Overview
Start date: September 2026 Register your interest
Study mode: Part-time / Flexible
Duration: 2 to 5 years
Fees: £42,500 Scholarships are available
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines
Entry: Minimum of a 2:1 or equivalent at undergraduate level, and a minimum of three years' full time work experience.
Accelerate your career, gain an insight into key business practices, and realise your leadership ambitions with The UCL Flex MBA.
The UCL Flex MBA is for ambitious individuals who are ready to take a step up. Supporting your career advancement, skills development and earning potential, you’ll graduate ready to achieve a lasting upward career trajectory.
The nature of business is changing more rapidly than ever before. Digital transformation, sustainability issues and global crises are all part of a constantly shifting context. Businesses must adapt, innovate and problem-solve to thrive. Brilliant leaders and managers will be critical to the future success of companies, the economy and society.
The UCL Flex MBA in Strategic Management and Leadership has been developed to meet this need. Recognising the flexibility you need to manage a career while elevating your skillset, there are multiple opportunities for you to design your MBA journey – including how, where and when you learn. With hybrid study options, the ability to pace learning over two to five years, and flexibility in terms of payment, learning style, module selection and more – this is an MBA where you are in control.
By embarking on this UCL MBA programme, you will gain an overview of key business areas and practices, designed to make you a confident business leader. Core modules cover everything from business strategy, marketing science and data analytics, to operations management, finance and how to make critical leadership decisions. Elective modules enable you to hone in on specific areas you’re interested in, and cover diverse topics including AI transformation, corporate sustainability and entrepreneurial strategy. The capstone project is a unique opportunity to apply your skills and learning to a real-life business topic.
With ongoing career consulting throughout the programme and for three years after you graduate, participation in MBA Immersions and MBA Labs that connect you with industry and alumni, plus a range of other activities, this MBA will set you up for future success. Graduates from this MBA experience the career results they’re looking for – 64% achieve at least one promotion or job change, and the average salary increase is 36%, with an average salary of £131,730.
Programme
The UCL Flex MBA is available on a flexible part-time basis, over a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years. Many candidates opt for a two-year programme, but this can be extended at any time. The flexibility of this programme means you can decide on how many modules to take per term, and whether you take them in-person or online. There are four terms per year.
Core modules
There are eight core modules for this MBA:
- Through The Data Analytics Advantage, you’ll learn to gather, analyse, and apply data to support informed, strategic decision-making.
- Critical Leadership Decisions will give you the tools you’ll need to address the ethical and social dimensions of leadership in a rapidly changing world.
- Business Strategy is all about the fundamentals of strategy to assess how leadership decisions shape business outcomes in dynamic markets.
- In the Marketing Strategy and Science module, you’ll develop effective marketing strategies that resonate with audiences in a competitive global landscape.
- Leading Organisations will enhance your leadership and management skills by examining essential people-focused aspects and reflecting on your unique leadership strengths and areas for growth.
- In Business Economics, you’ll examine economic principles with a critical look at shareholder value and future business imperatives.
- Through the Operations Management module, you’ll gain an understanding of how to balance agility and standardisation in delivering quality across global operations.
- Accounting and Financial Management will give you a solid foundation in accounting and finance to drive growth and adapt to changing markets.
Elective modules
You will also choose four elective modules from a selection of nine.
- Modelling Corporate Strategy helps to strengthen your ability to add value to your business through a combination of strategy and acquisitions.
- For those who want to enhance their leadership qualities and skillsets, Negotiations and Leadership Decision Making and Leading Global Teams are beneficial modules.
- For individuals who want to stay ahead of digital advancements impacting business, Engaging Digital Customers: Advanced Marketing and Accelerating Digital and AI Transformation are useful additions to your MBA learning roster.
- For those who want to get more involved with organisational future-proofing and innovation, Entrepreneurial Strategy, New Venture Creation and New Product Development and Innovation are modules that bring valuable insights.
- The Sustainable Business Strategies module is a must for any future leader who wants to learn how to turn sustainability into a strategic asset.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative and published in advance of enrolment. Module content/availability is subject to change each year. Modules can change for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to updated learning.
Capstone Project
A final, substantive project – the Capstone Project – prepares you for research on real-world business and management issues. This can be completed either as an individual project, or collaboratively as a group project.
Our Cohort
Flexibility
The UCL Flex MBA enables you to design your MBA journey in a way that matches your ambitions, commitments and learning preferences.
