Global Online MBA

Before the start of your programme, you will be expected to complete online pre-study modules.  These ensure that all students, regardless of undergraduate degree background (or equivalent) are prepared for the programme.

Pre-study modules will be delivered via The Hub, our bespoke virtual learning environment. These include primers in key areas including accounting, careers, corporate sustainability, data analysis, finance, maths, plagiarism awareness, and social innovation and ethics.

Please note that some modules are compulsory while others are strongly recommended.

The compulsory induction week in London will be the first opportunity to meet your programme team and cohort. Here, you will lay the foundations of your MBA experience. You will have plenty of time to meet and connect with your classmates through various activities and events. 

During your five-day induction, you will also attend several lectures, discussions, and exercises introducing you to the programme. Sessions with our Career's team will also be available, helping you plan and develop your career goals.

Watch our video to learn more about induction week on campus.

Corporate Finance will extend your understanding of company valuation and investment appraisal. It will also introduce the concept of the cost of capital and how it can be calculated. You’ll learn how companies are financed and how to decide between different types of finance. 

The module: 

• Provides a framework for analysing financial markets and showing how they interact with the key decisions of firms
• Enables you to understand the role of assets, pricing, and the interaction between the economy and financial variables
• Provides information regarding the two key financial instruments (stocks and bonds) 
• Introduces the key derivatives markets (futures and options) 
• Examines Portfolio Analysis and the risk return trade-off 
• Introduces the concepts of risk and return in financial markets and the relevance of diversification 
• Explores how return is related to risk through the Capital Asset Pricing Model

This module will focus on the use of accounting for financial management and reporting. Learn the techniques of financial and management accounting, examining their relevance to decision-making and management control in organisations.

The module gives you insights into the way that business performance is measured using financial analysis.  Plus, learn how strategic business decisions can be structured and analysed using accounting information.

The purpose of this module is to: 

• Introduce economic concepts encountered in business contexts 
• Provide a framework for modelling the interaction between consumers and producers 
• Study firms' pricing decisions and the principles of strategic interaction 
• Understand how macroeconomic forces affect the economic environment facing firms. 

This module covers themes in both macro- and micro-economics. The module starts with microeconomics, building models of supply and demand and how they interact to determine market prices. We will explore situations in which governments typically intervene to change market outcomes, such as with environmental policy. We will study price-setting by firms with market power, and strategic interaction using the approach of game theory.

The module then analyses the macroeconomic backdrop against which businesses and government operate. Learn how the decisions of firms and consumers interact to generate the aggregate outcomes that macroeconomists focus on:

• Total output (GDP)
• Employment
• Inflation
• The balance of payments

The module concludes by discussing the role of monetary policy in steering the economy.

Among business disciplines, marketing is the primary contact point between a business and its customers. Nearly everybody will, at some point in their career, wear a marketing hat. Understanding marketing will help you, whether you are an accountant, consultant, programmer, banker, or museum curator. It’s crucial to know how to marshal an organisation’s resources to meet customer needs.

This module develops a general management viewpoint in planning and evaluating marketing decisions. You'll learn this from both strategic (e.g. market selection, firm objective, etc.) and tactical (e.g. promotion, pricing, etc.) perspectives. The module will also help you to understand how marketing decisions are affected by organisational and environmental influences.

What is organisational behaviour? Do organisations really 'behave', so to speak? Or do they sometimes also misbehave? What’s the difference? 

Any time you structure/integrate people into a division of labour, predictable behavioural tendencies arise. Some of these tendencies make for effective organisations; others are challenges to overcome. When competition among organisations, changes in environment, and competing demands from multiple stakeholders are added, organisational behaviour arises.

This module covers major factors that shape organisational behaviour and effectiveness. The aim is to develop your ability to address these factors, particularly as leaders. Specifically, we cover material that spans the three major levels at which organisational behaviour is studied: 

1. The micro or individual level of analysis 

2. The meso or organisational level of analysis 

3. Macro levels of analysis such as industries and markets or cultures and nations. 

We’ll examine how these activities either come together or not to enable organisational performance and effectiveness.

Generally, strategy refers to purposefully allocating resources in a competitive environment, over relatively long periods of time, in the pursuit of specific goals. Strategy is shaped by underlying market conditions and the resources available to management. This includes the firm’s internal structure, systems, and culture. This integration of the external and internal perspectives provides the basic framework for strategic thinking.

The strategy module:

• Gives you a holistic view of the firm
• Helps to develop your ability to think beyond day-to-day business activities
• Challenges you to ask the right questions about a firm’s future

These skills are essential to being an effective general manager. 

Managers are faced with a wealth of data. This module is about turning that data into actionable insights, leading to well-informed decisions for complex business problems. 

Learn how to build a model of the business situation, recognising its essential features and accounting for uncertainty.

These models can be used to:

1. Understand what is happening
2. Predict what will happen
3. Make good management decisions that consider risks arising from management actions 

Throughout the module we will use Excel spreadsheets– so that you will build your skills in this area. The applications are multi-disciplinary with links to finance, marketing and operations.

Management of technology and innovation plays an important role in shaping firms’ competitive positions. However, in an increasingly complex global environment, where technological change is endemic and unpredictable, continuously bringing innovations to market successfully is a formidable challenge.

When rapidly changing business and technological environments render their existing competencies less valuable, established firms can struggle to remain creative, flexible, adaptive and resilient. Facing this challenge, organisations are recognising the critical role that an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking play in creating opportunities for growth and renewal. 

We focus on the theory and best practices of creating new technologies, products, and businesses. You’ll consider this staying within the boundaries of a large, established corporation. In particular, we will examine: 

• Types and sources of innovation 
• The diffusion of innovation 
• Standards and entry timing 
• The management of innovation portfolios and R&D management 
• Corporate venturing and open innovation 
• Designing innovative organisations 

This module will provide students with a rich understanding of the complexities of managing innovation in established companies.

The entrepreneurship module introduces you to the different aspects of entrepreneurial thinking, specifically when it comes to innovative businesses. You will be introduced to:

• The concepts of design thinking, technology and innovation
• Business modelling in nascent markets
• Entrepreneurial finance and leadership
• Legal arrangements such as term sheets and shareholder agreements

The leadership module will help you become more aware of your personality traits through:

1. Diagnosis (questionnaire assessment exercises)
2. Strengths and weaknesses as a leader through insight (introspection and reflection on one’s traits, habits, and behaviours)
3. Building on this knowledge to improve your leadership practice (through self-development and how to effectively tackle future challenges)

The elective modules within Analytics and Operations are:

• Advanced Financial and Sustainability Reporting (On-campus) 
• Data Analytics and Visualisation for Business 
• Operations 
• Operations Management 
• Big Data, AI and Machine Learning (On-campus) 
• Project Management (On-campus)

The elective modules within Entrepreneurship and Innovation are:

• Venture Capital Finance 
• AI Ventures (On-campus) 
• Digital Business Model Design (On-campus) 
• Digital Technologies and Digital Transformation (On-campus) 
• Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital (On-campus) 
• Entrepreneurial Journey 
• Leading Social Innovation (On-campus) 
• Mastering Foundational Entrepreneurial Skills
• Digital Opportunities: Insights from the Startup Nation (IB Glocal elective) 
• The Future of Cities (IB Glocal elective) 
• Wicked Problems, Systems Dynamics, and Entrepreneurial Innovation 

The elective modules within Finance are:

• Advanced Corporate Finance 
• Asset Management and Alternative Investments (On-campus) 
• Finance in Cleantech
• Finance for Net Zero
• Mergers and Acquisitions 
• Pricing Strategy 
• Private Equity 
• Venture Capital Finance 
• Asset Management (On-campus) 
• The Fintech Revolution: New Markets, Models and Opportunities (On-campus) 
• Clean Technology Investment (On-campus) 
• Sustainable Finance and Investments (On-campus) 
• Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital (On-campus) 
• Blockchain and Applications (On-campus)

The elective modules within Leadership and Organisation are:

• Decision Making for Leaders
• Family Business (On-campus) 
• Leading and Executing Strategic Change (On-campus) 
• Leading Social Innovation (On-campus) 
• Managing Negotiations
• Strategy and Leadership in a Digital World (On-campus) 
• The Future of Cities (IB Glocal elective) 

The elective modules within Marketing are:

• Applied Strategic Marketing
• Brand Management
• Digital Marketing
• Marketing Analytics
• Marketing Analytics: Leading with Big Data (On-campus) 
• Market Research
• Pricing Strategy
• Consumer Behaviour (On-campus) 
• Sales Management and Leadership (IB Glocal Elective) 

The elective modules within Strategy are:

• Advanced Strategy in a Stakeholder Economy
• Business Problem Solving
• Digital Business
• Breakout Strategy (On-campus) 
• Climate Change and Business Strategy (On-campus) 
• Energy Business (On-campus) 
• Global Strategy (online)
• Management Challenges in Healthcare (On-campus) 
• Shaping Frontier Markets
• Strategic Networking (On-campus) 
• Strategy and Leadership in a Digital World (On-campus) 
• Strategy in Volatile and Uncertain Environments (On-campus) 
• Sustainability and Competitive Advantage (On-campus) 
• Sustainable Transformation Made in Italy (IB Glocal Elective)

This elective module allows you to put the theory taught on the MBA into practice. You will apply your knowledge to real-world business challenges, creating tangible value for organisations. You’ll develop specialised expertise by:

• Researching a real business issue
• Influence real commercial outcomes, if your recommendations are implemented by a sponsoring organisation

This module counts as a double-weighted elective. The start date of the Independent Project depends on your programme duration (21, 24 or 32 months). 
 

The Entrepreneurial Journey is your opportunity to work an idea into a product or service. You’ll then pitch your proposition to a panel of venture capitalists to compete for a monetary prize. As an elective, the Journey is an optional module. The start date will depend on your programme duration (21, 24 or 32 months). 

The journey is suitable for those either wanting to innovate as an intrapreneur, or start their own ventures.

You will:

• Develop a value proposition
• Carry out customer discovery research
• Validate the product or service
• Create a fully-fledged business proposal

Throughout the Journey, you will be able to collaborate with the Imperial Enterprise Lab. This will help you to connect with investors and receive coaching support.

Your first week on the Global Online MBA will be spent at our campus in London. Here, you will meet with the rest of your cohort, faculty and teaching/programme staff. This five-day induction will lay the foundations of your Global Online MBA experience. 

By starting your programme on campus, you will be able to develop strong bonds in person through activities and events. You will also meet your study group for the first year of your programme, who will play a significant role in your learning. During this week, you can also speak to a member of our Careers team. They will help you develop a plan to achieve your career goals. 

The programme induction week is a compulsory element of your Business School programme. We expect you to attend on campus in London.

The Capstone module takes place over a seven-day period at our London campus. Here, you will:

• Attend a series of lectures on innovation, design and entrepreneurship
• Analyse the innovative needs of a large multinational
• Develop a business case to help the company grow

This provides you with a practical opportunity to apply what you’ve learnt during the programme. You’ll be enabled to think more strategically when faced with the challenges of bringing new ideas to market.

Global Experience Week is an unforgettable opportunity that MBA students look forward to each year. It offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into international business practices, and  explore how global markets and businesses operate. You’ll learn about:

• The challenges faced by local organisations
• How a country’s business environment affects the way they operate

Past Global Experience Weeks have included the Nordics. Here, students explored how businesses can be transformed to tackle climate action.

You will choose from the following locations aligned with our key topics:

• Brazil – Market Trends in the Marvellous City
• Kenya – How can business address inequality?

The cost of this trip is not included in your tuition fees. Anyone choosing to complete the programme in 21 months is not eligible for this trip due to timings.

The IB Glocal Electives teach students how to explore contemporary global business problems with a local perspective. You will gain a deeper insight into international issues in a particular geography. You’ll also benefit from the in-market exposure and teaching the trips provide. 

The Glocal Electives are led by Imperial College Business School faculty in collaboration with partners at global locations. These intensive four-day study abroad programmes give students who want to enrich their academic curriculum a stimulating experience. Previous locations have included Houston, Milan, Singapore and Tel Aviv.

The Global Exchanges programme allows you to:

• Increase your international exposure
• Build your network
• Take advantage of specialised electives at one of our partner schools

The Personal Leadership Journey is a Careers-led module that runs throughout the programme. It is designed to enhance your skills in leadership and career management. It also supports you in shaping your career path, focusing on personal impact, networking, and executive communication.

In completing this, you’ll be equipped with the tools to succeed in today's competitive world of work. The module is built around four key themes:

• Personal impact and networking
• Executive communication
• Leading in a complex and connected world
• Managing your Career

It is delivered through a combination of reflective exercises, psychometric assessments, group sessions, webinars and one-to-one meetings. You will work with your personal MBA Careers Consultant to shape and navigate your leadership journey. This will help maximise your prospects of achieving career acceleration, career change or launching your own venture.