MBA (Graduate Pathway) (MBA)
Introduction
Accelerate your progression from a business-related Masters to a globally recognised MBA. Designed for ambitious professionals, the MBA (Graduate Pathway) builds on your existing qualifications to help you advance your career more quickly.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MBA
- Duration
- 9 months or 12 months
- Study Mode
- Part Time
- Start Month
- September or January
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen MBA is a globally recognised qualification designed to develop your leadership skills, underpinned by practical and theoretical knowledge. The Graduate Pathway formally acknowledges the business-related postgraduate qualifications you have already earned, building on these to enable you to progress in your career more quickly.
In this accelerated programme you will challenge conventional business models, explore innovative and disruptive approaches to business, and join a diverse cohort of professionals from around the world.
Because many of our academic experts come from the commercial world as well as academia, and because we’re constantly engaging with industry, we’re able to offer the focused knowledge and real world insights you’ll need to pursue a stimulating and rewarding career in business.
The MBA (Graduate Pathway) is suitable for professionals who already hold a Masters degree in business or management, and who have at least two years of professional experience - preferably within a managerial or leadership capacity.
If you have at least two years of professional experience, but have not completed a Masters degree in business or management, our on-campus MBA, on-campus MBA (Business Analytics), or MBA (Online) programmes may be of interest to you.
Available Programmes of Study
The MBA (Graduate Pathway) programme is flexible, allowing students to complete their studies alongside other pre-existing commitments.
This programme will take between 9 and 48 months to complete depending on the number of credit points students choose to take each term. Students may choose to take up to 45 credit points per term.
All students must take the required courses (45 credit points total) noted below. Students will also choose from a range of optional courses to complete 45 further credit points.
All students must take BU5026 Accounting and Finance for Managers (15 credit points).
Students must also choose one of the following (15 credit points each) to fulfil the OB & Leadership Course requirement:
- BU555A Managing Change
- BU5584 The Leadership Challenge
and
Students must also choose one of the following (15 credit points each) to fulfil the Strategy-related Course requirement.
- BU5048 Business Strategy
- BU5553 Strategic Marketing
Please note: not all optional courses may be available each year. If you have any questions on whether a course of interest will be available for your academic year of choice, please contact pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
Funding Opportunities
Alumni Discount Scheme - we are pleased to offer a 20% discount for postgraduate tuition fees to all alumni who have an undergraduate degree from University of Aberdeen.
Please note that the Aberdeen Alumni Discount cannot be claimed in conjunction with any other scholarship award.
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
You’ll study in a contemporary university environment and experience innovative teaching methods that give you the chance to interact with industry. You will learn through a combination of theory and practice, taking the knowledge from the classroom to the workplace. A stimulating mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars, case studies, exams, field work and business simulations will be further supported by on-line forums and additional learning materials and frameworks.
Learning Methods
- Field Work
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
You’ll attend a variety of stimulating lectures, seminars and tutorials, with your skills and competency assessed by a portfolio of coursework, as prescribed for each course.
Why Study MBA (Graduate Pathway)?
- The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, less than 300 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.
- The University of Aberdeen was ranked 18th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
- Ranked 15th in the UK for Business Management (Guardian University Guide 2026) and 1st in the UK for Student Positivity in Business Studies (National Student Survey 2025).
- Explore the strategic, practical, and theoretical aspects of business; broaden your knowledge; and focus on powerful business insights, including newly emerging business models such as Disruptive Thinking that will shape tomorrow.
- The University of Aberdeen MBA is a globally recognised qualification that goes beyond traditional business theory, developing your leadership and management skills for advancing your career. It is underpinned by practical and theoretical knowledge, with networking opportunities locally and internationally.
- The MBA (Graduate Pathway) builds on your existing business postgraduate qualifications, allowing you to further your expertise and advance your career.
- Alongside our core modules you will have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules. This allows you to tailor your studies to your areas of interest or career goals.
- In a recent Harvard Business Report, 76% of respondents identified skills such as communication, conflict management, and empathy as essential skills for the modern workforce. All of our postgraduate Business students develop these soft skills, valued by employers across sectors, with our Soft Skills Development Programme.
- With a community of over 130 nationalities at the University of Aberdeen, students are immersed in an environment that enables international discourse creating truly global exchanges, generating deep insights that stimulate innovative change
Interested in this programme?
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
This top-up MBA programme is for those who already hold a qualification in business or management at postgraduate level.
The minimum entry requirements for this degree are a Master of Science or equivalent postgraduate degree in a business or management-related discipline, and two or more years of professional experience, preferably in a managerial or leadership capacity.
If you do not meet these requirements you may be interested in our on-campus MBA or on-campus MBA (Business Analytics) programmes. You can also apply to study our MBA (Online).
Visa information for international students
Students on a Skilled Worker visa are eligible for this programme, as long as they provide a note from their employer confirming they are happy for them to study while working for them.
Other types of visa holders (e.g dependants or global talent) may also be eligible, so eligibility should be assessed depending on the visa category, including whether the category allows for study and the length of the visa.
Unfortunately, Graduate Route Visa and Student Visa holders are not eligible for this programme.
For more information about visa restrictions in relation to this programme please contact immigration@abdn.ac.uk.
Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- CV
- an up-to-date CV/Resumé
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference
- a reference letter from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employer, or another professional person
Careers
The MBA (Graduate Pathway) is designed for professionals who have already earned a business-related postgraduate qualification, and who are looking to expand on this with a Masters of Business Administration.
MBA graduates are in high demand worldwide; a 2022 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) survey found that 87% of MBA graduates increased their employability. A 2025 article from Forbes Advisor noted that the projected median salary for MBA graduates is approximately $125,000 - more than $25,000 higher than other business-related Masters degrees.
Our alumni have enjoyed much success after earning their MBA with us; 80% of our alumni hold senior manager or director positions globally. Some of our recent graduates have gone on to work in organisations such as Accenture, Bank of Scotland, Centrica, KPMG, Shell and Standard Chartered Bank.
Career Opportunities
- Business Consultant
- Data Analytics Manager
- Financial Manager
- International Risk Management
- Investment Advisor
- Investment Banking
- Management Consultant
- Senior Manager
- Supply Chain Management
Accreditation
The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, less than 300 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.
Our Experts
- Programme Leader
- John Storm
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX