Program Overview

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Master of Business Administration: The Essex MBA

The Essex MBA is designed for ambitious professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders who are eager to deliver sustainable business solutions and build a future they believe in. At Essex Business School, students cultivate their talent and are empowered to think faster and smarter.

Overview

• Course: The Essex MBA (Modular Study)
• Start date: October 2026
• Study mode: Part-time
• Duration: 3 - 5 years
• Location: Colchester Campus
• Based in: Essex Business School

Ready to Take Your Career to the Next Level

The Essex MBA equips students with the skills and insights to thrive in today's fast-paced business world. It recognizes the value in being able to complete the MBA in a timeframe that suits the individual, allowing completion alongside existing employment, running a business, or other life commitments.

Push Your Potential

The Essex MBA goes beyond a degree, providing hands-on experience in key business areas like strategic marketing, sustainable operations, and finance. With a focus on globalization, sustainability, and innovation, students develop the edge to lead and drive change.

Real-World Learning: Director's Workshops

Director's Workshops are immersive sessions that bring theory to life through expert presentations, group activities, and collaborations with business incubators. Topics include personal branding, risk management, and business creation, all tailored to real-world challenges.

Business Planning and Consultancy Weeks

During these weeks, students work with professionals to bid for, run, and deliver a project over five days, applying what they've learned in a real business context and refining their skills.

Start Strong, Graduate Stronger

The MBA journey starts with a week focused on networking, teamwork, and adaptive thinking, ending with the Capstone, where students complete a dissertation, business plan, or consultancy project tailored to their goals.

Become a Leader for a Sustainable Future

Students gain the knowledge, skills, and behaviors to lead responsibly, navigate challenges, and shape the future of business.

Flexible Study Options

Alternative study options include full-time, one-year programs, part-time two-year programs, and part-time three-year programs.

Scholarships and Discounts

Essex Business School offers the Essex MBA Dean's Award, providing fee discounts of 10% and above to support the best MBA candidates.

Professional Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), making Essex Business School among the top 2% of business schools in the world.

Our Expert Staff

World-class MBA tutors have both academic and extensive private sector experience, leading research in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, organization studies, leadership, strategy, finance, banking, risk management, and international management.

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 degree in any subject.
• At least three years of good quality, relevant professional work experience post-graduation.
• Experience managing people, projects, or budgets.

International & EU Entry Requirements

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in all components.
• Alternatively, completion of a pre-sessional English pathway.

Structure

Course Structure

The Essex MBA is structured around eight core modules (MBA Essentials), three further modules (MBA Toolkit), and an opportunity to select an elective module (MBA Options). The program culminates in the Capstone, where students complete a consultancy project, business plan, or dissertation.

Components and Modules Explained

• Components are blocks of study making up the course.
• Modules are individual units of study, each with its own learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

Teaching

Each module is delivered in a one-week period, including module workshops where students work alongside classmates to explore case studies and apply learning to real business situations.

Assessment

Assessment usually consists of coursework, with no exams. Coursework includes individual written essays, group projects, and presentations.

Dissertation

Students are required to complete one of the following:

• A dissertation using robust research methods to explore specific business issues.
• A comprehensive business plan for a new or growing business.
• A consultancy project linked with a local business.

Fees and Funding

Home/UK Fee

• Annual fees depend on the number of modules taken.
• Standard 10 credit modules: £1,430.
• Standard 20 credit modules: £2,860.
• MBA project: £5,000.

International Fee

• Annual fees depend on the number of modules taken.
• The Essex MBA Dean's Award offers tuition fee discounts to students funding their own MBA studies.

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the course.

What's Next

Open Days

The University holds Open Days for applicants, providing an opportunity to tour the campus, meet students and staff, and find out more about studying at Essex.

Applying

Applications can be made online. Before applying, check the necessary documents required, including official transcripts and a personal statement.

Additional Documents

• Official transcript(s) in English.
• A personal statement (500 words) supporting the application.
• Two references, one of which must come from a current employer.

Visit Colchester Campus

The campus is set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland and is easily reachable from London and Stansted Airport.

Virtual Tours

A 360-degree virtual tour allows exploration of the University from home, including accommodation options, facilities, and social spaces.