Full-time MBA in Manchester

150 hours of live client experience

This live consultancy project with a not-for-profit organisation is your first practical task. Learn more about the Social Impact Project from staff, students and previous consultancy clients in the video below:

The Social Impact Project will broaden your perspective and put you in new and challenging environments. It's your first opportunity to work in a multinational team with fellow students - giving you a good introduction to consultancy with real, demanding clients.

Find out more about the impact of recent projects through our clients’ stories:

• Henshaws Society for Blind People: Carrying out an independent social impact assessment

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  Henshaws Society for Blind People: Carrying out an independent social impact assessment

  Client: Henshaws Society for Blind People

  Background

  Henshaws is a UK charity working alongside other charities and healthcare providers, including local authorities and the NHS, to improve the lives of blind and visually impaired people.

  The organisation wanted an independent evaluation of its social impact to support future planning and demonstrate the value of its services.

  Objective

  The project assessed the impact of Henshaws’ services using UK Treasury and NHS methodologies, following the Treasury’s ‘Green Book’ and NICE guidelines. The aim was to calculate the social value generated by the charity’s work through recognised and credible approaches.

  Challenges

  A key challenge was the ambiguity over what range of Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) values are considered acceptable or favourable by the NHS in decision-making.

  This was complicated by the fact that the Treasury’s Green Book and NICE guidelines use different benchmarks, requiring careful interpretation to ensure accuracy and relevance in the analysis.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The project delivered an independent report evaluating whether Henshaws’ services provide added value and represent ‘value for money’, and to what extent.

  The findings help identify whether investment in Henshaws’ services can save local and national government expenditure in the future, providing a strong evidence base for funding and strategic decisions.

  Client testimonial

  “The consultancy project has provided our charity with in-depth insight into our business challenges and long-term strategic goals, as well as providing a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of our work.

  This high-level academic review and independent analysis have helped enhance our reputation in the sector and provided us with recommendations to develop our services and improve the lives – and life chances – of the blind and visually impaired people we support.”

  Stephen Tongue, Director of Fundraising, Henshaws Society for Blind People

• Springhill Hospice: Developing an income-generating education programme

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  Springhill Hospice: Developing an income-generating education programme

  Client: Springhill Hospice

  Background

  Springhill Hospice is a charitable organisation providing free specialist palliative and end-of-life care across Rochdale, Heywood, and Middleton.

  Working in collaboration with other charities, local authorities, and the NHS, the hospice delivers inpatient care, community support, hospice-at-home services, counselling and bereavement support, as well as wellbeing and dementia care.

  The organisation relies heavily on fundraising and donations to sustain its services.

  To support a sustainable financial future, Springhill Hospice identified scope for its education programme to play a greater role in income generation, helping to raise vital funds for patient care.

  Objective

  To develop a strategy for delivering a profitable education programme – including bereavement, communication, and wellbeing training – to networks across Rochdale, Greater Manchester, and beyond, with a target of generating a minimum of £100k profit per year after three years.

  Challenges

  The project required researching and developing a strategy for a sector that was completely unfamiliar to the MBA team.

  This meant understanding the hospice’s operational context while also identifying viable opportunities in a competitive training and education market.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The MBA team delivered a comprehensive strategy and proposal for an education programme designed to generate additional income for the hospice.

  The work included data analysis, financial projections, and actionable recommendations, providing the hospice with a clear plan to move forward.

  The project has already informed implementation efforts and added capacity to the hospice’s strategic planning.

  Client testimonial

  "This is our fourth year working with the MBA course and it has been another impressive and valuable project for us. The MBA team delivered a comprehensive report which provides data, projections and recommendations to the Hospice. The students embraced the project, communicated well with the Hospice contacts and conducted some valuable research which resulted in a very useful piece of work for us which we are now starting to implement."

  Emily Kennedy, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services, Springhill Hospice

• We Are Survivors: Strengthening social media impact

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  We Are Survivors

  We Are Survivors: Strengthening social media impact

  Background

  We Are Survivors is a Greater Manchester-based charity supporting male victims and survivors of sexual harm across the city region, the North West, and the UK.

