Most business schools have at least one MBA programme, with most offering a range of full-time, part-time, online, and on-campus MBAs. In addition to the delivery formats, towards the second half of an MBA, students can choose a business area to focus or specialise in.
This guide will cover the types of MBA specialisation UK business schools offer.
MBAs And Specialisations
An MBA is a conversion course covering key business management and leadership areas. A typical MBA’s core units or modules cover one business subject at a time, providing a solid foundation in business thinking and understanding.
After the core units, MBA students normally have a choice of specialised modules. The specialisation units and the final project typically comprise the course’s second half.
| Section | Course % |
| Core Modules | 50% |
| Specialisations/ Electives | 20% |
| Final Project | 30% |
The exact percentage breakdown can vary between MBAs, but most follow the same pattern: business fundamentals covered by the core modules, followed by a specialisation and the final, major project.
Specialisation in the Title Vs a “General” MBA
Some MBAs append the specialisation to the title of the qualification. There are no set rules around this. For these MBAs, the structure can be the same as a ” general MBA” but with only electives in the specialisation available or the larger part of the course dedicated to the specialisation area.
As always, when comparing MBAs, you need to look at the syllabus, module topics, and specialisations available to get a feel for the programme.
Which Type of MBA is Better?
There is no right or wrong answer. It depends on your career goals, interests, and what you want to get from an MBA.
All MBAs cover business fundamentals and have elective or specialisation modules. If you are planning to work in finance, you may find a general MBA has more suitable or interesting electives than another MBA with Finance in the title. Or the reputation of the university in a particular subject or industry might hold more weight for you.
Conversely, an MBA (Finance) may cover the exact areas in which you want to develop your leadership skills from a finance perspective.
Popular MBA Titles And Specialisations
Below, we have listed some of the more popular MBA titles, including examples of specialisations and possible career outcomes for MBA graduates.
MBA
Specialisations
The number and areas covered vary greatly between universities but below are some of the most popular elective modules for a general MBA.
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Finance
- Decision-making
- Entrepreneurship
- Strategy
- Negotiation
Career Pathways
Taking an MBA provides a way to progress into strategic, nanomagnet or leadership positions in any industry or organisation.
MBA Artificial Intelligence
Specialisations
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:
- Techniques and Applications
- Fundamentals of AI
- ML and Data Analytics
- Computational Thinking for Business
- Fintech and AI
Career Pathways
The speed of AI development means that roles are being created and businesses disrupted at a scale not seen since the Industrial Revolution. Sectors and companies are looking for expertise for their leadership and management teams to help them navigate and harness this change.
MBA International Business
With a focus on global organisations and the leadership challenges involved in operating across borders.
Specialisations
- Cross-cultural leadership
- International Supply Chain Management,
- Global Economics
- International Legal and Tax Strategy
- Global Accounting
Career Pathways
Career promotion and leadership roles in global companies to consulting and advisory roles for a range of corporate and not-for-profit NGOs.
MBA Finance
Specialisations
- Private Equity and Venture Capital
- Valuation and M&A
- International Financial Management
- Fintech and Digital Finance
- Corporate Finance
Career Pathways
- Financial Manager
- Investment Banker
- Financial Analyst
- Auditor
- Hedge Fund Management
MBA Marketing
Specialisations
- Consumer Behavior
- Marketing Management
- Marketing Analytics
- Pricing Strategy
- Brand Management
- New Product Development
Career Pathways
- Marketing Manager
- Advertising Manager
- Brand Manager
- Market Research Analyst
MBA in Business Analytics
Specialisations
- Data Mining
- Data Visualisation
- Risk Management Systems
- Data Analytics
- Trading Strategies
- Customer Insights Research
Career Pathways
- Financial Analyst
- Business Analytics Specialist
- Data Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Marketing Manager
MBA in Entrepreneurship
Specialisations
- Creating a value-driven business model
- Engaging and communicating with stakeholders
- Building a successful team
- Venture Creation
- Platform Disruption
- Scaling up and Business Growth
Career Pathways
- New Business Development
- Starting your own business
- Consulting
- Funding Manager
MBA in Human Resource Management
Specialisations
- Organisational Training and Development
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Resourcing and Talent Management
- Employee Relations and Engagement
Career Pathways
- Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
- Organisational Development Consultant
- Training and Development Manager
- HR Information Systems Manager
MBA in Supply Chain Management
Specialisations
- Logistics
- Procurement
- Risk Management
- Supply Chain Strategy
Career Pathways
- Logistics Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Project Management
- Business Consulting
MBA in Healthcare Management
Specialisations
- Business Strategy
- HR
- Healthcare Policy
- Health Economics
- Digital Health Transformation
Career Pathways
- Director of Nursing
- Account Executive
- Director of Operations
- Hospital Administrator
- Medical Records Director
