Master of Business Administration (MBA)

You’ll need:

• a 2:2 degree
• 3 years' professional experience of supervising or managing people

Some analytical experience will strengthen your application. We will invite all suitable applicants for an interview.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

We'll consider your application if you don't have a first degree but have professional qualifications or 8 years' experience in management. You'll also need to show evidence of ability.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

The course takes place in 3 stages:

• Mastering fundamentals (semester 1): You’ll develop expertise in key business and management skills through core modules.
• Mastering complexity (semester 2): You’ll build on your learning and develop more complex skills through core modules. You’ll also choose your optional modules.
• Mastering business (over the summer): You’ll work independently to research and write a business project about a sector and organisation of your choice. You’ll have the chance to work with a real business client for this research project. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor to discuss progress.

Semester 1 overview

This is the ‘mastering fundamentals’ stage.

You’ll learn about people management, accounting, marketing, operations, corporate finance and the global business environment.

At the end of Semester 1, as part of the Global Business Environment module, you’ll go on a study trip to Europe. This will help you learn about the realities of operation global businesses and how trade is conducted with the rest of the world. 

Businesses we have visited include:

• DAF Trucks
• Medtronics
• Q-Park
• the Wijn Kasteel Genoels Elderen
• Floating Farm

Watch our YouTube video about the study trip

Semester 2 overview

This is the ‘mastering complexity’ stage.

You’ll learn about strategy and decision-making, business analytics and risk, leadership, sustainability, innovation and change.

At the end of semester 2, as part of the Leading Sustainability, Innovation and Change module, you’ll take part in a ‘live’ international consultancy project with a client company.

Our clients are innovative companies who want to grow their businesses internationally. They come from various sectors, including: 

• media
• oil and gas
• financial services
• pharmaceuticals

We’ll assign you to an MBA consulting team and you’ll work on a strategic issue for a local client company at our consulting trip’s international destination.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

We teach through a mixture of:

• lectures with group discussions
• practical exercises
• case studies
• simulations
• ‘live’ business projects

We emphasise the importance of collaboration between students, as this is critical for developing your management and leadership skills. We’ll teach you in small groups, using a round-table classroom layout, to encourage discussion and develop your teamwork skills.

Through case studies, simulation exercises and games, you’ll learn how to apply your knowledge to real-world settings.

Assessment

Depending on the modules you take, we’ll assess your progress through a combination of:

• exams
• coursework assignments
• reflective reports
• group projects and presentations
• a 12,000-word business project

Academic Support

We'll support you as a mature student with personalised sessions on study skills such as:

• academic writing and referencing
• group work
• presentations

You'll meet with your personal academic tutor throughout the year for help and advice. You can also speak to members of the MBA staff team for guidance.

Whether you want to improve your promotion prospects, bring new skills to your current role or show you're ready to take on more responsibility, an MBA will help you achieve your ambitions.

Working closely within a diverse, international group will enrich your experience and give you a valuable insight into different business cultures.

To help you plan your next career steps, the Southampton MBA includes the Leadership Development Programme (LDP), which runs throughout the year. 

The LDP includes a series of workshops on key leadership and management skills, and 'soft' skills such as business communication and negotiation.   

The LDP also offers executive coaching, careers coaching and employability workshops delivered by the University’s Careers and Employability Service. In addition, you’ll have access to worldwide MBA-level employment opportunities and recruiter fairs.

During your time on the MBA course you’ll become a member of the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), giving you access to a range of business management career and e-learning resources.

We invite industry guest speakers from companies such as:

• Aston Martin F1
• Carnival
• HCL Technologies
• IBM
• Ernst & Young

You can also attend industry presentations and seminars hosted by the Business School.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £33,900.
• EU and international students pay £33,900.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

It also includes the cost of two international trips:

• European study trip
• 'Live' international consultancy project

This does not include the international travel or visa cost.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Business Excellence Scholarship

We offer scholarships up to £9,000 for candidates who can display a combination of the following business excellence criteria:

• a high degree of relevant professional experience in management and/or leadership role

• evidence of rapid career progression

• clear ability to contribute to the quality of the MBA cohort

• strong academic ability / performance

• excellent performance at interview

If we offer you a place on the course, we'll automatically consider you for the Business Excellence Scholarship. There is no need to complete a separate application. The scholarship award is made at the discretion of the Business School.

The deadline to submit your application so it is considered for a scholarship is 31 July.

Southampton Business School MBA Excellence International Scholarship

Scholarships ranging from £4,000 to £10,000 are available to international students studying for the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Find out more about the Southampton Business School MBA Excellence International Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Southampton Business School Future Leader MBA Scholarship

Scholarships of £12,000 are available to international students from ‘emerging markets’ who are studying for the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Find out more about the Southampton Business School Future Leader MBA Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study an MBA
• your career plans and ambitions after the MBA

You’ll need to submit two references, these can be professional or academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score, if you are a non-native English speaker. Without these your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000