  Following a period of sustained growth, boosted by high-profile work with the media and television, the charity saw a significant increase in social media engagement.

  This created a valuable opportunity to harness the momentum and ensure its message reached as many male survivors as possible, helping to reduce the time they remain in silence.

  Objective

  To review the organisation’s use of social media and external messaging channels, with the aim of measuring and improving the impact of its communications in meeting its goal of reducing the average time in silence by five years.

  Challenges

  The MBA team needed to establish a standardised method for identifying and collecting impact data using only basic analytics tools, all within a very limited budget and with minimal prior analytics experience among staff.

  The solution also had to be easy to implement and maintain for long-term use.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The MBA team’s work has given We Are Survivors a clearer understanding of its messaging reach, enabling the charity to target communications more effectively and deliver support more quickly to those who need it.

  The project has also enhanced the organisation’s ability to evidence the impact of its public messaging campaigns, supporting future strategy and funding bids.

  Client testimonial

  “The MBA students were not only a joy to work with but quickly became part of our team, leading us into increasing areas of knowledge that have undoubtedly changed how we think about messaging and how we execute our communications far more effectively.

  The team handled our data and knowledge with such sensitivity and respect, and the final outcome project report is one of the best independent reports we have ever had the pleasure of receiving. This was our first experience of this programme, and we are committed to continuing the journey for the foreseeable future. Highly recommended!”

  Duncan Craig OBE, Chief Executive Officer, We Are Survivors

This simulated project will develop your knowledge of business analysis, UK mergers and acquisitions, strategy, accounting and finance. It will also test your negotiation skills.

What to expect

Your team will act as the acquisitions function of a major corporation. You'll analyse the company and its markets, formulate an acquisition growth strategy, value the company and select an acquisition. Next, you'll formulate and negotiate a merger. Will the board of directors, represented by AMBS faculty, accept your deal?

200 hours of live client experience

This project builds on your earlier consultancy experience and focuses on helping organisations identify, evaluate and deliver innovation and intrapreneurial opportunities.

Working with a live external client, you will apply strategic frameworks, innovation tools and evidence-based research to address complex, real-world business challenges and deliver practical and actionable recommendations that have a genuine impact on your client’s business.

With a strong emphasis on innovation, intrapreneurship and strategic decision-making, this project prepares you for senior roles where creativity, transformation and impact matter.

Clients range from start-ups and SMEs to large organisations, with projects designed to develop your ability to think and act like an innovation-focused consultant.

What to expect

You'll work under realistic consultancy conditions and will gain experience in:

• Bidding against other teams for live client projects
• Applying strategic and innovation frameworks to unstructured problems
• Developing and presenting evidence-based, actionable recommendations

You’ll be expected to deliver practical solutions that create meaningful value for your client, often with an international or cross-sector dimension. This project will prepare you for the International Business Consultancy Project.

You'll have the opportunity to bid for a range of clients across many industries.

Find out more about the impact of recent projects through our clients’ stories:

• Driverly: Exploring new international markets

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  Driverly: Exploring new international markets

  Client: Driverly

  Background

  Driverly is an Insurtech company in the motor insurance sector, specialising in AI-powered geo-intelligence services. Its flagship product is a telematics app that assesses driving behaviour using phone sensors.

  After demonstrating product-market fit in the UK and Europe and securing more than 15 clients, Driverly obtained additional funding to support its international expansion. The co-founding team needed to identify the most promising markets beyond Europe and the US.

  Objective

  The MBA project team was tasked to explore Driverly’s international expansion opportunities outside Europe and the US, recommend target countries, and advise on a go-to-market (GTM) strategy for those target markets.

  Challenges

  The project was both broad and detailed in scope, which required the team to balance ambition with the need for actionable outcomes within the project timeframe.

  They began with a wide analysis of almost all English, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking countries. They narrowed the list to nine and eventually identified three target markets.

  Detailed PESTEL and Five Forces analyses were then conducted for each market, supported by primary research through surveys and interviews.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The MBA team recommended Australia, the UAE, and Singapore as the most promising markets. Their work provided a clear understanding of international opportunities, enabling Driverly to prioritise resources effectively.

