Queen's University Belfast

MBA

Q: When does the next programme start? 

The next programme commences in mid-September 2025.

Q: Are there full-time and part-time study options?

The Queen’s MBA provides a one year full-time and two year part-time study option. Part-time involves a maximum of two afternoons and evenings each week during term and an occasional class on Saturdays. The MBA with Internship programme is available only as a full-time option.

Q: Are there exams and/or coursework?

Assessment involves a combination of written examinations, continuous assessment and a research project. Continuous assessment methods include individual and group essays, reflective essays on problem-solving within professional experience, case study reports, presentations and assessed challenges incorporating ‘board level’ presentations.

Q: What is the time commitment typically needed?

In a typical week for a full-time student, students will have between 15-22 contact hours of teaching. Part-time students will have between 5-12 hours.

Q: What is the entry criteria?

Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline. Work experience is required minimum three years’ professional experience.

Q: What constitutes relevant work experience?

The three year's work experience should be full-time. It can be from a variety of sectors and ideally includes some evidence of having taken leadership roles (whether formally or informally). It does not include placement or internship roles.

Q: How much will the Queen's MBA cost?

See table below, which covers full-time and part-time routes (or visit the Queen's MBA Fees and Funding section). 

Q: Why is the programme charged at a premium fee? 

The AMBA-accredited Queen’s MBA will give you a globally recognised qualification together with a transformational leadership experience and a set of refined skills for leading in a demanding global business environment. For professionals with relevant work and management experience, this is the beginning of a challenging and exciting leadership journey.

Q: Is there funding or financial aid available for this programme?

Queen’s offers high value scholarships for all eligible full-time and part-time students commencing an MBA in September 2025. UK and Ireland student scholarships are each valued at £10,000 towards tuition fees (£6,000 scholarships are available for international candidates).

The relevant scholarship of £10,000 or £6,000 will, if successful, be reduced from the overall MBA course fee of £25,000 for UK and Ireland and £28,000 for International. All successful applicants will automatically be considered for the relevant scholarship (note: a separate application for a scholarship is not required).

Q: How do I apply for funding?

A separate application for the Queen’s MBA scholarship is not required (all successful applicants will automatically be considered for the relevant scholarship). For information about postgraduate loans, please visit the Queen's MBA Fees and Funding section.  

Q: How do I apply for the Queen’s MBA?

Apply online through the University's Direct Applications Portal. 

Q: Where is the MBA taught? Are there online teaching elements?

The MBA takes place in the beautiful setting of Riddel Hall, which features excellent facilities. Adjacent to Riddel Hall is a new 6,000 square metre state-of-the-art innovative building, which has been recently opened and provides the stunning backdrop for MBA study.

Q: What constitutes relevant work experience as per the entry criteria?

Work experience should be full-time. It can be from a variety of sectors and should include evidence of having taken leadership roles (whether formally or informally).

Q: What involvement does industry have in shaping and delivering the programme?

There will be the opportunity to network with industry experts. There are guest lectures, a consulting challenge together with site visits. As part of the Entrepreneurship module, students will undertake a ‘Design Sprint’ challenge where they will work with an industry partner and present using a combination of design thinking theory and frameworks to propose a viable solution to a live challenge and sell this to the industry partner.

Q: Who are the guest speakers?

Guest speakers are leaders in their field from public, private and non-profit sectors. Guest speakers vary each year but we have welcomed past speakers from:

• Global multinationals – Allstate, Coca-Cola, ASDA, Schraeder Electronics
• Financial firms – Citi, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank
• Consulting firms – PwC, Deloitte, PACEC consulting
• Public sector organisations – NI Water, Tourism NI, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
• Social Enterprise and CSR – Business in the Community, Bryson Group
• Successful start-ups – OpenHydro Technologies, Bubbacue.

Q: What social activities and networking opportunities are there for MBA students?

Informal network opportunities: regular lunches and coffee breaks with classmates, academics and industry leaders provide opportunities to learn from each other. There is also an annual MBA Dinner which takes place towards the end of the course.

Q: How will my MBA application be evaluated?

The application process will change from September 2025 with the introduction of a video statement and the discontinuation of interviews. The Programme Team reviews the application documents supplied which include:

• Online application form
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• Certified transcripts of academic degrees
• Copy of IELTS/TOEFL/English test result
• References (professional and/or academic). 

MBA WITH INTERNSHIP

Q: Will there be taught modules in Year 2 or just the internship?

Year 2 only consists of the MBA Project. It does not contain any other modules. 

Q: How long does the MBA internship last for?

A minimum of nine months.

Q: How do I secure an internship?

Queen's Business School will assist its MBA students in securing an internship but cannot guarantee a placement/internship. The onus will be on a student to successfully apply for a suitable internship. 

Does the internship get assessed and how is it assessed towards the final MBA qualification? There is an element of assessment as it is expected that students will base their MBA project on the organisation that they are working for, and this MBA project forms part of the assessment for the SMRP module. Active attendance and engagement in accordance with visa regulations will also be reviewed through at least one visit / contact from an academic within QBS. 

Q: Do I pay the same university tuition fee for my second internship year?  

Students pay the tuition fee for Year 1. For the internship in Year 2, students will only pay the internship administrative fee (and the SMRP module fee if this has not been paid in Year 1).