Is the Master in Business and Management Studies the same as an MBA?

It is a general management master's at postgraduate level but is not labelled as an MBA. MBAs typically expect several years of management experience; this master's is more flexible on prior experience while still being intellectually rigorous.

Do I need years of management experience to enrol?

Significant experience strengthens your application but is not a hard requirement. Admissions considers academic record and professional background together.

Can I complete the dissertation on a project from my own employer?

Yes, and many students do. Practical dissertations on strategic, operational or commercial issues from a real organisation are encouraged.

How is this different from a specialist master's like a Master in Marketing?

A specialist master's goes deep in one discipline. The Master in Business and Management Studies stays broad and is better suited to general-management or multi-functional career paths.

Is the programme available online?

Yes. The Master in Business and Management Studies is delivered on-campus, online and through distance learning. Most working professionals choose online or distance modes.

How long does the master's take?

Typically 12 to 18 months full-time; longer for part-time and distance learners.

Master in Business and Management Studies | HICL London | Harold International College of London

Master in Business and Management Studies at HICL

A general management master's is most useful for people whose careers are widening — from a single function into multi-functional responsibility, from a single market into international decision-making, from operational delivery into strategy. The Master in Business and Management Studies at HICL is designed for exactly that transition.

It is not an MBA in name, and it is not pitched as a pre-MBA either. It is a postgraduate degree in business and management for professionals who want broad, rigorous coverage of the disciplines a senior manager has to engage with: strategy, finance, operations, marketing, people, analytics and the broader institutional context.

The depth of the Master in Business and Management Studies

The programme typically engages with strategic management, corporate finance and managerial finance, marketing strategy and consumer behaviour, operations and supply-chain management, leadership and organisational behaviour, business analytics and decision-making with data, international business and the ethical, regulatory and sustainability dimensions any senior manager has to address. Most learners complete a research dissertation in their final phase, applying postgraduate methods to a real business problem.

Who this Master is for

Mid-career professionals moving from departmental management into general management or strategy roles.
Specialists from finance, marketing, operations, HR or IT who want a broader, multi-functional postgraduate qualification.
Owner-managers of growing businesses who need structured, postgraduate-level thinking to scale.
International candidates seeking a UK postgraduate qualification in general management.

Where graduates of the Master in Business and Management Studies tend to go

Typical career destinations include general manager, head of operations, head of strategy, programme manager, business development director, regional manager and country manager roles. Some graduates use the degree to pivot sectors entirely — from technical roles into commercial leadership, or from public sector into private. As with any masters, outcomes are shaped by prior experience, employability of the destination market and the depth of your professional network.

How the programme is delivered

HICL offers the Master in Business and Management Studies on-campus, online and via distance learning. Working professionals tend to choose online or distance modes, completing the dissertation around a real problem in their own organisation. Module structure and intake calendar are confirmed at enrolment.

Entry requirements

A relevant bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional qualifications and substantial management experience.
IELTS 6.0 or equivalent for non-native English speakers.
A statement of purpose covering your professional background and reasons for choosing the Master in Business and Management Studies.
Two references where requested.

Apply for the Master in Business and Management Studies

If you are ready to step into general management rather than stay inside a single function, this is the level to study at. Click Enroll Now and HICL admissions will respond within one working day with application details and a fee breakdown.