Master of Business Administration (MBA)

You’ll need:

• a 2:2 degree
• 3 years' professional experience of supervising or managing people

Some analytical experience will strengthen your application.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need an overall score of 6.5 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

We'll consider your application if you don't have a first degree but have professional qualifications or 8 years' experience in management. You'll also need to show evidence of ability.

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

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

The course takes place in 3 stages:

• Mastering fundamentals (semester 1): You’ll develop expertise in key business and management skills through core modules.
• Mastering complexity (semester 2): You’ll build on your learning and develop more complex skills through core modules. You’ll also choose your optional modules.
• Mastering business (over the summer): You’ll work independently to research and write a business project about a sector and organisation of your choice. You’ll have the chance to work with a real business client for this research project. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor to discuss progress.

Semester 1 overview

This is the ‘mastering fundamentals’ stage.

You’ll learn about people management, accounting, marketing, operations, corporate finance and the global business environment.

At the end of semester 1, as part of the Global Business Environment module, you’ll go on a study trip to the Netherlands and Belgium. This will help you learn about the realities of operating global businesses in Europe and how trade is conducted with the rest of the world.

Businesses we have visited include:

• DAF Trucks
• Medtronics
• Q-Park
• the Wijn Kasteel Genoels Elderen

Watch our YouTube video about the study trip

Semester 2 overview

This is the ‘mastering complexity’ stage.

You’ll learn about strategy and decision-making, business analytics and risk, leadership, sustainability, innovation and change.

At the end of semester 2, as part of the Leading Sustainability, Innovation and Change module, you’ll take part in a ‘live’ international consultancy project with a client company.

Our clients are innovative companies who want to grow their businesses internationally. They come from various sectors, including: 

• media
• oil and gas
• financial services
• pharmaceuticals

We’ll assign you to an MBA project team and you’ll work on a strategic issue for a local client company in Brazil.

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

Learning

We teach through a mixture of:

• lectures with group discussions
• practical exercises
• case studies
• simulations
• ‘live’ business projects

We emphasise the importance of collaboration between students, as this is critical for developing your management and leadership skills. We’ll teach you in small groups, using a round-table classroom layout, to encourage discussion and develop your teamwork skills.

Through case studies, simulation exercises and games, you’ll learn how to apply your knowledge to real-world settings.

Assessment

Depending on the modules you take, we’ll assess your progress through a combination of:

• exams
• coursework assignments
• reflective reports
• group projects and presentations
• a 12,000-word business project

Academic Support

We'll support you as a mature student 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 MBA staff team for guidance.

Whether you want to improve your promotion prospects, bring new skills to your current role or show you're ready to take on more responsibility, an MBA will help you achieve your ambitions.

Working closely within a diverse, international group will enrich your experience and give you a valuable insight into different business cultures.

To help you plan your next career steps, the Southampton MBA includes a non-credit bearing Leadership Development Programme (LDP), which runs throughout the year.

The LDP includes a series of workshops on key leadership and management skills, and 'soft' skills such as business communication and negotiation.   

The LDP also offers careers coaching and employability workshops delivered by the University’s Careers and Employability Service. In addition, you’ll have access to worldwide MBA-level employment opportunities and recruiter fairs.

During your time on the MBA course you’ll become a member of the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), giving you access to a range of business management career and e-learning resources.

We invite industry guest speakers from companies such as:

• Cap Gemini
• Airbus
• IBM
• J.P. Morgan
• Prudential

You can also attend industry presentations and seminars hosted by the Business School.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £26,500.
• EU and international students pay £26,500.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

When you accept your offer to study on this course you’ll be asked to pay a deposit. This is non-refundable. The deposit amount is:

• UK students: £250
• EU and international students: £1,000

Full terms and conditions and details of how to pay this deposit will be sent to you in your offer letter.

What your fees pay for

It also includes the cost of two international trips:

• European study trip to Netherlands and Belgium
• 'Live' international consultancy project in Brazil

This does not include the international travel cost, which you’ll need to pay.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get 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.

Business Excellence Scholarship

We offer scholarships up to £9,000 for candidates who can display a combination of the following business excellence criteria:

• a high degree of relevant professional experience in management and/or leadership role

• evidence of rapid career progression

• clear ability to contribute to the quality of the MBA cohort

• strong academic ability / performance

• excellent performance at interview

If we offer you a place on the course, we'll automatically consider you for the Business Excellence Scholarship. There is no need to complete a separate application. The scholarship award is made at the discretion of the Business School.

The deadline to submit your application so it is considered for a scholarship is 31 July.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

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

You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page.

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 an MBA

- your career plans and ambitions after the MBA

You'll also need to send 1 employer reference from your most recent employer and 1 academic reference. 

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.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

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 send 2 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.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.

What happens after you apply

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

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

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