Global Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA)

You'll need at least:

• a 2:2 degree or equivalent international qualification
• a minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

There are three stages to our Global Executive MBA programme, which emphasise the developmental journey.

As a part-time student, you are expected to complete the taught element of the programme over the course of 20 months, starting in September. You will work on your business project during the summer, before submitting it in September.

Stage 1: mastering fundamentals

The first stage of the programme focuses on subjects that are fundamental to the running of any business, primarily:

• people and organisations
• corporate accounting and finance
• digital and data-driven marketing
• corporate governance
• global business environment

These basic building blocks of business management are also utilised in year 2 modules.

Stage 2: mastering complexity

The second stage of the programme tackles the complex and integrative nature of business management and leadership – preparing you for the challenges of growth and change in organisations.

This stage also includes further complexity through the development of specialist knowledge, which examines the issues of growth and development in specific business functions and sectors. Within this stage, you will take two optional modules – you can view the full list of available modules in the 'Course structure' section of this page.

Stage 3: mastering business

The third and final, stage of the programme allows you to demonstrate your individual mastery of business management and leadership, in a final business project for an organisation or sector of your choosing.

This is an individual and independent project in which you can bring together all your learning on the programme to help solve a chosen business problem or challenge.

There will be a series of workshops to prepare you for the business project, which cover research methods and associated skills such as client management and business planning.

You can read more about the business project in the 'Modules' section of this page.

Executive Leadership Development Programme

Our Global Executive MBA programme includes a credit-based Executive Leadership Development Programme (ELDP), which provides a series of complementary, workshop-based sessions on leadership skills and behaviours.

The ELDP also hosts guest speakers on contemporary themes in business and management, and offers MBA-focused careers and employability sessions. 

This programme is critical to the learning and development throughout the Global Executive MBA, with workshops linked to the theory and knowledge covered within some of the course's core modules.

Throughout the programme, you will be challenged to reflect on the development of your leadership skills. You will also be asked to complete an assessed reflective report at the end of year 2, semester 2. The business project also includes an individual reflective log.

We will help you prepare the learning logs that support your ELDP reflective assignment through 1-to-1 sessions.

Residential study weeks

This MBA course includes a residential week in an international setting, as part of two modules. The international residential part of the Global Business Environment module will include a series of sessions on local business culture, and visits to local businesses to understand business functions in a global setting.

The second residential trip, as part of the Leading Sustainability, Innovation & Change module, involves a group consultancy project, undertaken by a team of 5 to 7 students for a local organisation. The consultancy project will apply learnings from the module to a business problem in a local organisation. This is a group consultancy project undertaken 

Due to the highly integrative nature of the consulting project, groups are also encouraged to apply learning from other parts of the MBA to the business problem they are faced with in the local organisation.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

Teaching and contact hours

This Global Executive MBA programme has over 500 contact hours to allow for a balance of theoretical and applied learning in the classroom. This conforms to the standard set by the Associations of MBAs, which accredits MBA programmes globally.

You'll gain an understanding and knowledge of the techniques and approaches to business and management through a mixture of:

• lectures
• group discussions and practical exercises
• case studies
• simulations
• ‘live’ business projects
• reading
• assessed coursework

We've designed the curriculum to include use of international case studies, a sharing of cultural understanding in teamwork, and consideration of contemporary business trends and issues in decision making and problem solving.

Our Global Executive MBA lecturers understand the need to encourage critical and evaluative reflection and contribution from the class in any teaching context. Many teaching sessions also include small group discussions or exercises, providing opportunity for peer group interaction.

You are free to contribute at any time in class. Many of your contributions will be based on your work experience or practices employed in your own organisations. These comments frequently reveal a huge variety in managerial practice, and lead into discussions about why this is so.

Group working

Teamwork and group assessment is an important feature of our Global Executive MBA, as well as individual coursework and exams. This provides more in-depth opportunities for you to learn from one another’s experience, and a strong incentive to develop skills in managing and leading a group.

Teamwork is critical to the development of management and leadership skills, which are highly transferable to employment following the course. You will be asked to work in groups at numerous occasions throughout the programme to further develop your ability to strengthen your skill sets.

Assessment

Formal assessment

We formally assess modules through combinations of examination and coursework – both individual and group based – with some modules using exclusively one or two of these forms. These are intentionally varied to test different aspects of the learning, and cater for different learning styles. 

We design our assessments to test your understanding of the material covered, and your ability to apply concepts and theories to business and management problems.

Formal assessments, also known as summative assessments, on the programme include: 

• written unseen examinations or time-based assignments
• essays
• reflective reports
• group-based work

We aim to have a relatively even split between individual assignments, exams and time-restricted assignments, while also reflecting the importance of group-based assignments in an MBA programme.

Informal assessment and feedback

Informal assessments, also known as formative assessments, normally occur in preparation for summative assessments.

The tutor will give you either oral or written formative feedback in all modules of the programme.

Example of formative assessments and feedback include:

• mock presentations in class
• mock exams
• tutor feedback on a draft plan for an individual or a group assignment

Business project

The business project on our Global Executive MBA programme acts as a mechanism for you to combine your previous learning and ability to conduct an independent piece of work.

Completing a business project gives you a unique opportunity to undertake an extended piece of personal research on a topic of your choice.

We will allocate you a supervisor for the project – if possible, we will aim to match your research interests with those of the staff within the Business School.

Business projects can take a number of forms, such as:

• empirical work involving quantitative analysis of collected data
• a case study of a particular firm or industry
• study of a particular problem in an organisation or industry
• a survey of business practice in a particular context
• a business plan which can be used for a new business venture

Your business project should not exceed 12,00 words in total, and will comprise:

• the main 9,000-word report
• a 1,000-word project reflection, allowing you to comment on the project
• a 2,000-word research proposal

Only the main report and project reflection will be assessed as part of the project. The research proposal is not assessment, but you will be given formative feedback from it.

Academic Support

We'll support you with personalised sessions on study skills such as:

• academic writing and referencing
• group work
• presentations

You'll meet with your personal academic tutor throughout the year for help and advice. You can also speak to members of the Global Executive MBA staff team for guidance.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £35,600.
• EU and international students pay £35,600.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Extra costs you might have to pay

You'll have to pay for international travel costs to and from any residential study week destinations. 

The University will pay for your hotel accommodation during the residential study weeks, and University insurance covers students during course-related travel. However, you may wish to take out additional cover at your own cost.

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Business School (MBA) Excellence International Scholarship

Up to £13,000 is available to UK and international students studying for the Master of Business Administration (MBA). They are awarded to candidates who can best demonstrate business excellence in an interview.

Scholarships are available for 3 different amounts:

• £13,000
• £10,000
• £7,000

The amount you get is determined by your performance at interview.

Find out more about the Southampton Business School (MBA) Excellence International Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Southampton Business School (MBA) Future Leader Scholarship

Five scholarships of £15,000 are available to UK and international students studying Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Find out more about the Southampton Business School (MBA) Future Leader Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Global Excellence Scholarship

83 Global Excellence Scholarships of £3,000 off tuition fees are available to new international postgraduate students applying for an in person postgraduate master’s programme. 

Find out more about the Global Excellence Scholarship.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

There is no application assessment fee for postgraduate courses starting in 2026.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000