MBA Global

Since its conception at Harvard over a century ago, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is recognised worldwide as an essential qualification for anyone aspiring to become a successful manager or an inspiring leader.

Our new online MBA Global will equip you with the strategic knowledge and confidence to succeed and excel in managerial roles within the business sector. It is designed for a new generation of ambitious business professionals and graduates with an international outlook. The business world is experiencing rapid growth on an international scale and now, more than ever, managers within every industry need to devise with a strategy for global scalability. Throughout the course, you will develop skills and study areas valued and needed by the industry.

An online MBA

Our dynamic online MBA Global allows you to apply everything you learn to real-world business scenarios. Expanding further than a classroom based education, your assignments will require you to implement your theoretical knowledge to tackle contemporary scenarios faced by global businesses. You will be able to critically examine a wide variety of areas and topics, such as strategic leadership, financial management, global operations, markets and resources, business research methods and data analysis. The later stages of this MBA Global will then focus on key themes in international business such as risk management and global supply chain management.

Not only that, but our MBA Global is cleverly structured so that you can move beyond a domestic business mindset to consider issues and seek solutions in a truly global context.

Skills you will learn

• Strategic awareness and thinking
• Confident leadership
• Presenting logical and relevant arguments
• Critical evaluation
• Innovation and the confidence to challenge traditional ways of thinking

Areas you will study

• Strategic management
• Strategic leadership
• Risk
• Supply chain
• Sustainability

An accredited MBA course

This online MBA Global course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and includes membership of CMI.

An academic degree and professional qualification

Upon completion of the MBA Global, you will be eligible for the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice alongside your MBA. This means you can apply to become a Chartered Manager, the highest status in the management profession. It is the hallmark of any professional manager and will allow you to excel in the sector. Our MBA Global will put you in an excellent position to excel in the business sector.

You can view the study plan for this online course.

To achieve the MBA Global, you will need to complete 60 credits at each stage, totalling 180 credits. You will conclude stage 3 of your MBA Global studies with a dissertation worth 60 credits.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Pace of study

The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.

If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.

Should you decide to study on the accelerated rate you should ensure that you have the capacity to fully engage with your studies and achieve the best grades and final award. If you choose to study on the accelerated rate, you will need to balance approximately 40 hours of study per week alongside your professional and personal life and commitments.

It may be useful to consider studying one module at the standard rate of study before deciding whether to then increase to the accelerated rate of study.

There will be 1/2 virtual classrooms over the 10 week trimester and if you are unable to attend you will be able to download the session to view in your own time.

Assessment method

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

Don't just take our word for it...

Graduate Nicolas Goddard talks about his time as a student with University of Derby Online Learning.

Student support and guidance

Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students
• Develop@Derby for study, personal and employability skills

All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.

Get a taste of the course content

Our MBA Global course taster will give you an idea of how online learning works. It includes a selection of content from a course module so you can see what some of our learning material looks like.

You will need to complete a short form to access the course taster.

Applicants should normally hold a good honours degree (minimum upper second class) from a UK university (or overseas equivalent) in any subject or a professional qualification deemed to be of equivalent standing. Alternatively, applicants may have significant management experience and a substantial record of achievement. Applicants meeting these criteria may not have previously studied at university

We welcome and encourage all applicants as long as they can be considered adequately prepared to succeed on the programme. If learners have few or no formal qualifications, they may be able to gain entry to the programme if they have the required communication and learning skills as well as the knowledge, experience and motivation to succeed.

All applications are considered on an individual basis. Applicants may be invited to an interview, either on campus or online, as part of the application process.

English language qualifications

We welcome applications from international students. If your first language is not English you will need to have at least one of the following English language qualifications listed below. You may be exempt from providing evidence of English language proficiency if you have gained your undergraduate degree from a UK university.

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.5 (minimum of 5.5 in each component)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) 580 (paper based) 237 (computer based) or 92 (internet based)
• Pearson Test of Academic English: 51
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate: pass
• London Tests of English: we accept level 5 for postgraduate courses
• International GCE O-level English Language: grade C
• International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: grade C

Find out more about our English language requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Have you already studied at another institution, completed a training course, or does your work experience appear equivalent to one or more modules of your chosen course? If so, you may be able to translate this prior learning into credits towards your course modules, so you don’t have to study them again.

Further information about applying for credits for prior learning can be found in our recognition of prior learning section.

^‡2024/25 for new entrants

Starting between September 2024 and August 2025.

2025/26 for new entrants

Starting between September 2025 and August 2026.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this may be in addition to the programme cost stated above.

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from two payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront and avoid annual increases

Masters funding options

Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for a postgraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to help with living costs and tuition fees whilst studying your masters programme.

If you are considering applying for a student loan, please also see our additional guidance on Loans for Online Students.

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out more about the Alumni discount

Apply directly to the University.

Apply now

For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.

Documents to support your application

In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:

• Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
• Current CV
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.

Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

Upon graduation from this online MBA Global, you will be well equipped for a successful career in managerial and leadership roles. The hands-on work-based learning elements of this programme enable you to generate immediate impact whether progressing to a new role or advancing within your existing organisation. As an MBA, you mark yourself as having achieved the internationally recognised standard in strategic leadership and management, and your new career prospects will reflect this.

As your career within multi-national organisations advances, you will typically become involved across many intricate dimensions of business management. You will be competent to implement robust theoretical and practical knowledge that can be applied across any industry worldwide.

As a graduate of our online MBA Global, you will be excellently equipped with the ability to tackle areas including but not limited to:

• Recruitment and training
• Strategic planning and decision making
• Financial analysis and forecasting
• Competitor and macro environment research
• Communication with internal and external stakeholders such as directors, customers and investors

Gaining a postgraduate degree like the MBA Global can also significantly boost your earning potential. Latest government statistics* show that postgraduates earn on average £6,000 more per year than graduates.

Eventually, your career opportunities will be widened exponentially as your higher level academic understanding of globalised business, accompanied by a worldwide influencer network and extensive work experience, prepares you to transition into senior, directorial, executive and C-level (chief officer) roles. Similarly, this fundamental academic knowledge can be repurposed to support you if you boast an entrepreneurial flair and seek opportunities to start up or grow your own business.

*Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2015, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Utilise our Careers and Employment Service​

Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning:

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• Strategic Management MSc
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