MBA Block Delivery

Overview

• The University of Derby MBA is an innovative masters degree designed for working professionals who want to gain an internationally recognised management qualification, without taking a career break
• The Block Delivery mode combines short intensive study periods on campus in the UK with off-site learning which you can balance with your working life, wherever in the world you are based
• The MBA Global is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), which means you will be able to apply for Chartered Manager status on completion of your studies
• You can choose to undertake a corporate placement project instead of a traditional dissertation, tackling an important challenge that benefits your own organisation
• You will learn from a teaching team with extensive business and management experience and will work in small, professionally experienced cohorts of students. There is also enhanced tutor support available to help you to keep your studies on track
• If you are interested in applying for the MBA Global Block Delivery please contact our team at clientservices@illuminare-executiveeducation.com who will be able to answer your questions and support your application process through to enrolment on the programme.

Managers who can perform, think and act from an international perspective are in demand like never before. The MBA Global has been designed specifically to meet that demand, nurturing leaders who are creative, dynamic and innovative, ready to excel in senior positions worldwide.

The MBA Global is a thoroughly modern MBA programme which will transform your business thinking as you work towards the world’s most recognised management and leadership qualification. Challenging both academically and practically, it enables you to analyse and solve complex business problems that are directly relevant to your job role, helping inspire change within your own organisation and industry.

The Block Delivery MBA typically attracts senior managers and professional executives from wide-ranging backgrounds, including construction, energy, aviation and the public sector.

Programme expertise

Offering substantial business and management experience, lecturers combine academic rigour with real-world practice. They are conducting influential research and consultancy work, ensuring the knowledge they share with you is constantly refreshed.

Teaching is underpinned by partnerships with regional, national and international employers as well as the leading professional bodies. Networks include major names such as Rolls-Royce, Boots, JCB, Toyota, Bombardier, DHL, the NHS and International Government Ministries.

Global thinking

It is increasingly important for today’s managers to move beyond a purely domestic mindset. On this MBA, each module gives you advanced and applied knowledge of business in an international and global context.

You will learn best practice with, and from, a diverse community of equally driven fellow students who include current and aspiring business and finance leaders. The MBA Global attracts students from countries across mainland Europe and from across the globe, including; the USA, India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria and the Arab states of the Gulf.

You’ll study the following modules:

• Responsible and Authentic Leadership
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Strategy, Finance and Business Transformation
• Sustainable Business Operations
• Independent Study: Research Methods
• Digital Marketing Strategies for International Markets
• Business Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making
• Independent Study: Dissertation
• Social Impact Project

Please note that all modules are subject to change. The content of all masters courses are regularly reviewed, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You will join an engaging learning environment, taking you beyond the classroom so that you can apply your learning to real-world business challenges, including delivering practical solutions for a range of organisations.  You will be inspired by a mix of:

• face-to-face and virtual lectures
• case studies
• Simulations and board room activities
• scholarly debates
• online collaborative discussions
• presentations
• enquiry-based learning
• problem-solving activities
• industry seminars and conferences
• guest speakers
• visits to business organisations

You will receive plenty of individual support from tutors and will be provided with key reading and online research resources from around the World. You will also have access to the University’s online teaching portal.

Wide-ranging assessment methods are designed to enhance your transferable skills, personal and professional development. They will provide you with the opportunity to undertake:

• Digital ‘sales pitches’
• Digital presentations
• Creating digital artifacts
• Board room simulations
• Real world social impact projects
• Case studies
• Reflective reports
• Collaborative activities

The structured approach to formative assessment means that you will receive lots of support, guidance and feedback on your progress throughout your MBA journey.

Powering your potential, wherever you’re starting from.

We partner with the University of Derby because of their strong track record in delivering career-focused education underpinned by real-world impact. Like us, Derby believes education should transform lives and meet the changing needs of students, professionals, and industries alike.

The University of Derby is a modern, career-focused university located in the heart of England. Known for its supportive community, cutting-edge research, and real-world teaching, Derby has earned a reputation for delivering education that makes a difference.

Why choose Derby?

• Top 5 in the UK for Employability – Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025
• Top 5 for Course Quality – Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025
• Top 15 UK University – Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025
• 96% of Graduates in Work or Further Study – Latest HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey
• Top 25 in the UK for Overall Student Satisfaction – Complete University Guide 2025

Postgraduate excellence

A postgraduate qualification from Derby is more than a degree – it’s an investment in your potential. With flexible study options, including online and block delivery, you can shape your learning to fit your life. You’ll benefit from:

• Top 10 in the UK for Postgraduate Study – Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
• Top 15 for Teaching and Skills Development – Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024
• World-leading academics driving research in critical areas such as sustainability, AI, and zero carbon
• Strong industry links and professional body accreditations
• Real-world projects and practical learning

A welcoming, student-friendly city

Derby is a vibrant, diverse, and safe city, officially recognised with Purple Flag status. Rich in history and full of places to relax, explore and connect, it’s a place where you’ll quickly feel at home.

International community

Join over 2,000 international students from more than 100 countries who have chosen Derby as their academic home.

Your story starts here. Apply today, and let Derby be the launchpad for your next chapter.

Applicants should normally hold a good honours degree (minimum upper second class) from a UK university (or overseas equivalent) in any subject or a professional qualification deemed to be of equivalent standing. Alternatively, applicants may have significant management experience and a substantial record of achievement. Applicants meeting these criteria may not have previously studied at university.

The University of Derby welcome and encourage all applicants as long as they can be considered adequately prepared to succeed on the programme. If learners have few or no formal qualifications, they may be able to gain entry to the programme if they have the required communication and learning skills as well as the knowledge, experience and motivation to succeed. Please speak to a member of the Illuminare Executive Education team to discuss your interest in this masters degree and for support with your application: clientservices@illuminare-executiveeducation.com

The University of Derby welcome applications from international students. If your first language is not English you will be expected to have IELTS 6.5 (with at least 5.5 in each component). You may be exempt from providing evidence of English language proficiency if you have gained your undergraduate degree from a UK university. Please see further information for international applicants, including a list of documents required. Contact our team for support: clientservices@illuminare-executiveeducation.com

All applications are considered on an individual basis. Applicants may be invited to an interview, either on campus or online, as part of the application process.

When submitting your application, please ensure it is complete, with all the relevant documents requested in the application form. Please send your CV to the Illuminare Executive Education team who will be able to guide you through the application and enrolment process: clientservices@illuminare-executiveeducation.com

To enquire and apply please complete the form and upload your CV (preferably as a PDF). Our application team will then check your eligibility for this course.