Executive MBA - Business Administration

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.



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



The course begins with an induction where students are introduced to the course, their classmates and the academic team.



Students attend lectures on a weekly basis (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from 1.15pm to 8.05pm) in semester 1 (September to December) and semester 2 (January to May).



In semester 3 (June to September) each of the two modules is completed on a 'block' basis (9.30am to 5pm over 3 consecutive days usually in June for each module). Students also complete their Management Project during semester 3.



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



The course begins with an induction where students are introduced to the course, their classmates and the academic team.



Students attend lectures on a weekly basis, (Tuesdays in year 1 and Wednesdays in year 2, from 1.15pm to 8.05pm) in semester 1 (September to December) and semester 2 (January to May).



In year 1, semester 3 (June to September) modules are completed on a 'block' basis (9.30am to 5pm over 3 consecutive days usually in June). In year 2, students complete their Management Project during semester 3.

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

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.

1 academic year, full-time

2 academic years, part-time

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

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 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 MBA 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.