In the current uncertain business climate, there’s never been a better time to add value to your existing qualifications. The MBA (Top-Up) is a globally recognised qualification that gives you the opportunity to build on your prior academic qualifications to unlock enhanced career prospects. In just a few months of study, you’ll join the ranks of MBA-level professionals and will have the skills you need to apply for senior management roles in practically any industry.
In fact, on Arden’s MBA (Top-Up) degree course, we go far beyond the standard business and management curriculum. While studying with us, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the development and implementation of business strategies, how to manage and sustain large organisations and steer them to success, and how to be an influential and respected leader in your chosen industry.
During this postgraduate top-up degree course, you’ll also study a wide range of management disciplines - with ideas, experiences, and case studies taken from organisations and thought leaders across the world. You’ll have the opportunity to put your learning into practice from the moment you start studying, creating an immediate impact on your career trajectory and providing lasting value to your organisation.
This top-up master’s degree is designed for practising managers who are looking to take the next step up in their careers. When creating the course modules, we listened to our graduates and alumni and worked with experienced industry leaders to produce a well-rounded, innovative course of study for students.
As a mature student the key factors that I wanted when deciding which university was best for me was quality content, a flexible learning schedule, and programme accreditation. During my research I found that Arden really stood out, and I could study without having to give up my job.
A big part of your online MBA (Top-Up) work will be the opportunity to create and take ownership of a detailed piece of research relating to a management issue. To back your development, Arden will provide you with academic support to make sure you have the skills and resources you need to successfully complete the assessments. Your tutor will also be able to give you suggestions and tips for improvement - and help you learn how to apply your newly-acquired skills to real life settings. A variety of methods are used to assess your progress, allowing you to demonstrate your strengths as you study. These assessments include:
At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.
To be eligible for this MBA (Top-Up) course, we need to see that you have:
We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide an English Proficiency letter. More information on this can be found here.
If you don’t already have the required qualifications for this MBA (Top-Up), Arden may be able to offer you a place on our full MBA programme. You can also explore our MBAs.
Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.
You can apply for a loan of up to £11,836 from Student Finance England to fund your studies. UK students in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also eligible for postgraduate loans.
If you’re an international student, we have a number of Regional Offers that can help you save money on your tuition fees.
When you help a friend or family member to study with Arden through our Refer a Friend programme, both you and the person you refer will receive a £500 Amazon e-voucher or £500 tuition fee credit.
Here at Arden University we strive to provide a fresh and unique approach to your business and management education. With ideas and experiences taken from employers and thought leaders across the world, we give you the opportunity to put proven business skills and techniques into practice during your studies. I look forward to welcoming you to the Arden University family.
By graduating with an MBA (Top-Up) degree, you’ll be setting yourself up to take on senior leadership challenges in any organisation or business, both in the public and private sector. An MBA (Top-Up) qualification will equip you with the skills you need to progress to a senior management role in diverse industries all over the world. The specialist skills you’ll possess after graduating are highly valued by employers, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
After graduating, you’ll have:
So where will your career take you next? Our MBA (Top-Up) gives you the scope to take on new and exciting challenges while preparing you for senior and leadership roles in any industry of your choosing.
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) promotes excellence in UK management and leadership. The institute aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect you with likeminded professionals across diverse sectors.
As the CMI possesses a Royal Charter, they are the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status to their members – the gold standard in management. They are also active in business policy making across the globe, and ensure that their more than 140,000 members are represented in policy decision making.
Upon completing your course, you'll gain a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management alongside your MBA degree at no additional cost. You'll also receive free CMI membership throughout your studies, which permits access to exclusive resources, mentoring services, as well as networking events.
This course is accredited by the Institute of leadership and Management (ILM). You'll graduate with an ILM Level 7 Diploma in Leadership and Management.
The ILM is a professional membership body for leaders and managers, with a mission of inspiring great leadership through qualifications, training, and cutting-edge research. The institute is a globally recognised mark of quality for its members and provides valuable insights through its vast industry links and publications.
As an Arden student, you’ll have free membership to the ILM throughout your studies, giving you access to over a thousand comprehensive learning resources, including webinars, videos, leadership assessment tools, a dedicated e-learning tool, careers advice, and networking opportunities.
Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Founded in 1916, the AACSB is the oldest and largest international accreditor of business schools in the world.
This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.
The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.
As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.
Once you’ve enrolled with Arden, our careers centre is easily accessible directly from inside our online platform, ilearn. The careers centre is here to help you discover the areas of your academic and professional life that you find most meaningful and rewarding, and then apply this to your career pathway.
Just a few of the career tools you’ll find in the careers centre include: