Master of Business

Administration
Online
The flexible MBA designed to
empower future business leaders.

Enrol Now
Programme Overview
Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University is a leader in online learning, having
provided flexible, accessible, career-focussed distance education for over 20 years. Home
to the world’s first distance learning Master of Business Administration (MBA), we have
decades of experience in designing global education that meets the needs of professionals
and businesses worldwide. With a strong community of over 49,000 graduates from 158
countries, we are known across the globe for pioneering research and applied learning, and
for producing high-calibre, career-ready graduates.

Our online MBA builds on this rich history to deliver a truly customisable, contemporary,
and relevant learning experience for modern professionals. This unique programme is
known for its rigour and career impact, and is designed to be fully flexible and globally
accessible meaning you can learn how, when, and where it suits you best. It consists of
a comprehensive curriculum designed by leading academics which you can personalise
to meet your professional aspirations by selecting courses that fit your career path and
interests.

Whether you are an experienced manager, new leader, business professional, technical
specialist or entrepreneur, this programme will empower you with a deeper understanding
of the key management concepts, techniques, and practices needed to get ahead in your
career. You’ll be equipped with insights into dynamic international business environments
as you build essential skills in critical thinking, strategic decision-making, complex problem
solving, negotiation, marketing, finance, and leadership.

Embrace the freedom to tailor your education to suit your needs. Gain practical, career
ready MBA skills sought by today’s employers. Start your MBA journey today.

Key Information
Study mode: Start date:
100% online. Learn from anywhere, at any time. Enrol at any time. Start when it suits you best.
Duration: Fees:
Fully flexible. Design your studies around £11,232 total, pay-as-you-learn.
your schedule. Emerging Economies Scholarship available.
Who is this programme for?
This programme is for you if:

• You are ready to advance in your career

You’ll be empowered to move into a higher management position or embark on a
different career path.

• You’re ready to develop your professional skillset further

Advance in various aspects of business such as finance, marketing, operations, strategy,
and entrepreneurship.

• You have ambitions of starting your own business

This programme will equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate the
complexities of running a successful business.

• You are eager to expand your professional network and build global business connections
You’ll engage with a diverse group of professionals and develop your cross-cultural
communication and collaboration skills.

• You want to develop yourself professionally and personally

Learn to think critically, adapt to changing situations and become a more effective leader.

• You are looking to stand out from the crowd

Gain an esteemed MBA qualification from a reputable and renowned University.

You’ll benefit from building in-demand MBA skills that can be applied to a number of
different roles across a range of industries. You’ll be equipped to choose from multiple
career paths including: consultancy, project management, operations and human resource
management.

If you are an employer looking to develop the academic and professional skills of your staff,
please contact our B2B team who can help with a range of development opportunities
b2b@hw.ac.uk.
What You’ll Learn
Our reputable MBA programme has been designed to provide you with a comprehensive
understanding of core business principles and strategies to help you make more informed
decisions as a manager, leader, or entrepreneur. You’ll explore contemporary management
issues, concepts and theories and be equipped to apply this to professional practice in
a variety of organisational, cultural and environmental contexts. You’ll also gain valuable
insight into dynamic international business environments, enabling you to effectively lead
organisations through uncertainty, change and challenges.
This programme is available to study on-demand, at your own pace, from wherever you
are in the world. Each individual course requires approximately 200 hours of study, which
also includes time to complete course activities and practice assignments.
The learning model and curriculum actively encourages you to develop and apply your
learning to your own professional experience and to wider developments in business and
management, meaning you’ll emerge with skills and experience you can apply immediately
in your current or future career.
Learning online will help you build highly developed self-management skills, which are
essential for senior leaders in any role or field. Whether you have two hours or 20 hours each
week to dedicate to your learning, you will have the freedom to structure your studies to suit
your schedule and can take the time you need to be assessment ready.
Build Your MBA
At Heriot-Watt Online we believe in world-class, career-accelerating education without
limits. We are committed to giving busy professionals full, flexible and open access to
learning that will keep your career future-fit and resilient for life. That’s why we have
designed our online programmes to fit you — whoever you are, wherever you are, and
whatever your goals.
Our uniquely flexible MBA programme offers a progressive, step-by-step approach to
achieving your Master of Business Administration degree. You are given the freedom to
customise and curate your learning according to your individual needs — needs that change
and evolve over the course of your career.

