Executive MBA - Business Administration

Overview

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? The Ulster University Executive MBA is a challenging Master's degree designed for ambitious professionals.



This Master's programme will help you to relate your work experience to business theory, broadening your understanding of organisations and the increasingly competitive environment in which they operate. You will enhance your knowledge of business functions, processes, and strategies. The innovative modules will also challenge you to examine your own business practices and management style, and develop your strategic and critical thinking skills.



The Ulster University Executive MBA allows students to make an impact in the workplace via practical based assessment and assignments, many of which have led to demonstrable improvements within the students' organisations.



Work placement / study abroad

Executive MBA students tend to be in employment while undertaking the course, as such, a work placement is not offered. There may be opportunities to conduct live case studies within a host organisation and students may decide to undertake their Management Project in an organisation other than their own.

F/T Programme

Year one

Accounting and Finance for Senior Leaders

Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation

Operational Excellence

Management Project Proposal

Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development

Leadership Development

People and Change

Strategy and International Competitiveness

Management Project

Corporate Governance and Boardroom Management

Marketing Management



P/T Programme

Year one

Accounting and Finance for Senior Leaders

Operational Excellence

Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development

Leadership Development

People and Change

Marketing Management



Year two

Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation

Management Project Proposal

Strategy and International Competitiveness

Management Project

Corporate Governance and Boardroom Management

Applicants should normally hold a degree with at least 2ii Honours standard or equivalent; and should have gained at least eight years relevant post-graduate work experience with some of which at managerial or senior professional capacity.



However, applications will be considered from experienced, practicing managers and technical or other specialists who do not have an honours degree but who have more significant work experience and can demonstrate the ability and commitment to complete the programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country



Exemptions and transferability

Transfer

Consideration will be given to applicants who transfer from other accredited MBA courses.



Exemptions

Students who have studied an equivalent qualification to level 7 covering the subject matter on the MBA may, by application to the Course Committee, be granted exemption from specific modules.

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

The full-time Executive MBA is taught over 1 academic year, starting in September.



The part-time Executive MBA is taught over 2 academic years, starting in September each year.

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

An MBA will help you develop your career whether it is progressing within your current organisation, changing career into a different profession/sector or working internationally. As a qualification, the MBA is valued and sought after by employers.



Graduates from the Executive MBA course have found that they have been able to deliver value to their organisations through the work that they carry out on the course and thus progress their careers with their respective employers.



Other students use the programme as a springboard to seek new opportunities both domestically and internationally.



Many students wish to either set up their own business or become business consultants. The course is specifically tailored (especially in terms of assessment and practical teaching) to allow students to develop the necessary skills and expertise to allow this fulfilment.