Study on your schedule with a flexible, Global MBA
Enhance your leadership skills with practical, real-world applications, and gain invaluable insights from our world-renowned faculty. Join a network of global business leaders and take your career to the next level with us.
Ranked 40th in the world
(QS World Ranking 2027)
Triple, acclaimed accreditations
from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBAs
Blended delivery
Online classes + face-to-face workshop residentials + business projects
Accredited by
.png){kind=logo}
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: 24 months (flexible up to 5 years)
Next intake: January 2027
Workload: Approx 20 hours per week
How to apply:
The Manchester Global MBA welcomes new students every January and July. Here’s how to join:
- Complete the Global MBA application form, take an admissions test, and provide supporting documents.
- Our admissions team will guide you through every step of the process.
- We can connect you with current MBA students and alumni ambassadors for advice.
For assistance with our admissions process, please contact us:
Tel: +971 (0)4 446 8664
Email: mba.me@manchester.ac.uk
Programme Structure
Structure
Global MBA
Need at least three years of experience, evidence of strong career progression, and a recognised degree.
- 2 years of study time (flexible up to 5 years)
- 31 teaching days across five workshop residencies.
- For elective courses, you can attend workshops at any of our global locations: Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore.
Global Finance Accelerated MBA
Need at least three years of experience and professional finance qualifications, such as ACCA and CIMA.
- 18 months of study time
- 27 days of teaching across five workshop residencies.
- For elective courses, you can attend workshops at any of our global locations: Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore.
Course Units
Pre-MBA
Manchester MBA Preparation Course (Online)
Once you have been offered a place in our MBA programme and paid a reservation fee, you have exclusive access to our Manchester MBA Preparation course. This online course helps you understand what studying at Manchester is like, how you write academic assignments and most importantly, what 'Learning by Doing' really means.You can rediscover key study skills, undertake Business Essentials courses in Marketing and Operations Management, and meet the teams supporting you. The course takes around 15 hours, and you can complete it at your own pace. There are many opportunities to apply your skills and new knowledge.
Core Courses
Leading Global Transitions
This course explores two critical challenges facing contemporary businesses: to redefine the purpose of the firm in the 21st century, transitioning to a stakeholder value-driven model and to redesign business models for a global net zero economy.
What you'll learn
- Understand how companies use environmental, social and governance (ESG) to manage these two transitions
- Understand the drivers behind these transitions, including concepts like financialisation, shareholder value maximisation, corporate governance, and firm purpose
- Analyse how ESG frameworks support firms to transition to achieve social and environmental responsibility
- Examine how ESG helps companies to transition to a net zero economy.
The module equips you with the knowledge and tools to lead organisations through these transformative global challenges.
It is delivered through a 3-day in-person workshop and online learning.
Leading People and Organisations
This core course explores organisational behaviour, focusing on the management practices and organisational structures found in contemporary organisations and their effects on people’s behaviour.
What you’ll learn
- Evaluate the reasons behind contemporary management practices and their impact on behaviour
- Understand key organisational dynamics, including motivation, leadership, and team performance
- Explore the structures and cultures of organisations and their role in shaping behaviour
- Develop strategies for managing change effectively within complex organisations
- Apply research-based frameworks and ideas to real-world management challenges.
The module equips you with the knowledge and skills to respond to modern management challenges, enhancing your ability to lead and inspire in diverse organisational settings.
It is delivered through a 3-day in-person workshop and online learning.
Operationalising and Communicating Value
This course will provide you with key knowledge about Operations and Marketing and takes an integrative approach of bringing these two business functions together.
You'll explore the interactions and synergies, as well as the potential tensions, between these two business perspectives.
What you’ll learn
- Customer understanding and value creation: Analyse customer needs, market positioning, and how to translate this into product and pricing strategies
- Marketing and communications strategy: Develop channels and messaging to communicate value propositions to target audiences
- Operations and supply chain design: Explore how to design and deliver effective operations strategies and to manage supply chains that align with business objectives
- Critical analysis and decision-making: Evaluate the fit of marketing and operations management decisions using data-driven approaches, while recognising limitations and inconsistencies in data sources
- Professional communication and collaboration: Enhance your ability to write, present, and collaborate effectively to tackle marketing and operational challenges.
The module develops integrated marketing and operations expertise, builds critical thinking skills, and provides practical frameworks to solve real-world business challenges.
It is delivered through a 4-day in-person workshop and online learning.
Business Accounting and Finance
This course is divided into two parts: Understanding and Measuring Business Value and Creating Financial Value.
The first part focuses on analysing value from multiple perspectives, while the second emphasizes strategic financial decisions that enhance long-term organisational success.
What you’ll learn
- Explore the differences between cash, profit, and net book value and analyse financial statements such as cash budgets and profit and loss accounts
- Evaluate accounting techniques and the role of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) in determining what can and cannot be valued
- Consider broader dimensions of value – societal, environmental, cultural, and operational – and develop innovative thinking to address them
- Understand the time value of money and its impact on project evaluation and financial asset valuation
- Learn to make strategic financing decisions that influence future profits and ensure organizational sustainability.
The module equips you with the critical skills and strategic insights needed to drive financial success and create lasting value for your organisation.
It involves a 3-day in-person workshop with one virtual learning workshop, delivered across three weekly online sessions (each lasting three hours), along with additional online learning.
Strategy and Innovation
This two-part core course builds your ability to think strategically and make high-impact decisions in competitive, fast-changing environments. In Part A, you’ll explore the economics behind strategic thinking; in Part B, you’ll apply those insights to real-world business challenges.
What you’ll learn
In Part A:
- Apply microeconomics and game theory to strategic decision-making
- Understand how ESG and innovation influence firm behaviour
- Analyse the impact of governance, management, and market dynamics.
In Part B:
- Evaluate industry dynamics and identify strategic opportunities
- Design growth-focused, sustainable business strategies
- Use data and case analysis to guide real-world decisions.
The module is ideal for ambitious MBA students who want to strengthen their analytical thinking, build a strategic decision-making toolkit, and excel as leaders in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Part A is delivered through a 2-day in-person workshop, a 1-day virtual workshop, and guided online learning.
Part B is delivered through a 4-day in-person workshop and online learning.
Developing Managerial & Career Success
This course explores the foundational concept that effective management of others begins with managing yourself. It helps you define, develop, and sustain both managerial and career success.
What you’ll learn
- Understand the factors that shape managerial and career success
- Enhance self-control and self-regulation of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours
- Develop a positive reputation and effective influence strategies
- Build strong working relationships for professional growth
- Explore career development, global career planning, and strategies for resilience and adaptability.
The module equips you with the tools to navigate complex career challenges and achieve success as a manager and leader.
It is delivered through a 3-day virtual workshop and online learning.
Applied Learning
Live Business Project
The live business project allows you to explore an entrepreneurial venture in a sector of your choice or tackle a critical business issue for your organisation. This will help you stand out and deliver real value in the workplace.
It's an opportunity to try something you've always wanted to do while gaining invaluable, practical business experience to enrich your CV.
Example projects:
- Rediscovering Kellogg Nutri-Grain Bar's Competitive Mojo
- A study into the effectiveness of the Corporate Parent in delivering value to stakeholders
- The lean start-up: 'Fit-for-life'
- The effects of earned media on brand preference, purchase intention and sales performance: a study on infant formula brands
- Segmenting and targeting Chinese e-lock consumers
- Identifying and quantifying the critical success factors for taxi-hailing mobile apps
- Helping Salesforce.com support the re-integration of unemployed job-seekers into the labour market
- A study of non-household consumer switching in England’s water market
Electives
Electives (choose three)
This is your chance to customise the MBA to suit your goals and interests. Our electives span many popular fields of expertise including: entrepreneurship and innovation; finance; HR management; leadership and management practice; marketing; projects, and technology.
We deliver electives across our global locations in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore. If you choose to study overseas, you’ll benefit from the opportunity to widen your international network and sharpen your knowledge of the global business environment.
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 and 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.
MBA+
MBA+
MBA+ is a suite of added value extra-curricular experiences that will help you define your goals, enhance your interpersonal skills, build your corporate connections and raise your profile worldwide.
Running parallel with the academic programme, these activities are not credit-bearing. They are designed to give you targeted support and motivation to help you through the MBA and beyond, with opportunities to connect and grow. You will have the opportunity to take part in the following activities:
- Networking events
- Online careers seminars
- Employability sessions
- Careers guidance
- Alumni socials
- Alumni speaker events
- Alumni groups and more
Workshop schedule
Global MBA
Year one
1st Semester (6 months)
1st month (3 days in Dubai)
3rd month (6 days in Dubai)
2nd Semester (6 months)
3rd month (6 days in Dubai)
Year two
1st Semester (6 months)
1st month (4 days in Dubai)
3rd month (6 days at any global location)
2nd Semester (6 months)
3rd month (3 days at any global location)
Global MBA Finance Accelerated
Year one
1st Semester (6 months)
1st month (3 days in Dubai)
3rd month (6 days in Dubai)
2nd Semester (6 months)
3rd month (3 days in Dubai and 6 days at any global location)
Year two
1st Semester (6 months)
1st month (4 days in Dubai)
3rd month (3 days at any global location)
why manchester
Study in a way that suits your lifestyle and learning style. We teach our Global MBA through a combination of highly participatory blended learning and workshop residentials that fit around your work and home commitments.
Workshop residentials
Most courses include an intensive, three-day workshop residential. Benefit from face-to-face teaching across international workshop residentials in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore. We provide six nights of accommodation across two global locations for workshops in elective courses taken outside of the home location.
Blended learning
Global MBA workshop residentials
Most courses include an intensive, three-day workshop residential. Global MBA workshops are a chance to:
- Immerse yourself in your studies, away from the distractions of daily life
- Focus on what you want to achieve
- Build a strong, supportive cohort
- Experience a challenging mix of experiential learning from renowned business experts and practitioners
- Participate in group work focusing on real business problems
- Network, socialise and make connections that could transform your career.
You can also flex your workshops to include more blended or face-to-face learning to suit your commitments.
In the first year of the course, you'll attend four core workshop residentials in Manchester. You can then choose your own electives at any of our global centres for the remainder of the course.
50% of students typically attend a workshop overseas during the programme.
Online learning
Our online teaching, learning and student support include:
- 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
Global experience
Top organisations want global executives with local knowledge. You need to thrive in a multi-cultural environment and manage across boundaries. The Manchester Global MBA offers a particularly international experience.
- Attend workshops for elective courses at any of our global locations in year two: Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore.
- Learn alongside high-achieving executives from 90 countries and diverse professional backgrounds
- Join our network of 60,000 alumni from 176 countries – lifetime access to some of the world’s brightest business minds
Many companies sponsor employees for the Global MBA programme. We can help you create a business case that outlines the benefits to your organisation. We can also schedule a meeting or call your HR department to discuss the programme. Please get in touch with us to find out more.
Global consistency
Wherever you choose to attend workshops, you will receive the same world-class teaching. Our internationally-renowned academics travel the world to teach at our global centres.
If your career takes you overseas, you can continue your MBA without interruption by taking workshops at a different centre.
Fees & Entry Requirements
Please find below our tuition fees for the MBA programmes commencing January 2027. If you need assistance or want to speak to a programme counsellor, please contact us; we will gladly help.
Global MBA - Total Tuition Fee - GBP £42,064.05 paid as follows:
Global MBA Fees
GBP 42,064.05
GBP 2,000
GBP 8,516.02
GBP 10,516.01
GBP 10,516.01
GBP 10,516.01
Global MBA Finance Accelerated - Total Tuition Fee - GBP £39,487.35 paid as follows:
Global MBA Fees
GBP 39,487.35
GBP 2,000
GBP 11,162.45
GBP 13,162.45
GBP 13,162.45
Discount Policy
15% (Last day to avail - September 30, 2025)
- STP Discount
- ESAAD STP Discount (UAE Residents only)
15%
20%
- Corporate Discount (2 - 4 Confirmed Students)
- Corporate Discount (5 - 9 Confirmed Students)
- Corporate Discount (10+ Confirmed Students)
10%
12.50%
15%
20%
- Bursary
- Family Loyalty Discount
- Student Referral Discount
10-15%
10%
15%
10%
*** Limited places are available for discretionary discount that is with the discount pot allocation
Terms & Conditions
- Discounts/Scholarships cannot be availed together. In case a candidate is eligible for more than one category of discount/scholarship they can only avail the one with a higher value.