  The quality of the insights meant the findings could be used directly in board-level strategic discussions, supporting confident decision-making on global expansion.

  Client testimonial

  “It was a great experience working with the MBA team at AMBS on a Commercial Business Project. This was our second time working with Manchester MBAs, and I’m delighted to report that it was even better than the first. They were a strong team: hard-working, flexible, and coachable. They truly went above and beyond.”

  Armin Kia, Co-founder and CEO, Driverly

• LeasePlan Emirates: Repositioning for future growth

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  LeasePlan Emirates: Repositioning for future growth

  Client: LeasePlan Emirates LLC

  Background

  LeasePlan Emirates LLC is a leading vehicle operational leasing and fleet management company in the UAE.

  The company aims to reposition itself from a traditional vehicle leasing company to a broader mobility solutions provider. The business has set an ambitious goal to double revenue and profit within the next five years.

  Objective

  The MBA project team was tasked with providing a list of recommendations for future growth, validating the company’s strategic direction, suggesting an implementation plan for each recommendation, and creating a prioritisation matrix for the identified strategic opportunities.

  Challenges

  The project presented three main challenges: managing the time-zone difference between the UAE and the UK, working with limited publicly available data for the UAE market during secondary research, and understanding differences in customer behaviour and sentiment compared to European markets. The team navigated these challenges while engaging directly with board and management members as well as travelling to the UAE for primary research.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The project validated LeasePlan’s future strategy and provided a high-quality external perspective that could be presented to shareholders at a fraction of the cost of engaging a professional consulting firm. The MBA team’s insights offered valuable, actionable input to support strategic decision-making and growth planning in a rapidly evolving mobility market.

  Client testimonial

  “This was a difficult and complex project, but the MBA students gave their best efforts and provided a very professional final presentation plus a report of their recommendations.

  As previous AMBS alumni were among the management team, the MBA students had a lot of pressure to deliver at the highest level.

  The students not only delivered on the objectives but shared surprising insights through their research. I would highly recommend engaging AMBS MBA students to anyone who is looking for a cost-effective alternative to professional consultants.”

  Amal Kurian, Senior Corporate Strategy Specialist, LeasePlan

• Swoboda Research Centre: Exploring the future role of credit union branches

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  Swoboda Research Centre: Exploring the future role of credit union branches

  Client: Swoboda Research Centre

  Background

  Swoboda Research Centre is an independent, not-for-profit organisation founded in 2017, providing research, events, and training to support the growth and development of credit unions in Great Britain and Ireland.

  Objective

  The project set out to investigate a vital strategic issue for the credit union sector: how the role and viability of branch networks will evolve in a rapidly digitising financial landscape.

  The primary goal was to deliver clear, evidence-based insights that would inform long-term planning and help shape strategies for how credit union branches can adapt to meet the shifting needs of their members.

  Challenges

  In Ireland, banks have closed many physical branches, which has reshaped service delivery across the sector.

  For credit unions, which are founded to serve communities rather than maximise profit, this challenge is even more complex.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The MBA team delivered two key contributions: a comprehensive overview of present and emerging trends in consumer behaviour, and insightful recommendations for how credit union branches might evolve in Ireland.

  The final report serves as a valuable reference for strategic decision-making and supports credit unions in strengthening their operations for the future.

  Client testimonial

  “For this project, as consistently in the past, the AMBS team brought us enthusiastic and curious researchers who offered innovative consultant thinking. We will continue to be repeat customers.”

  Nick Money, Director, Swoboda Research Centre

• The Vegetarian Society: Building a global marketing strategy for a new trademark

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  The Vegetarian Society: Building a global marketing strategy for a new trademark

  Client: The Vegetarian Society

  Background

  The Vegetarian Society provides trademark services and is recognised for its vegetarian and vegan trademarks. As part of its ongoing development, the Society is launching a new plant-based trademark to sit alongside its existing offerings.

  To maximise its potential and ensure it can compete in international markets, the organisation aims to move towards a more global approach for this new trademark.

  Objective

  To develop a global marketing strategy for the organisation’s new plant-based trademark. This included reviewing and identifying priority countries for launch and exploring possible routes to market for each.

  Challenges

  The charity faced challenges due to limited experience in managing global trademarks and a shortage of dedicated resources for the initiative.

  These obstacles underscored the importance of bringing in external expertise to develop a practical and insightful strategy for international growth.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The MBA team developed and pitched a compelling global marketing strategy, which is currently being implemented.

  Although delays in registering the new plant-based trademark have slowed the overall timeline, the quality of the strategic work provides a strong foundation for international roll-out once registration is complete.

  The project also brought a fresh perspective into the organisation and ensured that a critical strategic initiative received dedicated attention.

  Client testimonial

  "I really enjoy working with the students. They bring a fresh perspective into the organisation and force staff to focus on a particular project which may otherwise fall off the radar. The work they did on this project was outstanding – more robust than we would have been able to do internally."

  Ben Worth, Director of Development, The Vegetarian Society

550 hours of live client experience

The International Business Project (IBP) gives MBAs the chance to act as consultants for businesses with a complex international challenge or opportunity.

Learn more about the project, including a previous collaboration between MBA students and Manchester-based LAD Bible Group in the video below:

Build your own team, evaluate a list of exciting global briefs across diverse industries, then pitch your recommendations to clients as you compete with other MBA teams during a dynamic bidding process.

What to expect from the project

Your group will take on a piece of professional international consultancy for a live client. This will utilise and challenge your global outlook and give you access to senior executives from diverse organisations.

The IBP is your chance to apply everything you've learned and prove yourself in a high-pressure, high-risk business challenge.

You'll have the opportunity to bid for a range of clients across many industries.

Find out more about the impact of recent projects through our clients’ stories:

• Concretene: Developing a market entry strategy for sustainable construction innovation

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  Concretene: Developing a market entry strategy for sustainable construction innovation

  Client: Concretene

  Background

  Concretene, a spin-out from The University of Manchester, is harnessing the power of graphene to revolutionise concrete. Its innovative admixture reduces the material’s carbon footprint, offering a more sustainable solution for the construction industry.

  Objective

  As part of its international growth plans, Concretene sought a go-to-market strategy for the Canada+ region (Canada and California). The aim was to evaluate market potential and define a viable route to entry, while considering local regulatory environments, energy costs, and the industry’s readiness for sustainable innovation.

  Challenges

  The MBA team had to assess a complex, evolving sector within a short timeframe. With significant sensitivity to risk and change in the construction industry, the project required careful analysis of market appetite, policy influences, and emerging competitors.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The final report delivered a detailed commercial assessment, financial evaluation, and clear recommendations. It formed a key part of Concretene’s successful pitch for a £3m+ seed funding round in October 2024.

  Client testimonial

  “Our team from the International Business Consultancy course were extremely thorough and creative in their work. The report has more than proven its worth.”

  Alan Beck, Head of Project Management, Concretene

• Landmark Group: Exploring sustainable innovation across MENA and India

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  Landmark Group: Exploring sustainable innovation across MENA and India

  Client: Landmark Group

  Background

  Landmark Group is a leading retail and hospitality conglomerate with operations across the MENA region and India. Its diverse brand portfolio spans fashion, home, electronics, leisure, and hospitality. As environmental responsibility becomes a core component of both corporate strategy and consumer engagement, Landmark engaged MBA students from Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) to explore innovative opportunities aligned with its broader sustainability agenda.

  The project was initiated to assess how Landmark could respond to shifting consumer expectations while reinforcing its long-term commitment to sustainable growth.

  Objective

  The goal was to develop a comprehensive business plan and feasibility study for new sustainability-focused initiatives, enabling Landmark Group to explore innovative models that align with evolving consumer values and support its long-term commitment to responsible business practices.

