At MYP, we’ve been following Alice’s journey through the Manchester MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS). One of the most common questions we hear from members considering an MBA is: what exactly do you study?
Beyond the big picture of career development, the MBA is built around a set of core courses designed to sharpen the skills you’ll need as a leader in today’s fast-changing world.
Here’s a closer look at the six core courses that make up the foundation of the Full-time MBA at AMBS:
The Six Core Courses
- Leading Global Transitions
Focused on understanding the broader forces shaping business today, this course looks at globalisation, digital disruption, and sustainability. Students learn how to adapt strategies in the face of global challenges.
- Leading People and Organisations
This is where leadership skills are developed. The course explores motivation, team dynamics, and organisational culture, helping students build the emotional intelligence and people skills needed to lead effectively.
- Exploring Management Decision-Making
Every leader faces tough choices. This course blends behavioural science and analytical tools to help students make smarter, evidence-based decisions under pressure.
- Business Accounting and Finance
A practical grounding in financial literacy. Students gain the ability to interpret financial data, understand company performance, and use numbers to drive strategic decisions.
- Strategy and Competition
This course is about seeing the bigger picture—analysing industries, understanding competitive advantage, and crafting long-term strategies that allow organisations to thrive.
- Operationalising and Communicating Value
Turning ideas into action. This course develops skills in execution, project management, and communication—ensuring strategies don’t just stay on paper, but are delivered in practice.
Why These Courses Matter
Strategy: Seeing the Bigger Picture
The Strategy and Competition module is particularly impactful, as it helps students understand how organisations compete, adapt, and grow.
What I found most valuable was the ability to connect theory to practice. The strategy module doesn’t just teach models – it challenges you to think like a decision-maker,” says Stephen Hall, one part-time Global MBA AMBS alumnus.
For Alice, this has meant developing a sharper eye for how different businesses position themselves in the market.
Leadership: Developing the Human Side of Business
Through Leading People and Organisations, students reflect on their leadership style, emotional intelligence, and resilience.
“It was less about the textbook and more about how I respond under pressure, how I motivate people, and how I handle conflict. Those lessons have shaped the way I approach every challenge,” shares Alice.
Innovation: Driving Change in a Disruptive World
While innovation threads through several modules, courses like Leading Global Transitions and Operationalising and Communicating Value encourage students to think creatively and then put those ideas into practice.
Alice added, “Innovation is not just about having ideas – it’s about turning them into action, and this programme equips students with the tools to do that. I have particularly enjoyed this element so far, as it’s pushed me to think differently about how new approaches could be applied within my own career path.”
The MYP MBA Scholarship
We’re proud that our partnership with AMBS goes beyond stories like Alice’s. Together, we’ve introduced a Manchester Young Professionals (MYP) MBA Scholarship, designed to support ambitious professionals from our community in pursuing the Full-time MBA.
How it works
- Scholarships are awarded during the admissions process, often at the same time as an offer is made.
- Most are granted on a rolling basis, meaning applying early can increase your chances.
- Scholarships are open only to self-financing students.
Who can apply?
Members of the Manchester Young Professionals (MYP) community who demonstrate:
- Strong academic credentials
- Outstanding career achievements
- Evidence of career progression
As a community of professionals from across Manchester and Greater Manchester, we’re proud to see our members recognised at this level.
How to apply
- Complete the Full-time MBA application via AMBS.
- Email info@mcryoungprofessionals.com to confirm that you’ve submitted your application and wish to be considered for the MYP scholarship.
🔗 You can find out more about fees, funding, and scholarships on the AMBS website https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/study/mba/full-time-mba/fees-funding/
Beyond the Modules
What makes the AMBS MBA stand out is how these courses don’t exist in isolation. They are integrated into consultancy projects, group work, and international study opportunities – ensuring students like Alice don’t just learn concepts, but ‘live them’.
As Alice continues her MBA journey, she’s already seeing how the combination of strategy, leadership, and innovation is shaping her perspective and boosting her confidence as a future leader.
👉 Curious to learn more about the MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School or the MYP Scholarship? Discover the programme in detail on the AMBS website: https://www.mbs.ac.uk/study/mba/
