Online MBA: admissions requirements
Flexible entry to a top UK MBA
For entry to the online MBA you must have obtained (or be predicted to obtain) an upper second-class degree from a UK university OR an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution. Given the nature of this programme, applicants should have five years of professional management experience or at least three years in cases of exceptional potential.
If you are applying for either the Clinical Leadership or Engineering Leadership specialism, please note that relevant industry experience is also required.
If you do not meet standard entry criteria, we may accept applications with a lower degree and significant work experience. Please speak with us to find out if you are eligible to join the programme.
Learn whether you meet entry criteria
Email your degree certificate (or equivalent) to us. A member of the online admissions team will provide feedback within 48 hours. Students who meet standard entry criteria are eligible for an ‘Offer in Principle,’ which is valid for 30 days. If you receive one, we can support you in submitting a fast-tracked application.
Email degree certificateEntry criteria
Alternative entry criteria
The University is proud to welcome students of all backgrounds with flexible entry options for the online MBA programme. Students wishing to pursue non-standard admission must meet the criteria detailed below and may also be required to participate in an interview.
- Completed application:
- Certificate/transcripts
- At least 5-7 years of relevant management experience
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- One reference
- Statement of purpose
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
- Completed application:
- At least 10 years of relevant management experience
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- One reference
- Statement of purpose
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
Application checklist
There is support and guidance for all students who wish to apply for an online MBA. If you have decided that the University of Birmingham is the right choice for you, it’s time to put an application together. Use our checklist below for a step-by-step guide on the requirements for submitting your application.
| Completed application | Start filling out your application form online and submit any supporting documents as outlined below: |
|---|---|
| Certificate/transcripts | In order to assess your academic eligibility, you must upload a copy of your Bachelor’s degree, alternative qualification certificate, or transcript stating the final overall grade of the qualification. |
| Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé | Supply an up-to-date CV demonstrating your academic and work experience, plus any other skills that may support your application. This will help us to ensure that you have the right experience for the programme. |
| Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable) | If English is not your first language, you will also need to supply an up-to-date English language certificate. Please see the detailed language criteria listed below. |
| Additional Information | If you do not meet standard entry criteria, you may be required to participate in an interview. You will also be required to submit:
|
Language requirements for the University of Birmingham MBA
The online Birmingham MBA prepares graduates to succeed in a global community, and we are proud to welcome a diverse cohort of students each year. If English is not your first language, you will need to supply an up-to-date English language certificate for entry to the programme. See the details below.
- Academic IELTS certificates with a score of 6.5, and no less than 6.0 in any band
- TOEFL with a score of 88, and no less than 21 in ‘Reading’, 20 in ‘Listening’, 22 in ‘Speaking’ and 21 in ‘Writing’
- Pearson PTE with a score of 67 and no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge Advanced English with a minimum overall score of 176 and no less than 169 in any component
- Language Cert ESOL SELT B2 ‘Communicator’ test certificate with a minimum score of 33 in each skill
- Trinity ISE III with a ‘Pass’ in each skill
- HKDSE with a minimum score of 4 overall, to include three bands at grade 4 and one band at grade 3
- India Standard XII with a minimum pass of 80% in ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% in West Bengal, or 85% in other state boards
You may not need to provide evidence of your English language abilities if:
- You’re from a specified majority English-speaking country
- You’ve completed a degree in English in a specified country within two years of your intended start date
If nationals from the following countries have a degree or GCSE English grade 4/C equivalent taken, then they do not need to provide a test and there is no validity period for their degree or GCSE equivalent.
Nationals of other countries can be exempt if they hold a degree from one of the below countries within the last two academic years:
- Australia
- Belize
- Botswana
- British Overseas Territories
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Antarctic Territory
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands (and Dependencies)
- South Georgia
- South Sandwich Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn
- Henderson
- Ducie and Oeno Islands
- Saint Helena (and Dependencies)
- Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Brunei
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guyana
- Republic of Ireland
- Kenya
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- United Kingdom
- United States
- West Indies
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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