Alliance Manchester Business School - AMBS

The Manchester Global Executive MBA

For innovative senior managers, high-level executives and experienced entrepreneurs.

Top-rated
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We're ranked 5th in the UK in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2024.

The Global Executive MBA is an 18-month accelerated pathway of the Global MBA for a closed cohort of senior MBA candidates with a minimum of 8 years of professional experience and significant managerial expertise.

The programme equips you to lead effectively through uncertainty, seize opportunities to innovate in a changing business landscape, and solve the complex business challenges you face every day in a senior role.

WATCH: Benefits of the Global Executive MBA

Fees
£42,250 (scholarships available)
Duration
18 months
Workshop locations
Manchester, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai and online
Start dates
January & July

Pre-MBA

Prepare to start your Global Executive MBA.

Manchester MBA Preparation Course (Online)

Once you've been offered a place on our MBA programme and paid a reservation fee, you have full access to our Manchester MBA Preparation course.

This online course will help you to reacquaint yourself with key study skills, how to go about writing academic assignments and most importantly, what 'Learning by Doing' really means.

You'll have the opportunity to:

  • Rediscover key study skills
  • Prepare to start your MBA modules by undertaking Business Essentials in 'Marketing' and 'Operations Management', 'Accounting', 'Corporate Finance', 'Cultural Economy and Financialisaton', and 'Economics'
  • Meet the teams that will be supporting you throughout your MBA
  • Write and receive feedback on a 'practice' MBA essay.

The voluntary course takes around 15 hours in total and you can complete it at your own pace. There are lots of opportunities to apply your skills and new knowledge throughout.

Core courses

You'll complete seven core courses as part of your Global Executive MBA. The courses are designed to give you well-rounded experience across critical business functions.

Leading Global Transitions

Contemporary businesses face two major transition challenges:

  1. To re-evaluate the purpose of the firm in the 21st century and transition to a stakeholder value-driven firm
  2. How to re-design the business model in global transition to a net zero economy.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is the formal tool that companies use to manage these two transitions. On this course, we cover why these two major transitions are happening by covering concepts and analytical tools such as:

  • Financialisation
  • Shareholder value maximisation
  • Corporate governance
  • Firm purpose.

Then we analyse the rise of ESG as a mechanism for firms to achieve social and environmental responsibility and to transition to a net zero economy.

Leading People and Organisations

In this core course, you'll examine the field of organisational behaviour, evaluating questions such as:

  • Why have contemporary management practices and organisational forms been adopted?
  • What is their effect on people's behaviour?

You'll learn how to respond to contemporary management and organisational challenges, by applying the latest research, ideas, frameworks and practical case studies.

Operationalising and Communicating Value

This course is delivered through a four-day workshop in Singapore and online learning. It will provide you with key knowledge about operations management and marketing.

We'll encourage you to consider the interactions and potential tensions between these areas, and to critically evaluate the application of theory to real-life contexts. You'll also work in multinational groups to develop solutions to marketing and operations management challenges.

Business Accounting and Finance

This course is delivered through:

  • A 3-day in-person workshop
  • Three 3-hour live virtual workshops at different times throughout the term
  • Online learning.

The course will introduce you to the two main areas of accounting:

  • Financial accounting
  • Management accounting.

We'll introduce you to the content, role and usefulness of financial reports. You'll then learn how to interpret, analyse and understand financial information. Alongside this, you'll develop an understanding of the theories, techniques and practices of management and cost accounting.

You'll also explore the design of management accounting and control systems.

Strategy and Competition

This course is delivered through a four-day workshop in Manchester and online learning.

The interdisciplinary course will help you develop a cutting-edge approach to strategy and competition that is fit for purpose in today’s changing business environment. You'll explore key areas of interest, such as:

  • Competition
  • Global instability
  • The sharing economy
  • Technology disruption
  • Traditional, dominant schools of thought.

The course will blend theory and practice, with an emphasis on teamwork and real-time case analysis.

Digital Economy

This course is delivered through a three-day workshop in Dubai and online learning.

It will boost your understanding of ecommerce, allowing you to deal with rapid changes in technology and business practices.

As well as studying core economic and internet market theory, you'll consider the effects of technology and Artificial Intelligence on key industries such as:

  • Advertising
  • Financial markets
  • Insurance
  • Healthcare
  • Venture capital
  • Retail.

You'll also learn how to design new platform firms and develop strategies to take traditional corporations into the digital age.

The Reflective Executive

This course is delivered through:

  • Two workshops in Manchester - these will take three days in total
  • A workplace application
  • Online learning.

Today's senior executives are increasingly required to be more reflective about:

  • Their own practice - for example, their responsibilities
  • Their decision making in situations that are uncertain and complex.

Applying this dual perspective to senior managerial practice, this inquiry-based course will help you explore aspects of your own practice - for example, senior managers' responsibilities. The course will enrich your practical knowledge and skills for cultivating a more reflective approach to decision-making.

Tailor your journey

Tailor your MBA to your aspirations. Source your Live Capstone Project company, select career-focused electives in your preferred study location, and engage in GEMBA+ extracurricular activities.

