Global MBA

What must you complete?

• MBA: six core modules; four optional modules; strategic project.
• Postgraduate Diploma: four core modules; any four other modules.
• Postgraduate Certificate: two core modules; any two other modules.
• Postgraduate Certificate with specialism: three optional modules from within the same specialism; any one other module.

To gain a specialist award, at least three of your optional modules (and the Strategic Project for the MBA) must be from one specialist area:

• Accountancy
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Finance
• Health
• Law
• Leadership.

View Modules

Modules are available as follows (subject to minimum student registrations):

• All core modules and the Strategic Project are available for every session.
• Modules in 'Accounting', 'Finance' and 'Law' will be available every January and July.
• It is strongly advised that students taking Health optional modules have prior experience of working in the health or healthcare sector.

Individual modules may also be studied on a stand-alone basis. A student may register for any number of core optional modules* on a stand-alone basis with the exception of the Strategic Project. Only four modules may be counted as credit towards a related award.

*Subject to module availability in each session.

• Download the Programme Specification 
• View Programme Regulations

This programme has four intake dates per year: January, April, July and October.

You can study this online programme from anywhere in the world. The flexible approach to learning enables you to fit your studies around your commitments whilst providing the academic rigour and structure of an on-campus programme.

Modules are offered over four 22-week sessions each academic year. You choose which sessions to enter and how many modules to take in each session.

Assessment deadlines are outlined clearly in advance of the session. You can study up to six modules (or four modules and the Strategic Project) at any one time. You will also receive comprehensive learning materials and a choice of tuition options.

Study materials

We provide you with all of the resources and study materials you need to complete the course successfully, including the essential reading for each module. You can access these through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) on a range of devices.

Our online learning resources typically include multimedia content, activities and exercises (e.g. multiple choice quizzes, reflective exercises and self-assessment questions), as well as facilities for you to interact with your tutor and fellow students. You’ll also receive access to two short introductory modules that help you get the most from your studies.

Online support

When you register, we will give you access to your Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources:

• On the VLE you can access electronic copies of all printed study materials, resources including audio-visual, and forums to discuss course material and work collaboratively with others.
• The Online Library provides access to over 100 million academic electronic items comprising E-books, E-journals, conference proceedings, etc. In addition, students can request items which are not held in the library via the library's Inter-Library loans service with the British Library.
• Senate House Library provides free reference access for all registered distance and flexible learning students.

Global MBA – Virtual Learning Environment

Tutor support

All students receive tutor support and feedback while studying this programme. Tutors introduce the modules, respond to queries, monitor discussions and provide guidance on assessments.

Web-supported learning: if you register for a module as a web-supported learner, you join an online tutor group. If you register in this way, you pay the web supported learner fee.

Teaching centre supported learning: if you enrol for a module with a local teaching centre, you receive face-to-face tuition. We work with several teaching centres in seven countries and will recruit more to support the programme.

If you enrol for tuition with a teaching centre, you pay the institution-supported fee to the University plus an additional tuition fee to the teaching centre.

Student Support

We are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience for all of our students, regardless of which of our programmes you are studying and whether you are studying independently or with a Recognised Teaching Centre.

You will have access to support through:

• The Student Advice Centre – provides support for application and Student Portal queries.
• TalkCampus – a peer support service that offers a safe and confidential way to talk about whatever is on your mind at any time of day or night.

Time commitment

Study at your own pace, either part-time or full-time. Once you begin a module it is generally expected that you will complete it in the six-month session.

Each module presents about 150 hours of study. Over a 22 week session, a 15 credit module will typically require five to seven hours of work/effort per week, and a 30 credit module will typically require ten to 15 hours of work/effort per week. Modules will run at least twice a year, depending on demand.

Assessment

Each module includes a mix of assessments. During your study period you will undertake formative assessments, which help you to measure your progress but do not count towards your grade, and summative assessments do count towards the final grade. These include a mid-session coursework submission and an unseen written examination (or final project) at the end of the session.

Written examinations are held four times a year. You can defer sitting an exam once (subject to a fee) but you cannot defer the submission of coursework.

More about exams

MBA, PGDip, PGCert and Individual Modules

For direct access (Entry Route 1), you will need the following:

• A second-class honours bachelor degree or equivalent from an acceptable institution.
• Three years’ work experience in a managerial role (within the past five years).

We accept qualifications from around the world. If you have an appropriate professional award rather than a degree, we will consider this on an individual basis.

Find equivalent qualifications where you live

I meet one of these criteria, can I still apply?

If you meet only one of these requirements, you can apply to join the programme via Entry Route 2.

