The University of Manchester - Alliance Manchester Business School (Alliance MBS)

At Alliance MBS, we produce creative, resilient and socially-responsibly graduates who will thrive in the technological age. Our curriculum focuses on the business challenges you will face as a leader, now and in the future. You will learn to navigate uncertainty and confidently take on complex challenges.

Our experiential approach, The Manchester Method, focuses on group work, practice-based learning and reflection. We don’t just give you the theory; we show you how to use it to get immediate results. Our approach produces highly employable MBAs who challenge the status quo in a rapidly changing world.

Our MBA portfolio

• The Manchester Full-time MBA: 18 or 15 months
• The Manchester Global MBA: 24 months (Global MBA Finance Accelerated 18 months)
• The Manchester Global Executive MBA: 18 months

Key features

• Study full-time in Manchester or part-time from anywhere in the world
• Focus on applied learning and live business projects
• MBA workshops delivered across five global locations: Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore
• Option to take an overseas study tour
• International exchange partners across the globe (Full-time MBA only)
• Internship opportunities (Full-time MBA only)
• Personal career support throughout your journey
• Student clubs are formed by each MBA class. Examples of clubs include Banking and Finance; Consulting; Energy and Industry; FinTech; Retail and Pharma; Technology, Media and Telecoms; plus student forums for Entrepreneurship, Social Impact and Women in Business
• Business case competitions, social activities and sport events

Return on investment

The Manchester MBA not only gives you a great experience – it gets you results.

• 108% average salary increase after three years (Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2024)
• $140,238 average weighted salary three years after graduating (Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2024)
• In our latest Full-time MBA careers report, graduates secured roles in 13 countries:
  • 64% remained in the UK
  • 80% changed country
  • 62% changed industry
  • 54% changed function
  • 30% 'triple jumped' (changed country + industry + function)

Class profile

• The Manchester Full-time MBA: 30 nationalities per intake | Average age 30 | Average experience: 7 years | 45% female
• The Manchester Global MBA: Average age 36 | Average experience: 12 years | 43% female
• The Manchester Global Executive MBA: Average age 43 | Average experience: 17 years | 11% female

*Data taken from 2023 employment report and class profile data.

90+ nationalities are studying a part-time professional MBA degree with Alliance MBS across our five global locations.

Alliance Manchester Business School's new campus

Alliance Manchester Business School: Original Thinking Applied

At Alliance Manchester Business School, ‘Original Thinking Applied’ sits at the heart of everything we do. We provide world-class, industry-focused education to undergraduates, postgraduates and executives across the globe.

Quick facts

• Established in 1965 as one of the UK’s first two business schools
• Triple accreditation from AACSB International, AMBA and EQUIS
• Part of The University of Manchester, est. 1824. The University of Manchester is home to 25 Nobel Prize winners and is ranked 1st in the world for societal and environmental impact (2021 Times Higher Education University Impact Ranking)
• £85m business school campus 
• Home to the Masood Enterprise Centre: The University of Manchester’s focal point for student enterprise and entrepreneurship
• 60,000 AMBS alumni across 176 countries
• MBA ranked 4th in the UK (Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2021)
• MBA ranked 5th in the world and 1st in the UK for CSR (Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2021)
• 2nd in the UK for research power (UK Research Excellence Framework)
• 3rd in the UK for Executive Education (Financial Times Customised Executive Education Ranking 2020)
• Located in the heart of Manchester, the birthplace of the industrial revolution and a city of ‘firsts’ – from splitting the atom to building the world’s first computer and isolating graphene

Alliance Manchester Business School is home to 280+ researchers and teaching staff across all areas of business and management.

We are proud that our experts generate globally recognised research across a wide variety of disciplines, industries and specialisms ranging from health and infrastructure, innovation, globalisation, work and employment, data science and marketing, to organisational psychology, accounting and finance.

They use this original thinking to influence business leaders and policy-makers to address some of the world’s biggest issues; to work in collaboration with international partners in academia, business and industry; and across our teaching and executive education..

The Manchester Full-time MBA, Global MBA and Kelley-Manchester MBA

We look for a minimum of three years’ postgraduate work experience with strong career progression, in addition to:

• Leadership / management experience or potential
• A competitive GMAT, GRE or Manchester Admissions Test score 
• A good undergraduate degree (or significant managerial experience instead of a recognised degree)
• An English language qualification (TOEFL iBT / IELTS / CPE / PTE Academic) if applicable
• Evidence of being a strong team player
• Strong communication skills
• High level of emotional intelligence and personal qualities

Full requirements are available on the Alliance Manchester Business School website.

The Manchester Global Executive MBA

To apply, you will need to demonstrate:

• Substantial and significant professional experience in management roles
• Significant international exposure (preferred)
• Good undergraduate or master degree or international equivalent
• Satisfactory admissions test:  We accept GMAT®, GMAC Executive Assessment, GRE® or Manchester Admissions Test
• Proof of English competency (assessed throughout the admissions process)

Full requirements are available on the Alliance Manchester Business School website.

