An Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) is a postgraduate degree aimed at working professionals, managers and entrepreneurs. They are designed to challenge you to take your career to the next level, developing your knowledge of general management and business concepts, and allowing you to think beyond these. EMBA students are more likely to be more mature students, as they will be coming from several years of work experience. It is common for you to attend class on weekday evenings, so that you can fit your study around your current career.
An executive MBA programme will develop your existing knowledge, improving your theoretical understanding and ability to apply your practical skills. An EMBA will add to your knowledge and ability, allowing you to progress through your career. At the end of your degree, you will find that you are a better leader and manager, with increased knowledge around business growth and innovation. You will be able to consider business decisions from both an academic and professional perspective, giving you an advantage over other colleagues.
Your degree will be delivered in a mixture of modes. These will include lectures and seminars, as well as practical sessions. You may be required to take part in a work placement module as part of your degree.
Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise throughout your degree. This specialisation can influence the way in which your career progresses after you have graduated. Specialisations might include:
If your degree requires you to write a dissertation or submit a final research project, this will give you an opportunity to further explore a favoured area of business.
The accreditation of an MBA is internationally standardised. This means that no matter where you choose to study, you will be awarded a Master of Business Administration. The only element of your award that might differ is the specific title, such as Global Executive MBA, or MBA in finance.
Some degrees may be accredited or approved by professional bodies of business and management. These might include the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), or the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
The duration of an EMBA will depend on where you choose to study. It will also depend on the country in which your institution is located. Generally, an executive MBA can take up to three years when studied full-time, and can take up to eight years when studied part-time.
An EMBA is normally studied as a final degree, so further study does not tend to be common. However, if you do wish to continue your studies, this could be in the form of a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), a different masters degree, or a graduate diploma or certificate.
Executive MBA graduates will usually already be in their chosen career, or will have an idea of where they wish to take their career after they have graduated. You might wish to progress in your current career, for example moving from a middle management job to a senior management job. You might also decide to change your career completely, and an EMBA can help you to make this transition. Gaining an executive MBA is a great way to display to international companies that you have a developed expertise in the business field, as it is an award that is recognised around the world.
Study in Ireland
With a reputation for being one of the worlds friendliest countries, Ireland would be a great choice for an international student. As well as this, there are many highly ranked universities in Ireland, who are welcoming more and more international students into their communities each year. Several of the universities in Ireland are ranked in the QS World University rankings, which displays the country's ability to offer a top quality university education to students from all over the world.
See our detailed guide to studying in Ireland for international students.
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