For your application to be considered, you must have one of the following:

• A second-class honours bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent from an acceptable institution; or 
• Three years’ work experience in a managerial role (within the past five years).

Your application will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Under this route, you are strongly advised to complete our MBA Preparation Course (about 125 hours of study), and then take only one module (preferably core) in your first study session and one module in your second session. This will help you develop the necessary skills to complete the programme successfully.

Register for the Preparation Course

Age requirement:

• MBA: you must normally be Age 24+ by the registration deadline of your enrolment session.
• PGDip: you must normally be Age 23+ by the registration deadline of your enrolment session.
• PGCert: you must normally be Age 22+ by the registration deadline of your enrolment session.
• Individual module: you must normally be Age 21+ by the registration deadline of your enrolment session.

References and Evidence

You will need to submit at least one reference and some documentary evidence as part of your application. This will differ depending on your Entry Route and which criteria you meet. Your documents can be uploaded with your online application or you can email them at a later date.

More about references

English Language requirements

You need a high standard of English to study this programme. You will meet our language requirements if you have achieved one of the following within the past three years:

• IELTS: at least 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in the written test.
• TOEFL iBT: at least 92 overall, with 22+ in reading and writing and 20+ in speaking and listening.
• Pearson Test (Academic): at least 59 overall, with 59+ in reading and writing and 54+ in speaking and listening.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English.
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (grade C or above).
• Duolingo: must achieve an overall score of at least 120.

Alternatively, you may satisfy the language requirements if you have at least 18 months of education or work experience conducted in English.

Computer requirements

We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly.

More about computer requirements

For the Strategic Project, you will need to download the Icarus App. The App runs on:

• Windows 10 Phones, PCs and Laptops. Downloaded from the Windows App Store;
• Android Phones and Tablets through the Google Play Store;
• iOS Phones and Tablets through the iOS App Store.

Please note the App is not currently available on MacOS.

Our Global MBA represents a terrific investment for students and employers. The fee depends on two factors:

• Whether you choose web-supported or Recognised Teaching Centre supported learning. (Recognised Teaching Centre supported learning is currently not available for the Health Specialism).
• Whether you live in a developing (Band A) or developed (Band B) nation. See the list of Band A and B countries [PDF]

Important: the table below does not include fees payable to a third party, such as tuition costs payable to a Recognised Teaching Centre or fees charged by your local examination centre, or local VAT, Goods or Services Tax (GST) or sales tax.

The Programme Fees below refer to October 2022, January 2023, April 2023 and July 2023 sessions only and are effective from 22 June 2022.

Master of Business Administration, Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration:

Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool.

* If paying per module, the indicative totals represent the amount you would expect to pay if you were to complete the MBA in the minimum period of time without resits. These totals do not reflect fees payable to University of London Recognised Teaching Centres, local exam centre fees, module continuation fees, or applications for Recognition of Prior Learning.

*The online examination administration fee is charged for each examination paper held online, including resits. This does not apply to any coursework submissions.

More about programme fees

How fees work

Your fees include study materials and entry into assessments.

The full programme fee includes all module and continuation fees for the duration of your study, as well as online tutor support. By paying in full at the beginning of your programme, you receive a discount on paying per module and avoid any annual fee increases.

With pay per module, you pay for each module as you register for it. The ‘web-supported learning’ fee includes support from a University of London online tutor. Alternatively, if you prefer face-to-face tuition, you can pay a smaller fee to us and a separate fee to a teaching centre which supports the programme.

The module continuation fee is the cost per module if you defer an examination or need to retake assessments. It includes all study materials, entry into assessments, and online tutor support.

Additional Costs

You will also need to budget for:

• Exams: our approved examination centres around the world charge a fee when you sit an exam. Contact your chosen examination centre for details about costs.
• Tuition: as described, teaching centres charge for face-to-face tuition if you choose to take modules with institution-supported learning.
• Preparatory costs: if you are entering the MBA via Route 2, you may wish to complete the MBA Preparation Course.
• RPL applications: these are not included within the course fees.

How to pay your fees.

Some fees are non-refundable. Please see the refund and compensation policy for further details.

Please note: All student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax

Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees (if in doubt, please check with them before making a payment).

Further information about fee payment options can be found in the “How to pay your fees” link above.

If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content and standard to our Global MBA modules, you might be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This process is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Exemption. You will not need to study or be assessed in the module(s) to complete your award.

To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying online. Alternatively, this can be done through an online enquiry, once you have submitted your application.

Depending on which route you register for you can potentially apply for RPL for up to 120 credits.

