Course summary
Course details The Durham MBA (Online) will enhance your key business and leadership capabilities to enable you to achieve your career aspirations whilst you continue in full-time employment, so you can apply what you learn directly into the organisation you work for. The international diversity of our students, alumni and faculty will give you the ability to network virtually with people from across the world, and from a wide-range of business sectors. You will be able to enhance your global business experience through the optional International Business in Context module. The programme, which runs over two academic years, has been developed to reflect the modern realities of an energetic corporate and commercial environment and equip you with key strengths such as analytical thinking, global awareness and effective communications skills. Why Durham University? Our Department sits within the prestigious Durham University Business School. It offers a significant academic opportunity to gain the vital skills to become a successful business leader or to carry out further research and make a major contribution to a sustainable business future. The School is one of the UK’s longest established business schools and one of an elite group of institutions in the UK to be accredited by all three major bodies – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). We consistently rank highly in independent league tables for both the quality and reputation of our Department, with teaching delivered by a world-class academic community that includes experienced business professionals and researchers who work across a wide variety of business disciplines. We have an active alumni network of more than 36,000 graduates in over 140 countries. Rankings 9th in the world, 5th in Europe, 3rd in the UK (Financial Times Online MBA Rankings 2025) 19th in the world, 6th in EMEA, 4th in the UK (QS Online MBA Ranking 2024) Career Opportunities Our postgraduate programmes with a focus on employability fully equip you with the skills and industry insight to embark on a successful and rewarding business career. The knowledge and understanding you develop reflect the Department’s values of sustainability, wellbeing and equality of opportunity across the globe. You gain a combination of analytical and practical skills that employers value, such as independent thinking and problem-solving, and are able to enhance your people skills that are essential in business and much sought after by employers.
Modules
For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
Assessment method
Assessment is rigorous and is carried out using a range of tools designed to analyse your knowledge and skills. These include essays, case analyses, reflective journals, presentations and portfolios. You will also complete a business project, which is worth one-third of your final mark. Depending on the pathway selected you may also complete a business report or produce an analytical project.
How to apply
International applicants
Durham has a long and proud history of welcoming students from countries across the globe. For further details please see: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/ If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre. Please see: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/pathway-programmes/pre-masters/
Entry requirements
Candidates must be able to demonstrate at least three years’ continuous post-graduation work experience, in one or more positions with significant managerial responsibility. First or Upper Second Class Bachelors Degree, or international equivalent (applicants who do not meet this requirement will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating capability in areas such as management experience, critical thinking skills and communication skills). For International Country and Region specific qualifications please see: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/regional-pages/ Please check the Requirements and Admissions section of the course database for details and exact requirements.
English language requirements
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
English language requirements
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £16500 | Year 1 |
| International | £16500 | Year 1 |
| England | £16500 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £16500 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £16500 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £16500 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £16500 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £16500 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only. For more details see: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/tuition-fees-and-charges/tuition-fees---how-much-are-they/
Depending upon your chosen course of study there may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc which you will learn more about during your induction to the course.
Sponsorship information
Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students. For further details, including deadlines for application, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/
Provider information
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE