Surrey Business School is proud to unveil a transformation of its flagship MBA programme. Designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s professionals, the new Surrey MBA offers greater flexibility and deeper personalisation than ever before. Students can now tackle real business challenges, build a career portfolio, and graduate with stronger career impact.
The world of business moves fast – and the Surrey MBA is built to keep pace. The revamped programme is designed to sharpen career growth, improve the student experience, and flex around the demands of modern professional life.
Introducing the Career Growth Accelerator
At the heart of the new MBA experience is the Career Growth Accelerator, a four-stage set of training, covering building an innovative mindset, career foundations & self-discovery, mastering influence, and career acceleration & future leadership. It runs throughout the programme and is designed to fast-track leadership development, strategic insight, and career progression. Career Growth Accelerator integrates bespoke career coaching, teamwork dynamics, soft skills training, and job market preparation, along with a range of practical skills to help secure high-impact roles and position MBA students for future leadership opportunities.
New specialised pathways
Students can now tailor their MBA journey with specialised module options in one of three growth areas:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Entrepreneurship
- Hospitality Service Leadership.
These three areas represent the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy – and the fields where organisations are most urgently seeking skilled, forward-thinking leaders. The pathways also reflect Surrey Business School’s research strengths and sector expertise. For those who prefer a broader approach, pathways remain optional – the modular structure enables students to tailor their experience without committing to a specific route.
Part-time options: Structured and Unstructured
Recognising that a full-time programme isn’t suitable for everyone, Surrey Business School has introduced two distinct part-time formats. These options are designed to support professionals looking to upskill alongside their current roles or commitments, as well as local businesses aiming to develop their talent.
- Structured Part-Time: A two-year format with approximately 30 days of on-campus study (alongside additional reading and independent work). Ideal for those who thrive with a consistent schedule.
- Unstructured Part-Time: A flexible option completed over two to five years, designed for professionals balancing complex work or home commitments.
Both formats deliver the full Surrey MBA experience. Part-time students study alongside the full-time cohort, bringing a richness of professional perspective to every classroom discussion.
Shaping business leaders for a disruptive world
“The business landscape changes fast,” says Dr Mahdi Tavalaei, Director of the MBA programme. “We need to ensure our MBA responds to that by offering a relevant and transformational experience for professionals.”
The redesign has drawn directly on feedback from current students, alumni, and industry partners and ensures the changes reflect what professionals actually need to succeed.
The result is an MBA that is not just responsive to change, but built to drive it – equipping graduates with the skills, confidence, and network to make an immediate impact.
