Business Administration, Master of MBA Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Business, Management and Finance Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study On campus Full-time MBA | 1 year | Start date: multiple dates Key facts School Business School College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Programme website Full-time MBA (with or without Exchange) Study location Central Area Accreditation Not available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now 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 full-time MBA has been designed to inspire and develop strategic leaders, who will act responsibly in delivering value to all stakeholders.During your studies, you will learn how to think and act strategically in volatile environments, managing the risk and challenges involved, but also spotting and seizing opportunities for efficiency, innovation and new business models. 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 DevelopmentPersonalised ApproachThis intensive 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. Students are immersed in a world of academic thought, current business practice and applied projects.Full-time MBA (with or without Exchange) Study options This programme runs for one academic year, starting in mid-September and ending in August.You can choose to study the programme with or without an international exchange. If you choose the international exchange route, you will spend 2 to 3 months on an exchange at one of our international partner universities. Programme rankings 58th 2025 QS Global MBA Rankings4th globally for Diversity score in 2025 QS Global MBA Rankings91st 2025 Financial Times Global MBA Rankings32nd for sector diversity, 2025 FT Global MBA Rankings Programme benefits The University of Edinburgh is 34th in the 2026 QS World University rankings, offering a degree that is highly-regarded worldwide.The Business School's strong industry links offer practical experience, insights, and networking opportunities.An international community of students, alumni, and faculty will provide you with diverse perspectives and a global network.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. My degree helped me to see work situations vastly differently than I did previously. The MBA programme showed me how teams should be formed, how to successfully work together and how to constructively disagree but still come to a solution. The programme also allowed me to understand and practice how to influence people differently and how using empathy and understanding was a demonstration of strength. Cori Schwabe MBA, graduated 2019. 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 by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Full-time MBA Business Administration (1 year) tuition fees MBA Business Administration with International Exchange (1 year) tuition fees 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, including textbooks, dissertation field work, and optional treks.More information on additional costs Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and 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 At the Business School, we are keen to recruit the very best talent from all over the world. To this end, a number of programme-based and School-funded Scholarships are available.Programme and School 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 full-time 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 full-time Edinburgh MBA combines intensive academic study with practical application. This is achieved both in the classroom through case studies, but also via consultancy-style projects with external organisations to broaden participants’ insights into alternative business models and approaches. For those who want an international experience, there is an opportunity to study on our MBA (with international exchange) which will give you the chance to spend 2 to 3 months on an exchange at one of our international partner universities.Full-time MBA (with or without Exchange) Compulsory courses Between September and March, all students study 11 compulsory courses in major disciplines including strategic leadership, professional development, finance, business transformation, strategic marketing and operations improvement. From April onwards students study from a selection of electives and work on their final management project. In practice, for compulsory courses, you will be in the classroom daily for interactive 2-hour tutorial sessions in groups of up to 30 students. Additional content will be delivered through online live sessions, pre-recorded videos, readings, case studies, and so on, enabling you to plan and manage your learning in your own time. 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.Full-time MBA programme structure Option courses Option courses provide the opportunity for you to tailor your studies according to your career ambitions. These courses will generally be taught in intensive week-long blocks and will see you in the classroom every day for around 8 hours per day. Depending on which MBA pathway you choose, you will either undertake electives in Edinburgh, chosen from our diverse catalogue of courses, or embark on courses offered by one of our exchange partners in an international setting. In both cases, you can tailor your studies towards specific career interests, develop international management skills, and improve your cultural versatility. As these option courses consist of smaller groups, a more personalised teaching approach will be implemented throughout each course. If studying the MBA with international exchange, then this model may vary depending on the delivery model of the partner institution. 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. Full-time MBA Business Administration (1 year) (2025-2026) MBA Business Administration with International Exchange (1 year) (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 Teaching Our full-time MBA programme follows a hybrid teaching model that provides a blend of face-to-face teaching and online learning. We have developed this model based on past student feedback. The feedback indicated improved student wellbeing, experience, and a feeling of empowerment. You will be able to take a more proactive and accountable approach to balance your own workload. Events such as welcome week activities, team building sessions, and community building sessions will also be factored into the programme's in-person teaching structure, which will allow you to discuss opportunities with staff and network among your peers. Assessment Towards the end of the MBA programme you will write a 7,500 word problem-solving assignment. This is a real-life assignment and you can tailor it to your interests and career intentions. For example, it can be based on an organisation which you may have previously worked or might wish to in the future. You will have the opportunity to follow a research, consultancy or business plan pathway. 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. The Professional Development programme ensures that, alongside the in-depth business learning, you will also develop the personal skills and characteristics required by senior managers in the modern business setting. For those following the MBA with international exchange, the study abroad period will add an international dimension to their studies, valuable to all who work internationally. 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. Our researchers' partnerships with national and international collaborators further enriches your learning.Meet our faculty Where you will study Study location The University of Edinburgh Business School is ideally located in the heart of Edinburgh's vibrant city centre. As such, our students are well positioned to take advantage of the city’s cultural and social amenities. The balance of buildings, landmarks and green space makes Scotland’s capital an inspiring place to live and learn.For entrepreneurs and Business School students in particular, Edinburgh is one of the best places to be. The city has the second largest financial sector in the UK with a thriving, diverse economy. Consequently, the Business School has strong industry links and students benefit from networking and collaboration opportunities. Academic facilities Located in the University's Central Campus area, the Business School is a modern building which houses offices, lecture theatres, computer labs, syndicate rooms, and a café. As a postgraduate Business School student, you will have exclusive access to the Hub Library which provides access to business-related books, reports, news and data. The building also features a variety of spaces suitable for individual study, group work and video conferencing. 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 chief strategy officer to senior procurement specialist, our Full-time MBA can lead to a variety of specialised careers. Full-time MBA career outcomes Graduate profiles Paul Tambeau Degree: Full-time MBA Year of graduation: 2011 Current work: CEO, Induction Healthcare plc The negotiations course gave me the skills to negotiate a joint venture agreement in healthcare. Read Paul'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. Full-time MBA career development You will 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. Full-time MBA professional development Applying How to apply Applications are only accepted via our online application portal. By applying online, you will be redirected to the relevant page on the University site where you can begin the process.Full-time MBA application guidelines If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant. When to apply Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through the competitive process described on the school website.Full details on the admissions process and the selection deadlines are available on the Business School website:Admissions strategyDeadlines for applicants applying to study in 2026/27RoundApplication deadlineDecisions by115 October 202527 November 2025226 November 202522 January 2026328 January 202612 March 202644 March 202623 April 2026522 April 202611 June 2026610 June 202630 July 2026 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 (1 year)MBA Business Administration with International Exchange (1 year) 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 Life at Edinburgh Our community The Business School has a vibrant community featuring students and faculty from a diverse range of nationalities and backgrounds. Across all postgraduate programmes, there is strong focus on collaboration, debate, and knowledge exchange. You will also benefit from the opportunity to create global networks with their classmates, industry professionals, and Business School alumni. Find out more about student life Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support 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