Electives (credit bearing)

You can choose two electives. Each elective is delivered through:

  • A three-day workshop (minimum) in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore
  • Online learning.

Elective courses are your opportunity to gain more expertise in an area of your choice or explore a new field of interest. Choose electives tailored to your interests and career goals, and combine electives to create your own pathway - for example, in marketing, digital business or finance.

Our suite of electives is continuously refreshed to ensure it balances traditional core business principles with current and emerging topics such as fintech, sustainability and data science.

You can attend workshop residentials for electives at any of our global centres: Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore. This gives you more opportunities to widen your international network and business perspectives.

Current electives

  • Big Data Analytics
    You’ll be introduced to Big Data Analytics theory and applications, exploring essential tools, techniques, and case studies that show how organisations leverage big data for decision-making, strategy, and competitive advantage.
  • Business to Business Marketing
    This six-month Business-to-Business (B2B) Marketing course equips participants with insights into the unique dynamics of B2B marketing beyond traditional models, focusing on real-world applications of segmentation, targeting, and positioning.
  • Corporate News and Shareholder Value
    Explore how corporate announcements impact stock prices and shareholder value, using tools like the efficient market hypothesis and event study methodology to analyse market reactions to events like mergers and ESG news, with hands-on case studies and research.
  • Digital Marketing Strategy
    You’ll cover digital marketing strategies for B2B and B2C, focusing on social media, search engines, and data-driven approaches, with shared learning paths in AI and Big Data.
  • Engaging Human Talent
    Gain strategic insights into attracting, developing, and engaging talent for organisational growth, integrating human resource practices with broader strategy through real-world examples and debates.
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
    Entrepreneurship drives economic growth, creating jobs and fostering large business development. This elective hones skills essential for managing the entrepreneurial lifecycle, from recognising opportunities and crafting creative concepts to building innovative business models.
  • Fintech, Digital Banking and Blockchain
    Explore FinTech, digital banking, blockchain, and AI in finance, with case studies on innovation and digital transformation. Tackle a hands-on “digital banking challenge” by designing and pitching a mock banking app.
  • International Business Strategy
    This elective covers strategic management of multinational corporations, emphasizing resources, capabilities, and cultural impacts on competitiveness to tackle real-world international management challenges.
  • Leading Business Projects
    Gain a holistic understanding of driving strategic change through project design, leadership, and delivery, equipping you to lead impactful projects that align with broader goals like the UN SDGs.
  • Managing Disruptive Technologies
    Explore how disruptive technologies like digital platforms and blockchain reshape business models, empowering leaders to recognize and respond to potential industry shifts for career advancement.
  • Negotiation Skills
    Master essential negotiation skills through practical techniques and strategies, empowering you to navigate diverse business situations and achieve strategic goals with confidence.
  • Platform Ecosystem Strategy
    Discover how digital technology reshapes strategy, from traditional approaches to innovative platform ecosystems, preparing you to lead in a world where digital platforms redefine competitive advantage.
  • Practical Investing
    Gain hands-on experience in investing through practical simulations, client role-plays, and insights from seasoned industry professionals. You’ll cover investment strategies, market dynamics, and client-focused portfolio creation to prepare you for real-world success in today’s financial industry.
  • Strategic Financial Analysis
    Engage in an intensive, hands-on elective that bridges strategy and finance through real company cases, honing your ability to make sound business judgments, analyse financial information, and craft compelling corporate narratives amidst uncertainty.
  • Strategic Supply Chain Management
    Learn to master strategic supply chain management to reduce costs, manage risks, and drive innovation, equipping you with essential skills to optimise supplier relationships and enhance organisational value.
  • Sustainable and Socially Responsible Business
    Examine key drivers and metrics impacting sustainable business practices, with tools and case studies to build socially responsible strategies that address environmental and societal challenges.
  • Venture Capital and Private Equity
    Gain a practical understanding of Venture Capital and Private Equity, exploring key financial concepts and applying knowledge to real case studies. Take on roles as investors, company managers, and advisors to navigate investment and exit strategies.
  • Work Psychology for Managerial Success - this elective is offered until January 2026.
    This course explores key psychological skills for managerial success, focusing on self-management, leadership, and career strategies to help students apply these insights to their own career goals.

Elective courses vary in length and availability. Some electives are only delivered once per year, which may affect the options available to you.

To give you added flexibility, we offer some electives that are entirely online or that include longer/shorter face-to-face workshops.

Live Capstone Project

This project is delivered through a one-day workshop in Manchester and group work. It takes six months in total to complete.

You'll collaborate on a live, interdisciplinary business project, for a sponsoring 'client' organisation, potentially from the not-for-profit or social value sector. Organisations are normally student-sourced, with the final approval of client organisation and project scope choices by the course unit director, to ensure you have a viable project.

Guided by a supervisor, your team will develop a strategic plan, leveraging insights and models from your MBA coursework, to address real-world business challenges.

