MBA Professional

In a post-Brexit, post-Covid-19 world, professional leadership skills will be more essential than ever to drive growth and organisational change.

Designed for ambitious managers and leaders, our MBA Professional blends academic study with real work-based scenarios. You will develop the strategic direction and vision to accelerate your professional management career and become an inclusive, forward-thinking leader and role model within your organisation.

The highlights

• Designed specifically for part-time study which allows you to continue in your role – no need to step off the career ladder while you study
• Apply your learning directly in your workplace, with work-related assignments aligned to your modules
• Explore important aspects of business and management, including marketing, human resource management, financial performance, supply chain and logistics operations, governance and risk
• Our expert tutors have extensive business and management expertise and strong networks that will enhance your learning
• You will be supported and guided through your studies by a personal academic tutor

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.

The focus of this course is on applying your learning directly to your workplace, and you will be encouraged to grow and develop as an independent learner.

Face-to-face or online tutorials will prepare you for project-based assignments and provide opportunities to reflect on these.

You will also develop deeper research skills through completion of a dissertation - an extended research project negotiated to reflect your organisation and specific area of interest.

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.

When submitting your application, please ensure it is complete, with all the relevant documents requested in the application form.

2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025)

Please note 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 after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional fee information

*Note – at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the awards below.

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MBA. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Additional costs and optional extras

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

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

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

Completion of this course will prepare you for senior leadership and management roles in the private, public or third sector. Job roles could include:

• General Manager
• Senior Manager
• Executive Director
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Senior Military Officer

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Other courses you might like

• Master of Business Administration - MBA Global
• Senior Leader Apprenticeship
• Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)