A group of women sitting and smiling together.

Women of the Manchester MBA

From a legacy of progress to the future of business.

Manchester is the birthplace of the suffragette movement, and AMBS is committed to advancing the city's legacy of social progress in business education.

Our MBA programmes are built on a culture of care, inclusivity and diversity, designed to support, connect and elevate women from every background, industry and career stage.

From scholarships and leadership development to a global network of inspiring peers and alumni, you'll find the tools and communities to achieve your ambitions on your terms.

Stats overview

46% of our Full-time MBA Class of 2027 are women

42.5% on the Global Part-time MBA (across all centres)

27.7% on the Global Executive MBA (January 2026 intake)

I’m very pleased with the gender diversity that we have in our MBA cohorts. I believe this makes the learning experience more dynamic, inclusive and impactful.

Marie Dutordoir, Full-time MBA Director and Professor of Finance

Forté Fellowships

For ten years and counting, we’ve proudly partnered with Forté Foundation – a leading non-profit committed to advancing women into impactful, fulfilling careers.

Through the prestigious Forté Fellowships, we support outstanding female Full-time MBA candidates who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic excellence, teamwork, creativity and a commitment to empowering women and girls through mentorship or community involvement.

In addition to financial support, Forté Fellows gain access to:

a global community of inspiring women leaders and other MBA students from Forté member schools
exclusive networking opportunities with leading companies
leadership conferences and personal development workshops in the UK, US and beyond
mentoring opportunities
lifelong professional development through Forté’s partner network of top companies and business schools.

I think the biggest benefit from Forté has been more than the financial assistance. It's been the community of women leaders from all over the world.

Gloria Cherono, Co-founder of Envirofly, Full-time MBA Class of 2027

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What other scholarships do you have for women?

Aside from the prestigious Forté scholarship, AMBS also offers Manchester Bee Empowered Scholarships for all women applying to the Full-time MBA. Several scholarships, ranging from £12,500 to £25,000, are offered in all admissions rounds.

Senior professionals applying to the Global Executive MBA programme can take advantage of scholarships for women business leaders. These awards are intended for those who motivate other women and actively support efforts to raise the number of women in senior roles.

Is there support for working mothers and caregivers?

Yes. We recognise that many MBA students balance study alongside family and professional commitments. The Manchester Global Part-time MBA is a flexible, two-year blended programme allows you to learn as you work full time, balancing career progression with personal responsibilities.

Most learning is delivered online, with up to 31 days of in-person workshops, which can be reduced to as few as four days.

In your first year, you’ll attend four core workshops in Manchester. After that, you can choose electives at whichever global centre is most convenient for you, whether it’s Manchester, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shanghai or Singapore.

This helps working mothers and caregivers manage travel and manage time away from home while remaining fully engaged in the programme.

Is the MBA flexible if my life circumstances change?

If you’re enrolled in the Global Part-time MBA or Global Executive MBA, you may extend your course up to five years instead of the standard 24 or 18 months, respectively. Payments adjust with your progress at no additional cost.

Do you offer extracurricular activities for female MBA candidates?

Women Leading in Business
For several years, AMBS has hosted a monthly Women Leading in Business event series, delivered both in person and online. These sessions provide a welcoming space to build new connections, share experiences, and learn from inspiring and aspiring leaders. The series is currently hosted by MBA alumna Claire-Marie Boggiano.

Support for female entrepreneurs
If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, The University of Manchester’s startup incubator, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, offers dedicated support through its Female Founders Network.

The Female Founders Network connects female entrepreneurs, students, and alumni in a supportive community where members can learn, grow, and share experiences. Through workshops, networking opportunities, and pitching events, the network empowers female students and recent graduates to take their entrepreneurial ideas further.

You can:

Learn directly from female founders and leaders as role models
Build practical skills through interactive workshops and bootcamps
Pitch your ideas and receive constructive feedback
Grow your confidence and expand your network in a welcoming community

Student societies and communities
You can also get involved in a wide range of University of Manchester student societies, including:

Women in Tech
Women in Media
Women in Science and Engineering
Women in Business

These societies aim to empower and inspire through socials, workshops, networking opportunities, and events.

Coming to start my MBA, I felt real imposter syndrome as a mother in my forties working in HR. But I was welcomed and treated as an equal – no assumptions, just support.

Jennifer Hulme, Global Part-time MBA