Executive MBA

The Oxford Executive MBA (EMBA) is a prestigious and rigorous graduate-level program designed for experienced professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and strategic decision-making skills. Delivered by Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, this programme combines academic excellence with practical application, preparing leaders to drive innovation and create value within their organizations. The Oxford EMBA is structured to accommodate the busy schedules of senior executives, offering a flexible part-time format that allows students to study whilst maintaining their professional responsibilities. Over the course of the program, participants engage in a comprehensive curriculum that covers core areas such as strategic management, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, and entrepreneurial leadership, complemented by electives tailored to individual interests and career goals. The programme emphasizes the development of personal leadership qualities, fostering critical thinking, ethical judgment, and global perspectives essential for success in today's complex business environment. Learning is facilitated through a blend of interactive workshops, case studies, and group projects, encouraging peer-to-peer exchange and network-building among a diverse cohort of global executives. The Oxford EMBA also features numerous opportunities for international exposure, including immersive modules in key financial and business centers around the world, enhancing cross-cultural understanding and global business insights. Participants benefit from the guidance of world-class faculty, including leading academics and industry practitioners who bring real-world experience into the classroom. The programme culminates in a capstone project where students tackle real business challenges, applying their learning to deliver innovative solutions. Upon graduation, alumni join an elite network of Oxford Graduates, gaining lifelong access to a global community of business leaders, exclusive events, and ongoing professional development resources. The Oxford EMBA aims to equip graduates with the strategic mindset, advanced knowledge, and leadership acumen necessary to excel in senior management positions and to contribute meaningfully to their organizations and society at large.

Core knowledge for business

Saïd Business School provides a core curriculum that has been designed to enhance your general management skills and knowledge in order to increase your ability to deliver change in your organisation and influence decision-making at the most senior level. More detailed information on our core modules can be found in our brochure

• Business complexity and decision making
• Analytics
• Leadership fundamentals
• Firms and markets
• Strategy
• Business finance
• Marketing
• Technology and operations management
• Financial reporting

Integrative modules

These modules are studied by all Executive MBA students and are required elements of the programme.

• Entrepreneurship project
• Business in emerging markets (China)
• The global rules of the game (India)
• The strategic leader

Electives

As an Oxford Executive MBA student you will be required to study a minimum of six electives. Electives allow you to specialise in certain subject areas to either strengthen your current skill set or improve on others. 

For every new class we ensure that all the electives we offer are aligned with current developments in management and business. Therefore, each member of the class is asked to forward their preferred elective choices.  Our faculty will then create a list of electives to suit the class and, if required, join topic areas together to create a new elective choice enabling a truly tailored offering. Subjects may include: (these may change)

• Behavioural finance
• Branding and communications
• Corporate turnaround
• Corporate valuation
• Designing better futures
• Emerging markets finance
• Entrepreneurial finance (Silicon Valley, USA)
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Negotiation
• Private equity
• Social entrepreneurship
• Strategy implementation
• Theory and practice of strategic negotiation
• Global marketing
• Inclusive Business in Africa (Cape Town, South Africa)

1. Significant professional experience

You should have at least five years' managerial experience. Candidates also need to have achieved management level before commencing the Executive MBA since they will require a certain level of authority within their organisations to implement their projects and knowledge learned on the programme. 

2. A good undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification

As a guide, you should have a 2.1 degree or its equivalent. If you do not hold such qualifications you may be considered if you have a very strong fast-track employment history, demonstrating your ability as a high achiever.

3. Your university academic transcripts outlining the subjects studied and grades obtained

As evidence, you must upload all your university degrees academic transcripts/mark-sheets to the online application form. These must outline the subjects studied or grades obtained from each academic year. If invited to an interview, you will have to provide official copies of your transcripts. 

4. GMAT score

Candidates are required to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions test).

Candidates with at least 10 years of management experience who also currently have a role which requires a high level of quantitative and/or analytical skills, may be granted exemption from the GMAT requirement. This will be at the discretion of our Admissions Committee, upon the submission of a written request together with a full application for a place on the programme.

