Executive MBA (London)

The academic year

The Warwick Executive MBA is designed to transform you into a creative leader with a global outlook. At the start of the programme there is a two day face-to-face induction during which you will get to know the study programme and meet your fellow participants.

Modules

Our Executive MBA comprises eight required modules and your choice of four elective modules. In parallel with the global focus of the course we enable you to increase your exposure to different international learning opportunities. At least one taught module from the 12 studied overall will be taken at a non-UK location. We offer a range of exciting locations at world class institutions, covering both required content and extending the elective topic range.

There are two formats available for studying your required modules;

Daytime format - Teaching of required modules is typically carried out on Fridays and Saturdays (09:00 - 18:00), every other week between September and July.

Evening format - Teaching is typically delivered on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (18:30 - 21:30). Each required module is delivered over a four-week period between September and July.

Teaching is delivered in our bespoke teaching space within The Shard.

Once you have completed your required modules you will join other MBA students, extending your network, to complete your elective modules. 

Please be aware that both formats undertake elective modules in the daytime 2+2 format on four-day blocks. You may also have the option to choose electives held at our Warwick campus or via distance learning. 

Consultancy project

Your consultancy project will allow you to apply what you have learned to a real management issue. It is the culmination of everything you have learned, enabling you to demostrate that you can explore a business issue thoroughly from multiple perspectives and make practical recommendations based on the theories, concepts, frameworks and tools that you have learned during the course and extended in your own studies. 

You are required to source your own project so this is often from your own organisation. 

The output for your degree from your consultancy project will be a dissertation. Support is provided via lectures and online resources as part of the dissertation module, and you will be assigned a dissertation supervisor to help guide you through the process.

Flexibility

This is a two year programme and we expect that most candidates will complete their studies within this time period. However, if you are unable to complete within two years due to work or unexpected family commitments, you can extend your studies into a third year at no additional charge. If you extend into a fourth year an extension fee will be charged (please refer to the Fees and Funding tab for details). 

How we assess your work

Your learning will be assessed through a variety of methods including individual written assignments, case study analysis, group work presentations and reports, and exams.

Required modules

Your required modules will help you to build the foundations you need to become a successful manager and leader, and provide you with the skills, knowledge and vision you will need moving forward in business. Each module is self-contained, and assessment is a combination of syndicate group work and written assignments.

Elective modules

We offer a wide range of elective modules to our Executive MBA students. Face-to-face elective modules will be offered to Executive MBA students, though there may be slight annual variations in the number on offer due to student demand and scheduling constraints. Please note that we cannot guarantee that the same modules will be available at the same locations in subsequent years.  

Our Executive MBA students may also choose to pursue electives from the Distance learning MBA. Electives are delivered either at The Shard or at the main WBS campus in Coventry, though some may be offered at both locations. A number of elective modules are delivered in overseas locations.

Our electives broadly fit into the following categories. 

Specialise in Finance, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship or
Strategic Leadership

You may wish to tailor your Executive MBA by selecting modules focused on an area of specialism.

Alongside the Executive MBA's core backbone of building all-round business acumen, you can choose to focus your MBA within one of the areas of Entrepreneurship, Finance, Healthcare or Strategic Leadership. You will gain a letter of acknowledgement from the Dean of Warwick Business School to confirm your success in your chosen specialism.

You will initially study your eight required modules, which are then followed by elective modules, two of which will be in your chosen specialism (three for the Healthcare specialism). You will also undertake your dissertation in your chosen specialist area, supervised by an appropriate member of faculty.

Entrepreneurship Specialism

This specialism will enable you to make calculated decisions between seizing opportunities and managing risk. Whether you want to set up your own business or develop your entrepreneurial mindset within a large corporate or an owner managed business. 

Finance Specialism

This specialism is designed for senior management and executives who are likely to have significant exposure to financial issues; typically those progressing to board level in public or private businesses, or taking responsibilities which include managing financial or accounting professionals.

Healthcare Specialism

This specialism will appeal to both clinical and healthcare management professionals across the healthcare sector, who are looking to develop both their general leadership capabilities, and their sector-specific understanding.

Strategic Leadership Specialism

This specialism will enable you to step into strategic management and organisational leadership positions. You will develop your own leadership style to manage people and organisations and will be able to implement business strategies to lead organisations through technological and market changes.

Please be advised that Specialism availability may vary depending on student demand and scheduling constraints.

Consultancy project

Your consultancy project will allow you to apply what you have learned during your Executive MBA to a real management issue, usually from your own organisation. Depending on your chosen topic, it could open the door to your next career move.  It is the culmination of everything you have learned enabling you to demonstrate that you can explore a business issue thoroughly from multiple perspectives and make practical recommendations based on the theories, concepts, frameworks and tools that you have learnt during the course.

You are required to source your own project so this is often from your own organisation. If you are interested in changing either your functional role or the sector that you work in, you can use your consultancy project as a stepping stone to transition by sourcing a project for a different organisation or within a new functional area..

The output for your degree from your consultancy project will be a dissertation. Support is provided via lectures and online resources as part of the dissertation module, and you will be assigned a dissertation supervisor to help guide you through the process. If you choose to undertake a specialism as part of your MBA, your consultancy project is your opportunity to dive deeply into a new business idea, tackle an existing issue or use the opportunity to help launch your own venture.

Previous participants have explored:

• Equity crowdfunding and its role in future start-up and small business finance
• Consumerisation of healthcare on the UK – Marketing and service strategies to meet consumer expectations
• An overview of offshoring within Investment Banking: Realising a successful strategy
• Learning from the past and preparing for the future - How could the military improve decision-making?