FAQs

Why should I choose the Dubai-London Executive MBA?
Should I apply to the Dubai-London Executive MBA or the full time MBA?
What is the typical Dubai-London Executive MBA student like?

How is the Dubai-London Executive MBA curriculum structured?
How many days will I need to take out of the office to undertake the programme?
Can I waive core courses if I have already studied particular subjects?
How do the electives fit in the programme structure?
What are the study groups? How are they put together?
Where are the optional international assignments? What is their purpose?
What is a management report?
Can Dubai-London Executive MBA students go on exchange?
How much time will I need to study outside the classroom?
How is the programme assessed?

How can I convince my employer to support me through the Dubai-London Executive MBA?
Do I need to be financially sponsored by my employer to undertake the programme?

Do you have a minimum number of years work experience?
Does my work experience need to be as a manager?
Do I need to have an undergraduate degree?
Is GMAT essential?
Do I need to take TOEFL/IELTS?

When is the application deadline?
How much is the application fee?
Can I waive the application fee?
Who should my references be from?
What do you need from my employer?
Academic transcripts
How should I submit my application?
Once an application is submitted, what happens?

What are the tuition fees for the programme?
What do the fees include?
Does London Business School offer a loan for undertaking the programme?

I have read the information on the website. How do I find out more about the programme?
I cannot attend an information session. How can I find out more about the Dubai-London Executive MBA?

Why should I choose the Dubai-London Executive MBA?

The main benefit of the Dubai-London Executive MBA is that participants remain in full-time work while they study, simultaneously advancing their careers and their professional and personal development. Many people wish to complete an MBA but are worried about interrupting their careers. Undertaking the Dubai-London Executive MBA means that you are able to continue on your current career path while studying and exploring new opportunities.

Dubai-London Executive MBA students are able to immediately apply knowledge gained in the classroom and through their peers back to their workplaces which fast-tracks the learning process. While the Dubai-London Executive MBA is a highly intensive and challenging programme, it is also a highly stimulating and enriching experience.

Should I apply to the Executive MBA or the full-time MBA?

The Executive and full-time MBA programmes are structured and presented in different ways to accommodate the needs of two different sets of students.

Dubai-London Executive MBA students are, on average, slightly older than their full-time counterparts, and have more work experience. However, the most crucial difference is that Dubai-London Executive MBA students remain in full-time employment whilst studying. This allows them the opportunity to immediately implement theories and concepts in their working lives and to feed back their own experiences in class; in this sense, the learning process is full time.

Full-time MBA students take part in a number of practical exercises, such as work shadowing and placements, which do not form part of the Executive MBA programme. This can be useful for people who wish to change direction in their career, perhaps to a new function or industry. The full-time MBA may be completed in 15-months taking the fast-track option, an option not available to Dubai-London Executive MBA students, who complete over 17 months.

If you do not wish to interrupt your career while gaining your MBA, we offer a rigorous and flexible Dubai-London Executive MBA which could be the perfect option for you.

What is the typical Dubai-London Executive MBA student like?

There is not a 'typical' Dubai-London Executive MBA student in terms of work background and nationality. We aim for a diverse, international cohort of students. What EMBAs do have in common is that they are exceptional people who can both contribute to and benefit from the programme.

Our current class in London looks like this:

How is the Dubai-London Executive MBA curriculum structured?

The Dubai-London Executive MBA programme comprises six key elements:

Part one - 11 four-day Core Modules in year one (Wednesday-Saturday)

Part two - Skills Module October 2009, 4-5 Electives, Management reports and optional international assignment

Once the core courses have been completed in part one, the programme allows for flexibility and choice, depending on each student's schedule. Dubai-London Executive MBA students choose four electives from a range of subjects and formats, typically block weeks. Elective courses are offered at the School's London campus.

At this time, students complete an individual management report and a study group project and are offered opportunities to participate in an international assignment. There will also be a four-day module in early March to provide personal skills development in topics such as presentations, communications, influencing, team work, career development, and so on.

Part Three - Capstone Module 21-23 January 2010

The Capstone Course takes place in Dubai. This course is based on issues around global leadership and strategy and also focuses on career development. It is interdisciplinary in content and draws together a range of knowledge and skills that students have developed during their time on the programme.

How many days will I need to take out of the office to undertake the programme?

