MBA Developing Talent and Leadership Scholarship 2025

The MBA Developing Talent and Leadership Scholarship at Newcastle University Business School, located in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, is a merit-based scholarship designed to support exceptional candidates enrolling in the Full-Time MBA program for the September 2025 intake. Valued at up to GBP £16,300, this scholarship rewards candidates who are results-oriented, customer-focused, and demonstrate strong leadership qualities and values. It is particularly aimed at international students from select countries, including those in Africa (e.g., Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa) and Latin America, to enhance diversity in the MBA cohort. Newcastle University Business School, triple-accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, is ranked #151-200 globally in QS Full-Time MBA Rankings 2025 and is committed to shaping future business leaders through its transformative 12-month MBA program.

To be eligible for the MBA Developing Talent and Leadership Scholarship 2025, applicants must:

• Hold a conditional or unconditional offer for admission to the Full-Time MBA program at Newcastle University Business School for September 2025.

• Be assessed as an international student for fee purposes and be domiciled in one of the following countries:

  • Africa: Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, Tunisia.

  • Latin America: Countries not explicitly listed but included in regional eligibility (e.g., Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina).

• Demonstrate substantive managerial experience (minimum 3 years) and strong leadership potential, assessed through the MBA application and interview.

• Hold the equivalent of a UK 2:1 honours degree (approximately a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75%+ in relevant systems). Applicants with significant work experience (above 3 years) and career progression may be considered even if they do not meet the 2:1 requirement.

• Perform well across all competency areas during the MBA admissions interview, showcasing leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills.

• For non-native English speakers: Meet English language proficiency requirements (e.g., IELTS 6.5 overall with no subskill below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 90).

• Exclusions:

  • Not available for part-time, Executive MBA, or other postgraduate programs.

  • Candidates receiving other full-tuition scholarships (e.g., MBA Responsible Impact Scholarship) are ineligible.

  • Applicants failing to meet the minimum managerial experience or academic/interview criteria are not considered.

• Value: Up to GBP £16,300, payable as a tuition fee reduction for the Full-Time MBA program (2025 tuition: approximately GBP £32,600).

• Duration: Non-renewable, covering the one-year MBA program (September 2025–August 2026).

• Disbursement: Applied directly to the student’s tuition fee account after enrollment, typically deducted from the second fee installment (January 2026).

• Note: The award covers tuition fees only and does not include living expenses (estimated at GBP £12,000–£15,000/year in Newcastle), accommodation, travel, or other costs. Total financial aid cannot exceed tuition fees, and adjustments may be made if combined with other funding (e.g., loans, external scholarships).

No separate scholarship application is required; candidates are automatically assessed for the MBA Developing Talent and Leadership Scholarship during the MBA admissions process. Follow these steps:

1. Apply for the Full-Time MBA: Submit a complete application via the Newcastle University admissions portal (www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply) using program code 5823F for September 2025.

2. Submit Required Documents:

   • Official academic transcripts and degree certificates (UK 2:1 equivalent or relevant work experience).

   • GMAT/GRE scores (optional for 2025, but a score of 600+ strengthens scholarship consideration).

   • Resume/CV detailing at least 3 years of managerial experience.

   • Personal statement outlining career goals, leadership experience, and reasons for pursuing the MBA.

   • Two professional referee reports (submitted by referees via the online system).

   • English proficiency test scores for non-native speakers (e.g., IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90).

   • For international students: Passport copy and financial documentation for UK student visa purposes.

3. Complete Admissions Interview: Shortlisted applicants are invited for an interview (in-person or virtual), assessing leadership potential, customer focus, and results orientation. Scholarship eligibility is evaluated during this process.

4. Scholarship Assessment: The MBA Scholarship Committee reviews applications and interview performance, prioritizing candidates from eligible countries with strong managerial experience and leadership qualities.

5. Notification: Recipients are notified via email alongside or shortly after their MBA admission offer, typically within 4–6 weeks of the application round deadline.

6. Accept Offer and Enroll: Accept the MBA offer, pay the deposit (approximately GBP £2,500), and enroll full-time to activate the scholarship.

Note: Apply by Round 3 (March 31, 2025) for international students to allow UK student visa processing time and maximize scholarship consideration. Early applications (Rounds 1–2) increase award chances due to limited funding.

• Completed Full-Time MBA application form (via www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply).

• Official academic transcripts and degree certificates.

• GMAT/GRE scores (optional, if submitted).

• Resume/CV detailing managerial experience (minimum 3 years).

• Personal statement (addressing leadership and career goals).

• Two professional referee reports.

• English proficiency test scores for non-native speakers (e.g., IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90).

• For international students: Passport copy and financial documentation for visa purposes.

• Note: Unofficial transcripts and self-reported test scores are accepted initially, but official documents are required upon admission. Documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations.

• MBA Application Deadlines (September 2025 Intake):

  • Round 1: October 6, 2024 (decision by November 17, 2024).

  • Round 2: January 5, 2025 (decision by February 16, 2025).

  • Round 3: March 31, 2025 (decision by May 12, 2025, recommended for international students).

  • Round 4: May 18, 2025 (decision by June 29, 2025, primarily for domestic students).

• Scholarship Notification: Rolling notifications with admission offers, typically November 2024–June 2025.

• Deposit Deadline: GBP £2,500 deposit due within 2–4 weeks of admission offer to secure the scholarship and place.

• Enrollment Deadline: Enroll by the start of the MBA program (September 2025).

• Extended Deadline: If no successful candidates are awarded by May 9, 2025, the application deadline may extend to June 13, 2025, at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

• Note: Deadlines are subject to change. Verify on www.ncl.ac.uk/business/study/scholarships or contact the MBA admissions team.

• Email: mba@ncl.ac.uk (for MBA and scholarship inquiries).

• Phone: +44 (0) 191 208 1588 (MBA Recruitment Team).

• Address: Newcastle University Business School, 5 Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4SE, United Kingdom.

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

• Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/business/study/scholarships