MBA vs MSc Management:  Which is  right  for you? 

Sponsored by Nottingham Trent University   

The MSc in Management (MiM) and the Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) are both popular business management degree programmes, but which one is right for you?  

One of the key differences between the MiM and the MBA is the work experience requirement.  

MBA students are expected to be seasoned business professionals with between three to five years of relevant work experience and it's unlikely that a graduate without this work experience will be accepted on to most programmes.  

For MiM applicants however, work experience isn’t usually a deciding factor, although applicants are asked to demonstrate a commitment to the programme. This makes it perfect for recent graduates looking to move into graduate management positions. 

Aside from work experience requirements, there are plenty of differences between the MiM and the MBA, including what you will study; teaching methods; the cost of the programme, and the potential career paths.  

MBA and MiM degrees are both postgraduate programmes based around a broad management curriculum, often with opportunities to specialise. However, there are differences in what you study and the way you study it.  

MBA programmes are often oriented more towards the practical applications of key management concepts drawing on participants’ experiences, particularly because students have experience of working in industry. Students are encouraged to work hands-on, using real-world experience to understand and apply these concepts. The MBA will help them build the problem-solving skills needed to find innovative solutions for diverse business issues.  

At Nottingham Business School (NBS), MBA students can personalise their learning experience to equip them with the skills they need, for the career they want. Students will undertake a range of modules, based around leadership and management, with a particular focus on responsible leadership, strategic planning and change management and opportunities to engage in consultancy work both in the UK and overseas.  

Additionally, students will take on a professional leadership development module. This will help them build the professional, strategic, transferrable skills required to become a more effective leader.  

The MiM provides a detailed introduction to core management concepts, an opportunity to specialise in a particular discipline (including international business, finance, marketing, global supply chain management and business analytics) and finishes with an opportunity for students to put their learning into practice in a client-facing project. A module in professional practice also helps students to put in place a personal career and personal development plan.  

Both the MBA and MSc Management programmes at NBS have a dual award with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), providing students with student membership for the duration of their studies (including full access to the CMI’s resources) and a level 7 qualification in Strategic Management and Leadership, allowing potential for graduates to become full members of the CMI on completion of their studies.