As classes get underway in person and online at leading institutions around the world, so too does the search for many aspiring business school students in finding the right programme to apply to.

Today’s global business education market offers applicants more variety than ever before. Decisions are not only based on a school’s reputation and ranking, but the spread of programmes they offer, the specialisms they cover and how they’re delivered to learners.

It’s not just a case of making the choice of MBA vs MiM… Do students want to study at distance or through hybrid models? Do they need the flexibility of a part-time format or will an intensive, condensed curriculum prove more beneficial?

Aside from deciding between what type of programme suits a learner best, there are programme focus and values to consider. Do students need a business education that also provides an in-depth grounding in AI and innovation? Modules that build entrepreneurial know how, or dive into wider societal challenges such as business ethics or sustainability?

The options are seemingly endless, and possibly overwhelming. But, being well-informed will not steer aspiring students wrong. With that sentiment in mind, we’ve taken a look at some of the newest, most progressive business education programmes to enter the market this year.

If you’re currently considering your options, perhaps the course for you can be found below…

• School: Nottingham Business School (NBS)
• Programme: Global Executive MBA
• Start Date: January 2025
• More Info: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/course/nottingham-business-school/pg/global-executive-mba

In response to the increasingly fragmented landscape of international business, Nottingham Business School and its global partners have launched a new Global Executive MBA programme that spans three continents.

Designed to broaden people’s understanding of leadership in a global context, inspire bolder and more innovative decision-making, and encourage greater self-reflection and awareness, the programme takes participants from the Midlands to Stellenbosch in South Africa and São Paulo in Brazil.

The format is flexible, blending online and on-campus learning with international immersion over a two-year period.

• School: Nottingham Business School (NBS)
• Programme: MSc Management (multiple)
• Start Date: September 2025
• More info: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2024/05/introducing-our-new-suite-of-masters-in-management-courses

Not content with offering just one new addition to its business education offering, Nottingham Business School also announced the launch of a new suite of MSc Management programmes in May this year.

Commencing this month, the MSc Management, MSc Management (International Business), MSc Management (Business Analytics) and MSc Management (Global Supply Chain Management) have been tailored to meet the evolving demands of the modern global business landscape. Learning is focused on personalisation and practical application, allowing students to follow optional specialised pathways to best support their career ambitions.

• School: Imperial College Business School
• Programme: MSc Management
• Start Date: September 2025
• More info: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/blogs/features/refreshed-imperial-msc-management-mim-develop-global-business-leaders-the-future/

Imperial College Business School has revamped its Master’s in Management offering by unifying its existing MSc Management and MSc International Management into one programme.

The adjustments have been made following consultation with faculty, staff, students, alumni and external stakeholders and reflect Imperial’s wider aim to continue developing the future leaders the world needs.

By merging the two prior programmes, the new MSc will equip students with all the core business and management concepts essential for success in today’s dynamic international marketplace, equipping and empowering them with everything they need to make a meaningful difference.

• School: Porto Business School
• Programme: MBA Dual Degree programme
• Start Date: September 2024
• Info: https://www.pbs.up.pt/en/dual-degree-pbs/

The programme is designed to offer students both an MBA and an Executive Master’s or postgraduate diploma over a 20-month period. Students first tackle the MBA portion of their studies, and follow this by engaging in an additional year of specialised academic study in an area of their choice.

The purpose, the school explains, is to allow participants an opportunity to focus their careers in two distinct yet connected fields of study. Developing in-depth knowledge in this way allows students to enhance their career prospects and adaptability in a dynamic job market.

Additional benefits include the widening of the student network, enabling greater interaction and collaboration between students of differing backgrounds, industries and cultures.

• School: Nyenrode Business University
• Programme: Impact MBA
• Start Date: March 2025
• Info: https://www.nyenrode.nl/en/programs/mba/impact-mba

Replacing Nyenrode’s traditional full-time MBA and Executive MBA programmes, the Impact MBA has been designed to meet the unique demands of today’s students and their employers.

