibility.
Interview
All applicants are required to attend an interview (either online, or in-person on campus) prior to any offer. This process is to ensure a student is comfortable with the requirements of an EMBA, that we can fully support study needs, and to discuss next steps (as appropriate).
Additional
If your degree is not related and you do not have relevant managerial work experience, please contact Admissions so that we can discuss your application on an individual basis before you apply.
If you have any questions, please complete our enquiry form:
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Teaching on the Executive MBA is blended with a range of online live sessions, independent work, and face-to-face sessions on our city centre campus.
Module delivery centres on a case-based approach where you will explore demanding and challenging examples in the classroom, with colleagues from a range of industry backgrounds. These in-person campus sessions will maximise the time you have to hone your skills, learn from others and make critical connections between taught theory and industry practice.
Lecturers support you to enhance your existing skills and experience in order to further your career goals. Additionally, you will hear from a wide range of guest speakers who are specialists in your field, with opportunities to network, and build your own professional network.
You will benefit from a range of online and independent sessions, which will will include recorded lectures, discussion boards, video, and wider reading. These opportunities are tailored to fit around your own commitments but still allow you to arrive on campus prepared to apply new skills and knowledge.
Assessments on the course will vary but all are designed to be relevant to you and your working environment, enhancing the work you already do and harnessing existing experience through master's level study. This may include presentations, business simulations, applied research with an international organisation, and a final consultancy project to address the change or challenge of your choice.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Additional qualifications and training
Included in the course cost –
Chartered Management Institute (CMI) level 7 Strategic Leadership and Management Practice award
Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) short course* – individual choice to meet your needs
International study visit – linked to the module ‘Navigating the business landscape’
Membership with the Institute of Directors (IoD) for the duration of your programme.
*a list of available courses will be provided during the programme
Tuition fees
Students must be residents of the UK as this programme is only open to UK-employed applicants.
For UK citizens, permanent residents, or EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status in the UK, the fee for the course starting in 2025/2026 will be £18,000.
How to get in contact
For any enquiries or to schedule a meeting regarding our Executive MBA programme, please reach out to us. We will arrange a convenient time to discuss your needs in detail.
The new Executive MBA from University College Birmingham is designed to deliver not only strategic development for candidates, but also practical and exciting innovative concepts around national and international business in a blended face-to-face and online way. The business qualification will, in my opinion, provide aspiring candidates with higher-level career opportunities and springboard those with their own business into profitable new directions.
Overall, the Executive MBA is a refreshing, exhilarating new alternative to other offerings and is delivered by a driven, committed, experienced team.
Career opportunities
The Executive MBA programme is designed for those already working as business leaders who wish to enhance their current role and business acumen, and those looking to climb the career ladder into a more senior position; the opportunities are wide-ranging and numerous. Some examples of these are below.
Business development manager
Average Salary: £42,500
Operations manager
Average Salary: £32,500
Commercial director
Average salary: £73,000 – £92,000
Chief operating officer
Average Salary: £125,000
Head of commercial
Average Salary: £85,000
Elaine's Story
Completing my own Executive MBA qualification in 2021 was pivotal in my development as a senior leader within my organisation; building my strategic leadership credentials and deepening my understanding across a wide range of corporate fields. I would not have had the same career opportunities without having the knowledge and skills gained by studying an MBA.
Meet your lecturers