- There are limited places available for the Discretionary discounts and will be subject to available of the scholarship budget
- Family Loyalty discount only applies to immediate family/first degree relatives i.e. parents, siblings, spouse, children of University of Manchester alumni or current students
- Candidates availing the ESAAD card discount should be having a valid card either under their name or immediate family/first degree relatives i.e. parents, siblings, spouse, children
- Student Referral discounts are for those new students who came as a referral from our alumni and current students.
Company Sponsorship
Many companies sponsor employees for the Global MBA programme. We can help you create a business case that outlines the benefits to your organisation. We can also schedule a meeting or call your HR department to discuss the programme. Please get in touch with us to find out more.
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.
Easy Payment options at The University of Manchester - Dubai
Students can pay their semester or full tuition fees using an Emirates NBD or Emirates Islamic credit card. Click here for more information. Apart from this, you can also connect with a programme counsellor to discuss the available Payment Plan.
Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications:
- Strong undergraduate degree (UK bachelor's or international equivalent recognised by UK NARIC) from a recognised university. Higher-level degrees are also acceptable.
- Grade should be equivalent to UK first class or upper second class honours. Candidates are expected to be in the top 25% of their class.
- Open to any discipline, but numeracy, critical thinking, and a good awareness of economic and international affairs are essential.
Professional Experience:
- At least three years of postgraduate work experience with strong, consistent career progression and achievement (full-time work experience from completion of your undergraduate degree to commencement of the MBA).
- Leadership/management experience, client relationship management, financial/budgetary responsibility, project management/leadership, strategic decision-making. A diverse range of professional backgrounds is welcomed, including non-traditional business sectors, including military, healthcare, legal, leisure/sports, and the creative arts and alumni working in successful careers in many non-traditional business sectors.
- A strong CV showing a good level of responsibility, consistent and ideally fast-track career progression, strong achievements for the length of your career demonstrating impact in your organisation, and higher-than-average performance in your industry sector or function compared to your peers.
Professional Qualifications:
- For Global MBA: At least three years' work experience, with evidence of strong consistent career progression and achievement.
- For Global Finance Accelerated MBA: A professional accountancy qualification is required (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ACMA).
Skills and Competencies:
- Analytical skills, numeracy, negotiation, presentation, problem-solving, reasoning, creativity, and the ability to generate ideas.
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Additional Considerations:
- International Exposure: Valued but not essential. Experience living, working, or collaborating internationally enhances your application.
- Entrepreneurial Experience: Valued for innovation and ability to contribute ideas and perspective to the MBA class.
Admissions Test:
A strong score on the GMAT®, GRE®, or Manchester Admissions Test is required.
For further information about Admissions Tests for our Global MBA programmes please click below.
Application Process and Selection
Application Deadline
Next intake: January 2027
1. Application Form Submission
Create an account to access the Global MBA application form. Our admissions team will provide support when you start. To submit the application, you'll need to upload your CV.
Prepare your essays offline and paste them into the application form when ready. (Details on essay topics below)
You can save and return to your partially completed application anytime. Mandatory questions are marked with a *. Upon submission, you'll receive an automated receipt.
2. Application Documents
Professional References
Two professional references are required. Include referee details in the application form; we will contact them with a link to submit their references online. (We prefer one of your referees to be the person you report to in your current company. If you do not wish to inform your current employer that you are applying for the MBA, you can use a referee from your previous company. We do not require academic references.)
Upload your CV, which must be no more than two pages and detailing your professional experience in reverse chronological order, academic credentials, and significant achievements. Include the month/year start and end date, job title, company name and salary for each position undertaken.If you have worked in multiple positions for the same company, please show each position separately to highlight your career progression.
For each position, include bullet points of your key responsibilities and achievements.Please provide details of all your qualifications, including your Bachelor’s degree, any Master's degree, postgraduate diplomas/specialisations, and professional qualifications.Any academic distinctions, honours or awards.
3. Application Essays
Essay 1 (Professional Experience and Achievements): Around 500 words on your career progression, key achievements, and experiences.
Essay 2 (Your Aspirations): 300 words on your professional and personal aspirations and how the MBA fits into your plans.
You can prepare your essays offline and cut and paste them into the application form when ready.
4. Academic Credentials
Submit a scanned copy of your official Bachelor’s degree transcript and certificate (or Master’s if you do not have a Bachelor’s). Translations are required for non-English documents.
