On 10 January, the Welcome Ceremony for the January 2026 intake of the Manchester Global Part-time MBA programme was successfully held at the UoM China Centre in Shanghai. Student representatives from diverse professional backgrounds were invited to attend the ceremony, officially embarking on their two-year Global Part-time MBA learning journey.

The overall profile of this cohort reflects a mature and high-calibre group of professionals. The average age of the incoming class is 37, with an average of 15 years of professional experience and 7.5 years of management experience. Female participants account for 58% of the cohort, forming a strong core of the class. In addition, 85% of students hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, demonstrating a solid academic foundation and a strong commitment to continuous learning.

The cohort also represents a wide range of industries, including healthcare and biosciences, retail, manufacturing, medical devices, new energy, education, and food and beverage. Notably, students from the healthcare and biosciences and retail sectors together account for approximately 50% of the cohort, highlighting the programme’s continued appeal to highly specialised and fast-growing industries.

In terms of seniority, 66.4% of students currently hold Manager-level positions, 25.2% are at Director level, and a further 8.4% are CXO-level senior executives. Having accumulated extensive professional experience, these participants have chosen to return to the classroom with the aim of broadening their strategic perspectives, strengthening their leadership and cross-cultural management capabilities, and developing into globally minded leaders with strong business acumen and a sense of social responsibility.

Ms Sherry Fu, Director of UoM China Centre, delivered the opening welcome address on behalf of the University. She highlighted the University of Manchester’s long-standing commitment to excellence, innovation, and impact in education and research, and noted that the China Centre has been rooted in China for 17 years, supporting the development of globally minded talent and promoting collaboration between China and the UK across education, culture, and business.

Ms Fu also emphasised that the new students are now part of the University of Manchester community. She explained that Manchester Business School’s Global Part-time MBA, guided by the philosophy of “original thinking applied”, aims to equip participants with fresh perspectives, strategic insight, and the ability to navigate uncertainty, while benefiting from a global professional network that enables cross-cultural exchange and long-term career development.

To support Global Part-time MBA students, the Student Services team of Alliance Manchester Business School works closely with the local Student Services team at the China Centre to deliver a comprehensive support framework. The China Centre provides each student with one-to-one academic guidance and ongoing support, helping them familiarise themselves with the University’s learning processes, academic resources, and study pace.

On the day of the Welcome Ceremony, the China Centre Student Services team engaged in in-depth discussions and Q&A sessions with the new students, offering a systematic introduction to the University of Manchester’s online learning platforms and digital resources. The team also shared details of the programme’s in-person workshops, academic support activities, and peer engagement opportunities, enabling students to gain a holistic understanding of the Global Part-time MBA learning experience, combining online study with face-to-face workshops, and to prepare fully for the journey ahead.

The atmosphere at the event was positive and engaging. New students expressed strong enthusiasm for learning within this multicultural and cross-industry environment, looking forward to sharing knowledge, exchanging perspectives, broadening their global outlook, and developing a deeper understanding of how to navigate today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

During the event, some new students also shared their aspirations and reflections on the learning journey ahead.

Cici Li

Store Planning Manager

Richemont Commercial Co., Ltd., China

As I begin my GMBA journey, I approach this programme with curiosity, commitment, and energy. I see learning as a source of lasting empowerment — once knowledge is gained, it becomes part of who I am. The GMBA represents an opportunity to challenge myself through a structured and rigorous academic journey, engaging not only with subjects I enjoy, but also those that broaden my thinking. This experience is a meaningful investment in myself, strengthening my intellectual confidence and equipping me to grow with clarity, resilience, and purpose.

Josh Hu

Sr. Strategy Lead

Roche Diagnostics (Shanghai) Ltd.

Our evolving world demands leaders who connect and include. Through the Manchester GMBA, I will shape my ability to collaborate across cultures—an essential skill that will empower us to build bridges and become true catalysts for inclusive growth.

Catherine Liu

Associate Marketing Director

Novartis

I look forward to witnessing here the remarkable diversity and creativity, precisely the qualities that distinguish the University of Manchester Global MBA as truly exceptional.

Tina Wei

Brand manager

Abbott

Thrilled to join the Manchester Global MBA! Ready to tackle real-world challenges, develop leadership and a global mindset. Eager to learn alongside inspiring peers. Can’t wait to challenge myself, build meaningful connections, and contribute positively to the Manchester spirit of innovation. Here’s to my new beginnings! #ManchesterGMBA #NextChapter

Caspar Ying

Sales Manager

FrieslandCampina

I am excited to join the Manchester Global MBA programme as a transformative step in my professional journey. My aspiration is to strengthen my strategic thinking, leadership capability, and global business perspective while learning alongside a diverse international cohort. I hope to gain practical, data-driven insights that will enable me to navigate complex business challenges, drive sustainable growth, and lead with impact in an increasingly interconnected world. The programme’s emphasis on real-world application, innovation, and responsible leadership aligns closely with my career goals, and I look forward to applying these learnings to create meaningful value within my organisation and the wider business community.

We look forward to this cohort continuing the strong tradition of the Global Part-time MBA alumni community. Together with more than 63,000 AMBS alumni worldwide, they will draw on the international perspective and forward-looking thinking offered by the University of Manchester to further strengthen their insight and decision-making capabilities, achieve new milestones in their professional development, and grow into globally minded leaders with vision and a strong sense of social responsibility.

The tuition fee for the July 2026 intake will be announced shortly. We welcome experienced professionals seeking to systematically enhance their leadership and strategic thinking to join the programme, learn alongside outstanding peers from diverse industries and backgrounds, and embark on the next stage of their career development.

Please review the application steps and scan the QR code to download the programme brochure. A course consultant will contact you via email and phone to provide further information and support.