Business Administration, Master of (Online Learning) MBA Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Business, Management and Finance Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study Online learning Part-time MBA | up to 30 months | Start date: multiple dates Key facts School Business School College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Programme website Online MBA Accreditation Not available Apply now 15 October: Postgraduate Online Learning Essentials Find out what it’s like to study online at Edinburgh, with insights into learning, community and the support available to online postgraduate students. Register now Open Days on Demand Dive into an extensive selection of programme-specific session recordings hosted by our Academic and Professional Services staff. Watch the recordings Overview About the degree programme In the future, successful businesses will be those that can confidently and capably steer a path through a world characterised by intense competition, rapid technological development, economic turbulence, and increasing resource insecurity.Our part-time, online MBA programme has been designed to inspire and develop confident leaders who can think and act strategically, deftly, and responsibly.During your studies. you will be given a clear focus on the role of the highly sought strategic leader so that you can confidently progress in your career. In order to achieve this, our MBA is built on three pillars:Strategic LeadershipProfessional DevelopmentGlobal & ConnectedThis programme is aimed at professionals with a minimum of three years' managerial experience who wish to progress to more senior and leadership roles in business. Our flexible, online programme will allow you to balance your skills development with existing work commitments or responsibilities.Online MBA Study options The online MBA is delivered part-time with entry points twice a year.You have the choice to complete your MBA in 24 months, with your final Management Project undertaken alongside your final year of taught courses.Alternatively, you can choose a 30-month format with your Management Project taking place in the third year, following the completion of all taught elements. You also have the choice to switch from one format to the other at the end of your first year, giving you maximum flexibility as you determine what works best for you. Programme rankings 58th in the 2025 QS Global MBA Rankings.4th globally for Diversity score in 2025 QS Global MBA Rankings.91st 2025 Financial Times Global MBA Rankings.32nd for sector diversity, 2025 FT Global MBA Rankings. Programme benefits The University of Edinburgh has been delivering online degrees since 2005, with more than 11,000 graduates from over 180 countries.We are experts in online learning and have a strong track record of providing the best experience possible, working closely with academic teams to design a fully online degree that works well for both the educators and our students. Throughout your studies, a dedicated MBA team will support your professional and career development. The Edinburgh MBA has a for-credit course in Professional Development, a sign of how seriously we take your skills development. The MBA has allowed me to see my professional life as more of a journey, not tied to one company or role. As my mind grows, it's easier for me to see that the world is filled with more opportunities than I had initially imagined. Valentina Kaiser MBA (Online), graduated 2025 Meet our Masters of Change Our alumni share career stories, course highlights and how their time at the Business School shaped both their career and personal life. More alumni stories Fees, costs and funding Tuition fees Tuition fees for March 2026 entryMBA Business Administration (24 months) - March 2026MBA Business Administration (30 months) - March 2026 Tuition fees for September 2026 entryMBA Business Administration (24 months) tuition fees - September 2026MBA Business Administration (30 months) tuition fees - September 2026 Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Deposit If you receive an offer of admission, either unconditional or conditional, you will be asked to pay some of your tuition fees in advance as a deposit.The deposit for this programme is £2,500.You will need to pay this deposit within 28 days of receiving your unconditional or conditional offer of admission. Costs Additional programme costs When budgeting you will need to consider potential additional costs. As this is an online programme, you will also require, and need to budget for, relevant IT equipment and broadband internet in order to pursue your studies. More information on additional costs Funding opportunities Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study The Online MBA Diversity Scholarship programme is available to applicants holding an offer for the Online MBA who enhance the diversity of cultures or perspectives on the Edinburgh MBA. Online MBA Diversity Scholarships Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site. Scholarship search tool Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026/27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027/28 academic year will be published on 01 July 2026. Qualifications Before applying for the online MBA programme, please consider our minimum entry requirements, which include academic qualifications, managerial work experience and English language requirements.Important points to note when applying for this programme Professional experience requirementAt least three years' work experience in a managerial role.Experience can be from any industry, including the public sector, charitable organisations or the arts. Managerial experience encompasses many efforts you may already be undertaking. It is not defined by having ""manager"" in your job title or by having direct reports (although you may, of course, have both). Management is any project, initiative, remit, or task (either permanent or ad hoc) where you are responsible for guiding the resources, teams, or individuals to a final goal. Some roles are designed around a management function. Others take on managerial responsibilities on a case-by-case basis. Whatever your role, we want to see these managerial responsibilities highlighted in your CV.Minimum academic requirementUK 2:1 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent overseas qualification.If you do not meet the minimum academic requirement, you may still be considered if:you have professional qualifications with substantial work experience; oryou do not hold a degree or professional qualifications but you have a very strong employment record demonstrating a high degree of responsibility.If you do not meet the minimum academic requirement, we may require you to complete the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) which is an internationally-recognised assessment of analytical, numerical and verbal reasoning.If we require you to take a GMAT Exam, we would require a minimum score of 555 in the current ‘Focus Edition’ format, or a minimum score of 600 in the previous ‘10th Edition’ format.The GMAT is not a compulsory part of the application process, but if you have a score that you wish to report to us then this would be welcome.*We accept scores from GMAT Exams delivered both online and at test centres.*Official GMAT Exam website International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details What you will study The Online MBA will provide you with the opportunity to combine academic study with practical application. This is achieved through learning which firmly aligns academic management theory with commercial/organisational success, case studies, regular interactive refresher activities, consultancy-style projects with external organisations, and assessments.Online MBA Compulsory courses A rich course schedule will broaden your insights into alternative ways of managing, organising and innovating. The Professional Development programme, included as part of the compulsory courses, is designed specifically to help enhance interpersonal and leadership skills. Unlike some other MBA programmes, we have made this a credit-bearing element in recognition of the importance of this as part of our students' development journey. In addition to your compulsory courses, you will complete a 40-credit Management Project, giving you the opportunity to explore a subject aligned with your career goals and apply your learning to real-world challenges.Online MBA programme structure Find courses for this programme Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed. The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme. Part-time MBA Business Administration (24 months) (2025-2026) MBA Business Administration (30 months) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Teaching and assessment Assessment The majority of assessments are individual assignments, with a mix of traditional essays, reflective pieces and case study analysis being common methods. There are a limited number of group assignments throughout the programme, to help you build your network and work in teams.Towards the end of the MBA programme, you will complete a Management Project, giving you the opportunity to explore a subject aligned with your career goals and apply your learning to real-world challenges. Students on the 24-month MBA will work on their Management Projects during Year 2, alongside their final year of taught courses. Students on the 30-month MBA will have a summer break in their second year and complete their Management Project in Year 3, following the completion of all taught elements. Learning outcomes You will develop an integrated understanding of the essential aspects of business and leadership skills as well as the development of specialist knowledge through the choice of option courses and MBA Management Project. You will learn about core management and business disciplines as a preparation for progression into leadership roles. The focus is on the application and integration of new and previous knowledge as well as understanding the underlying theoretical frameworks. Participants will also learn considerably from their respective student colleagues and from the practical application of theory to real life business problems encountered during the MBA. Effective interpersonal skills are also important and a Professional Development Programme complements the taught courses. Specific educational aims are to: enable all participants to recognise, understand and apply the language and theory of the field of business, management and leadershipfoster an ability to critically analyse, synthesise and solve complex unstructured business problemsencourage strategic, holistic and cross-discipline thinkingencourage an aptitude for business improvement, innovation and entrepreneurial actionencourage a global mind-set, which demonstrates sensitivity to the implications of differences in culture and contextencourage the sharing of experiences to enhance the benefits of collaborative learninginstil a sense of ethical decision-making and a commitment to the long-run welfare of both organisations and the communities that they serveencourage participants to value diversity and equality in management and leadershipdevelop higher-order interpersonal skills to contribute to effective leadership Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. How we support you Our academic staff The University of Edinburgh Business School has over 157 academic staff members from across the globe. Their research explores some of the most pressing problems facing society, proposing innovative and evidence-based solutions.During your postgraduate studies you will work closely with faculty members, benefiting from their knowledge, experience, and commitment to high-quality teaching. Learning is further enriched by the partnerships that our researchers have with national and international collaborators.Meet our faculty Online learning How online learning works This degree programme is taught entirely online. There is no need to come to the city or University campus. All learning and teaching takes place within our virtual learning environment (VLE). Through the VLE, you can: access all your learning materials and study resources, including e-books and library