Hybrid studying
Achieve your MBA from anywhere in the world, with the option to study core modules in-person at UCL’s Canary Wharf campus.
- 8x Core modules are available to study either online or in-person in London during four-day intensive sessions (Thursday-Sunday).
- Study all elective modules online.
- Complete the capstone project remotely, with online support and mentorship.
- Change your pathway between hybrid and fully online during the programme, if your circumstances change.
- Enjoy the best of both worlds – study in a flexible hybrid format while continuing to work and make an immediate impact in your workplace.
Tuition fee payment
There are no large fees in advance in this programme. You simply pay for the modules you have coming up, enabling you to spread the cost throughout the programme, whether you complete it in two years or five years.
Module selection
Study eight core modules, and choose four elective modules out of a possible nine, focusing on areas of business that interest you. This approach allows you to gain a core spread of business knowledge, supplemented by modules that match your interests.
You can secure your module choices at the beginning of each year of study, so you know your schedule ahead of time, but retain the flexibility to adjust your module choices or pacing during the year, if your circumstances change.
Pace of study
Complete your MBA in between two and five years through part-time, flexible study.
- Follow a two-year pathway, studying all core modules in year one, with elective modules and the capstone project completed during year two.
- Enjoy flexibility to extend beyond two years if your circumstances change.
- Or spread out your module choices over longer timeframes to take advantage of the five year window to completion.
Two years is the shortest period of time a student can take the programme, and it is our default approach. This is also the length of study that the majority of students choose.
In this example plan, you will study all of your core modules in year one, studying two modules per-term. In year two you would study study all of your elective modules in terms one and two, and complete your capstone project across terms three and four.
This mode of study would give you two online classes per week if studying online modules, or two in-person weekends in London per-term if studying in-person core modules.
A three-year study plan is the second most popular way to take the programme.
In this example plan, you will study five core modules in year one, three core modules and two elective modules in year two, and finish with two elective modules plus your capstone project in year three. This approach means at least one term in years one and two will require you to take two modules.
This mode of study would give you one online classes per week if studying online modules, or one in-person weekends in London per-term if studying in-person core modules, except for the two terms where you study two modules, where this workload would double.
A four-year study plan gives students much more time between classes. In essence, you can study just one module per term and give yourself a full 12 months to complete your Capstone Project.
In this plan, you will study four core modules in year one and year two, study all of your elective modules in year three and finish with your capstone project in year four.
This mode of study would give you one online classes per week if studying online modules, or one in-person weekends in London per-term if studying in-person core modules.
Five years is the longest period a student can take to complete the programme. It is our least common approach to study.
This plan gives you more time between classes, allowing you to study for two or three terms per-year. In this plan, you could study three core modules in year one and two, two elective modules in year three and four, and finish with your capstone project in year five.
This mode of study would give you 1 online classes per week if studying online modules, or 1 in-person weekends in London per-term if studying in-person core modules.
Learning style
Make the most of a hybrid approach to studying, with the option to study everything online, or take the core modules in-person.
- Benefit from intensive four-day in-person sessions for each core module, delivered from Thursday to Sunday each time.
- Or study everything online, with 15 hours of live teaching per module, supplemented with 15 hours of flexible, self-guided learning.
- Enjoy classes that are designed for interaction, collaboration and peer learning – supporting the content delivered by expert lecturers.
- Blend in-person and online learning according to your preferences and availability.
- Benefit from opportunities to network and build communities with peers and faculty members during in-person sessions, delivered at UCL’s Canary Wharf campus in London’s internationally renowned business district.
Student Experience
The MBA experience isn't just about studying. It's also about broadening your horizons, exploring your personal interests, and making lifelong connections.
The UCL Flex MBA has a specially curated range of events, networks and support services that enable you to maximise your MBA experience.
MBA Immersions
Enrich your learning and broaden your UCL network through our MBA Immersions, where both MBA students and alumni are invited.
- Join these extracurricular immersion programmes that last three to five days, with one in London and one in an international location each year.
- Each MBA Immersion focuses on a relevant real-world topic, and features interactive sessions with industry experts.
- Previous themes have included Finding Your Purpose as a Leader, Innovation and Creative Problem Solving, Digital Innovation and AI, Sustainability in Business, and Strategic Networking.
- Participation is optional, and students benefit from experiential learning, invaluable connections, and confidence-building.
