Executive MBA in UK- Eligibility, Rankings, Cost

Executive MBA in UK- The overall objective is to prepare and train managers and business specialists for the future. The Executive MBA Program adds value to the previously acquired degrees and experience. On completion candidates display a thorough understanding of business management and various types of organizations both in the public and the private section. In addition to that, candidates develop a sound understanding of the various social, political and economic forces that could affect businesses.

Course Content for Executive MBA in UK

The course is practically oriented as opposed to delivering lectures. Hence training is provided in the form of workshops targeting various aspects:

  • Executive business writing
  • Executive communication and influencing
  • Personal brand
  • Executive presentation delivery
  • Leadership and emotional intelligence

Cost of studying Executive MBA in UK

Most of the Executive MBA students receive a financial contribution from employers. Regardless of financial assistance, all students must have their employer’s full support in terms of the time commitment to attend classes. Securing support from the employer basically involves drawing up a detailed business case highlighting reasons for undertaking the program and the benefits to the current organization on completion. Data from GMAC shows that students enrolled in distance programs are the most likely to receive support. Employers could also pitch in support in the form of salary-sacrifice or study leave. Some universities also offer scholarships but these are usually not enough to cover all expenses and are extremely competitive. Other universities have loan schemes as well.

Fees at the top universities are approximately £58,000 for a two-year full-time MBA at the London Business School, or around £33,000 for a two-year part-time executive MBA at the Cranfield School of Management in Bedford. The fee for University of Cambridge is £66,000 and for Nottingham University Business School, it is £24,000. So the fees varies across the schools even though the programs are very expensive on an average.

Executive Assessment (EA)

Some of the Universities in the UK like the University of Birmingham and the London Business School have introduced a new way of assessing candidates for admission into the Executive MBA program. This new style is called the EA and has been developed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The assessment is easy to schedule, short in duration, and requires only modest preparation. The test is modeled after GMAT and assesses the readiness to undertake an Executive MBA program in UK. Furthermore, the Admissions Committee may require candidates to take the GMAT or GRE.

Other Eligibility Criteria for Successful Admission

  • Management experience: Successful applicants typically have 7 to 25 years of relevant experience
  • Educational background: A good undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification

Executive MBA Ranking 2015 by the Economist:

University of Oxford- Said Business School

University of Nottingham – Nottingham Business School

Cran field School of Management

Henley Business School

University of Strathclyde – Strathclyde Business school

University of Bath- school of management

Leeds University Business School

Hult international business school

Executive Education – Other options available apart from Executive MBA in UK

Closely following the Executive MBA, there are other types of masters programs for training candidates in various aspects of business management. The Special Executive Master’s Program (SEMP) are short certificate modules designed for people who can benefit from more in-depth business knowledge delivered in a brief albeit intensive program. There is no strict academic requirement as these do not bear credit. However, students are expected to have at least 2 years of work experience. These programs are cheaper than the Executive MBAs and could also be completed online. Few of the notable examples are:

  • SEMP in Strategic Business Management (Metropolitan School of Business and Management)
  • Executive Education in Project Management (School of Management, University College London)
  • SEMP in Financial Management (Focus) Management, Control and Accountability for Financial Resources
  • SEMP in Business Enterprise Software (Focus) Enterprise Software and Business Infrastructure