Global MBA
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This online Global MBA is designed for ambitious professionals looking to fast-track their career in business, choose a specialist pathway and gain Chartered status through CMI and CIMA.
Key features
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Tailor your degree with a specialism
The Global MBA gives you the option to focus on a specialist pathway that interests you. You can specialise in Accountancy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Health, Law or Leadership.
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Accredited programme
With accreditation from professional bodies including CMI and CIMA, you’ll have access to resources and networks that will greatly enhance your career prospects.
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A mark of excellence
The University of London’s distinguished history of distance learning dates back to 1858. You’ll gain a prestigious qualification respected by employers worldwide.
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Flexible learning options
We offer you the flexibility to fit your studies around your working life. If you need to travel, you can take your studies with you.
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Employability and networking
When you graduate, you become part of our global network of influential alumni, which includes leaders in industry and Nobel Prize winners.
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Enhance your employability skills
Alongside your studies, the University of London Careers Service will provide opportunities to support the development and strengthening of your global employability skills.
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Course overview
The programme is available to be studied as a full MBA degree, a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert).
- 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.
Note that the qualification you will receive will be Master of Business Administration (MBA), whereas the title of the programme is Global MBA.
Modules are available as follows (subject to minimum student registrations):
- All core modules and the Strategic Project are available for every session.
- All pathway modules are delivered at least once per year.
- 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.
The Programme Specification and Programme Regulations contain information and rules regarding what courses you can choose and the order in which they must be studied.
(General and all specialisms)
Studying with us
You can study the Global MBA from anywhere in the world, at a pace that suits you. Our flexible approach to studying allows you to fit your studies around your commitments and you can decide how many modules to take.
The degree consists of 11 modules, and you can take up to six per session, or four plus the final project (subject to module availability). That means, depending on your time and financial situation, you can complete the MBA in 18 months to five years. And if you need to take a session off, you won't be charged during that session.
Over a 22-week session, a 15-credit module will typically require five to seven hours of study per week, and a 30-credit module will typically require 10 to 15 hours study per week.
When you register with us, you will gain access to all resources and study materials via your Student Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), that will equip you to complete each module successfully. You will gain access to a range of multimedia content, activities, and exercises, as well as the opportunity to engage with your online tutor and fellow students.
Online Library
As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a range of resources, databases, and journals via the Online Library. You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require.
Senate House Library
If you’re based in the United Kingdom, or are visiting London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources.
Online tutor support
Studying our online Global MBA programme entitles you to receive tutor support and feedback. You will join an online tutor group to receive academic support and guidance on assessments. If you choose to study as a web-supported learner, you will have the opportunity to join an online tutor group and to engage with your fellow students. If you are interested in studying with a local teaching centre, you can benefit from face-to-face tuition.
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.
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."
Key dates
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Programme starts | October 2024 |
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Programme starts | January 2025 |
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Programme starts | April 2025 |
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Programme starts | July 2025 |
Admissions
MBA, PGDip, PGCert and Individual Modules
For direct access (Entry Route One), 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 Two.
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.
Please note that the structure and learning outcomes are the same for both Entry Route 1 and 2. You will obtain the same final prestigious MBA degree, once you successfully complete the award.
If you are admitted to study the MBA programme via Entry Route 2, 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.
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.
If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content, level and standard to our Global MBA modules, you may be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This 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.
If you are registering on the following qualifications, you may be awarded RPL up to:
MBA: 120 UK credits
PGDip: 60 UK credits
PGCert: 30 UK credits
RPL for the Strategic Project will not be considered.
To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying for the programme. Or, you can submit an online enquiry, if you have already applied.
You will need to have met the entrance requirements for the programme to be considered for RPL.
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.
Note that the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is also awarded on the basis of successful completion of the MBA core modules and Strategic Project. If you have RPL for more than one core module, this will affect CMI’s ability to confer the award of the CMI Level 7 Diploma, although you may still be eligible for the CMI L7 Certificate or L7 Award.
Automatic
Some qualifications are automatically recognised as meeting the learning outcomes of our courses. If you satisfy the conditions, we will accredit your prior learning as detailed here: Recognition of Prior Learning degrees in MBA. No fees are charged for this service.
To qualify for automatic RPL, you must have completed the qualification/ examination(s), on which the application for RPL is based on, within the five years preceding the application. If your qualification was obtained more than five years ago, you may apply for discretionary RPL.
With the exception of the qualifications noted in the automatic RPL section on our website, applications for RPL based on examinations from professional institutions or professional certificates will not normally be considered.
