Why These Female Business Leaders Chose The Manchester Global Executive MBA

Despite the growing number of women in leadership roles, female participation in Executive MBA (EMBA) programs worldwide remains lower than it should be. Two key barriers contribute to this: the level of experience required for EMBA programs and the cost of fees.

At Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), part of the University of Manchester, we are committed to increasing female representation, just as we did with our Full-time MBA program, where women now make up at least 40% of the cohort. Currently, our Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) program has around 25% female participation, and we are determined to see this number grow.

To help remove financial barriers, we are offering a 30% scholarship on the £43,250 tuition fees to one female candidate at each of our global campuses for the July intake.

Our global campuses include, Manchester, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shanghai and Singapore.

This opportunity is open to women worldwide, and we encourage prospective candidates to reach out and find their local campus.

Read on to discover why female business leaders choose to study with us.

Meet The Students

Ryan Macleod is originally from the United States but now calls the United Kingdom home, where she serves as Vice President of Environment, Health, and Safety at a leading chemical company. Financial assistance through an AMBS scholarship was key for Macleod. “Without the GEMBA scholarship, I might have deferred or chosen a different program,” she shares.

Sibongile Ramusi, a South African Chief Financial Officer, and Stella Lievendag, a project manager originally from Brazil who has been in the UK for five years, are also part of the GEMBA cohort. For Lievendag, AMBS’s focus on Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives resonated deeply. “The program’s dedication to ESG was a huge draw for me. I want to be a changemaker in this space, and AMBS’s values align perfectly with that goal,” she explains.

Why AMBS? Key Factors In Choosing GEMBA

For these executives, AMBS’s global reach was a defining factor. With international centers, the Global Executive MBA offers a unique opportunity to learn and network in multiple countries. “The ability to attend classes every few months in different parts of the world was extremely appealing,” says Ramusi.

The program’s reputation and high rankings were also essential. “Manchester has top accreditations for its MBA program, which assures me of the quality of education I’ll receive,” notes Lievendag. She also values the small cohort size, which allows for more personalized learning and networking. “Studying in Manchester, a vibrant and culturally rich city, is a bonus,” she adds.

Scholarships: Making GEMBA Accessible

For many students, the cost of a Global Executive MBA can be a barrier, but AMBS’s scholarships have made GEMBA accessible to diverse professionals. “The scholarship was a game-changer for me,” says Lievendag. “It provided the financial support I needed and reassured me that AMBS believed in my potential.”

Macleod agrees, noting that the scholarship opened doors for her that might have otherwise been closed. “Without this support, I might have had to settle for a different MBA or defer my plans. The financial aid has made it possible for me to pursue this incredible opportunity.”

GEMBA Advantages: Career, Confidence, And Leadership

GEMBA provides more than just a degree; it’s a powerful credential for advancing in today’s competitive corporate world. For many executives, including Ramusi, having a Global Executive MBA opens doors to board-level roles and other high-impact positions. “In my industry, an executive MBA is becoming essential for senior roles,” she explains. As one of only a few women in her cohort, she’s motivated to inspire other women to take the opportunity an MBA provides to progress in their career. “Programs like this empower women to step into leadership roles, showing that these opportunities are within reach.”

Lievendag highlights the value of diversity in her cohort. “The program brings together people from different cultures, genders, and backgrounds, which enriches our learning experience and enhances decision-making,” she says.

Working on case studies with her peers has given her insights into problem-solving that she never encountered before. “The diversity of thought and experience in the classroom has added so much value to our projects and discussions.”

Advice For Future GEMBA Candidates

“This experience has transformed me. My confidence has soared, and I’ve met incredibly talented people,” says Ramusi. “At first, I wasn’t sure I’d made the right choice, but looking back, I’m thrilled I did.”

Macleod emphasizes that the program is an investment in both personal and professional growth. “Eighteen months might feel like a big commitment, but in the grand scheme of a career, it’s just a drop in the ocean,” she notes. “The rewards, the knowledge, the network, the confidence are absolutely worth it.”

They also note the immediate, practical impact of GEMBA. “I now have the skills to contribute to areas of my company I never fully understood before, like finance,” says Ryan.

For Ryan, Ramusi, and Lievendag, the Manchester Global Executive MBA has been a transformative journey. It’s not just about adding a prestigious title to their CV; it’s about becoming leaders who can make a real difference in their organizations and industries.

Through the Manchester Global Executive MBA, they’re ready to take on new challenges, champion diversity in leadership, and drive positive change in the world.

For further information and to speak with a member of our recruitment team click here >>>

Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) was established in 1965 and is part of the world-renowned University of Manchester. Ranked 5^th in the UK (FT Global MBA ranking 2024), AMBS has a global reputation for innovative teaching and research, which impacts business on a local, national and international level.

The application of original thinking is at the heart of everything we do. Highly interactive, challenging and practical, the Manchester Method teaches you the theory then shows you how to put it into action to get results.

We’re proud to have achieved the ‘triple crown’ of accreditations from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. Less than 1% of business schools, globally, achieve 3 international accreditations.

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