Accreditation and rankings
The University of Exeter Business School is proud to be triple accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). These accreditations are the highest possible standards for business schools, and they demonstrate our commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and student outcomes.
Globally recognised for sustainability
Our MBA is particularly recognised for its sustainability, responsible business, and social impact content - placing 1st in the UK and 10th globally in Corporate Knights' Better World MBA Ranking. We are also an approved university partner of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP).
UK's No. 1 Sustainable MBA
Ranked 1st in the UK and 10th globally in Corporate Knights’ Better World Ranking.
Five Real-World Projects
Strategic consulting projects in partnership with external organisations covering Local, Global, and Circular Economy challenges.
World-Leading Faculty
Learn from researchers with 92% of Business & Management research rated as world-leading.
Course content
We integrate environmental responsibility into every core discipline, ensuring that concepts like the Circular Economy, climate risk, and social governance are central to your leadership practice.
- Future-focused: Built around the latest thinking and techniques in regenerative business models, ethical finance, and purposeful leadership.
- Holistic rigour: Acquire a solid grounding in core business disciplines – from Finance and Operations to Strategy and Marketing – all redefined through a sustainable lens.
- Elective specialisation: Tailor the programme to your ambitions with specialist modules that deepen your expertise in high-demand areas, or stretch your capabilities into new territory.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
150 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Economics and Sustainability | 15 | |
| AI, Data and Financial Intelligence | 15 | |
| Strategy and Marketing in the Age of AI | 15 | |
| Leading with Purpose | 15 | |
| Organisational Behaviour, Risk and Governance | 15 | |
| Tackling Global Challenges | 10 | |
| Circular Economy Design Corporate Challenge | 10 | |
| Digital and AI-Enhanced Business | 10 | |
| Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 10 | |
| Operations Management with Climate Risk | 15 | |
| Career Transformation | 0 | |
| MBA Project | 20 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 | ||
| Being An Entrepreneur: New Venture Creation | 10 | |
| Behavioural Economics for Leaders | 10 | |
| Media in the Age of AI | 10 | |
| Strategic Brand Management | 10 | |
| MBA Sustainable International Business Week | 10 | |
| Leadership Skills Expedition | 10 | |
Inspiring guest speakers and networking opportunities
The University of Exeter Business School attracts world-class leaders to speak to One Planet MBA students, often in an informal setting ideal for networking. Guest speakers from Ecotricity, IKEA, IBM, IDEO London, JML, PwC, and Sotheby’s have contributed along with a wealth of highly successful leaders, entrepreneurs and consultants from a wide range of backgrounds.
Latest guest speakers
| Speaker | Title/Role |
|---|---|
| Jon Amaechi OBE | Organisational Psychologist, Speaker, CEO, Amaechi Performance Systems Ltd. |
| Josh Olomolaiye | Senior Manager, KPMG UK |
| Jasmine Olomolaiye | Managing Associate, Linklaters LLP |
| Niroosha Loganathan | Director of People & Performance, Charity Finance Group |
| Hamdi Talib | Associate, JP Morgen |
| Matthew De Jesus | Principle, Talis Capital |
| Tonya Nelson | Area Director, Arts Council |
| Karime Hassan | Chief Executive, Exeter City Council |
| Megan Butler | Executive Director of Transformation, FCA |
| Matt Peacock | CEO, With One Voice |
| Sue Riddlestone | CEO, Bio Regional |
| Jack Romero | Entrepreneur |
| Kresse Wesling | Entrepreneur, Elvis & Kresse |
| Erika Brodnock | Founder & CEO, Karisma Kidz |
| Oliver Blackwell | Industrial Designer & Accredited Member of the Chartered Society of Designers |
| Brandon Shockley | Head of Brand Strategy, Vanguard |
| Claire Barrett | Apisfirst.com |
| Mike Beaven | Amazon Web Services |
| Nick Moody | Cerulean Consulting |
| Dr Beth Kewell | Director of Education for SITE, University of Exeter |
| Will Harvey | Internal Lecturer, University of Exeter |
| Navdeep Arora | PhD candidate in Management, University of Exeter |
| Oli Young | Associate Dean for Taught Students and Chief Diversity Officer, University of Exeter |
| Dr Elicia Robinson | Corporate Social Psychologist, Leadership Strategist and Executive Coach |
| Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE | |
| Professor Hannes Leroy | Distinguished Research Professor, University of Exeter |
| Professor Alexandra Gerbasi | DPVC and Dean of the University of Exeter Business School |
