Global (with Professional Experience) MBA

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Portsmouth

Program Overview

The Global MBA with Professional Experience is designed to give you both the theory and hands-on experience you need to succeed in international business. It’s perfect for ambitious professionals who want to develop leadership skills, understand global markets, and step confidently into managerial or consulting roles.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll dive into core areas like Business in Action, Global Business Environment, Managing Change, Creativity and Innovation, and Strategies for Sustainability Leadership. These modules will help you understand how businesses operate globally, lead teams, manage change, and design sustainable strategies that really make an impact. You’ll also get to work on a Consultancy Project, giving you practical experience solving real business challenges.

Year 2 (Placement + Specialisation)
The second year focuses on applying what you’ve learned in a real business setting through an 8–10 month professional placement. This is your chance to gain invaluable industry experience, build your network, and put your skills into action. Alongside your placement, you can choose a specialist module like Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Sustainable Business Innovation through Design Thinking, International Tourism & Hospitality Management, or Strategic Leadership in Healthcare, allowing you to tailor your MBA to your interests and career goals.

Focus areas:
Global business strategy, sustainability and innovation, change management, real-world consultancy skills, plus optional specialisations in analytics, AI, tourism, hospitality, or healthcare leadership.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the program, you’ll be confident analyzing global business environments, leading change, creating sustainable strategies, and applying practical solutions in real-world situations. You’ll also gain specialist knowledge in your chosen area, making you ready for leadership roles in diverse sectors.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The MBA is accredited by AACSB, a globally recognised standard for business education, which ensures your qualification is respected worldwide.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Portsmouth has strong links with industry, giving you excellent employability prospects. Graduates step into roles across management, consulting, finance, operations, marketing, analytics, or healthcare leadership, equipped with the skills employers are looking for globally.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MBA is all about learning by doing. From the start, you won’t just be reading case studies — you’ll be tackling real business challenges, working in teams, and using the same tools that top companies rely on. After your first year, you’ll get the chance to step into a professional placement, where you can apply your skills in a real organisation, build your network, and gain the kind of hands-on experience that employers love.

Here’s how the program brings learning to life:

Professional Placement Year: Spend 8–10 months (or up to a year) working in a company, NGO, or public-sector organisation, gaining practical experience in areas like project management, marketing, finance, operations, or consulting.
Consultancy Projects: Work on real business problems through university-arranged consultancy projects, giving you the chance to apply classroom learning in practical scenarios.
Industry-Standard Tools: Access the Bloomberg Suite to work with real-time financial market data, just like professionals in top firms.
Business Simulation Suite: Practice boardroom and management decisions in a simulated business environment, testing strategies and seeing real-time outcomes.
Collaborative Classrooms: Use Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) rooms designed for teamwork, interactive workshops, and problem-solving.
Innovation and Research Spaces: Engage in hands-on projects at the Future Technology Centre, ideal for pathways like AI, digital transformation, or sustainable innovation.
Career Support: Receive guidance from the Careers and Employability team for placements, CVs, interviews, and networking to ensure your practical experience translates into career success.
Flexible Placement Opportunities: Past students have worked in areas ranging from digital marketing and analytics to supply chain, finance, and business development — tailoring their experience to their career goals.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing this MBA opens the door to a wide range of exciting careers. Many graduates step into roles like General Manager or CEO, Management Consultant, Financial or Marketing Manager, or Operations Manager, while others pursue careers in analytics, healthcare management, supply chain, or even entrepreneurship. With its mix of global strategy, hands-on placement experience, and optional specialisations like Business Analytics, Sustainable Innovation, or Healthcare Leadership, this MBA gives you the skills and confidence to lead, advise, and make an impact anywhere in the world.

Here’s how the University helps you get there:

Dedicated careers support: From day one, the Careers and Employability team works with you on CVs, interview preparation, networking, and even post-graduation support, ensuring you have guidance every step of the way.
Strong employment outcomes: 93% of Portsmouth MBA graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their course.
Industry placements and connections: Your professional placement gives you real-world experience with employers — past students have worked with companies like Bosch, IBM, and The Walt Disney Company, helping turn placement experience into job opportunities.
Global accreditation: The MBA is accredited by AACSB, a prestigious international standard that makes your degree respected worldwide and adds long-term credibility.
Flexible pathways for your career: Optional modules in areas like Business Analytics, Sustainable Innovation, or Healthcare Leadership let you tailor your MBA to sectors that are in high demand, making you even more employable.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, you could move into doctoral-level programmes such as a PhD or DBA, or pursue specialised advanced courses in areas like data analytics, sustainable business, healthcare management, or innovation leadership — allowing you to deepen your expertise and open doors to senior leadership or research-focused roles.