MBA Labs and Global DigitalHack
Join a range of award-winning initiatives to enhance your learning.
The UCL Sustainability Lab and Analytics Lab are student and alumni-led and offer the opportunity to connect with industry, while the Global DigitalHack connects students and alumni with industry to co-create solutions that address societal, organisational, or the UCL Grand Challenges.
These initiatives won the Association of MBAs (AMBA) Excellence Award in 2024.
Dedicated student support
Make the most of personal, 1:1 academic advice, scheduling support, wellbeing assistance, Financial Aid guidance, and access to broader UCL support and services, all designed to ensure you thrive personally and professionally.
Access to campus
Whether you choose to study flexibly or fully online, all students in the UCL MBA have access UCL’s campuses in Canary Wharf, Bloomsbury and UCL East. Students are particularly encouraged to come and spend time at the School of Management's home in One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, which is London's premier business and finance district.
Employability and Careers
The UCL Flex MBA will give you the skills and knowledge you need to take the next step in your career.
This MBA is suitable for candidates with at least three years’ work experience, or for those who have worked in business for a while. Whether you want to fast track your career into leadership, or you feel like your career is stagnating and you’re ready to climb the ladder, you’ll graduate from this programme with elevated prospects.
Our focus on strategic management and leadership will help you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the critical areas of business, and you’ll be well-suited to leadership and management roles that have oversight of different business areas. You will also have the ability to lead a department, or a regional or country-specific area of business activity.
The MBA could lead you towards roles including:
C-level executive
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), General Manager.
Specialised professional roles
Management Consultant, Financial Manager/Analyst, Brand Marketing Manager, Product Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Operations Manager, Data Analyst/Specialist.
Industry specific roles
- product management, business development, and IT management in technology firms
- hospital administration and healthcare services management
- investment banking, fund management, and financial services
- leadership roles in marketing, operations, and brand management for major retailers
- positions in strategic planning, resource allocation, and financial management for social impact organisations.
This MBA will equip you with a core set of skills, knowledge and insights that will enable you to excel in leadership and management roles in any sector. You’ll graduate with critical problem-solving, decision-making, and effective communication skills, along with a strengthened understanding of how businesses operate.
Bespoke career support
The UCL MBA has curated a programme of continuous career support designed for your needs, not just a ‘one-and-done’ meeting. Our expert consultants will take the time to get to know you, your goals and your ambitions, and work with you to build a plan that is completely tailored to your needs.
- Make the most of career consulting that is a practical, skills-focused offering, designed to address both immediate and long-term career ambitions.
- Gain support from current MBA students and alumni through the Mentorship Programme.
- Benefit from leadership & executive coaching – a tailored, developmental approach that combines 1:1 sessions, peer learning circles, and access to tools such as psychometric assessments. Coaching is designed to give you both immediate wins on pressing challenges and lasting impact on your leadership trajectory.
- Support doesn’t stop when you graduate - students in the UCL MBA can continue to access career consulting and leadership & executive coaching for three years after graduation, enabling you to maximise your career opportunities.
“My coach was a thread throughout the entire process of developing my own company. He gave honest feedback and guidance, as well as accountability.”
Wren Loucks UCL MBA
Alumni CEO & Creative Director, Be-kin.
Meet the Programme Director
Harveen Chugh is the Director of the UCL Flex MBA and Professor of Entrepreneurship at the UCL School of Management. She specialises in entrepreneurship education and designing new programmes, most recently the Pathway to High Growth programme for Minority Supplier Development UK (MSDUK).
Harveen brings experience of leadership and teaching from business schools including Warwick and Imperial. She has coached and mentored many entrepreneurs over the years, including on the Royal Academy of Engineering LIF programme, university programmes and for pitch competitions. She has won a number of recent awards including the WeAreTheCity Rising Star Award in 2023, which recognises female leadership, and was named as one of the Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professors by Poets & Quants in 2019.
Join Professor Chugh for a coffee and a chat
Want to know more about the UCL Flex MBA? Join Professor Chugh for an informal coffee and chat.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about the UCL Flex MBA, learn more about the programme, how it can help you take that next step in your career, and understand how the flexible delivery works.
You can also discuss the value of an MBA and whether this is the right type of MBA for you with Professor Chugh.