To apply for The Manchester MBA, you will need to check you meet the full entry requirements and submit a complete application. Please visit the Alliance Manchester Business School website for further information:

• The Manchester Full-time MBA application process
• The Manchester Global MBA application process
• The Manchester Global Executive MBA application process
• The Kelley-Manchester MBA application process

The Manchester Full-time MBA

• £46,000 paid in instalments
• Scholarships available
• 20% alumni discount
• UK residents are eligible to apply for a loan with Lendwise
• Living expenses are additional
• Fees include 1 post-MBA elective for CPD (optional) with a workshop at any of our global locations

The Manchester Global MBA

• £31,000 paid in instalments or £28,500 (18-month Finance Accelerated pathway)
• Early application discounts (up to 7.5%)
• 20% alumni discount
• Alliance MBS will provide six nights of accommodation in two overseas locations
• Fees include 1 post-MBA elective for CPD (optional) with a workshop at any of our global locations

These fees relate to part-time MBA candidates enrolling through the UK centre (students from the UK, North America, South America, Europe and Africa). If you are based in Asia, the Middle East or Australasia, please contact your local University of Manchester Worldwide centre: Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore.

The Manchester Global Executive MBA

• £40,500 paid in instalments 
• Scholarships available
• 20% alumni discount
• Alliance MBS will provide 26 nights of accommodation across the three core global workshops locations: Manchester, Hong Kong and Dubai
• Fees include 1 post-MBA elective for CPD (optional) with a workshop at any of our global locations

The Kelley-Manchester Global MBA

• $65,000 paid in instalments
• Scholarships available - all applicants will automatically be considered when they apply
• 20% alumni discount
• We will provide five nights of accommodation in Bloomington, USA for orientation week

The Manchester Full-time MBA

Manchester with international opportunities:

• International client consultancy field work
• Workshop residentials for elective courses at 5 global locations: Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore
• Study tours to Dubai and Shanghai
• International exchange
• Optional internship

The Manchester Global MBA

• Core courses: Online + 4 workshop residentials in Manchester, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai or Singapore (workshop location depends on country of residence)
• Elective courses: Online + workshop residentials in Manchester, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai or Singapore (choose up to 3 locations)

The Manchester Global Executive MBA

• Core courses: Online + 4 workshop residentials in Manchester, Hong Kong and Dubai
• Elective courses: Online + workshop residentials in Manchester, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai or Singapore (choose up to 2 locations)

The Kelley-Manchester Global MBA

• Core courses: Online + 1 workshop residential in Indiana + 1 workshop residential in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore 
• Kelley elective courses: Online (Kelley also offer a small number of elective courses with a workshop residential in Washington DC)
• AMBS elective courses: Online + workshop residentials in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore (choose up to 2 locations)

Manchester: The original modern city

• One of the UK’s most popular and fastest-growing cities.
• A hub for finance, professional services, manufacturing, sport, health innovation, creative and digital
• Home to a number of $1bn 'unicorn' tech companies and start-up accelerators
• A city of firsts - from the industrial revolution to splitting the atom; from building the world’s first computer to isolating graphene
• A history of campaigning for political, economic and social reform, from women's suffrage to free trade
• 200+ direct flights and 2 hours from London by train

University accommodation is guaranteed for single full-time, international students. There are a limited number of double rooms and flats available for students with families and partners. Most MBAs opt for private accommodation and we also have a Partner Club for families of our MBA students.

The School is located on the University of Manchester campus, a ten-minute walk from the city centre. Most students live within walking distance or a short bus journey to the School, entertainment, shops, restaurants and sports centres.

From sports clubs to social events, there are lots of opportunities to immerse yourself in life beyond the classroom. We want you to have fun, relax, get fit, experience new cultures and make friends for life.

Example activities for our Full-time MBA students based in Manchester include:

• Annual MBA ball
• MBA cultural evenings, socials and sports events
• Over 80 sport and fitness activities at The University of Manchester - from athletics to Zumba
• Annual MBA football tournament in Manchester
• Manchester Matters: the Manchester MBA's version of ‘Ted Talks’
• World-famous music, arts and culture in Manchester
• One of the UK’s most popular student cities
• Easy access to the UK coast and countryside 

Manchester MBA Preparation Course (Online)

Once you have been offered a place on our MBA programme and paid a reservation fee, you have exclusive access to our Manchester MBA Preparation course.

This online course helps you understand what it's like to study at Manchester, how you go about writing academic assignments and most importantly, what 'Learning by Doing' really means.

You will have the opportunity to rediscover key study skills, as well as undertake Business Essentials courses in Marketing and Operations Management and meet the teams that will be supporting you.

Taking around 15 hours in total, you can complete the course at your own pace, and there are lots of opportunities to apply your skills and new knowledge throughout.