Discretionary
Other qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis, before we can 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.
Your qualification must be at the appropriate level (usually equivalent to a UK Level 7/Master’s degree qualification or above) or will be a qualification listed for automatic RPL obtained over five years ago.
For your discretionary RPL request to be processed, you will need to provide: a completed RPL request form, the supporting documentary evidence (normally a scanned copy of an official transcript, syllabus of your previous studies, your CV and a statement explaining why you should be awarded RPL) and the discretionary RPL fee.
You should apply as soon as possible so that we can process your request. You will need to allow time for academics to consider your documentation, so you can register by the registration deadline.
All discretionary RPL requests must be submitted by the dates specified for the specific intake in the year that you apply. We must receive all required supporting evidence by the deadline stated.
January 2025 intake | |
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Submit RPL request by | 20 November 2024 |
Submit supporting evidence by | 25 November 2024 |
April 2025 intake | |
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Submit RPL request by | 05 March 2025 |
Submit supporting evidence by | 10 March 2025 |
If you submit your discretionary RPL application but are too late to be considered for RPL in the current session, we will still process your application to study the programme. If you receive an offer, you can still register. If you wish to be considered for RPL in a subsequent session, then you shouldn’t register on the modules you want to apply for RPL.
How to request RPL
Find additional information about the process of applying for RPL.
Further information regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations.
If you submit your discretionary RPL application but are too late to be considered for RPL in the current session, we will still process your application to study the programme. If you receive an offer, you can still register. If you wish to be considered for RPL in a subsequent session, then you shouldn’t register on the modules you want to apply for RPL.
Fees, funding and payment
The fees below relate to new students registering for the 2023-2024 session. On average, fees are subject to a five per cent year-on-year increase.
Students who registered earlier can view their fees on the Course Fees page.
Offer validity | |
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All offers for this programme are valid for the session in which you apply. If you do not complete registration for the given session then on request we will reissue your offer for the following three subsequent sessions. If you would like your offer reissued then you should contact us. After the subsequent seventh session the offer has expired, meaning if you would like to then complete registration you would need to submit a new application. | |
Global MBA full programme fee | 2023-24 |
Band A countries | £11747 |
Band B countries | £17841 |
Global MBA indicative totals* | 2023-24 |
Band A countries (web-supported) | £12465 |
Band B countries (web-supported) | £18880 |
Band A countries (teaching centre supported) | £8793 |
Band B countries (teaching centre supported) | £13535 |
Pay per module | 2023-24 |
Web-supported learners: | |
Band A module fee | £1034 |
Band A Strategic Project fee | £2025 |
Band B module fee | £1568 |
Band B Strategic Project fee | £3100 |
Recognised Teaching Centre supported learners: | |
Band A Module fee | £728 |
Band A Strategic Project fee | £1413 |
Band B Module fee | £1124 |
Band B Strategic Project fee | £2195 |
Other fees | |
Application fee for Recognition of Prior Learning (per module) (non-refundable) | £63 |
Module continuation fee - per module (Bands A and B) | £600 |
Online examination fee* | £10 |
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 above 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.
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.
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 (if applicable for your programme of study). 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 Two, you may wish to complete the MBA Preparation Course.
- RPL applications: these are not included within the course fees.
Some fees are non-refundable. Please see the refund and compensation policy for further details.
Sales Tax
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).
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.
Global MBA UK/EU Bursary
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
There is a 20 per cent bursary on module fees available to new registrants who have previously studied and received a degree from Queen Mary, University of London 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.
You can pay your fees in a number of ways, including an online payment facility via the Student Portal and Western Union Quick Pay.
Career opportunities
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 (CMI)
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.
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 and for three months after you graduate. You will be part of CMI's management and leadership community, with access to events and networking, thought leadership, mentoring, mental health support, a career development centre, and Management Direct, CMI's online library with over 30,000 pieces of relevant content.
Once you complete the MBA, you receive the industry-recognised CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice* and with this you will become a 'foundation' Chartered Manager (fCMgr), a status that sits alongside your other achievements and demonstrates a high level of management and leadership expertise. By demonstrating sufficient work experience, you will be able to gain full Chartered Manager status (CMgr) with CMI, the only professional body that can award this.
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.
*Note that if you have Recognition of Prior Learning for more than one core module, this will affect CMI’s ability to confer the award of the CMI Level 7 Diploma, although you may still be eligible for the CMI Level 7 Certificate or Level 7 Award.
You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.
What our students say
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Start dates
- January 2025 - application deadline closes