MBA
About This Programme
The Birmingham MBA at the University of Birmingham Dubai is a part-time, hybrid MBA taken over two years, built with corporate partners to challenge experienced professionals to reflect on themselves and shape business practices for a better world. Each module runs for seven weeks, combining online study at the student's own pace with an in-person residential weekend in Dubai, so the MBA fits around work. It brings together thought leadership and practical insight, with engagement with organisations across the corporate, charitable and public sectors. Students can take up to three modules at the University's UK or Singapore campuses or online, can join a one-week global immersive module with partners in Southeast Asia, Mexico or Europe, and complete a company, entrepreneurial or research project. The course is taught by the triple-crown accredited Birmingham Business School.
Course Highlights
- Part-time, hybrid study: seven-week modules that combine online learning with an in-person residential weekend.
- Study across three campuses, with up to three modules at the UK or Singapore campuses, or online.
- One-week global immersive modules with partners in Southeast Asia, Mexico or Europe.
- Events with all Birmingham MBA cohorts, such as the Birmingham MBA Deloitte Consultancy Challenge and the annual MBA Symposium.
- Triple-crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS) for Birmingham Business School; the course page cites a world top 10 Online MBA (Financial Times 2024), 68th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and joint 93rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.
What You'll Study
Each module runs for seven weeks, combining self-paced online study with an in-person residential weekend where students meet their cohort, network and take part in professional development. Teaching includes lectures, workshops, seminars and blended learning support, and assessment includes group and individual projects, group presentations, individual assignments and class tests. The Purposeful Leader module is reflective and developmental, with career coaching to explore leadership and career aspirations in relation to personal values. Optional global immersive modules are one-week intensives in a country whose economy differs markedly from the UK's. Teaching staff listed on the course page include Dr Jahangir Wasim (Programme Director, who has led major digitisation and growth initiatives and holds board and advisory roles), Professor Nick Rowbottom (Accounting and Corporate Reporting), Professor Sami Bensassi (Development Economics), Professor Karen Elliott (Financial Technology) and Dr Adah-Kole Emmanuel Onjewu (Assistant Professor in Strategy and International Business).
Core modules
180 credits in total: nine core modules worth 100 credits, including The Purposeful Leader; one 40-credit MBA Project; and 40 credits of electives, which can include one immersive module and one online elective.
- Accounting, Accountability and Decision-Making10 credits
- Global Perspectives on Responsible Business10 credits
- Managerial Finance10 credits
- Marketing10 credits
- People Management and Organisations10 credits
- Strategy in a Complex and Uncertain World10 credits
- Sustainable Operations10 credits
- Understanding the Economy10 credits
- The Purposeful Leader20 credits
MBA Project
One 40-credit project.
Choose one of the following.
- MBA Company Project40 credits
- Entrepreneurial Project40 credits
- Research Project: Dissertation40 credits
Electives: immersive modules
One immersive module can count as an elective. These are taught in person and need a week of study in a global location, which may change from year to year.
Optionally choose one of the following.
- Doing Business in the Middle East: Energy Transition and Post-Oil Economies10 credits
- Global Marketing Consultancy – International Residential10 credits
- International Business Experience: Doing Business in Mexico10 credits
- The Future for Southeast Asia Economies: Regionalisation and De-Globalisation10 credits
Electives: on campus
A mix of up to 40 credits can be taken from these on-campus electives.
Choose up to 40 credits from the following.
- Change Management10 credits
- Corporate Communication and Reputation Management10 credits
- Crisis and Resilience Management10 credits
- Digital Marketing10 credits
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation10 credits
- Fintech, Digital Finance and Blockchain10 credits
- International Business in A Complex Environment10 credits
Electives: online
One online elective can be taken.
Optionally choose one of the following.
- 4th Industrial Revolution, AI and Data10 credits
- Business Model Innovation10 credits
- Cooperative Strategy and Systems Thinking10 credits
- Digital Healthcare10 credits
- Engineering Sustainability10 credits
- Governance, policy and regulation in health organisations10 credits
- Leading Clinicians10 credits
- Private Equity and Financing Start-Ups10 credits
- Project Management10 credits
- Safety Critical Systems10 credits
- Services Marketing10 credits
Entry Requirements
Applications need evidence of academic and/or professional qualifications, an up-to-date CV, one academic and one work reference (or two work references if no academic reference is available) and a personal statement of up to two pages covering why the applicant wants an MBA and the Birmingham MBA in particular, career highlights, examples of managerial responsibility and future career aspirations.
Careers
Birmingham Business School gives Birmingham MBA candidates a dedicated, lifelong careers service. A Skills Development Consultant works with academics to provide personal coaching throughout the programme as part of The Purposeful Leader module, and Dubai students can also use the on-campus Careers Network.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation register as the Masters of Business Administration. Birmingham Business School is one of a small number of schools worldwide with triple-crown accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
Programme Details
Award
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Start Date
September 2026 (applications closed; September 2027 details to follow)
Typical Offer
2:1 Honours degree or equivalent, and at least three years' professional experience
Duration
2 years part-time
Qualification
Masters
Subject Area
Business & Finance
Campus
Dubai
Study Pattern
Part time
Delivery Format
Online and in person
Tuition Fee
AED 87,255/yr
AED 87,255 a year, part-time, for September 2026 entry, charged in each of the two years; the fee covers tuition, examinations and graduation, can be paid in full or in three instalments a year, and does not include visa or living costs. Applications for September 2026 entry to this programme are closed, and details for September 2027 entry will be published later. Applications are made online through the University of Birmingham Dubai Admissions portal, with no application fee, and are usually decided within 10 working days of all documents arriving. A non-returnable AED 5,000 deposit, deducted from tuition, is paid on accepting an offer, and scholarships of up to 30% are assessed from the application itself. Part-time students are not eligible for a University-sponsored visa and must show an existing visa, such as one sponsored by a parent, an employment visa or another category under GDRFA and DDA guidelines.