In today’s complex business world, understanding isn’t measured by what you know, but by what you can do. At the University of Bath School of Management, our approach to business education transforms knowledge into action, challenging the traditional boundaries between academic insight and real-world impact.
Practice-based learning isn’t an afterthought – it’s a carefully constructed approach to understanding business complexity. Our MBA programmes recognise that true leadership emerges from navigating real challenges, not just studying them.
Business doesn’t exist in theoretical silos. It’s a dynamic ecosystem where success depends on applying knowledge, adapting quickly, and generating innovative solutions. This understanding is the cornerstone of the Bath MBA’s approach.
Traditional education often separates learning from doing. We invert this model so that learning is doing – a continuous process of engagement, reflection, and transformation. Whether this is through the full-time MBA‘s Multi-Project Suite or the part-time Executive MBA‘s consulting projects, you don’t just study business problems; you become active participants in solving them.
“Great leaders need to be able to navigate the increasing complexity of the business landscape. They must have a comprehensive understanding of business operations, and the confidence to be innovative and creative when leading transformation,” explains Dr Jane Ellis-Brush, Director of Teaching on the University of Bath’s MBA programmes.
“Our approach to the MBA is intentional. We’re not simply teaching business; we’re cultivating leaders who can read, respond to, and reshape complex organisational landscapes,” she states.
"Our approach to the MBA is intentional. We're not simply teaching business; we're cultivating leaders who can read, respond to, and reshape complex organisational landscapes."
Take our Multi-Project Suite – a revolutionary replacement for the traditional dissertation on our full-time MBA. Instead of writing about business in abstract terms, you’ll engage directly with live organisational challenges.
George Peters, a current Bath MBA student, shares his experience: “Our team worked with BMT on the Consulting and Change Project. They are primarily a maritime and defence consultancy, and our task was to come up with solutions to help the maritime industry move towards greener, sustainable fuels. It really felt like we were working with them towards a common goal and was a fantastic experience.”
The sustainability strategy project wasn’t just an academic exercise; it was a real intervention requiring research, strategic thinking, and practical implementation.
Jake Rigby, Head of Innovation & Research at BMT, has seen this first-hand:
“Working with Bath MBA students has transformed our recruitment. Project participants gain valuable experience before their formal start, developing a solid understanding of our business. These projects deliver tangible results we implement with customers.
“The students collaborate effectively, asking challenging questions and producing high-quality work. Their professionalism—coming prepared with research and setting clear agendas—enables us to provide guidance while building experience within our company.”
"It really felt like we were working with BMT towards a common goal and was a fantastic experience."
Leadership is as much about understanding yourself as understanding others. We recognise that professional transformation is a deeply personal journey of growth, resilience, and self-discovery.
Throughout your MBA, you’ll engage in a comprehensive development process that goes beyond traditional skill acquisition. You’ll build emotional intelligence, develop adaptive leadership capabilities, and create a profound understanding of personal and organisational dynamics.
It’s a transformative process that delves deep into your personal strengths, challenging you to understand not just what you can do, but who you want to become as a leader.
Karl Fearnley, an Executive MBA alumnus and Director at Babcock International Group, reflects on his experience: “The MBA gave me the opportunity to elevate my perspective and approach business with a more strategic context. I was able to see things from a C-Suite level and apply modules at a board-level perspective. This was the step change in my career that I wanted and needed.”
Through coaching, mentorship, and experiential learning, you’ll develop the confidence to lead with authenticity, empathy, and strategic insight. This prepares you, not just for you next role, but for a lifetime of meaningful leadership.
As businesses face unprecedented challenges – from technological disruption to sustainability imperatives – the world needs leaders who can see beyond conventional boundaries.
The Bath MBA transforms theoretical understanding into practical wisdom, demonstrating that true leadership is learned not through passive study, but through deliberate, engaged action.
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In-person information event for senior leaders who want to fit professional development around work commitments.
Find out about our one-year programme for ambitious professionals ready to make a significant career leap.
Associate Dean of School, Dr Pete Nuttall, shares insights into mastering your authentic personal brand. Learn practical strategies to differentiate yourself and transform your unique identity into your most powerful career asset.