UAE · Master's
University of Birmingham Dubai
MBA
University of Birmingham Dubai
Course Overview
Birmingham's MBA in Dubai is a UK-accredited degree taught at the University's purpose-built Dubai International Academic City campus. The same Birmingham Business School faculty deliver the programme — and the parchment you graduate with is identical to the one issued in the UK. Useful for Sri Lankan mid-career professionals who want a Russell Group MBA without leaving the GCC, or who want to base themselves in Dubai for the long term.
The curriculum covers strategy, finance, operations, leadership and a heavy elective slate in Family Business, Islamic Finance and Innovation — modules pitched at the regional market. Students complete a consultancy-style capstone with a UAE-based business. Cohorts are small (typically under 40) and mixed: bankers, family-business heirs, GCC tech founders, and Sri Lankan engineers pivoting to management.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree with a strong 2:1 / GPA 3.3+ equivalent from a recognised university.
- check_circle Minimum 3 years of post-qualification managerial or professional work experience.
- check_circle GMAT/GRE is not required, but a strong score strengthens the application.
- check_circle Two professional references and a personal statement.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.0 in each band).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 88 Overall (min 21 in writing, 20 in listening/reading, 22 in speaking).
- check_circle Waived if your degree was taught in English (most Sri Lankan medium-of-instruction letters are accepted).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (AED) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (full programme) | AED 123,900 | Rs. 10,779,300 |
| Living Expenses (12 months, Dubai) | AED 60,000 | Rs. 5,220,000 |
| Student Visa & Medical | AED 4,500 | Rs. 391,500 |
| Books, Transport & Misc. | AED 8,000 | Rs. 696,000 |
| Total Programme Investment | AED 196,400 | Rs. 17,086,800 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Dubai is one of the fastest places in the world to convert a postgraduate degree into a salaried role — UAE employers actively sponsor work residency from day one, and Birmingham's MBA opens doors to the regional offices of Emirates NBD, Mashreq, PwC, EY, Deloitte, Chalhoub Group and DP World. Graduates can apply for the UAE Golden Visa (10-year residency) if they secure a qualifying salary or invest in the local economy.
Related Programs
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in UAE. We handle everything from applications to visa processing.