A Guide to International MBAs

Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise throughout your degree. This specialisation might be able to influence the way in which your career progresses when you finish studying. Common specialisations might include:

• International Business
• Global Strategic Operations
• Global Risk Management
• International Finance
• International Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity

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 international business.

The accreditation of an IMBA is internationally standardised. This means that no matter where in the world you choose to study, you will be awarded a Master of Business Administration. The only element of your award that may be different is the specific title.

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 your IMBA will depend on where you choose to study. It will also be influenced by the country in which your institution is located. Generally, an IMBA can take up to three years when studied full-time, and up to eight years if studied part-time.

An MBA is generally 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.

The entry requirements for an international MBA will depend on where you choose to study. Due to the nature of an IMBA, different institutions could have different entry requirements. Some universities might require you to sit an entrance exam, where others might rely on your undergraduate degree results.

Some universities might prefer you to have studied certain subjects, such as international business and marketing, and others may require you to have a certain amount of work experience. It is also possible that institutions in certain countries could require you to provide results from a GMAT or GRE test. Your institution will be able to provide you with more information about this, as not all universities require all of these things.

You should check each institution to see what entry requirements they have for their international MBA programmes.

• UK – 7.0 IELTS, 2:1 undergraduate degree, work experience may be required
• US – 3.0 GPA, GRE/GMAT may be required

Tuition fees for international students are not fixed. This means that they can vary greatly from institution to institution. You should make sure that you are aware of how much your course will cost you.

Sometimes students on MBA courses will have financial help from their workplace to complete their degree. Speak to your employer about this if you think that an MBA would lead to company progression, as well as personal progression.

You may be eligible for a scholarship or funding. This could be awarded by your institution, or by a separate funding body. For more information, visit our scholarships and funding section.

International MBA degree students are likely to already have an idea of their career path after they have graduated. This might include progressing in your current career, such as moving from a middle management job role to a senior management job role. It could also include changing career completely, potentially moving industry and location. Gaining an IMBA is a great way to display to international companies that you have an advanced expertise in business, and have gained a world-recognised award.