resourcesinteract with your tutors and classmates An online degree from the University of Edinburgh is academically equivalent to an on-campus postgraduate degree and involves the same level of work overall. The qualification you get is of equal value. Your degree certificate will not mention that you studied the programme online. Time commitment This programme is designed to be fully flexible to fit around your schedule. You can study in your own time and access all your learning resources, such as reading lists, discussion forms and slides from anywhere in the world. If there are live online sessions, you can watch a recording later in the virtual learning environment at a time convenient to you. Typically, you will need to dedicate around 10 to 20 hours per week to your programme although managing this is up to you. This may also vary from course to course, and the time commitment may increase when assignments are due. See 'Find courses' in Programme details for more information about study time commitment Online MBA online learning Equipment and software needs To study this online programme, you will need access to: a computer or laptop the internet the latest version of a web browser As an online student, you will have access to a range of software you can download to help you complete your coursework, including Microsoft Office 365. IT support is available if you have technical difficulties. IT and computing help Support for online students As an online student, you will have access to a range of support services throughout your time at university if you need them.These support services include:academic support servicesebooks and ejournals within the librarythe disability and learning support serviceEnglish language supportskills development courses on LinkedIn Learningemail-based sessions delivered by the Counselling Servicesupport for students who are parents Not only will you have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but you will also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students from around the world. Additionally, students are supported pastorally by a dedicated MBA team, with academic support provided by faculty and the Director of MBA Programmes. Careers and further study Accreditation Not only is the University of Edinburgh Business School part of a world renowned University, but it is also accredited by the three most influential business accreditation bodies: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)the Association of MBAs (AMBA).This triple accreditation highlights the quality of teaching and excellence of research at the Business School. Career opportunities Hugely respected by global employers, our programmes provide students with access to world-class academics and courses that are underpinned by real-world insights. From product strategy manager to business consultant, our Online MBA can lead to a variety of specialised careers. Online MBA career outcomes Graduate profiles Katie Gideon Degree: Online MBA Year of graduation: 2026 Current work: Senior Environmental Project Manager, Tetra Tech RPS Energy The international networking opportunities gave me a global perspective on business. Read Katie's story Careers Service Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:tailored adviceindividual guidance and personal assistanceinternships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)access to the experience of our worldwide alumni networkWe invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.Careers Service The employment market is highly competitive, but the Edinburgh MBA is distinctive and provides participants with an edge. Our specialist MBA team will offer you personalised career support for the duration of your studies, including access to one-to-one career consultations, drop-in sessions, and interactive workshops. Online MBA career development Students also engage with a for-credit professional development course that features personal diagnostics, career planning, and skills enhancement designed to support participants in their pursuit of promotion or new careers. Online MBA professional development Applying How to apply Applications are only accepted via our online application portal. By applying online below, you will be redirected to the relevant page on the University site where you can begin the process. Online MBA application guidelines When to apply Programme start date Application deadline There is no EUCLID data available for this programme. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding. Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply As part of your online application, you will need to provide: a personal statementdetails of relevant knowledge/training skillsYou will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksreferencesevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide. Interview If your application advances to the second stage of the process, we will invite you to participate in an in-person or online video interview. The interview itself is relatively informal and seeks to evaluate your suitability for the Edinburgh MBA programme. As well as discussing your application, the interviewer may wish to find out more about your personal qualities, motivations, and aspirations for the future. You should be prepared to discuss your professional experience and your expectations of how an MBA can benefit you. You should also be prepared to answer how you would contribute to the programme as a whole. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -MBA Business Administration (24 months)MBA Business Administration (30 months) After you apply Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.Checking the status of your applicationWe will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.Receiving our decisionWhat to do if you receive an offer:Receiving an offerAccepting an offerSubmitting supporting documents Contact General enquiries Enquiry Management Team futurestudents@ed.ac.uk Academic contact For academic programme and course-specific questions, contact the Programme Director. Julian Rawel Programme Director Contact details Email: Julian.Rawel@ed.ac.uk
