MBA

Summary

Study level
Award
MBA
Full time
1 year
Part time
1 year+
Location
London, Berlin or Online
Faculty of Business

What makes Arden University special?

Education
Education for everyone, everywhere
Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.
Where to study
You decide how and where to study
We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.
Support
Full support both online and on-site
We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.
Employability
Strong focus on employability
You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

Our new MBA course has been specifically developed to provide you with a gateway to management and leadership roles. Whether you already have management experience, or preparing for your first role in business, this MBA qualification will provide you with the skills and competence you need to excel in your career.

The ideal option if you’re fresh out of your undergraduate degree or have limited work experience, this course gives you the unique opportunity to use your MBA qualification as a gateway into a managerial role. You’ll develop in-depth industry knowledge of contemporary business operations and the ability to apply emerging trends and innovations to leverage strategic business transformations. Through its focus on the most up-to-date, practice-based learning, the course will help you gain the specialised skills required to start a successful career in today’s dynamic business environment. 

You’ll also be introduced to state-of-the-art virtual business simulations, helping you in responding to the many opportunities and challenges you might face in your future management role. By placing professional development at its core, you’ll graduate from the MBA with the workplace readiness to enter the business world with confidence.

That means that by the end of the course, you’ll have developed the real-world skills needed to lead and manage in today’s agile working environment. This, combined with your knowledge of how to  drive positive business change will give you a powerful, modern skillset sought after by leading employers in a range of exciting industries.

The UK’s number two Online MBA as ranked by CEO Magazine
Exec MBA 2024

Graduate Interview with Simon Henry
Video • 1 min

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Award
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute, supporting your career and connecting you with likeminded professionals. 

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Course details and modules

This MBA will engage and inspire you through course modules that have been devised by our experienced business and management practitioners to give your studies a ‘real world’ focus. Our use of live client case studies and practice-based learning will build your confidence in making strategic managerial decisions and provide you with in-demand skills for your future career.

Throughout the course you’ll be encouraged to work closely with your peers, exchanging your professional experiences to learn and grow as a group. This will help you establish an international network of fellow professionals with whom you can continue to build inspiring relationships long after your degree comes to a close you complete your studies with us.

You’ll also be taught by an expert and skilled academic team with a diverse mix of business practitioner, consultancy, and research experience, and with some having published in leading-edge academic journals.

Simon Henry

I’ve found that studying my degree online with Arden has given me a much more comprehensive foundation of knowledge around the topics I don’t often encounter in my work role, including financial decision-making, ethics and strategy. This knowledge will enable me to progress to more strategic roles in the future.

Simon Henry
MBA Online
  • Professional Practice in Business & Management (20 credits)
  • Competitive Strategy (20 credits)
  • Financial Management (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Supply Chain Management (20 credits)
  • Leading People (20 credits)
  • Social Media Marketing (20 credits)
  • Business Project (60 credits)

How do we assess you?

Assessments

Unlike on more traditional business degrees, you won’t be sitting any exams on this course. Assessments on this MBA have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-word scenarios by engaging in live client case studies and business simulations. This means you’ll have the opportunity to align your studies to how you can help transform your future organisation’s operations and functions once you have completed the course. 

Practice-driven

Your course assessments will be practice-driven, drawing from your learning material , while also encouraging discussion and collaboration with your international peers. This modern approach will encourage you to apply your knowledge to new organisational challenges within both local and global contexts.

Virtual simulations

During your studies you’ll have the opportunity to use virtual simulations to predict, model, and scenario build for future business decisions and operations, enabling you to respond to real life opportunities and challenges that may appear in your future managerial or leadership roles. Through these virtual simulations, you’ll have the freedom to try out different solutions within a safe environment, without the potential consequences that could arise from ‘trial and error’ in the real world. This will help you build up confidence in decision-making, preparing you for the hands-on experience of real-world business practice. 

