Four coworkers in business casual clothing smile and engage in discussion during a meeting in a bright office.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Become a leading business professional with a personalised online MBA that advances your career goals. Hone essential business leadership skills through this expert-led, industry-aligned programme from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University.

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Time investment: 2.5 years

Location: Online

Cost: £11,565

Language: English

About this degree

Elevate your career to the C-suite with a leading business school

Nearly one-third of Fortune 500 CEOs hold an MBA. Rise through the ranks with a uniquely flexible and internationally reputable Master of Business Administration degree that primes you for leadership without compromising your busy schedule.

On this flexible, career-aligned MBA programme from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, master essential business principles and strategies to set yourself apart as a dynamic business professional.

Advance your career with sought-after skills in critical thinking, decision-making, complex problem-solving, negotiation, and more. These skills are pivotal for thriving in management, consulting, financial analysis, marketing, operations, and project management.

Realise your career aspirations with essential business acumen

This MBA programme offers a comprehensive overview of everything you’ll need to grow within and navigate around the global business landscape.

Over nine courses, you’ll explore key business concepts and practical applications involved in leadership strategy, project management, financial decision-making, and strategic marketing.

Make your mark as a business leader

The skills gained from this MBA programme span essential competencies such as leadership development, strategic thinking, financial acumen, marketing strategy, operational excellence, and project management.

Through practical projects and engaging case studies, you’ll learn how to apply these competencies to maximise your impact as a global business leader.

Specialise your online MBA degree

Edinburgh Business School’s MBA programme offers a range of elective courses to further specialise your degree. You’ll select three optional courses to complete as part of your studies, such as global operations, sustainable logistics, entrepreneurship, negotiation, or big data and business analytics.

You can also choose to study towards an MBA with a specialism in finance, strategy, logistics, business analytics, or business psychology.

Build essential business and leadership skills

Guided by seasoned experts and leading professionals, this MBA goes beyond the textbook to arm you with practical skills and sought-after expertise that will set you apart in the competitive business landscape and help you stand out to employers.

Build and grow your global business network with over 50,000 graduates.

Grow at your own pace with flexible, online learning

The flexible, online format of this degree accommodates all schedules, allowing you to complete your studies without compromising your personal and professional commitments. Begin your studies at any time and structure your learning in a way that works for you.

Where you’ll be studying

Studying at the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University

Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University specialises in business education that drives career advancement and empowers professionals to solve real-world business challenges.

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Learning outcomes

Assess employee behaviour and its influences on performance and morale in the context of people, work, and organisations.

Grasp leadership theories and practices in a range of organisational, social, and cultural contexts.

Evaluate complex business problems and implement robust project-based solutions for delivering successful projects.

Apply strategic-level thinking across core business disciplines when developing and executing strategy.

Utilise accounting and financial tools to make decisions that impact company operations.

Deliver effective marketing strategies that align with both internal and external business environments.

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Additional information

An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification. Those without formal qualifications may also be able to apply. The course encourages applicants without formal qualifications to discuss their entry prospects with an advisor.

A piece of sample writing in the form of a screenplay, formatted to an industry standard. The screenplay can be as long as you wish but should be at least 5 pages. It can be an excerpt of a larger piece of writing. You can also submit other pieces of sample writing such as short stories, plays or radio dramas along with your screenplay, to support your application.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.5 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, and Listening, and a minimum of 6.0 in speaking. We also accept a range of other recognised English language qualifications.

This master’s programme can be completed at a pace that feels comfortable to you. On average, each module takes 200 hours to complete, and two and a half years for the full programme. Start and stop your studies at any time.

Your progress will be assessed through a combination of coursework, practical projects, and reflective essays. These materials will evaluate your ability to apply creative techniques, demonstrate professional skills, and critically analyse your work and that of others in the context of industry practices.

As the global business landscape becomes more competitive, an MBA distinguishes you as an ambitious professional ready for senior leadership roles.

Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University has a track record of producing more CEOs than any other university in the UK (Novuna Business Cash Flow 2023).

Graduates go on to work in a variety of roles across industries, such as:

Management Consultants: Advise organisations on how to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability.
Marketing Managers: Develop and execute strategies to promote products and services, enhancing brand awareness and sales.
Operations Managers: Oversee daily operations to ensure organisational efficiency and effectiveness.
Project Managers: Plan, execute, and close projects, ensuring goals, deadlines, and budget requirements are met.
Financial Analysts: Assess financial data to help companies make informed investment decisions.