Throughout my extensive corporate career at executive level, where I built and mentored high-performing teams across multiple organisations, I’ve consistently observed a critical pattern among rising leaders: the transition from operational management to executive leadership demands far more than accumulated experience – it requires a fundamental transformation in both perspective and approach.
At the University of Bath School of Management, we’ve designed our Executive MBA precisely for this transformation. The programme’s flexible structure combines on-campus learning with online components, enabling busy professionals to balance their studies with demanding careers.
Our team recently conducted a comprehensive 360-degree review examining what employers, employees and entrepreneurs seek in great leadership. Industry insights highlighted three critical needs:
The way we structure learning at Bath is deliberately challenging. We’re not just teaching theory – we’re asking our participants to apply their knowledge to complex business situations, often working with organisations facing real strategic challenges.
I’ve seen this approach resonate with participants from diverse industry backgrounds. As Karl Fearnley, one of our Executive MBA Alumni and now Director of ISTAR and Cyber at Babcock International Group, reflected: “The MBA gave me the opportunity to lift myself up as an individual and look at business with more strategic context and thinking. I was able to see things from a C-Suite level and apply modules to board level. That was the step change in my career that I wanted and needed.”
The way we structure learning at Bath is deliberately challenging. We're not just teaching theory – we're asking our participants to apply their knowledge to complex business situations, often working with organisations facing real strategic challenges.
Our newly enhanced curriculum moves beyond traditional academic silos to mirror real business functions. Working with partner companies, our participants tackle everything from market entry strategies to digital transformation initiatives.
The Executive MBA mirrors the interconnected reality of modern organisations to cultivate a big-picture mindset essential for great leadership. You’ll develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience needed to inspire and guide others at the highest levels. We track progress through innovative measurement tools that benchmark growth in leadership capabilities.
For many participants, this growth marks a turning point in their leadership journey. Anastasia Rodina, who completed her Executive MBA with us in 2024 and works as a Product Manager at Dreamdaze Technology Inc, shared: “Engaging in group projects and collaborating with classmates from different backgrounds has provided me with invaluable insights for tackling complex business challenges.”
One of the most valuable aspects of our programme is the diversity of our MBA cohort. Participants bring experience from different sectors and cultural contexts, enriching classroom discussions and team projects.
We want students to be comfortable and confident working in teams. This is really important in terms of boosting the students’ experience – working together, getting hands-on experience, working with groups they wouldn’t have a chance to otherwise.
The business world is rapidly evolving, particularly in areas like sustainability and artificial intelligence. Our research shows business students are eager to understand these topics, especially executives aiming to future-proof their organisations.
When designing the Executive MBA, it was important that we consulted with the Faculty of Science to drive programme innovation and incorporate developments in areas like AI and disruptive technology into the learning experience.
The University of Bath is one of the UK’s leading universities with world-renowned research, and we leverage this expertise throughout our Executive MBA curriculum.
In my experience, the most successful executive education creates space for experienced professionals to step back, reflect, and prepare for greater responsibilities.
Through our combination of academic rigor and practical application, participants develop the strategic mindset needed for executive roles – not just for their next promotion, but for sustainable leadership growth throughout their careers.
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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.