We speak to seasoned entrepreneurs who have used the course to fill gaps in their knowledge.

Most people would be satisfied with having turned around a 170-year-old wines and spirits business.

The finance director at Le Masurier achieved this and then thought an MBA at Manchester Business School would further fine-tune his business acumen.

‘I’m a huge fan of what can be gained. Having now come out the other side, I realise the network of professionals and peers is very powerful,’ he says. ‘It also gives you the ability to think laterally and see outside the box.’

While on the course, McCarthy was formally offered a promotion to become the new chief executive of the company – a position he will take up shortly. ‘I think all entrepreneurs should consider an MBA, although it won’t be appropriate for everyone.’

Xavier Adam, founder of public relations and media marketing company AMC Network, is a firm believer in gut instinct. He says: ‘Most of the best businessmen and women I’ve met don’t have MBAs. Entrepreneurs are born with certain skills which can then be nurtured in practice. It’s not something that you are sat down and taught.’

Alistair Benson, academic director at Manchester Business School Worldwide, concedes that the MBA skills can be picked up on the job, but argues there are definite advantages to a course.

‘An MBA speeds up the whole learning process. However, a lot of people think that all they need is a good idea then they will be the next Bill Gates.

‘They need to be able to measure the possibilities and capabilities of their business ideas becoming a success – which is something the MBA gives them the skills to do.’

For many, an MBA will polish already existing skills and provide useful contacts for the future. Ranjan Singh, chief executive of travel company Isango, studied an MBA at Insead in France to improve his business skills. ‘You are thrown into a network of very high-calibre people and those contacts are still very useful for my business now,’ he says.

MBAs normally cost between £28,000 and £45,000. A selection of UK institutions offering MBAs is below.

UK MBA Schools

These institutions offer a range of MBA programs catering to different needs, from globally recognised degrees to more affordable options.

London Business School
Ranked among the top MBA programs globally, LBS offers a flexible 15–21 month MBA with over 100 electives. Graduates often double their pre-MBA salaries, with nine out of ten finding employment within three months.

Saïd Business School
Offers a one-year MBA program with an average graduate salary nearing £100,000. Options include a 1+1 MBA and a part-time Executive MBA.

Cambridge Judge Business School
Features a one-year MBA program emphasising experiential learning, with 94% of graduates employed within three months.

Imperial College Business School
Offers a one-year full-time MBA, a Weekend MBA, and a Global Online MBA.

Warwick Business School
Provides a full-time MBA with a strong reputation for career progression and value. Also offers a highly ranked online MBA program. 

University of Edinburgh Business School
Offers full-time, part-time, and online MBA programs. The school is triple-accredited and ranks in the top 100 globally in the QS Global MBA Rankings. 

University of Bradford
One of the UK’s oldest business schools, offering full-time, part-time, and online MBAs. Recognised for value.

Cranfield School of Management
Specialises in advanced management education and offers a range of executive MBA programs.

University of Bath School of Management
Offers a one-year full-time MBA and a part-time Executive MBA. The school is EQUIS-accredited and ranks highly in UK business education. 

Aston Business School
Provides full-time, part-time, and online MBA programs. Aston is triple-accredited and known for its strong links with industry and SMEs. 

Teesside University
Offers an MBA program focusing on developing entrepreneurial business leaders, with real-time projects and practical experience.

LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science)
Offers several options related to MBA education, including an online certificate course, and an Executive Global Master’s in Management program that serves as an alternative to a traditional MBA.