| Ciara Eastell | University of Exeter |
| Jim Gales | Superintendent, DC Police |
| Charmaine De Souza | Assistant Director, HR & OD, Greater London Authority |
| Laetitia Tierny | Diversity Lead, PMI |
| Professor Ruth Sealy | Director of Impact, University of Exeter |
| Lauren Salter | Head of Training, Team Fika |
| Fran Longstaff | Head of Psychology, Team Fika |
| Zoe Dimov | Head of Research, Team Fika |
| Monika Koncz-MacKenzie | Learning Innovation Manager, Ellen MacArthur Foundation |
| Louise Roper | CEO, Volans |
| Chris Hewitt | Head of International Climate Services, The Met Office |
| Professor Gail Whiteman | Founder, Artic Basecamp |
| Craig Gorsline | Chief Growth Officer, Avanade |
| Sally Uren | CEO, Forum of the Future |
| Thekla Teunis | Founder & Director, Grounded |
| Robin Gaddum | Director Risk & Resilience, Deloitte Risk Advisory |
| David Mansell Moulin | Communications Co-ordinator, Sustainable Wildlife Management, FAO, United Nations |
| Anna Turrell | Head of Environment, Tesco |
| Courtney Holm | Head of Sustainable Technology, Unilever |
| Chris Williams | Lead AI Architect, IBM |
| Sean de Cleene | Head of Food Systems Initiative, World Economic Forum |
| Alison Taylor | Executive Director, Ethical Systems; Adjunct Professor, NYU Stern School of Business |
| Henry Timms | CEO, Lincoln Centre; Co-founder, #givingTuesday |
| Margaret Effernan | Author, Entrepreneur |
| Pavita Cooper | Founder & Consultant, More Difference |
| Jobo Butera | Managing Director of DBI, Diversity Business Incubator |
| Brenda Emmanus | Arts, Culture & Entertainment Correspondent, BBC |
| Tinu Cornish | Consultant, Sea Change |
| Rob de Beer | Consultant, V-team Leader |
| Rob Hayes | Consultant, Presenting Change |
The Leading Edge events
This series of inspirational talks will provide a space for us to discuss some of the most pressing global challenges and consider how we can all play a role in shaping a better and more sustainable world. This series brings together One Planet MBA students, alumni, forward-thinking chief executives and business managers to give you the chance to hear and share fresh perspectives on contemporary challenges in business.
If you are keen to explore creative and innovative approaches to tackling social and environmental challenges, this is your opportunity to join with managers from across the world and take part in provocative and thought-provoking conversations stimulated by our prestigious guests.
Merve Azdiken
When I decided to pursue an MBA, I wanted to push myself beyond my previous public sector experience and obtain a broader, more global perspective on leadership, strategy, and transformation. I chose The Exeter MBA because it provided just that: a degree based on sustainability, ethical leadership, and systems thinking.
Nathan Lee
What surprised me most, though, was how much I evolved as a person. The MBA sharpened my critical thinking, helped me lead with more tact and self-awareness, and encouraged me to reflect more deeply — something I hadn’t previously made time for. The coaching sessions with Tracy were transformational. She’s one of those people who gets it — and gets you to get it too. Our conversations genuinely changed the way I approach decisions, feedback, and ambition.
Pitt Porapakkham
Working with classmates from different backgrounds and experiencing a new academic culture broadened my perspective and reinforced the importance of seeing issues through multiple lenses. Sustainability has become a consistent theme throughout my MBA journey.
Pooja Prasanna
Before coming to Exeter, I worked as a Senior Sociology Faculty and also co-founded two ventures close to my heart, a plastic recycling factory and a regenerative organic coffee farm. Sustainability and circular living have always been at the centre of everything I do, so when I was looking for a business programme, the MBA at Exeter stood out as the perfect choice. It combined rigorous management training with a strong focus on the environment and future-oriented thinking, which is exactly where I see my career heading.
Experiential learning: real impact, real clients
Your learning is defined by action. The One Planet MBA is built around a practical, project-based model that sees you deliver high-value consultancy work for external clients.
You will complete five diverse, hands-on projects with external organisations, culminating in the capstone MBA Consultancy Project, a 12-week individual assignment with a client partner.
Project examples include:
Global Sustainability Challenge
Address a major international issue for a global corporate organisation, working collaboratively with MBA students at other global business schools.
Circular Economy Challenge
A five-day sprint project to develop innovative, waste-minimising solutions for a major corporation.
