Employer Partnership Scholarship: Surrey Executive MBA 2025

The Employer Partnership Scholarship for the Surrey Executive MBA at the University of Surrey is a merit-based initiative designed to make high-quality professional development accessible to working professionals by encouraging employer sponsorship. Offered by Surrey Business School, a top-ranked institution accredited by AACSB and AMBA, the scholarship matches employer contributions to tuition fees up to 40%, reducing the financial burden for students pursuing the part-time Executive MBA.

The program, delivered over two years on weekends in Guildford, UK, focuses on innovation, digital economy, analytics, and leadership, preparing mid-to-high-level managers for strategic roles. The scholarship fosters collaboration between employers and employees, enabling immediate application of learned skills to workplace challenges, benefiting both the individual and their organization.

To be eligible for the Employer Partnership Scholarship 2025, applicants must:

• Be self-funded or partially funded, which may include a UK Postgraduate Loan, but not fully funded by another scholarship or sponsorship.

• Be accepted into the Surrey Executive MBA (part-time) program for September 2025 entry, meeting the program’s entry requirements:

  • A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree or a recognized equivalent international qualification.

  • At least five years of postgraduate experience in a managerial role (not limited to people management).

  • Candidates without a degree or with less than a 2:2 may be considered under exceptional circumstances, subject to approval by the MBA Programme Director.

• Have partial sponsorship from their employer, with the employer agreeing to contribute a portion of the tuition fees (e.g., 10–40%).

• For EU and international students, demonstrate English language proficiency (IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component, or equivalent, e.g., TOEFL iBT 88, PTE 59).

• Be eligible to study part-time in the UK and able to commute to Guildford for weekend classes at their own expense.

• Exclusions:

  • Applicants fully funded by other scholarships or sponsorships are ineligible.

  • Students pursuing the full-time MBA or other programs at Surrey are not considered.

  • Applicants who fail to complete the standard MBA application process, including an informal interview, are ineligible.

• Scholarship Value: Matches employer contributions to tuition fees up to 40%. For example:

  • Employer Contribution: 30% → Surrey Scholarship: 30% → Student Contribution: 40%.

  • Employer Contribution: 20% → Surrey Scholarship: 20% → Student Contribution: 60%.

• Tuition Fees: The 2025-26 Executive MBA tuition fees are approximately £25,000 (subject to confirmation; check www.surrey.ac.uk for updates). With a maximum 40% scholarship, Surrey could contribute up to £10,000 over two years.

• Disbursement: The scholarship is applied as a tuition fee waiver, split evenly over the two-year program. Employers are invoiced annually (typically late October/early November) after student registration, covering their contribution. The student pays the remaining balance.

• Duration: Covers the two-year duration of the part-time Executive MBA, subject to continued enrollment and academic progress.

• Note: The scholarship does not cover travel, accommodation, or living expenses. Students are responsible for commuting costs to Guildford for weekend classes. If a student withdraws or changes programs, the scholarship may be reassessed or withdrawn.

No separate scholarship application is required; candidates are automatically considered upon applying for the Surrey Executive MBA. Follow these steps:

1. Apply to the Executive MBA: Submit an application for the part-time Executive MBA program for September 2025 via the University of Surrey’s postgraduate application portal (www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/postgraduate).

2. Submit Required Documents:

   • Academic transcripts and degree certificates (2:2 UK honours or equivalent).

   • Evidence of at least five years of managerial experience (e.g., CV, employer letter).

   • English language proficiency test scores for EU/international applicants (e.g., IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88).

   • Two references (academic or professional).

   • Personal statement outlining career goals and motivation for the MBA.

3. Secure Employer Commitment: Obtain a written commitment from your employer to contribute a portion of the tuition fees (e.g., 10–40%), submitted as part of the application or during the interview process.

4. Undergo Interview: Complete an informal interview (standard for all MBA applicants) with the Surrey Business School admissions team, conducted in-person or online.

5. Receive Offer and Scholarship Notification: If accepted, the offer letter will detail the MBA admission and the Employer Partnership Scholarship amount, based on the employer’s contribution.

6. Accept Offer and Enroll: Accept the offer, pay any required deposit, and enroll in the part-time Executive MBA by September 2025 to activate the scholarship.

7. Employer Invoicing: Employers are invoiced annually (October/November) for their contribution, with the scholarship applied as a tuition fee waiver.

Note: Early application is recommended to secure employer commitment and maximize scholarship consideration, as funds are limited. Contact mba@surrey.ac.uk for guidance on employer negotiations or application queries.

• Completed postgraduate application form for the Surrey Executive MBA (via www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/postgraduate).

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates (2:2 UK honours or equivalent, certified and translated if necessary).

• CV or resume detailing at least five years of managerial experience.

• Employer letter confirming partial sponsorship (specifying percentage contribution, e.g., 10–40%).

• English language proficiency test scores for EU/international applicants (e.g., IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88, PTE 59, or equivalent).

• Two references (academic or professional).

• Personal statement (outlining career goals and MBA motivation).

• Note: Documents are uploaded via the application portal in PDF format. Originals may be requested for verification post-admission. The employer’s commitment letter is critical for scholarship eligibility.

• MBA Application Deadline: July 31, 2025, for September 2025 entry (priority deadline for scholarship consideration; rolling admissions may apply, but early submission is advised).

• Employer Commitment Submission: Included with the MBA application or during the interview process, by July 31, 2025.

• Scholarship Notification: Included in the offer letter, typically within 4–6 weeks of application submission.

• Enrollment Deadline: September 2025 (exact date confirmed in the offer letter).

• Employer Invoicing: Late October/early November 2025, post-registration.

• Note: Deadlines may vary slightly. Check www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/master-business-administration-mba or contact mba@surrey.ac.uk for updates.

• Surrey Business School:

  • Email: mba@surrey.ac.uk

  • Phone: +44 (0)1483 686300

  • Address: Surrey Business School, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.

• Admissions Office:

  • Email: admissions@surrey.ac.uk

  • Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222

• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (GMT).