We will not recognise or accredit prior learning for a module later than 14 days after the module start date. You will be deemed to have started a module once you have been given access to the learning materials on the VLE.

Automatic

Some qualifications are automatically recognised as meeting the learning outcomes of our courses. If you satisfy the conditions, make a formal request and supply the necessary evidence, we will accredit your prior learning as detailed here, Recognition of Prior Learning degrees in MBA. No fees are charged for this service.

Discretionary

Other qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis, before we can potentially approve RPL. A formal application is required and an RPL application fee is payable. The RPL application fee is non-refundable, even if your prior learning is not recognised. Further details about the RPL Global MBA page.

Note: that all discretionary RPL requests must be submitted by the dates specified for the academic intake, in the year that you apply. Once submitted, we must receive all required supporting evidence by the deadline stated.

Please note: if you submit your application but are too late to be considered for RPL then we will still process your application to study the programme.

If you receive an offer, you can still register. You will be asked to contact us at a later date to be considered for RPL in the study session. So don't register on the modules you wish to be considered for RPL in the current study session.

Further information on rules regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations PDF.

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there may be additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

More on funding your study

Global MBA UK/EU Bursary

From January 2018, UK and EU residents can apply for a 20 per cent fee bursary for the Global MBA.
Full details about the Global MBA UK/EU Bursary.

Alumni Bursary: Queen Mary, University of London Member Institution

We are offering a 20 per cent bursary on module fees to new registrants who have previously studied and received a degree from Queen Mary, University of London are for the Global MBA programme.

Can I get sponsored?

If you're employed, your employer may be willing to cover some or all of the fees.

Download our template to produce a compelling business case for your employer, explaining how the MBA will boost your contribution to the workplace.

More on employer sponsorship

The University of London Global MBA provides you with the opportunity to hone the skills necessary to build and develop an executive career in the future.  As a future leader, your Global MBA can provide you with specific managerial insights into the worlds of Accountancy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Health, Law and Leadership.

Beyond these specialisations you will also gain a deeper understanding into a broader core skillset, including project management and strategic thinking as you apply your enhanced understanding of management theory to your own professional experience.  From understanding how organisations grow and develop, to how to inspire and lead colleagues and teams, you will gain a range of skills which will enhance your future employability.

Many employers, from multinationals to boutique start-ups, from government departments to intergovernmental bodies, value the breadth and depth of skills that a qualification such as the University of London Global MBA offers.

"When students graduate with a Level 7 Strategic Qualification in Management from CMI as well as a very prestigious University of London Global MBA, they are truly boosting their employability by presenting employers with exactly the skills they seek."

Ann Francke, CEO, Chartered Management Institute

See the career support available to our students on our Careers Services page.

You can also read more employer testimonials and find out more about Graduate Destinations for this programme.

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching centre.

What are the benefits?

The MBA is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). As a Global MBA student, you have CMI membership for the duration of your registration.

Once you complete the MBA, you receive CMI’s Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership. If you have sufficient work experience, you can also gain Chartered Manager status. If you graduate with a specialist MBA in Accountancy, you become eligible to sit the CIMA Master’s Gateway exam. This is an accelerated route towards the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Professional Qualification.

As an MBA student, you also benefit from extensive networking, job-hunting and continuing professional development opportunities delivered through these partnerships.

Please note: in some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching centre. View further details for accreditation Global MBA and how to apply.

Note that if you have Recognition of Prior Learning for core modules, CMI will need to assess learning outcomes from alternative Global MBA modules. This may affect CMI’s ability to confer the award of the CMI Level 7 Diploma.

Academic leadership for the general Global MBA and specialist pathways in Accountancy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Law and Leadership is provided by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). QMUL is one of the University of London's largest colleges. A member of the Russell Group, it has over 20,000 students from more than 150 countries. In the most recent national assessment of the quality of research (REF 2014), QMUL was placed ninth in the UK.

Academic leadership for the specialist pathway in Health is provided by UCL Medical School. UCL has educated doctors since 1834. The Medical School is currently ranked 9th in the world in the QS World University Rankings (2019).

Programme Director

Dr Dimitrios N. Koufopoulos is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments, Member of the Chartered Management Institute and Academic Member of the European Corporate Governance Institute.

He is also the Founder and Scientific Director of the Hellenic Observatory of Corporate Governance, which produces regular reports on issues relating to Corporate Governance in Greece.

"This Global MBA provides you with the necessary knowledge, skills and capabilities to reach your goals and meet your aspirations. Your study will empower you and reshape your career."