This project culminates in a professional presentation and report, delivering actionable recommendations to your client and showcasing the depth of your learning and expertise.

GEMBA+ (non-credit bearing)

GEMBA+ is a suite of extra-curricular experiences that will help you:

  • Define your goals
  • Enhance your interpersonal skills
  • Build your corporate connections
  • Raise your profile across the world.

Running in parallel with the academic programme, GEMBA+ activities are not credit bearing. They are designed to give you targeted support and motivation to help you through the MBA and beyond. The Global Executive MBA includes a number of exclusive options:

Supporting professional discussions

Our team are on hand to facilitate introductions to senior alumni to enhance your learning and career progression. Drawn from our extensive network of business contacts from across the world, they'll work with you to:

  • Define your goals
  • Build your confidence
  • Increase your global corporate contacts.

Next-level networking

To help you make those vital global business connections, our Global Careers Service and Alumni Relations team offer a range of extra events exclusively for GEMBA students. These include a welcome dinner, guest speaker and networking events, and visits to high profile global organisations.

In addition to the above, you'll also have access to the MBA+ extracurricular activities that we offer across all our part-time MBA programmes, including:

  • Online careers seminars
  • Employability sessions
  • Careers guidance
  • Alumni introductions
  • Alumni socials
  • Alumni speaker events
  • Alumni groups, and more.

Global workshops

Most courses in your Global Executive include an intensive, three-day workshop residential. 

Global Executive MBA workshop schedule

Most courses include an intensive, three-day workshop residential.

In the first year of the course, you'll attend four core workshop residentials in Manchester, Dubai and Hong Kong. You can then choose your own electives at any of our global centres for the remainder of the course.

Workshop dates for January 2025 intake

Year one (12 months) Month 13-18
Location: Multiple Location: Multiple
14-19 January 2025: 6 days in Manchester January 2026: 7 days in Manchester
April 2025: 6 days in Dubai April 2026: 6 days in up to 2 global centres
September 2025: 7 days in Hong Kong  

Specific dates for September 2025 onwards will be added to this page when confirmed.

Course Timeline

GEMBA (18 month only Jan & July start dates)

View a PDF of our January and July course timelines >>

Swipe to view

Year 1

Jan-Mar

Apr-June

Jul-Sep

Oct-Dec

Year 2

Jan-Mar

Apr-Jun

Prep course

This online course will prepare you for studying The Manchester MBA

Core courses

You will study:

  • Leading Global Transitions
  • Leading People and Organisations
  • Operationalising and Communicating Value
  • Business Accounting and Finance
  • Strategy and Competition
  • Digital Economy
  • The Reflective Executive

Electives

You will study 2 electives as part of the programme

  • Electives are delivered through a 3-day workshop (minimum) and online learning
  • Customise the MBA to suit your personal goals and interests

GEMBA+

You'll have the opportunity to take part in the following activities:

  • Careers seminars
  • Employability sessions
  • Careers guidance
  • Alumni introductions
  • Alumni socials and events
  • Alumni speaker events

6 days

  • Leading Global Transitions – 3 days
  • The Reflective Executive – 2 days
  • GEMBA+ – 1 day

6 days

  • Digital Economy – 3 days
  • Business, Accounting and Finance – 3 days

7 days

  • Leading People and Organisations – 3 days
  • Operationalising and Communicating Value – 4 days

7 days

  • Strategy and Competition – 4 days
  • Live Business Capstone Project – 1 day
  • The Reflective Executive
  • GEMBA+ – 1 day

6 days

  • Electives 1 and 2 – 6 days

1 day

  • Business, Accounting and Finance – 1 day
Kate Rose

I chose the Manchester GEMBA programme to broaden my skill set in many ways: to become more strategic, to better consider other’s perspectives, and understand classical decision-making frameworks. In a learning environment around other executives, it’s deeply refreshing to hear their questions, experiences, and approaches to the programme.

Kate Rose, Global Executive MBA Class of 2023, General Manager, Europe, Chamberlain Group
Taner Caglar

I wanted to study somewhere with a global outlook and an internationally recognised school and programme. I've genuinely loved the journey and gained valuable insights into strategic management, finance and senior leadership

Taner Caglar, Global Executive MBA Class of 2023, Global Head of Product Portfolio Management & Customer Services at Siemens

A thriving, supportive global community

Our curriculum is rooted in real-world issues, ensuring you develop the strategic mindset and leadership skills needed to excel in today’s global market. Immediate application of your learning to your current role helps you stay ahead.

You'll also benefit from our dedicated admissions team, career services, and a global network of peers, alumni, and industry leaders. Join a community that drives innovation and succeeds on the world stage.

Average age: 41

Average work experience: 18

30 nationalities

23% female students

Quote image

Our Global Executive MBA enables you to engage with business leaders, sharpening your strategic mindset & equipping you with the skills to thrive in a dynamic and global business.

Xavier Duran , Global MBA Director

We are a triple accredited school

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Association of MBAs logo
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business logo

We're well connected

Take advantage of our global network. Learn and network with senior Global MBA candidates from all over the world, no matter where you're based.

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