  Challenges

  The MBA team navigated several key challenges during the project, including evaluating consumer attitudes toward sustainability-led offerings in markets where traditional preferences still dominate, assessing a range of strategic business models to identify the most viable approach, and exploring how new sustainability initiatives could be effectively integrated into Landmark’s existing operations and diverse brand portfolio.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The team conducted extensive market research and peer benchmarking, offering critical insights into regional consumer behaviour and the potential for innovative, sustainability-oriented business models.

  Their work helped clarify both the opportunities and complexities of entering a growing market segment, contributing valuable input to Landmark’s strategic thinking.

  The project laid a strong foundation for future initiatives aligned with the business's corporate values and long-term sustainability vision.

  Client testimonial

  "The AMBS students brought fresh perspectives and rigorous analysis to our sustainability strategy exploration. This annual collaboration has proven mutually beneficial – while we gain valuable insights that inform our strategic decisions, the students get real-world experience tackling complex business challenges. It's a partnership that drives meaningful results for both sides.”

  Rajesh Garg, Group CFO and Chief Sustainability Officer, Landmark Group

• Pimberly: Repositioning for enterprise growth

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  Pimberly: Repositioning for enterprise growth

  Client: Pimberley

  Background

  Software provider Pimberly has achieved strong success in the UK and internationally, building a growing presence across both B2C and B2B markets. However, despite notable enterprise wins, many industry peers continued to perceive the company as primarily focused on the corporate market and were often surprised by the scale of its enterprise portfolio. Pimberly recognised this misperception as a potential barrier to UK growth and a risk to its planned US expansion.

  Objective

  To develop a go-to-market (GTM) campaign that raises awareness of Pimberly’s capabilities among enterprise customers in the UK, helping to significantly increase opportunities in this target market and establish a positioning strategy that can be replicated in the US.

  Challenges

  A key challenge was developing a go-to-market strategy to support the business in expanding its commercial footprint in the UK, while also drawing on fresh, external insights to shape an effective and impactful approach.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The MBA project team delivered a well-researched enterprise GTM strategy that clarified Pimberly’s competitive positioning and target market approach. By mapping the UK enterprise landscape in detail and uncovering key buyer pain points and value drivers, the team provided actionable recommendations to increase awareness, strengthen engagement, correct market misperceptions, and accelerate growth in the UK enterprise segment.

  Client testimonial

  “Working with Manchester University on our enterprise GTM strategy has been a great project for Pimberly. The team delivered a well-researched, insightful plan that brought clarity to the UK enterprise landscape, our competitive positioning, and the steps we need to take to shift market perception. Their understanding of buyer pain points and value drivers was spot on and has provided a solid foundation for a more focused and confident approach to growth.”

  Josh Bradley, Director of Marketing, Pimb

• Speedy Freight: Expanding into the US market

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  Speedy Freight: Expanding into the US market

  Client: Speedy Freight

  Background

  Speedy Freight is a supply chain solutions provider offering transport, warehousing, import and export services. Established in 2006, the business has grown to a network of over 60 branches across the UK and Europe, with a mission to be the first choice for reliable delivery and to always be there for their customers.

  Objective

  To assess the potential for expansion into the US, including market size and opportunities, regulatory requirements, employment and competitor landscapes, technology use in the transport sector, parcel market potential, and the US franchise landscape. The aim was to identify the best entry point and route into the market.

  Challenges

  The main challenge was keeping the project on track amid busy schedules for both the business and the MBA team, requiring careful coordination to maintain regular meetings and steady progress.

  Outcomes and benefits

  The project resulted in the successful opening of Speedy Freight’s first US office and warehouse in Dallas, Texas – one of three preferred states identified during the team’s research – and paved the way for the launch of the company’s first US franchises this year. It also enabled the business to prioritise its efforts on the expansion, gain an independent and objective perspective, and benefit from the expertise of a diverse team with complementary skills.

  Client testimonial

  “We had a positive IBP experience, both with the team we worked with and with the management of the business school. The team who pitched and worked with us did an excellent job of covering the project objectives and provided us with invaluable research and information that helped us with our business direction and decisions. A very well-run scheme that has also had a positive impact on our business as we have moved forward with our project.”

  Mike Smith, CEO, Speedy Freight