Your transcript should show:
- the type of degree awarded
- date of enrollment and date of graduation
- your final result ,GPA or average grade
If your transcript states that you have completed and graduated and includes your final result, you do not need to also provide a certificate. If you have graduated from a UK institution, we only require a copy of your certificate showing your final result (e.g. second class upper).
We reserve the right to contact your degree-awarding institutions for further information regarding your application if required.
Those applying for the Global Finance Accelerated MBA must submit evidence of professional accountancy qualifications and membership in the professional body/organisation.
5. English Language Competence
English competence is assessed throughout the admissions process (application, admissions test, and possibly an interview).
6. Take the admissions test
After submitting your application and supporting documents, all candidates will be invited to take the Manchester Admissions Test (MAT). You don't need to take the MAT if you already have a valid GMAT®, Executive Assessment or GRE® score.
The Manchester Admissions Test (MAT)
You can complete the MAT online at home, in your office or anywhere with a good internet connection. You'll need to complete three short assessments - verbal, numerical and logical. They take around 45 minutes to complete and you don't need to prepare. We'll provide you with a login and password to take the test after you submit your MBA application. The invitation will come from kfassessment@kornferry.com. Add this email to your contacts so you don't miss the invitation.
7. Receive a Verification Call
After completing the MAT, you will receive a verification call from an Admissions Officer within 24 to 72 hours. This call is part of the standard admissions process to verify your application details.
8. Consideration of Your Application
Your application will be reviewed once all documents are submitted, including your CV, transcripts, English language evidence, and at least one reference.
The decision is typically made within two weeks if the application is complete.
Application Note
Ensure all sections are completed and documents uploaded before submission. The admissions team evaluates applications comprehensively, considering professional achievements, academic credentials, personal qualities, and the potential for leadership and teamwork.
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
Frequently asked questions
What makes the Global MBA at The University of Manchester - Dubai one of the best MBAs in Dubai?
Ranked 40th in the world by QS, the best MBA in Dubai combines triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), live business projects, and workshops across five global cities. Unlike many MBA courses in Dubai, it connects you to a cohort from 90+ countries, delivering genuine international breadth alongside academic content.
How does the part-time MBA in Dubai differ from a full-time MBA?
The part-time MBA in Dubai lets you earn, grow professionally, and study simultaneously. As one of the most flexible global MBA programs available, the academic content and faculty are identical to the full-time version. Blended learning and workshop residentials replace full-time attendance, making it a stronger return on investment for working professionals across the UAE.
Do I need a business background to apply for an MBA in UAE?
No. The MBA in UAE welcomes professionals from all disciplines such as healthcare, military, legal, creative arts, and beyond. This MBA course in Dubai looks for strong career progression, at least three years of postgraduate work experience, and leadership potential. A diverse cohort isn't just accepted rather, it's considered essential to the learning experience.
Can I switch workshop locations if my career takes me overseas during the Global MBA?
Yes. One of the key advantages of this Global MBA is geographic flexibility. If your career moves you abroad, you can continue without interruption by attending workshops in Manchester, Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Singapore. This makes the MBA in Dubai one of the few programmes genuinely suited to internationally mobile professionals.
- Providing Food (Iftar) for people fasting
- 100 million meals drive.
- Food basket valued at AED200, AED500 or AED800
- Beit Alkhair Fasting Project (AED10 a meal)
What is the Global Finance Accelerated MBA, and how does it differ from the standard Global MBA?
The Global Finance Accelerated MBA is an 18-month programme within the same global MBA program, designed for professionals holding accountancy qualifications such as ACCA or CIMA. It covers the same curriculum as the standard MBA course in Dubai but in a shorter timeframe, acknowledging the technical foundation these candidates already bring.
How common is employer sponsorship for the part-time MBA in Dubai, and how do I make the case?
Employer sponsorship is common among MBA in UAE students. The admissions team can help you build a structured business case and engage directly with your HR department if needed. Strategic Talent Partnerships with regional employers may also unlock preferential rates, making one of the best MBA in Dubai options even more accessible.
- Rescue, rehabilitate and release back sea turtles into the wild
- Educates the public about sea turtle biology and conservation
- Tracks turtle movements via satellite to understand rehabilitation success.
.avif){kind=logo}