Local Community Impact Challenge
Apply your skills to solve specific problems for a third-sector organisation.
Your career, transformed
We are committed to helping you pivot, accelerate, and define your career as a purposeful global leader.
- 1-to-1 careers support: Receive dedicated, personalised career development throughout the programme and beyond.
- Corporate partnerships: Benefit from strong links with enlightened corporate partners who co-deliver modules and offer real-life business challenges, ensuring the curriculum remains industry relevant.
- Alumni Power: Join a unique global network of over 30,000 alumni who are driving positive change across every sector.
Meet the One Planet MBA academics
The University of Exeter Business School's first-class academic reputation attracts internationally renowned researchers and skilled educators, with 92% of Business and Management Studies research rated as world leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
On the One Planet MBA, you will benefit from direct and immediate access to top researchers in the teaching team and work with experts in the latest business ideas, theories and approaches. You will discuss and debate the current challenges and opportunities facing businesses with some of the top business professionals and leading business academics in the world, sharing insights from their vast and varied years working in industry around the globe.
The One Planet MBA is taught by over a dozen leading business academics and researchers, including:
Programme Director » Professor Donald Lancaster
"Donald is a practice-led Management academic. Having driven corporate and marketing success for advertising agencies over 35 years in many parts of the world, Donald has significant experience and expertise in international marketing communications, management, leadership, presentation, coaching and training.
He led well-known agency offices such as JWT, Ogilvy and Lowe, working with diverse brands including HSBC, Unilever, P&G, Mars, Mazda and Toyota."
Photo gallery
Fees, funding and scholarships
Fees for 2026/27 entry
- UK/EU fees per year: £34,500 full time
- International fees per year: £34,500 full time
MBA funding and scholarships
At the University of Exeter Business School, we want to ensure we attract the very brightest minds and talent from all over the world, regardless of financial background.
One Planet MBA scholarships are available for September 2026 entry:
- One Planet MBA UN Sustainable Development Goals Scholarship (UN SDG): 40% deduction of tuition fees (based on success at interview)
- One Planet MBA Better World Scholarship (BW): up to an additional 10% deduction of tuition fees (awarded to outstanding applicants)
To apply for these scholarships you will first need to have an offer of a place on the One Planet MBA. The programme interview will be used to determine your suitability for these scholarships. You may be asked to submit a scholarship video application.
Entry requirements
We seek ambitious leaders with a proven track record. You must have a minimum of three years' managerial experience (managing people and/or substantive projects). While a GMAT score is welcome, we prioritise demonstrated work experience and career progression.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile D. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
For those students that don’t yet meet our entry criteria of IELTS 7.0, you may wish to attend one of our INTO Pre-sessional English programmes.
Contact or visit us
Want to discover how you can advance your career with our One Planet MBA? We offer a range of in-person and virtual opportunities to connect with us, please find out more below.
- Arrange a chat: You can contact Murray Scott in the One Planet MBA Office to find out when we will be in your country or to arrange a personal visit to campus or an informal online conversation.
- Join us for an open day: Tour our beautiful campus and network with current students and staff at one of our in-person open days. Find out more and book onto a postgraduate open day.
The University of Exeter Business School is located at our Streatham Campus in Exeter. View directions to Streatham Campus, as well as the Streatham Campus map and campus accessibility information.
Visit us in your country
Connect with us at an international educational fair or event and discover how the One Planet MBA can support your future. You can meet us at the Access MBA fairs taking place in April:
- Thursday 23 April 2026: Jakarta
- Saturday 25 April 2026: Bangkok
If you’d like to connect with us at the fair, you can contact us in advance at mba@exeter.ac.uk. Please note, you will need to register with Access MBA to attend these events.
Study a Masters of Business Administration at a Top 15 University*
Apply now for September 2026 entry »
Application checklist
You should check the following are included when sending your application:
- Transcript and degree certificate for first/second degree.
- A detailed CV.
- Two professional reference letters.
- A personal statement supporting your application. This statement should detail your achievements in your career so far, the experiences you will bring to the programme, and how you believe the One Planet MBA will enhance your career and future aspirations.
- Evidence of English proficiency if applicable.
- We do not require GMAT, but if you have a GMAT Score you should upload with your application in support of your academic qualifications.
After submitting your application, qualified applicants will be contacted by the One Planet MBA Admissions team to arrange an interview. Please contact the One Planet MBA Admissions team for more information.