A Master of Business Administration was introduced in 1908 by Harvard University Graduate School of Administration, now known as Harvard Business School, and is the graduate business degree offered by business schools across the globe. As the title suggests, an MBA is suited to those looking to pursue a career in the business sector, hoping to grow their knowledge of the business world, develop professional networks and subsequently boost their salary and career capital. Those who have studied an MBA are known to have advanced careers, standing out as distinguished business characters who have trained expertise in the field. The MBA degree is a popular choice for those seeking management and finance knowledge, looking to either establish a business of their own, join an existing business or create an increase in their current profit trajectories. An MBA degree enables candidates to learn about current marketing and accounting practises, enabling leadership skills to flourish and an increased confidence in one’s ability to outsource professionals that match a certain standard they have learnt about. Suitable candidates for an MBA degree include those who have high aspirations and a strong ambition to succeed in the business sector; this drive can assist MBA students with attaining better sales, promotion to seniority within established companies, interaction with international business and the management of a large number of employees.

An advantage of studying an MBA is that there is a selection of various programme options available. These options mean that those students who are looking to start their business careers can commit their time wholly to a full-time programme, whilst those who are established members of seniority within a business can commit to a staggered schedule-programme.

A full-time MBA degree course is designed to work best for candidates who are looking to commit themselves full-time to be a student, with a course duration of between one and two years, dependent on the particular course and University.

A part-time MBA degree course is tailored towards working professionals and as its title suggests, runs on a part-time basis, meaning sessions are likely to be shorter or less regularly ran, with modules running over longer periods of time. A part-time MBA will run on average over two plus years, with sessions running over evenings, weekends and often containing blended learning.

Executive MBA degree courses are tailored to working executive-level professionals, who have had on average ten years of work experience. Looking to develop their skills and knowledge and advance their careers further, the exec-level MBA enables senior leaders to upskill and network as a collective and is ran across one to two years, with a mixture of blended learning, on and off-site learning and part-time learning.

Online MBA programmes are designed for working professionals are are usually ran across two plus years. Due to the virtual nature of the degree, this programme can be better suited to those who live further afield from the university they will to study with and/or for those who are also running a business.

An MBA curriculum is designed to give students a strong foundation in the core areas of business, integrating analytical, managerial, and leadership skills. While specific course structures vary by school, most MBA programmes cover key modules such as:

• Accounting
• Business Communication
• Business Ethics
• Business Strategy
• Data Analytics
• Economics
• Finance
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Operations

These subjects provide the essential toolkit needed to understand how organisations function, make informed decisions, and lead effectively across a wide range of industries.

An MBA is widely recognised by employers worldwide, making it one of the most valuable qualifications for advancing a career in business, finance, and management. The breadth of skills developed during an MBA opens access to a wide range of leadership and specialist roles across many industries. Common career pathways for MBA graduates include:

• Accountant
• Consultant
• Investment Banker
• Logistics Manager
• Health Centre Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Business Operations Manager
• Sales Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Human Resources Manager
• Purchasing Manager
• Budget Analyst
• Project Manager
• Policy Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Operations Research Manager
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• IT Manager
• Financial Manager
• Product Manager
• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Financial Officer