For further information please contact the Admissions Office for guidance.

When preparing for your GMAT please bear in mind: 

• To contact GMAC directly to arrange to take the test: www.gmac.com
• All sections of the GMAT must be taken in order to be considered valid
• Official online scores must be accessible by our admissions department for your application to be considered complete. For GMAC to release your official scores to the Saïd Business School, please give your test centre the following code: Q0G-4B-47
• GMAT scores are not valid if they are older than five years on the application deadline date.

5. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test Scheme (IELTS)

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test Scheme (IELTS) must be taken, and all minimum scores met if: 

• Your first language is not English OR
• You are not from a majority English speaking country, as defined by the UK Border agency, below.*

TOEFL IBT

• Minimum Score - 110
• Minimum required on each component:
• Listening – 22 | Reading – 24 | Writing – 24 | Speaking - 25

IELTS 7.5

• Minimum required on each component: 7.0

6. Two references, professional or academic (only online references can be accepted)

Two professional or academic references must be submitted via the online application form. Once referee details are input onto the application form, your referee will receive an automatic email from us with details for completing the online reference.

7. Three essays on the topics outlined in the online application form

The content of your essays should be derived from your own experiences, using your own words. Information on the University's policy on plagiarism can be found on the University website. 

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The University of Oxford's Executive MBA program offers a comprehensive and flexible financing structure designed to accommodate the diverse financial circumstances of its participants. The program's fees cover tuition, course materials, access to university resources, and participation in networking events and leadership development activities. The total cost of the Executive MBA at Oxford typically ranges around £92,000, payable in installments over the duration of the program. Students are encouraged to explore various funding options including employer sponsorship, personal savings, loans, and scholarships offered by the university and external organizations. Oxford's Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and other financial institutions may provide loans with favorable interest rates and repayment terms for qualified applicants. The university also offers scholarships and bursaries that are awarded based on merit, leadership potential, and diversity criteria. Furthermore, some participants secure partial funding through employer contributions, which may cover a significant portion of tuition fees in recognition of the strategic benefit to the organization. Participants are advised to begin the funding application process early to ensure coverage for tuition and associated expenses. Apart from external funding, Oxford provides guidance and resources for students to identify suitable financial aid opportunities, including workshops and personal financial planning sessions. The program's structure, which allows for part-time study combined with online learning components, facilitates ongoing employment, enabling participants to offset costs through continued income. Overall, the financing options for the Oxford Executive MBA are designed to make this prestigious program accessible to high-caliber professionals worldwide, supporting their leadership development and career advancement ambitions.

The Oxford Executive MBA is a prestigious part-time program designed for experienced professionals seeking to advance their careers while maintaining their current employment. Delivered by Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, the program combines rigorous academic coursework with practical application, fostering leadership skills and strategic thinking. The curriculum covers a broad range of business disciplines including finance, strategy, leadership, marketing, and innovation, tailored to prepare graduates for senior management roles across various industries.

The program typically spans over 21 months, featuring a series of modular coursework complemented by residential weeks and international immersions. Participants engage in intensive sessions, case studies, group projects, and individual assignments that promote collaborative learning and networking. The program emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging students to apply theoretical knowledge directly to their organizational challenges.

Engagement with Oxford’s extensive alumni network and faculty, comprising world-renowned experts, provides students with unique mentoring opportunities and global insights. The Executive MBA program is highly flexible, designed to accommodate busy professionals, often held on weekends or evenings to minimize interference with work commitments. Admission is competitive, requiring a combination of work experience, academic ability, leadership potential, and recommendations.

Graduates of the Oxford Executive MBA program gain not only advanced business acumen but also a global perspective, strategic leadership capabilities, and a lifelong network. The degree enhances career prospects significantly, enabling alumni to pursue executive roles, startup ventures, or consultancy positions with increased confidence and expertise. The program’s reputation for academic excellence, rigorous curriculum, and the prestige of Oxford University make it one of the top executive MBA programs worldwide.