Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Fast track your career and embrace the challenges of global business on this Global MBA degree with an optional industry placement.
Study topics that combine global business principles with an in-depth understanding of local market dynamics, including subjects such as managing change, creativity and innovation and the global business environment.
You'll develop a versatile, in-demand skill set to stand out in the employment market in high growth industries, and personalise your course by choosing from one of our specialist pathways:
- Sustainable Business Innovation through Design Thinking
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Transformation
- International Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Strategic Leadership in Healthcare
You can study this degree as a single year course, or complete a second year placement anywhere in the world.
There are two ways to complete your placement — through a paid industry placement anywhere in the world, or through a consultancy placement where you'll work in teams within three unique organisations. You’ll be fully supported by our placements team at every step, whether you want to undertake your placement in the UK or abroad.
You don’t need to have a business related undergraduate degree to study this Master's in global business. Your scheduled teaching activities will be arranged for specific days so you have periods of free time each week to consolidate your learning or secure part-time employment.
Course highlights
- Explore and apply global business principles through practical and realistic teaching and assessments
- Choose a specialist pathway that interests you, from options designed alongside our research centres
- Complete an industry placement year with a company or several unique organisations
- Learn from a teaching team with experience and expertise from industries including global corporations, dynamic start-ups and non-profit organisations
- Build your network by working closely with real businesses and entrepreneurs in one of the UK’s most entrepreneurial cities
- Graduate ready for a range of careers in high growth industries, and a transferable skill set in demand by employers
Exit awards
Depending on the modules you choose, you'll graduate with the following exit awards:
- MBA (Global)
- MBA Global (Sustainable Innovation through Design Thinking)
- MBA Global (Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation)
- MBA Global (International Tourism and Hospitality Management)
- MBA Global (Strategic Leadership in Healthcare)
Accreditation
Accredited by:
The University of Portsmouth has earned business accreditation from the AACSB in recognition of the outstanding quality of its business and management education. Less than six percent of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation.
Who is this MBA Global course for?
This MBA Global is designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals with pre-managerial work experience, and enables you to enhance your knowledge of global business and fast-track your career.
MBAs are widely considered and accorded the esteem of a prestigious professional degree globally. Reinforced by both our AACSB and CMI accreditation, and coupled with our integration of the PRME principles in designing the course, our MBA offers an engaging curriculum and learning experience to excel your career.
Graduates with limited business experience are also welcome to apply, as this programme is designed to offer as much practical support as possible to develop your ability to engage with, motivate, and contribute to teams, colleagues, and other stakeholders at all varied levels within the business.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
January 2025 / May 2025 start
- A second-class honours degree (or equivalent, including professional qualifications), not necessarily in a business related subject.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
September 2025 / January 2026 / May 2026 start
- A second-class honours degree (or equivalent, including professional qualifications), not necessarily in a business related subject.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (January 2025 / May 2025 start)
-
Full-time: £12,200 (plus £1,900 for the work-based module/placement)
-
Full-time: £12,200 (plus £1,900 for the work-based module/placement)
- Full-time: £18,100 (plus £2,875 for the work-based module/placement)
Tuition fees (September 2025 / January 2026 / May 2026 start)
-
Full-time: £12,800 (plus £1,900 for the work-based module/placement)
-
Full-time: £12,800 (plus £1,900 for the work-based module/placement)
- Full-time: £18,100 (plus £2,875 for the work-based module/placement)
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
International student scholarships are available across the University.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. On this course you'll study 6 modules worth 30 credits each.
What you'll study
You'll study all core modules and one optional module. The option you choose will decide your exit award when you graduate from the course.
Core modules (all pathways)
You'll build your decision making skills by analysing a real company listed on the London Stock Exchange. You'll identify, scrutinise, and critically evaluate current decision-making processes and outcomes across the four core areas, and formulate actionable recommendations for future strategic decisions.
You'll use theoretical discussions and practical case studies to examine the economic, political, and technological forces that shape global business. And through a critical analysis of globalisation's effects on business strategies and operations, you'll gain insights into managing and thriving in complex international contexts.
You'll build the knowledge and ability to understand and critically evaluate a range of strategic drivers for change, and the steps taken by organisations attempting to develop sustainable strategies.
You'll work in groups to address a business challenge or problem for a local organisation from the private, public or third sector (such as charities, not-for-profits and community organisations). You'll construct and present a personalised business plan to solve your client's challenge.
Develop your understanding of different forms of innovation (including product, process, service and public-sector innovations), and managerial approaches to fostering individual, team and organisational creativity to achieve innovative outcomes.
MBA Global pathway
This module is an opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills from previous modules to a real-time project. You'll develop your entrepreneurial practice through action and critical reflection.
Sustainable Innovation through Design Thinking pathway
During this module you'll develop and transform business models to enhance sustainability.
You'll be assessed through a group project and an individual report — where the group project focuses on either creating a sustainable business model from scratch or transforming an existing business towards a more sustainable direction.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation pathway
Discover how artificial intelligence has evolved to reach its current level of development, and the nature of its underlying technologies.
You'll learn to identify and evaluate opportunities for the application of AI solutions in real organisational scenarios, while considering the privacy, security, ethical and governance issues relating to artificial intelligence.
International Tourism and Hospitality Management pathway
You'll discover the elements of destination identity, image, and positioning through a critical analysis of touristic materials crafted by Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), before uncovering the multifaceted dimensions of sustainability — environmental, socio-cultural, and economic — within the context of hotels.
Strategic Leadership in Healthcare pathway
You'll discover major developments in leadership theory, with a specific focus on models of compassionate leadership and leading through periods of significant crisis.
You'll explore the impact of technological change on leadership challenges in healthcare contexts, with specific consideration of managing the change process, and develop your personal leadership philosophy as a healthcare professional.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Exit awards
Depending on the module you choose, you'll graduate with the following exit awards:
- MBA (Global)
- MBA Global (Sustainable Innovation through Design Thinking)
- MBA Global (Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation)
- MBA Global (International Tourism and Hospitality Management)
- MBA Global (Strategic Leadership in Healthcare)
Facilities
Bloomberg suite
Access data from the world's global financial markets and gain experience using industry standard software.
Business Simulation Suite
Experience the boardroom in our replica business suite.
Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) room
Our technology enhanced active learning space promotes social learning.
Future Technology Centre
The Future Technology Centre offers students, researchers and partners a collaborative, hands-on learning environment with open spaces to run experiments, debate and explore ideas.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
If you study this course full-time, you can expect:
- to attend two full days on campus every week
- to complete 20-24 hours of independent study per week
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- case studies
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- coursework
- reports
- presentations
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Career development
As an MBA graduate, you'll have the skills to impact various fields and industries across the world. Your leadership, strategic thinking, and commitment to ethical business practices will enable you to contribute positively to economic, social, and environmental outcomes on both local and global scales.
Depending on your interests and experience, you could go on to work in areas like finance, consulting, technology, healthcare entrepreneurship, operations, human resources, or social responsibility.
MBA graduates are qualified for a wide range of job roles across various industries, thanks to their diverse skill set and business acumen. The specific job roles you do will depend on your experience and specialisms.
After completing your MBA degree, you could continue to become a chartered manager (CMI) or progress to DBA/ PhD level study.
MBA graduates could go on to be:
- General Manager/CEO
- Management Consultant
- Financial Analyst or Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
- Entrepreneur/Startup Founder
- Data Analyst/Manager
- Healthcare Administrator
- Real Estate Manager
- Nonprofit Manager
- Public Relations (PR) Manager
- Educational Administrator
- Telecommunications Manager
Placements
If you choose to study this course with a 1 year placement, you’ll have the option to work for 12 months with an established company, or work on a consultancy basis with several real clients.
During your placement year you’ll get an overall perspective on business, marketing, law or finance, depending on your role and industry.
You’ll be supported by our expert Careers and Employability team throughout the process, so you can focus on securing the placement that's right for you. If you do not secure an industrial placement, you'll work with our placements team to organise an internal consultancy-based placement working with a number of client companies — so all students who wish to complete a placement can do so.
Areas our students have worked in during their placement year include:
- Project management
- Finance associate
- Recruitment
- Digital marketing
- Business development
- Audit
- Paralegal
- Supply chain planning
- Compliance
- Business analytics
Previous students have done placements at companies including:
- Bosch
- The Walt Disney Company
- IBM
- Glovers Solicitors
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Business and Law Career-Ready Programme. This support will continue for 5 years after you graduate.
If you have an ambition to start your own business, our Student Start-Up team can support your entrepreneurship journey. You’ll have opportunities to apply for funding opportunities, receive mentoring from our Entrepreneurs in Residence, and engage in virtual intentional exchanges with student business incubators at our partner Universities.
Career support
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Regular emails from the Career Ready Programme sharing job opportunities, application tips and events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- reflective writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
International students
Feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the course start date, as long as there are places available. If you wait until the month your course starts to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Start this course in January 2025
Apply now for Global MBA (1 Year) (Full-time)
Apply now for Global MBA (2 Years) (Full-time)
Start this course in May 2025
Start this course in September 2025
Apply now for Global MBA (1 Year) (Full-time)
Apply now for Global MBA (2 Years) (Full-time)
Start this course in January 2026
Apply now for Global MBA (1 Year) (Full-time)
Apply now for Global MBA (2 Years) (Full-time)
Start this course in May 2026
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.