Full-Time MBA: The Manchester Method

We don’t just give you the theory; we show you how to use it to get the results you want.

Alliance Manchester Business School was a pioneer in experiential learning and our academics developed the Manchester Method in the 1960s. Our approach focuses on group work, practice-based learning and reflection.

Our practical approach produces highly employable MBAs who challenge the status quo in a complex and rapidly changing world. Through the Manchester Method, you will learn to:

Take structured and data-informed approaches to decision making
Lead and work effectively with multinational groups
Reflect critically and analytically

Examples of The Manchester Method on the Full-time MBA:

Group work with a diverse multinational class
Three increasingly complex live client consultancy projects, equivalent to at least 900 hours
- Social Impact Consultancy Project
- Commercial Business Consultancy Project
- International Business Consultancy Project
Simulated Mergers & Acquisitions Project
10-12 week internship (optional)
Regular reflective sessions with an external practitioner
Business Simulation (optional)
Business competitions
Practical case studies
Guest Speaker Series and business networking
MBA+ personal and professional development activities

Live client consultancy

Live consultancy projects sit at the heart of our MBA, giving you constant exposure to strategic decision-making in real companies and organisations.

We believe there is no better way to prepare for a career in senior management. As a Manchester MBA, you will complete three live consultancy projects, as well as a simulated Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Project to gain practical and academic knowledge of M&A. You won’t get this amount of hands-on experience from any other MBA.

MBA consultancy projects are a great opportunity to learn about new sectors, make contacts, and gain solid experience for your CV. As you progress through the programme, the projects will become more complex to widen your knowledge, challenge you, and help you develop. You will tackle each project in small, multinational teams, helping you build valuable cross-cultural understanding and knowledge.

"By the second week of induction, teams are already face-to-face with an external to scope out their first project. Then comes a simulated Mergers and Acquisitions project, followed by the live Commercial Business Consultancy Project, this time involving a competitive bidding stage. The programme finishes with three months’ full-time consultancy for a global business, involving international travel. The projects bring the lecture and textbook material to life.."

- Dr Mike Arundale, Senior Lecturer in Strategy

Social Impact Consultancy Project

1.5 days a week for 12 weeks
Example clients:
- Action for Sustainable Living
- After Adoption
- Age Concern
- Air Ambulance
- Big Life Group
- Foundation for Peace
- Henshaws Society for Blind People
- Intensive Care Society
- National Football Museum
- National Trust
- People's History Museum
- Prison Advice and Care Trust
- Royal Commonwealth Society
- Victim Support
- YMCA

MBA students with cients

An MBA project group celebrating with clients

Commercial Business Consultancy Project

Equivalent to two days a week for 10 weeks
You will have the opportunity to bid for a range of clients across many industries. Recent clients include:
- Start-ups:
  - AI Wind: Technology
  - Behind Bars: Design
  - Biramis: Consulting
  - Canine Academy: Training
  - Centre for Community Finance Europe: Financial services
  - Env Friendly: Technology
  - Klick Technology: Furniture
  - Life 1000: Biotechnology
  - Liverpool ChiroChem: Chemicals
  - Music in Mind: Music
  - Owen Drew: Retail
  - Plastic Circular: Environmental
  - PlayDale: Manufacturing
  - SA Systems: Technology
  - Victor Mobile: Telecommunications
- SMEs:
  - AD Aero: Aerospace
  - Brompton Bikes: Manufacturing
  - GB Partnerships: Property development
  - iPortalis: Software
  - My Digital Accounts: Software
  - Platinum Stairlifts: Manufacturing
  - Property Alliance Group: Property development
  - Sofa: Retail
  - Swann Group: Engineering
  - TalkTalk: Telecommunications
  - Travis Perkins: Retail
- Multinationals:
  - KPMG: Professional services
  - Cisco: Technology

International Business Consultancy Project

International field work
Full-time for three months
You will have the opportunity to bid for a range of clients across many industries. Recent clients include:
- Multinationals:
  - AO.com: E-commerce
  - American Tower: Telecommunications
  - AstraZeneca: Pharmaceuticals
  - Ascendal: Transport
  - BASF: Chemicals
  - BP: Oil and gas
  - Callcredit: Information services
  - Cipla: Pharmaceuticals
  - DCC Energy: Energy
  - Gerdau: Manufacturing
  - GSK: Pharmaceuticals
  - Grupo Bimbo: Manufacturing
  - Hilti: Construction
  - Ishida: Manufacturing
  - Landmark Group: Retail
  - Lycamobile: Telecommunications
  - Mastercard: Financial Services
  - Nichols Vimto: Manufacturing
  - Roche: Healthcare
  - Siemens: Electronics
  - W L Gore: Manufacturing
  - Victrex: ManufacturingMultinationals:
- SMEs:
  - M&I Materials: Manufacturing
  - My Digital Accounts: Software
  - Steamaco: Software
  - Stephenson Group: Chemicals
  - TrakGlobal: Information technology
- Start-ups:
  - Air Black Box: Software
  - Graphene Innovation Centre: Materials
  - Manchester Innovation Factory: Innovation

Original thinking. Applied themes.

At Alliance MBS, applying original thinking is at the heart of everything we do. We structure the Manchester MBA around four practical themes, that reflect the business world. Our real-world focus develops reflective leaders who can navigate global challenges.

Theme 1: Management in Practice

How can we understand today’s complex, uncertain business environment and overcome the challenges of leading and managing in a rapidly-changing world?

What you will study:

Our course ‘Leading and Managing in a Global Environment’ examines current business environments using the practice-based Manchester Method. It encourages you to reflect and engage with the historical, cultural and ethical considerations that should underpin any commercial decision.
'Exploring Management and Business Practice’ is an inquiry-based course that focuses on the realities of management in practice and current developments in business. You will develop practical knowledge and skills for senior level roles in business and other sectors.

Theme 2: Value Creation in Business

How do contemporary businesses create value? We explore this question from both an academic and commercial perspective. Our teaching emphasises the interdependencies – and interrelationships – between the operational, tactical and strategic functional areas of an organisation

What you will study:

Operations and Marketing
Business Accounting and Finance
Strategy and Competition
Not-for-Profit Consultancy Project
Commercial Business Consultancy Project
Mergers and Acquisitions Consultancy Project

Theme 3: Tailoring Your Journey

Customise your MBA experience with options ranging from elective courses and internships to study tours and live client-facing projects. Our network of global centres, relationships with multinational companies and partnerships with overseas institutions provide the opportunity to build a truly international CV.

Your options:

Elective courses with workshop residencies at our centres in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore. We also deliver workshops in additional locations (currently Tokyo)
Overseas study tours
Three-month international exchange
10-12 week internship

Theme 4: Professional Skills for Business

Which professional and personal competencies do successful leaders require? You will identify and develop these qualities through lectures, workshops and individual guidance sessions. You will also gain access to business practitioners, careers support and our alumni network. This will support you as you plan and execute your post-MBA strategy.