Your Learning Journey

During your MBA, you’ll progress through nine courses: seven core courses and two optional
courses. You are required to successfully complete and pass all nine courses (190 credits) to
be awarded your MBA.
You have complete freedom to plan and structure your programme in a way that suits you –
which means you can take your courses in any order, study them one at a time or in parallel,
and do so at any time that suits you. You’re in control of your pace, progress and learning
journey.
You can choose the courses that position you to have an immediate impact in your role, that
align with your interests, and communicate your value to current and future employers.
Level-up your expertise as you stack your courses together, selecting from a wide range of
career-aligned subjects.

Where do I start?
If you’re looking for guidance on how to structure your MBA journey, we suggest building
your knowledge in different stages:

Build
your MBA Deepen
essentials
your MBA Customise
Three foundations
courses your MBA
+ Four programme
courses
+ Two choice
courses

Take a look at a proposed MBA journey below and all the courses available to you.
Remember, we can help you plan your studies! Just reach out to us at
hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
Build Your MBA Essentials: 3 Core Courses
Start your MBA journey by developing your fundamental management toolkit: the MBA
Essentials. Explore leadership theory, styles, context, and practice; learn to conceive, plan and
deliver projects effectively; and understand how to build teams and organisations to drive
performance.
You’ll progress through the following courses:

People, Work and Organisations Leadership, Theory and Practice

Gain a detailed understanding of the factors
influencing how people behave at work and how
these link to performance. This course focuses
on understanding individual differences, how
these differences affect group dynamics, and how
organisational factors affect individual behaviour.
Gain a critical appreciation of the role of
leadership theory, styles, context and practice
in a range of organisational, social and cultural
contexts. Within this course you will explore key
developments in leadership theories and how
they apply to modern organisations.

Delivering Successful Projects

Become equipped with the necessary skills required to conceive of, plan and deliver projects, enabling
successful realisation of business objectives while managing multiple trade-offs. This course will enable
you to understand, analyse, and apply project management skills to address issues and conflicts,
enable change and drive innovation.

Upon completion of the MBA Essentials, you’ll be one-third of the way through your MBA
and will be eligible to receive an MBA Essentials certificate, if you choose, which you can use
to build your CV and communicate your value to current and future employers while you
continue to study towards your MBA.
If you’re interested in learning more about MBA Essentials, read more about it here or reach
out to an Enrolment Advisor at hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
Deepen Your MBA Foundations: 4 Core Courses
Further immerse yourself in the world of business and enhance your management skills and
strategic thinking with courses in economics, financial decision making, marketing, and strategy.
Become empowered to make well-informed and impactful decisions in business and beyond with
the following courses:

Developing and Executing Strategy Strategic Marketing

You will be encouraged to think and operate at
a strategic level in a range of dynamic settings
through integration of ideas across core business
disciplines. You will examine the evolution of
management and academic thinking around
strategy focusing on strategic intent, analysis,
strategic options and implementation.
Gain the necessary tools and frameworks which
will enable you to make proactive marketing
decisions. Develop the knowledge required
to understand the strategic elements of
establishing a long-term customer orientation
and the operational techniques required by
marketing managers to effectively implement a
strategic marketing strategy.

Economics for Business Financial Decision Making

Develop a systematic approach to decision-
making and the ability to recognise, use and
interpret economic information from both within
the organisation and the wider environment.
You will be provided with a set of accounting
and financial tools that enable you to interpret
and critique financial information from a variety
of sources to make informed and effective
financial decisions that directly impact company
operations.
Customise your MBA: 2 Choice Courses
Customise your learning by selecting two courses from a range of specialised subjects to
match your career goals. Focus on specific business areas such as marketing, operations, or
finance, or grow your expertise in industry-focused areas like supply chain management and
business analytics.
Create a programme that aligns with your professional objectives and interests by selecting
from the following specialised courses in these subject areas:

Financial Management Entrepreneurship and Strategy

• Advanced Financial Decision Making
• Financial Derivatives
• Lending and Credit Risk Analysis
• Managing Financial Risk
• Mergers, Acquisitions and Restructuring
• Business Negotiation
• Entrepreneurship and Creativity
• Entrepreneurial Venturing

Supply Chain and Data Analytics and Research

Operations Management
• Strategies for Managing Supply Chains
• Operations Management
• Logistics Operations: Freight Transport
and Warehousing
• Global Purchasing and Supply
• Green and Sustainable Logistics
• Humanitarian Logistics
• Quantitative Methods
• Research Methods for Business
• Business Analytics
• Big Data Analytics for Business
• Systems Thinking and Analysis
• Network Analysis

Consultancy, Risk and

Performance Management
• Business Consultancy
• Performance Management for Business
• Strategic Change Management

Get in Touch
Connect with one of our Enrolment Advisors to get expert guidance on ways to customise your MBA.

Book a Call
Assessment
Our courses offer unique, authentic assessment tailored to each course and aligned to its objectives.
There is no requirement to attend in-person examinations; instead, each course is assessed by a
Final Online Assessment. These are assessments you take remotely and alone in your own space.
You will have 24 hours to complete the assessment by downloading the paper and uploading your
answers. You’ll also have access to your notes, course material, and the internet to consult during the
assessment. All assessments will be available within the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Programme Outcomes
Upon completing the programme, you will gain comprehensive knowledge in all MBA areas. With a
set of practical skills and techniques at your disposal, you will excel in diverse business environments
and create a significant positive influence in your future.
By the end of this programme, you’ll be able to:
• Develop a detailed and critical awareness of relevant concepts, theories and principles in subjects
fundamental to management.
• Demonstrate leadership in professional situations with the ability to conceptualise, analyse and
resolve complex problems and issues in business and management.
• Gain professional level insights into dynamic international business environments and propose
appropriate courses of action for organisations to deal with and take advantage of rapid external
change.
• Critically evaluate complex situations and propose innovative and sustainable solutions to the
strategic and operational challenges that organisations face.
• Apply critical knowledge of contemporary management issues, concepts, and theories to
professional practice in a variety of organisational, cultural and environmental contexts.
• Communicate clearly and concisely about business and management issues and collaborate with a
diverse multicultural learning community.

Get in Touch
Connect with one of our Enrolment Advisors to get expert guidance about the programme, and to
discuss whether it’s the right fit for you.

Book a Call
How You’ll Learn
We understand that every student is unique, with different goals, career paths and commitments.
Therefore, we have designed our programme to be fully flexible, allowing you to enrol at any time,
study from any location, and progress your learning at your own pace.
Everything you need to study the programme will be available on demand – both online and for
download - in your Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Engaging Multimedia Knowledge Checks

Multi format learning resources designed to Assessments and quizzes designed to gauge
facilitate understanding and engagement understanding and reinforce learning at key
with key concepts. points throughout the programme.

Peer Network Global Perspectives

Collaborative forums providing opportunities to Exposure to a diverse community of
connect, share insights, and learn from a diverse international peers, fostering discussions
community of fellow students. and perspectives from different cultural
and professional backgrounds.

Real-World Case Studies Authentic Assessment

Practical scenarios and examples drawn from Practical assessments that mirror real-world
actual business contexts to apply theoretical challenges, allowing you to demonstrate
knowledge to real-world challenges. your understanding and skills in a
meaningful context.

Research-Led Approach Downloadable Content

Course materials and content developed based Access to course materials that can be
on current psychological research, ensuring a downloaded and accessed offline, providing
strong foundation in evidence-based practices. flexibility and convenience in studying.

For more information about learning online with us, please visit our website or speak to our
Enrolment Advisors by booking a call.
 Live Sessions
Supplement your independent learning by enrolling in live online sessions led by experienced tutors.
These sessions help you further contextualise your learning, prepare for your final assessment, and
ensure your success on the programme. You will have the opportunity to build a vibrant learning
community, interact with peers and academics, and keep your studies on track.
You can ‘top-up’ your learning on any or all of your courses by adding Live Online Tuition sessions
and/or Live Online Revision sessions when you enrol.

Online Tuition Online Revision

10 x 2-hour live sessions, biweekly.
Keep on track with your learning, work through
relevant course concepts, dissect case studies,
and engage in critical thinking exercises to
deepen your comprehension.
• January-February
• May-June
• September-October
Fees: £370 per course*
* £255 with an Emerging Economies Scholarship
5 x 2-hour live sessions, weekly.
Focused on examination success, this series
of real-time, interactive classes is designed
to boost your success in your Final Online
Assessments and build your confidence.
• March-April
• June-August
• October-November
Fees: £160 per course*
* £95 with an Emerging Economies Scholarship
You’ll Benefit From...
• A flexible student experience designed to fit your needs.
• Anytime, anywhere access to your study tools and materials.
• An online learning environment that’s user-friendly, even for those without
advanced computer skills.
• Access to insights and thought leadership from experienced academics with
extensive industry knowledge.
• The opportunity to connect with fellow and former students online and to
collaborate, exchange ideas, and provide support to one another.
• A dedicated support team, made up of academics and support staff who are
available to answer your academic and study questions.
• Expanding your professional network through the connections you make while
studying.
• Achieving a reputable degree without sacrificing your career or personal
commitment.
• You will have 24-hour access to our online library, from which you can access
further materials.
Entry Requirements
To benefit from Master’s level study, you’ll typically be expected to hold a first or second-class
honours degree; however, you may also have professional experience or alternative qualifications
that will set you up for success.
For example, you may:
• Hold an undergraduate degree in any subject
• Have several years’ professional experience
• Hold professional qualifications (e.g., CPD course certificates)
However, we recognise that successful, motivated students come from a range of educational and
professional backgrounds, so we offer a performance-based admissions process that is inclusive and
flexible.

What does this mean for you?

If you don’t hold one of the qualifications listed above, you will still be able to start studying.
You will simply be required to successfully complete and pass three courses on the programme to be
formally enrolled and continue studying towards the full MBA.
As this programme is taught in English, students whose native language is not English or who have
not been educated previously in the English language are required to provide evidence of their
English language proficiency (IELTS English level of 6.5 or equivalent).

Ready to get started?

Enrol Today
Fees and Funding
Programme Tuition Fees
The MBA programme comprises of nine courses.
The fees below are applicable for the 2023/24 academic year. The programme is available on a pay-per-
course basis.
Individual course fee: £1,248
Full programme fee: £11,232
The course fee includes one assessment attempt. Any assessment resits are changed at £160 per resit.
There are no application fees.

Funding
Emerging Economies Scholarship
Edinburgh Business School is committed to ensuring our courses and programmes remain accessible
to students no matter where they live. Therefore, we offer an Emerging Economies Scholarship in
certain countries, which reduces the total fee to £7,632. To check if you are eligible, visit the fees page.

Employer Sponsorship
As a prospective student, employer sponsorship may provide you with access to funding and resources
that can help you achieve your educational and career goals. This can include financial assistance
for tuition and fees, time off for classes and exams, and access to mentorship and networking
opportunities.
Seeking Support?
Our Enrolment Advisors are on hand to advise on fees and funding. Get in touch by emailing
hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk or by booking a call.

If you are an employer looking to develop the academic and professional skills of your staff, please
contact our B2B team at b2b@hw.ac.uk.
Careers

Many MBA applicants seek to accelerate their careers, transition into leadership roles or change their
career trajectory altogether. Some aspire to start their own businesses, while others aim for positions
in consulting, finance, marketing or other specialised fields.
The skills you’ll learn as part of your MBA are all highly sought after by employers worldwide and
cover a diverse range of competencies which can prepare you for a variety of roles across industries,
including:
• Management Consultant: Management consultants advise organisations on strategies to improve
efficiency, increase profitability, and solve business problems through analysis, research, and
recommendations.
• International Business Manager: International business managers work with multinationals, export
companies, global non-profits and other organisations to develop international market strategies,
drive business development activities, and oversee international sales and marketing activities.
• Financial Manager: Holding an MBA will equip you with the relevant skills to oversee financial
activities and financial planning, spot business opportunities such as expansion, or mergers and
acquisitions, and investigate ways to improve profitability. You’ll be able to interpret cash flows,
predict trends, manage budgets and report on financial performance.
• Marketing Manager: An MBA will empower you to become a successful marketing leader
by equipping you with strategic marketing skills, knowledge of emerging practices in digital
marketing and an understanding of consumer behaviour.
• Entrepreneur: The knowledge and skills acquired during your MBA programme are valuable in
launching and managing your own business or making an existing venture more successful. You’ll
also learn to build and lead a team to achieve your business goals.
• Project Manager: This is a crucial role in organisations of varying sizes. Project managers are
responsible for initiating, planning, executing and monitoring projects to ensure their successful
completion. This involves budgeting, scheduling, outlining stakeholders, tasks and resources,
establishing goals, and measuring performance.
This MBA programme equips you with the essential skillset necessary to succeed in today’s fast-
paced and ever-changing global business landscape.

It’s all online, it’s flexible to fit into your own time and you can interact with not just people in
your own area and your own business, but internationally, so I highly recommend it to any other
people who want to do an MBA programme”
Charles Street
MBA
Build Your Professional Network
In addition to setting yourself apart in a competitive job market, you’ll also benefit from building your
global business network as you study alongside fellow professionals and MBA students from across the
world.
Upon completion of your programme, you’ll automatically become a lifelong member of The Watt
Club, Heriot-Watt’s prestigious graduates’ association with a rich history spanning over 160 years.
Your membership is complimentary and grants you access to numerous benefits, including career
guidance, discounts on future studies, and a range of valuable business support services. Additionally,
you’ll have exclusive entry to GRADfutures, our complimentary career platform, offering job vacancies,
career resources, skills development workshops, and much more.
How to Enrol
Enrolling on the programme is simple. When you’re ready, head to our MBA Purchase Form, which
can be found here. Within this form, you’ll be asked to:
• Select and confirm the courses you want to enrol on and pay for.
• Enter your payment details (you’ll be redirected to our trusted and secure partner Flywire, which
enables payments from anywhere in the world, including bank transfers).
• Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll receive confirmation via email, and we will be in touch to guide you in
your next steps, which will include completing your student registration form and getting access to
your courses.
Why enrol now?
• Our enrolment process is quick and easy – it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.
• Once enrolled, you are one short step away from starting your learning.
• There’s no enrolment fee or deposit required.
• Take control of your career aspirations – there’s no better time than today.

Enrol Now
About Us
Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt is a specialist university with a global presence, with campuses in Scotland, Dubai, and
Malaysia, alongside a thriving community of students studying fully online. Since 1821, our pioneering
research and education has made a positive impact on the global stage: we produce graduates who
are highly employable and conduct innovative research that is renowned worldwide. To date, Heriot-
Watt University has supported more than 152,000 students from 190 countries in achieving their
academic and career aspirations.

32 nd 1st in Scotland 86.8of %research

in the UK

4th in the UK
88.6 %

235 th
Worldwide for Postgraduate
of research output
classed as
Positive Outcome World-Leading
QS World University Rankings 2023 HESA Graduate Outcome Survey 20/21 Research Excellence Framework

Edinburgh Business School

Edinburgh Business School is Scotland’s largest Business School and the largest academic school
at Heriot-Watt University. Our mission is to create tomorrow’s leaders for tomorrow’s markets: we
currently support over 14,000 students based in more than 150 countries, and are proud to boast a
wide alumni network of more than 49,000 students.
First and foremost, at Edinburgh Business School we believe everyone should have access to high-
quality education. Regardless of location or lifestyle commitments, students and their futures are at
the heart of everything we do. Drawing on Heriot-Watt’s 200-year history, 25 years’ of experience in
distance learning, and excellence in both teaching and research, we are proud to offer fully flexible,
globally accessible, and academically rigorous online degree programmes that are designed to
meet the needs of today’s workforce. Our approach is truly international: we aim to inspire and
develop a global community whilst allowing you to succeed on your own terms and fast-track
your business career.
Ready to take the next step?
Enrol Today
Any Questions?
Contact us by emailing hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk
We’re here to support.