The Durham–European Business School Executive MBA (EMBA) is a specialist postgraduate course which runs in Durham and EBS in Germany. Designed for talented managers and entrepreneurs who have a desire to make a positive difference, it enables you to develop the advanced business skills and knowledge that will enhance your career without having to take a break from your current role. In just 18 months you can achieve two internationally recognised qualifications.

As an EMBA student you will be part of a cohort of professionals who come from a wide range of backgrounds, and who share a desire to excel in their field. Collaborating with like-minded people will give you a broader perspective on today’s global business world and help develop the strategic leadership skills that will take you a step closer to becoming an influential corporate leader.

With a strong international focus, you will explore the operations of global markets and study accounting, economics for global business, finance and managing people and gain an essential understanding of transnational business leadership.

As part of the course, you will take part in an innovative boardroom exercise and experience the challenges and decision-making processes that take place at board level. There is also a strategic consultancy project in which you will carry out an in-depth investigation into a live business issue.

Learning takes place at the European Business School Universität in Germany’s Rheingau region and at Durham, with some online delivery. Running for 18 months on a part-time basis, it is designed to allow you to combine studies with your existing role.

Delivered in blocks of study, the course allows you to explore business theory and tools as well as share your own experiences with expert academics and peers at both locations in friendly and supportive settings, surrounded by a wealth of academic resources and facilities.

Durham is one of the longest established UK business schools and is in an elite group worldwide with triple-accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Association of MBAs and the European Quality Improvement System.

EBS Universität is one of the oldest privately-owned universities in Germany and is renowned for excellent research results together with a strong focus on practical use.

Course structure

Core modules:

Accounting explains the financial tools of accounting and governance, in particular, the techniques of financial statement analysis, financial planning and investment appraisal. The module also provides an understanding of the factors impacting on financial planning and the governance structures of a business.

Economics for Global Business offers a broad perspective on the external context and conditions under which organisations operate. You will develop a knowledge of the economic analysis methods relevant to managing in a global economy and how they are applied during decision-making and planning.

Finance covers the economic and financial environment in which organisations operate and their financial management. You will gain an understanding of the factors affecting financial planning and risk assessment, and financing and capital structure decisions.

Leading and Managing People aims to increase your professional effectiveness as a leader and manager by enabling you to develop an understanding of concepts, theories and techniques related to organisational behaviour and the management of people.

Marketing develops your understanding of marketing and the main challenges it faces within organisations. The module will teach you about classic marketing issues such as how customers acquire products and services, how to segment markets and position brands accordingly and the marketing mix approach. It also will explore more recent developments in the sector including relationship marketing, services marketing, and the impact of digital marketing.

Operations and Technology introduces operations management and explores the issues and circumstances that govern operations management decisions by presenting a number of tools and methods for understanding and managing costs, speed, flexibility, dependability and sustainability.

Strategic Management examines the ways in which companies implement different business and corporate strategies to achieve or maintain a competitive advantage under changing political, economic, sociocultural and technological conditions, competition and available resources.

Sustainability and Ethics develops your understanding of the impact of sustainability and ethical issues on organisations. You will explore the concept of global sustainability and assess the role and purpose of business and other organisations in relation to society as a whole. You will also look at current trends in business ethics, corporate social responsibility and governance.

The Boardroom Exercise is an innovative module in which you apply the concepts and theories learnt from other modules to the board-level management of a real-world international organisation. It will enable you to understand trends and their implications within corporate governance structures as well as the frameworks and policies for the effective management of corporations. It will also hone your skills in communication, presentation, persuasion and mindfulness.

Examples of optional modules:

• Business Analytics
• Advanced Finance for Business
• Leading Change
• Management Consultancy
• Negotiation
• Project Management
• New Venture Creation

Leadership Training

In addition to exceptional knowledge transfer, the programme promotes individual leadership skills and professional development. Throughout the programme you have many opportunities to develop your leadership approach and capabilities.

Leading Yourself, Leading Teams, Leading Organisations

During your studies you will be working in interdisciplinary, international teams of students. You will sharpen your analytical and problem-solving skills while refining your communication skills and ability to convince others of your ideas.

Learning will take place through a combination of taught input, group work and discussion. You will work on a business case studies, to recognise, evaluate and resolve the corporate challenges faced by organisations drawing on contemporary business practice, theory and research to rationalise, underpin and defend the issues and proposed solutions in the real world.

Careers and employability

This prestigious dual award offered by two leading European universities will teach you the skills and knowledge required to take on additional responsibility in business management. This knowledge can be applied in your existing role or used to further your career ambitions in the wider sector.

Given the international nature of the course and its subject matter, you will develop a valuable network of business and academic connections from across the world with the potential to provide mutually beneficial opportunities in the future.

As part of the EMBA, you will also have access to our Career Development Programme, which has been designed to work alongside the academic course to help you develop the interpersonal skills employers are looking for. Such skills include the ability to make decisions, solve problems, be analytical and innovative and also to understand the sensitivities and behaviours of a workplace environment.

The EMBA has been created in partnership with programme directors and leading training partners, and is frequently revised to take into consideration the most up-to-date requirements of global recruiters.

The Durham-EBS EMBA is much more than a qualification, it is your gateway to a world of opportunities.

Learning

The EMBA is taught in English and is delivered in one three-day block per month for 18 months, meaning you can continue to work alongside your studies.

The majority of contact time is spent in lectures, group sessions and workshops, and this is supplemented with a high proportion of independent study. You will also have opportunities to get involved with group social evenings, guest speaker events and other activities, which are offered both in the UK and Germany.

The nature of the EMBA enables you to apply your learning to your work environment from day one.

Assessment

Assessment is rigorous and the methods employed vary from module to module. They include a financial analysis, written assignments, an individual project and group presentations. You will also be assessed on your performance in the board meeting scenario.

One-third of your marks will come from the write-up of the strategic consulting project on a subject of your choice which has been agreed with the module leader.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Begin your application by submitting the following documents:

• A university entrance qualification and a Bachelor's degree with at least 180 ECTS or an equivalent recognised qualification
• Proof of at least five years professional experience by the programme start date

OR

• A Master's degree with at least 90 ECTS or an equivalent recognised qualification
• Proof of at least three years professional experience by the programme start date

AND

• Proof of English proficiency (English language certificate or other accepted proof)
• A Curriculum Vitae in English
• A personal motivation letter
• University diploma and transcript(s) in both original language and English

Please send us your documents online. We will check them immediately. We look forward to meeting you at an individual selection interview if you meet the requirements.It is advisable to apply before July of the year you wish to start, for example, in order to apply for the necessary visas.

Application process

We will review your documents and provide prompt feedback. Applicants will be invited to participate in an informal admission interview conducted jointly by the EBS and Durham programme directors during which they will have the opportunity to showcase their academic and professional achievements, discuss professional goals, and gain further insights into the programme.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Total tuition fees: 44,950 EUROS

Fees are to be paid to EBS Business School. More information can be found here

The tuition fees are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).