The University of Manchester Middle East Centre in Dubai has enrolled 90 new students from across the region in the January intake for the top-ranked, blended learning MBA from the University’s Alliance Manchester Business School, following a strong application period. Alliance Manchester Business School rose 15 places in the recent Financial Times MBA global ranking 2021, and is now ranked 30th in the world, 4th in the UK and 10th in Europe. Demand for top MBA programmes continues to be strong, despite the economic impact of the pandemic. The University enrols two intakes (January and July) per year for the Global Part-time MBA.

The new Global Part-time MBA cohort comprises 90 students of diverse nationalities and resident in countries across the region, with half the cohort residing in the UAE.

Many of them already hold a post graduate qualification, and the majority are self-funded. They hold various positions with around 40 per cent already in executive management roles in companies across all the region’s major industries, with technology, banking, construction, healthcare, consulting and aviation prominent among them. All the students are experienced working professionals with around 60 percent bringing 10 years or more experience to the programme. Women professionals comprise 21 per cent of the new cohort.

The new cohort was recently welcomed by the team from the University’s Alliance Manchester Business School and Middle East Centre in Dubai, during a hybrid (virtual and face to face) induction session in Dubai.

Randa Bessiso, Director – Middle East at The University of Manchester, said: “Our latest MBA intake has been especially strong in terms of student numbers and diversity, showing the continued attraction of the part-time MBA for working professionals. The cohort is impressive in terms of the calibre of student, with more senior executives joining and bringing substantial experience in industry and consulting.

“Traditionally, applications to top MBA programmes have risen during difficult economic times, and we have seen this through the pandemic, as working executives take the opportunity to enhance technical and leadership skills and build a professional network of international contacts, during this pause in career development. Employer demand for MBAs remains strong and many of our students are preparing and positioning themselves for the anticipated business recovery. We aim to help our students build sustainable careers.”

The University of Manchester’s Global Part-time MBA is a two-year programme with options to accelerate study further, with as much face-to-face time with faculty as most full-time programmes. The programme is structured around four practical themes – Management in Practice; Value Creation in Business; Tailoring Your Journey; Professional Skills for Business; and with options to tailor further. An accelerated study route allows senior managers to complete the programme in 18 months. There is an 18-month Accelerated Finance Pathway option for candidates with professional accountancy qualifications.

The Middle East Centre has developed into the largest and fastest-growing centre in the University’s international network comprising six hubs in key business cities around the world. It is also the most diverse, with students of over 100 nationalities. The Middle East Centre has supported more than 2,800 part-time MBA students based in the region and has graduated more than 1,800 MBA students since opening in 2006.

The University of Manchester was named as the world’s 27th best university in the QS World University Rankings, sixth in the UK, and eighth in Europe. The University was named the most targeted institution by the UK’s top 100 graduate employers for the third year in a row by The Graduate Market in 2020. Manchester was also named the University of the Year for Graduate Employment by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.