Other assessment methods

Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning through additional assessments. Designed with industry feedback to meet the needs of today’s employers, each assessment will impart both subject knowledge and desirable workplace skills. These include: 

  • Transformation plan
  • Group work 
  • Negotiated assessment 
  • Personal audit
  • Presentation
  • Critical reflection
  • Portfolio
  • Podcasts/Vodcasts
  • Marketing plan and social media campaign
  • Project/consultancy report

Study options

This course is available to study full time through our blended learning study mode at our campus in Berlin, Germany and London Tower Hill.

The course is also available to students via online learning. This gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere in the UK or worldwide, providing you with the same high standards of teaching but with lower tuition fees. 

This course is being offered via full-time for International students at our Tower Hill campus. Find out more here.

Abdulrahaman Usman

As a mature student the key factors that I wanted when deciding which university was best for me was quality content, a flexible learning schedule, and programme accreditation. During my research I found that Arden really stood out, and I could study without having to give up my job.

Abdulrahaman Usman
Master of Business Administration

Full-time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our blended learning study mode, you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK campuses.

If you're a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

This course is also available to study full-time at our campus in Berlin, Germany.

Learn more about blended learning

Part-time online learning

How does it work?

Studying your degree online with Arden means you can earn your degree from anywhere in the world without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location. Our online students study their degree through iLearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about online learning

Student Route – Full-time in attendance

Available for overseas students who want to study in the UK, full-time in attendance study with Arden gives you face-to-face teaching with timetabled classes for your chosen subject at our campus at Tower Hill, London. You’ll also have full access to ilearn and our extensive online library throughout your studies.

You will study your course through a blend of face to-face seminars with your course lecturers at your campus, combined with independent online learning activities which you can fulfil in your own time.

  • Each module of your course is completed over a 9-week period.
  • Each week will require a minimum of 33.5 hours of study time, which comprises:
  • Eight hours of timetabled face-to-face teaching each week based at our campus
  • A minimum 25.5 hours independent online learning.

Find out more about Student Route

Ilearn

Our online students study their degree through iLearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud.  iLearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal.

Library portal

The library portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

What you need to study with us

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

What do you need to study with us?

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can join us, wherever you are.

That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection. With this one tool, you'll be able to access information, advice, support, learning materials and our online library, as well as create assignments, keep notes, and collaborate with other students effectively. 

We’ll also support you with getting access to the resources you need, wherever you study from, including assistance with obtaining any software you need to successfully complete the course.

Eligibility

To be eligible for our MBA, you should normally have:

  • A bachelor’s degree at 2.2 or above, or international equivalent. If your degree was completed over 5 years ago, you will be required to submit a CV with your application.

  • Applicants who hold professional qualifications and have 2 years relevant work experience are also encouraged to apply. 

English proficiency

  • IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 90; or equivalent.
  • Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.
  • International students studying in the UK require IELTS for UKVI 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element) or equivalent. Find out more here

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency. More information can be found here.

Course fees and funding

Funding and Scholarships

UK students can apply for up to £12,167 funding from Student Finance England fund your studies.

International and UK students studying full-time in attendance are eligible for a 50% tuition fee reduction. Speak to your advisor for more information.

If you’re an international student, we have a number of Regional Offers that can help you save money on your tuition fees.

Refer a Friend

When you help a friend or family member to study with Arden through our Refer a Friend programme, both you and the person you refer will receive a £500 Amazon e-voucher or £500 tuition fee credit.

Find your country

Use the dropdown above to find course fees and funding information for your country. If you can’t find information for your country in the dropdown, visit our International support page.

Meet the faculty

Professor Dilshad Sheikh

Here at Arden University we strive to provide a fresh and unique approach to your business and management education. With ideas and experiences taken from employers and thought leaders across the world, we give you the opportunity to put proven business skills and techniques into practice during your studies. I look forward to welcoming you to the Arden University family.

Professor Dilshad Sheikh
Dean of the Faculty of Business

Career prospects

The skills you gain on this course will be transferable to the public and private sector, so the opportunities are endless. By providing you with the same competencies as a traditional MBA, this MBA degree  will give you the portfolio you need to demonstrate senior-level leadership, enhancing your CV for current and future employers.

What will the MBA do for me?

You’ll graduate from the course with a full MBA and hands-on managerial and technical experience, giving you the tools you need to power successful business management. You’ll also have expanded your knowledge of contemporary business fundamentals and practices , all within a real-world context. Due to this focus on the practical application of your syllabus, you’ll find that the knowledge and expertise you’ve gained is valuable across diverse professional roles.

This course provides you with the valuable opportunity to:

  • Understand and apply the management and leadership skills required to succeed in the contemporary business environment.  
  • Explore the analytical challenges presented by Big Data sets. 
  • Evaluate the contribution of technology to inform the development of innovative strategic plans and competitive advantage. 
  • Analyse the effectiveness of technology relevant to contemporary business management and transformations. 
  • Develop your managerial and leadership skills

What can I do after Arden University?

The MBA will help you develop the right skills and knowledge to accelerate your career to a senior leadership role in business management, change, and transformation. Whether you want to join or continue working for an already established business, start your own company, or become a consultant, the course will give you everything you need to explore multiple career paths. Some roles you may want to consider after graduation include: 

  • Marketing Manager
  • HR Manager
  • Business Consultant
  • Management Consultant
  • Business Development Manager
  • Business Operations Manager
  • Product Manager

Our MBA students have gone onto earn up to £82,600 within 2 years of graduation*

* Source: 2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey

Industry skills

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

This course awards a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership Practice and offers CMI Foundation Chartered Manager Status *

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) promotes excellence in UK management and leadership. As the CMI possesses a Royal Charter, they are the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status to their members – the gold standard in management. With 140,000 members, the institute aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect like-minded professionals.

As an Arden student, you’ll have free CMI Membership throughout your studies, giving you access to a range of additional resources including a mentoring service and invitations to networking events both online and offline. 

Upon completion of this CMI-accredited course, you will be awarded CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership Practice and gain CMI Foundation Chartered Manager Status. This recognises you have the skills needed to be an effective manager, helping you stand out from the competition and start your management career journey - with a CMI qualification and a clear pathway to full Chartered Manager status.

*Upon completion of your course, the CMI award and level of chartered status awarded will depend on your level and length of study, whether you entered your course with Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) or if any compensation is applied on your modules throughout the duration of study. If this criteria applies to you, you may receive one of the 2 different levels; an Award or Certificate.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) membership.

Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.

This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.

Capsim

Capsim is an award-winning, market-leading provider of business simulations. Founded in 1985, Capsim has more than 35 years’ experience in creating business simulations and comprehensive assessments for educational programmes.

While studying this degree with us, you’ll have free student access to Capsim, where you’ll be able to build the real-world business skills you need to grow and succeed. Through intuitive, easy-to-use simulations, Capsim tools will provide you with hands-on experience making strategic business decisions in an immersive, engaging environment. Using Capsim, you’ll have a risk-free environment to apply concepts, test new ideas, and gain quality feedback as you compete to grow your business in a dynamic environment.

Business Graduates Association (BGA)

The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.

As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.

enterprise incubator

Arden Enterprise Incubator

As an Arden University student, you’ll have access to the Arden Enterprise Incubator (AEI) online platform to support you in the area of entrepreneurship. Whether students are exploring the idea of setting up their own company or need help and guidance launching or growing an existing business, the AEI provides everything students need to kick start their entrepreneurial journey, as well as to support and empower them along the way.

The AEI has a wealth of resources available including monthly master classes, boot camps, podcasts, blogs, external events, and mentorship. Mentors include Arden University lecturers and industry experts, so our students receive the very best support and expertise.

As an IOEE Centre of Excellence, we foster an entrepreneurial culture among our students. We are dedicated to supporting their continuous growth by promoting enterprising thinking and practical entrepreneurial skills.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

  • Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
  • Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
  • Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.