Sustainability and digitalisation are deeply embedded in the programme’s foundation. Each core module teaches traditional business knowledge through the lens of one of these key trends, providing students with the practical skills they need to become responsible and impactful leaders.

The programme features two distinct tracks: a one-year Fast Track for full-time students and the two-year Executive Track for part-time learners, providing the adaptability for students to study alongside work and personal commitments. In addition, the Impact MBA includes an innovative global immersion programme.

• School: Manchester Metropolitan University
• Programme: MBA
• Start Date: September 2024
• Info: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/course/mba-master-of-business-administration

The two-year programme has been designed, the school says, for responsible leaders, managers and employers. Offered on a part-time basis, allowing for both work and study, the programme focuses on contemporary issues such as sustainability, digitalisation, and ethical management practice amongst others.

Students can benefit from a blended learning approach, as well as international travel through study abroad modules and extensive careers support.

• School: IMD
• Programme: MBA
• Start Date: January 2025
• Info: https://www.imd.org/news/leadership/real-learning-for-real-leaders-in-a-changed-world-imd-launches-new-future-oriented-mba-curriculum/

A recent redesign to IMD’s MBA curriculum has enabled the school to produce a programme that can adapt to changing times, solve real-world problems and help shape the future of business.

The school states it is the first to embed AI throughout an MBA curriculum, using it both as a tool and a topic for learning. Students not only learn how to utilise the tech but will benefit from IMD AI+ a tool which the school describes as a “pocket tutor” trained on the faculty’s expertise to help extend students’ learning beyond the classroom.

At the same time, the curriculum places greater focus on human skills and abilities in the leadership context, ensuring tech and human intellect can continue to thrive side by side.

Students will also benefit from international study trips, including a one month stay at IMD’s Future Lab in Singapore.

• School: Queens University McColl School of Business
• Programme: MBA
• Start Date: August, January & May
• Info: https://www.queens.edu/blog/2024/08/06/queens-launches-new-mccoll-mba-program/

The revamped MBA at McColl has been designed with customisation at its heart. Students are given the choice of eight specialisations, the option to complete studies between 11 and 20 months, both in-person and distance learning, and even a flexible start date, with intakes set for August, January and May.

The curriculum offers future-focused modules such as “leadership and change” alongside the more traditional MBA staples, but a focus is also placed on careers guidance and support. Student residencies include career planning, soft-skill development and networking opportunities, making the most of in-person settings.

• School: HEC Paris
• Programme: MBA
• Start Date: January 2025
• Info: https://www.hec.edu/en/mba-programs/mba/learning-experience

Whilst the school’s flagship 16-month MBA programme is set to continue, from January next year HEC Paris will also offer a condensed, accelerated programme run over a 12 month period. The new format, the school says, provides students with an opportunity to study and return to the workforce at a swifter rate, catering to those who do not wish to step away from their careers for too long.

To allow for this, changes have been made in regards to how learning is delivered – structuring teaching around five intensive courses delivered in 3-day blocks, and a streamlining of customization options. However the variety of options for specialisation matches the original programme. Students have seven areas to choose from, including Strategy Marketing, Sustainable and Disruptive Innovation and Data and AI for Business Transformation.

• School: Sa?d Business School
• Programme: Oxford MBA Fundamentals (short-course)
• Start Date: May 2024
• Info: https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/news/oxfords-first-mba-fundamentals-programme-launched-future-proof-worlds-innovators-business-essentials

Conducted over a 10-week period, the Oxford MBA Fundamentals provides learners with a core understanding of business staples such as marketing, strategy, and finance along with other key concepts such as innovation and entrepreneurship.

The programme is designed to be completed around participant’s professional and personal responsibilities, providing education that can be applied in real-time to their careers. The programme aspires to help learners to become better leaders, refine their decision making, drive business growth,  and act to do so with a focus on both enterprise and society.

By, Kerry Ruffle

Interested in this topic? You might also like this…