First graduates of Warwick's Part-time MBA prepare for next career moves

The first cohort of Warwick Business School’s blended Part-time MBA in London has graduated, marking a milestone for a programme designed for professionals seeking faster career progression without stepping away from work. 

Attending their graduation ceremony at the University of Warwick campus, the graduates of the Part-time MBA (London Accelerator) said that the degree had provided them with a perfect springboard for their future.

“The MBA has had a massive impact on me both personally and professionally,” said Madison Robinson, who is now Head of Operations and Change at a London insurance agency.

“I attribute a lot to the learning on my MBA programme. I’ve learned about different industries and, personally, I’ve been able to grow some great working relationships with some great people, making me into the person I am today.”

Victoria Gorrell, who is a Senior Business Analyst with an international facilities management group, said the MBA would help her in the next stage of her career because of the confidence it has given her to “join the bigger conversation, more strategic conversations”.

She said: “In terms of my next steps, I know what I’d like to do and definitely what I’m capable of doing but what is really important is the confidence you get from this course, and the connections you gain from it to open up all sorts of doors that you didn’t think were possible.”

Both Victoria and Madison chose the Part-time MBA because it was flexible enough to fit around their busy work schedules. Launched in March 2024, the two-year programme follows a blended model intended to appeal to ambitious early-career managers. Teaching combines face-to-face sessions at WBS London at The Shard with online learning, giving students a way to build management skills, broaden their networks and continue earning while studying.

Dimitrios Spyridonidis, Professor of Leadership and Innovation, and Executive Director of the MBA programmes at WBS London, said: “This graduating cohort embodies what the Part-time MBA is all about.

“Over the past two years, they have balanced demanding careers with rigorous academic study, applying new ideas in real time while continuing to lead teams, manage organisations and navigate increasingly complex environments.

“Along the way, many have secured promotions, stepped into more senior leadership roles or broadened their strategic responsibilities. Others have pursued entrepreneurial ambitions, launching or growing ventures while studying.”

This is borne out by the experience of Madison who has “progressed to different roles” within her company during the MBA; and Victoria, who was able to take on multiple programmes which have “become more strategic over the past couple of years”.

Professor Spyridonidis described theirs and the other MBA candidates’ achievements as “a testament not only to their capability, but also to their resilience, commitment and ambition".

“They graduate with more than an MBA—they graduate with the confidence, perspective and networks to shape the future of business.”

Advantages of the blended MBA

The combination of study and application is a key element of the Part-time MBA (London Accelerator). Students complete eight intensive modules in the first year, covering subjects from organisational behaviour and finance to marketing and strategic thinking, before moving into electives (one of them can be taken with an overseas partner institution) and a capstone module, which can be a dissertation or a client-based consulting project.

They can also tailor the degree through specialisms in areas including digital and AI, social and environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship and healthcare.

“The modules I found most interesting were subjects that I hadn’t much exposure to but really needed to know about to progress in my career,” said Madison. 

“With the corporate reporting module, in particular, I was able to apply that learning straightaway, looking at business cases, financial forecasts and our company balance sheet, and discussing them with our senior management team.”

For Victoria, it was more than just the modules. “The course was not only about understanding the theory. It was also about bringing in real business problems to the lectures and engaging with them,” she said.

“I could then take ideas away from the lecture halls and put them straight into practice at work to see if they worked or not in real-time.”

Face-to-face lectures play a key part in the MBA programme but is by no means the only part. Around 80 per cent of the course is delivered in-person at WBS London, with the remaining 20 per cent online. The online element draws on Warwick Business School’s long experience (nearly 40 years) in remote teaching, using digital technologies such as SmartStage to deliver immersive, interactive lectures. 

The programme also goes beyond the classroom. A Leadership Accelerator module combines academic content with personal reflection and workplace application, while CareersPlus support offers one-to-one advice, executive coaching and interview preparation.

For graduate Victor Didenchuk, who had enrolled for the Part-time MBA after years in managerial roles and a successful entrepreneurial venture but without any formal business education, the career support stood out in particular. “It went far beyond generic advice, offering meaningful coaching and practical interview preparation,” he said.

“Career-wise, the impact across the cohort has been significant. Many of us have changed roles, progressed in our careers, or pivoted entirely. The MBA wasn’t the sole factor, but it certainly played an important role.” 

Find out more about Warwick Business School’s MBA programmes.

Discover the School’s Change Makers.