When: Wednesday 10 December, 12:00 - 13:00 GMT
Where: Zoom (meeting link to follow)
Registration is essential
The UCL Advantage
The UCL Flex MBA is taught by the UCL School of Management, which is in the top 2% of business schools globally thanks to its AMBA and AACSB accreditations. This programme is for anyone who wants to be gain an insight into how businesses run, in order to thrive in leadership and management positions in the future.
The research undertaken at the UCL School of Management has been rated as ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF), placing us 2nd in the UK for Business and Management.
Our academic staff are not only teaching, but are strongly research-focused. They collaborate with global companies to research and implement best-practice approaches to business and management which they then use to inform their teaching, ensuring their programmes and modules are innovative and reflect the latest leading research in their fields.
The UCL School of Management takes full advantage of being part of a world-leading university through our multidisciplinary collaboration with many other UCL departments.
For more than ten years, UCL has ranked in the top 10 universities globally (QS World University Rankings, 2026,) and is proud to hold the title of University of the Year 2024 , judged by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 who also rank UCL in 7th place in the UK in 2025.
Located in London, the best student city voted by QS for four years in a row, we attract staff and students from all over the world. The cultural fluency and global perspectives our students develop because of our diversity are prized by employers. The UCL School of Management is located in the heart of Canary Wharf, the internationally-renowned centre of business.
Applications
When reviewing online MBA applications, we take a holistic look at academic history, professional experience, your personal statement, references and admissions interview. Our entry requirements provide the University College London Admissions Committee with information that is pivotal for choosing the best candidates for the programme.
When we assess your application, we will be seeking to learn:
- Why you want to study the UCL Flex MBA programme, as opposed to another programme.
- Why you are interested in business, strategic management and leadership, and how you would like to apply the skills you gain from this MBA.
- Where you have undertaken specific activities with tangible outcomes, that demonstrate your career motivations and aspirations.
Successful candidates will be able to tangibly demonstrate:
- A strong track record to date – including academic achievement and career trajectory.
- Ambitions and motivations to continue learning, upskilling and achieving.
- Willingness to collaborate and connect with others.
Application deadlines
Start date: September 2026 |
Application deadline |
| Admissions Round 1 | 23 February 2026 (17:00 GMT) |
| Admissions Round 2 | 25 May 2026 (17:00 BST) |
| Admissions Round 3 | 24 August 2026 (17:00 BST) |
Minimum entry requirements
A good undergraduate degree from a recognised university – a minimum of UK Second Class Honours (Upper Division - 2:1) or the international equivalent, as well as a minimum of three years’ full-time work experience after completion of an undergraduate degree and before starting the MBA programme. If you do not meet the degree requirements, a minimum of five years’ work experience, with at least two years spent in a senior leadership role is required.
A 'Level 2’ English language qualification is required for this programme:
- English as a native language or
- If you require a language test, the UCL MBA recommends one of the following:
– IELTS Academic Online - an overall score of 7.0 and a minimum of 6.5 in each component.
– TOEFL (including iBT Special Home Edition) - an overall score of 96 with 24/30 in reading and writing and 22/30 in speaking and listening.
– Duolingo English Test - an overall score of 125, Comprehension, Literacy, Conversation score of 115, Production score of 120 - Exceptions may apply, therefore please contact us if in doubt at admissions.mba-mgmt@ucl.ac.uk
Learn more about English language requirements and all accepted English language tests
This programme does not require results from a GMAT, GRE or equivalent standardised test. Applicants who have taken a test are encouraged to submit their results if they feel their score will strengthen their application.
Visa information for non-UK students
Students in this programme will not qualify for sponsorship under the Student visa route, even if they choose the option that includes some on-campus teaching.
International students who wish to attend the on-campus teaching sessions will usually need to apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa, which permits short periods of study, including the in-person teaching on this programme.
Please note that UK immigration rules are set by the UK Government and are subject to change. There is therefore no guarantee that the rules outlined here will remain in place for the duration of your studies at UCL.
If you have any questions regarding visa compliance, please contact the UCL Student Immigration Compliance Team.
Application materials
- In the application portal, you will be asked to provide answers to essay questions that show evidence of your thought processes, motivation, and written communication skills. You may download the template here: UCL Flex MBA Essays.docx. The questions are:
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Essay 1 (essential): Tell us which characteristics of the UCL Flex MBA programme are attractive to you and why UCL should admit you.
Essay 2 (essential): What are your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals, and how will the UCL Flex MBA help you to achieve them?