For the next September Dubai-London Executive MBA intake, you will need to attend class in Dubai for no more than 33 working days to complete the core work for the programme (attendance for electives is in addition to this). The second year is dedicated to specialisation through a minimum of six and maximum of eight elective courses - taught over 30 classroom hours on either evenings, Fridays, weekends or block weeks. The number of days out of the office for elective courses will vary depending on which courses you choose and the format in which they are offered.

Can I waive core courses if I have already studied particular subjects?

If you hold professional accounting qualifications, or if you have a masters degree in economics, you may choose to waive out of the Accounting or Economics core courses on the Dubai-London Executive MBA. Waivers will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

The School will also offer Executive Education programmes in Dubai starting in early 2008.

How do the electives fit in the programme structure?

Dubai-London Executive MBA students must complete four elective courses.

At London Business School, the electives are offered in the following formats:

Elective courses offer students the opportunity to concentrate on areas of special interest and to explore new subjects.

What are the study groups? How are they put together?

You will be assigned to a group of approximately five people at the beginning of the programme, and you will work with them throughout the first three terms for core course work.

When putting the study groups together, we balance the educational background, work background, gender and nationality of each of our students, as well as considering a number of personality profiling tools, to create diverse groups whose members should work well together.

Where are the optional international assignments? What is their purpose?

Students are able to embark on one optional international assignment as part of the Dubai-London Executive MBA and may choose a second as an elective course.

International assignments currently take place in China, India, South Africa and Ukraine.

These trips offer the opportunity to test and apply skills outside your own organisation in a country and culture outside of your immediate experience, and enhance your cross-cultural experience and understanding.

What is a management report?

A management report, supervised by faculty, is a major project in which Dubai-London Executive MBA students must produce a piece of around 7,500 words. It provides the opportunity to explore a particular business problem facing an organisation of your choice. It also allows you to provide a substantial, tangible benefit to your sponsor, alongside the ongoing benefits of applying the knowledge acquired from the programme to responsibilities at work.

Can Dubai-London Executive MBA students go on exchange?

Yes. There are two exchange schemes in which Dubai-London Executive MBA students can participate during the elective period of the programme:

1.The London Business School International Exchange, run by the full-time MBA Programme Office, is open to Dubai-London Executive MBA students. Students study full-time for one term at one of over 30 partner schools. EMBA students usually take approximately three months of extended leave from work to participate in this scheme. Click here for more information on the International Exchange Scheme.

2. The Executive MBA International Exchange Programme is a special arrangement between London and Columbia Business Schools. It is specifically designed for EMBA students, to allow them to work and study in New York for the period of one academic term.

Please note: Students are not eligible to apply for a full-time place at Columbia through the School-wide International Exchange Programme. For more information, please email dubai-london@london.edu

How much time will I need to study outside the classroom?

The time spent studying outside the classroom varies from student to student. However, most students estimate they spend an average of 15-20 hours studying each week they are not attending classes. Students get more out of the programme the more they put in, so the more time committed outside classroom hours leads to greater gains.

How is the programme assessed?

London Business School is a graduate school of the University of London and awards University of London degrees. Each core course and elective is assessed using appropriate assessment instruments, which can include individual and group assignments, exercises, projects, class participation and examinations.

How can I convince my employer to support me through the Dubai-London Executive MBA?

The Dubai-London Executive MBA provides immediate benefits to sponsoring organisations. Students can immediately apply the theory learned in the classroom to their job and are able to tailor elective aspects of the programme to the specific knowledge requirements of their business. Sponsoring organisations also become part of the wide and diverse London Business School network.

London Business School hosts an annual Employers Event for sponsors of Dubai-London Executive MBA students.

Read more about employers and the Executive MBA

Do I need to be financially sponsored by my employer to undertake the programme?

All students must be sponsored by their organisations in terms of time but are not required to secure financial support. A number of Executive MBA students fund their own studies. Company funding can be granted in a variety of forms, ranging from full payment of tuition fees and expenses to expenses only. Students who are funded often sign an agreement to stay with their company for a stated length of time after completion of the programme.

Do you have a minimum number of years work experience?

Dubai-London Executive MBA students are expected to show competency in the management of people, budgets, clients or processes over a sustained period of time. Postgraduate work experience ranges between 4 and 20 years.

Does my work experience need to be as a manager?

Dubai-London Executive MBA students generally have managerial experience in at least one of three areas - people management, project management or budget management. Not everyone leads large teams of people but they usually manage in one of these key areas. Students are required to be in these kinds of roles so that they can directly apply their classroom learning to their jobs. This is one of the key benefits of the programme.

Do I need to have an undergraduate degree?

Dubai-London Executive MBA students normally have an undergraduate degree which must be granted by a recognised university.

We accept one or two exceptional non-graduates each year. We would expect such candidates to have alternative professional qualifications and/or outstanding work experience. We would also look at the GMAT more closely as an indicator of academic ability. It is often useful to have sat the GMAT before applying if you are a non-graduate.

Is GMAT essential?

No. Although Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is not a requirement, we would encourage candidates to take the GMAT in the knowledge that a good score would positively support your application.

Do I need to take TOEFL/IELTS?

All applicants whose native language is not English are advised to take the TOEFL or IELTS unless they have received a degree from an institution where English was the language of instruction or have lived or worked in an English-speaking environment for a minimum of two years.

When is the application deadline?

How much is the application fee?

The application fee is £120. The fee may be paid online.

Can I waive the application fee?

London Business School offers free application to graduates of fellow University of London colleges and graduates of our partner institutions Columbia University and the University of Hong Kong. You must request that we waive the fee at the time of application and provide a copy of your college transcript.

Candidates recommended by a London Business School alumnus / alumna may also be exempt from the application fee. Alumni wishing to recommend a candidate should email dubai-london@london.edu stating their relationship with the candidate and their reasons for the recommendation. Recommendations must be received before the application is submitted.

Who should my references be from?

Two references should be submitted as part of an Dubai-London Executive MBA application.

One should be from your immediate line manager, the other may come from someone you have reported to who can comment directly on your academic or managerial ability.

What do you need from my employer?

A signed letter from an authorised sponsor stating the sponsorship agreement from the company must be submitted with your application. Candidates may be self-sponsored financially, but their employers are still required to support them in terms of time. Applicants must submit complete information in terms of sponsorship with the appropriate signature from an authorised sponsor. This may be the department head, president, CEO or human resources executive.

Academic transcripts

Candidates are required to submit academic transcripts from their undergraduate or graduate educational institutions. If the original transcripts are not in English, you must also provide certified translated copies.

How should I submit my application?

Our preferred format for receiving applications is via our online applications system.

Once an application is submitted, what happens?

We operate a rolling admissions process which means the earlier you apply the earlier you receive a decision.

An application will be reviewed within two weeks of submission. If you are successful, you will be invited to attend a selection day where you will be interviewed by Executive MBA alumni and/or senior admissions staff and meet other applicants to the programme.

If you submit a complete application, you will receive a final decision within 6 - 8 weeks of submission.

What are the tuition fees for the programme?

Dubai-London Executive MBA tuition fees for the programme commencing in September 2008 are US$79,950.

What do the fees include?

Fees for the Dubai-London Executive MBA programme include tuition, course materials, and essential core course textbooks.

Does London Business School offer a loan for undertaking the programme?

London Business School offers a loan scheme in partnership with HSBC Bank which is available to participants on degree programmes, including Executive MBA students who are resident in and work in the UK. The loan is designed to cover up to 80% of tuition fees and students are expected to hold their main bank account with HSBC for the duration of the loan.

I have read the information on the website. How do I find out more about the programme?

One of the best ways to learn more about the Dubai-London Executive MBA is to attend one of our information sessions. Information sessions will be held in Dubai and in other cities in the region from January 2008. For dates of forthcoming sessions and to register, please refer to our information session page.

We are happy to arrange for you to sit in on an Executive MBA core course lecture in London to give you a real taste of the learning experience. Please contact the Dubai-London team for further details.

Email us at dubai-london@london.edu if you have any additional questions.

I cannot attend an information session in London. How can I find out more about the Dubai-London Executive MBA?

We realise it is difficult for some people to attend one of our campus-based information sessions and there are several alternatives for meeting or speaking with London Business School representatives.

If attending a campus information session is not possible for you:

• the School holds an extensive portfolio of overseas information sessions and we would be delighted if you could attend one of these. To see a listing of the cities we visit, and to reserve a place at an event, please visit our Global information sessions web page.
• we are happy to schedule a telephone conversation with you. Please email us with a preferred contact number and we will be pleased to telephone you and answer any questions you may have about the programme and London Business School: dubai-london@london.edu.
• we can put you in touch with current students or alumni. If you would like to speak directly with students or alumni, please send your CV to dubai-london@london.edu so that we can match you with a suitable contact. We are unable to put you in touch without viewing your CV.
• email us at dubai-london@london.edu with any questions you have about the Dubai-London Executive MBA programme or London Business School.

We look forward to hearing from you

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