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Essay 3 (essential): Consider the broader impact you could make as a leader. What is one change you would like to drive in your organisation, industry or community? How will you leverage the UCL Flex MBA to lead that change?
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Essay 4 (if you are applying for a scholarship): Describe how you meet the criteria for up to two scholarship categories and share the impact you hope to bring to the UCL MBA community. Please also explain how the financial support would enhance your studies and overall experience during the programme.
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Give details of the two people who you have asked to provide references on your behalf.
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At least one of your referees should be a senior professional (mentor, manager, or supervisor) and one a peer or co-worker
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At least one referee must be from your current employer.
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If you are self-employed or work in a family business, you may provide references from clients, business partners, investors, or professional advisors (e.g. accountant or lawyer) who can comment on your professional experience and achievements.
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Referees must not be family members or friends.
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References will not be accepted directly from applicants.
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We will contact your referees by email when you submit your application and they will be asked to complete an online reference form or download, complete and upload a reference form. References should be received from professional work email accounts and may be contacted for further information.
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Once this is uploaded it will be automatically associated with your application and you will be notified by email that UCL has received this reference.
Book a meeting with our Admissions Team
Our Admissions Team are available for one to one online meetings to talk you through:
- Benefits of the programme
- If the UCL Flex MBA is the right type of MBA for you
- Advice for your application and essays
- Applying for an MBA scholarship
To help us support you effectively, please only book a call if you meet the minimum entry requirements:
- A 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and at least three years of full-time work experience OR
- If you do not meet the degree requirement, at least five years of professional experience, including two years in a senior leadership role
Book a personal meeting with our Admissions Team
Ready to apply?
We strongly recommend that applicants to the programme connect with our admissions team before applying to the programme as they can provide tailored support and guidance to ensure applicants have the best chance of success.
Once you are ready to apply, you can do so via the UCL application portal.
Applications open on 02 November 2025. Please check this page soon for a link to apply.
Scholarships and Funding
As you consider studying The UCL Flex MBA at the UCL School of Management, it’s important to also consider how you will fund your studies. Many students combine personal resources with scholarships and bursaries.
Total fees for students starting in September 2026 are £42,500 for the entirety of the programme, which works out at £3,035 per 15-credit module and £6,070 for the final 30-credit capstone project.
Flexible payments
While many MBA programmes require a single, large payment upfront, the UCL Flex MBA offers pay-as-you-go tuition, meaning you only pay when you study. There are also a number of other flexible payment options that allow you to fund your degree in a way that works best for you.
Scholarships
The UCL School of Management is delighted to offer scholarships of up to 25% to a select number of outstanding candidates on the UCL MBA programme for those joining in 2026.
Applicants for this scholarship should evidence a strong academic history of achievement. Past degrees, qualifications, and signs of high academic achievement should be documented.
Applicants for this scholarship should evidence strong leadership engagement within their community and outline how the MBA can help magnify that influence for the public good.
Applicants for this scholarship should evidence leadership with a current start-up or new venture organisation. Clear description of how the MBA will support the growth of the venture and the applicant’s ability to grow their role within the start-up.
Applicants for this scholarship should evidence how they are breaking demographic barriers within their career.
Applicants for this scholarship should evidence a strong work history with the UK or other EU public entity. Recommendations from senior members of their organisation will be weighted heavily.
Applicants for this scholarship should evidence their UCL alumni status. Ongoing engagement with the broader UCL community will strengthen an application.
Applicants for this scholarship should evidence a strong work history at UCL and leadership support for this degree programme. Recommendations from supervisors and/or deans will be weighted heavily.
Applicants for this scholarship should evidence their role within senior leadership and potential opportunities to continue to break existing norms.
To be considered for a UCL MBA scholarship, please complete the optional essay in the application form. In the essay, describe how you meet the criteria for up to two of the scholarship categories listed above. In your essay, you should share the impact you hope to bring to the UCL MBA community. We are also keen to understand how this financial support will enhance your studies and overall experience during the programme.
Important: Scholarships are awarded only after your application has been successfully reviewed and you have received an offer for the programme. Funds will be applied to your account once you are officially enrolled.
Deposits
If your application to the programme is successful and you accept your offer to join the UCL Flex MBA, payment for a deposit will then be required. This is to demonstrate your commitment to joining the programme.
Further information about tuition fee deposits can be found at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/fee-deposits-frequently-asked-questions