Learn how Hull’s Global MBA blends real-world expertise, personalised leadership development, and an international network to support meaningful career progression, shared by faculty and alumni.
Choosing the right MBA is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your career. With so many online options, it can be hard to know which programme will truly give you the skills, network, and perspective to move forward.
At the University of Hull, our Global MBA combines academic insight with industry experience, a distinctive leadership development pathway, and an international perspective that connects you with professionals from around the world.
To explore what makes Hull’s MBA unique, we spoke with Director of MBA Programmes Dr Tom Hoyland and Global MBA graduate Chinedu Ezeilo. Tom brings decades of industry experience to academic leadership, while Chinedu offers a graduate’s perspective on the connections, confidence, and career growth the programme delivers.
We began by asking Tom about his background and how it shapes the MBA experience.
Tom: My early career was in the airline industry, where I worked as a commercial manager. After time there and in other roles, I returned to academia. My focus is on organisational behaviour, and I teach the leadership module on the MBA. A lot of my work is about helping students understand not just the theory, but how to apply it in their own leadership contexts.
Tom: There are several things that set us apart.
First, our faculty bring real-world experience into the classroom. Many of us, myself included, have worked in business before moving into academia. That means we’re not just delivering theory — we’re connecting it to practical, current examples from industry.
We were determined from the outset that this MBA wouldn’t fall into the trap of teaching outdated models that don’t match what’s happening in business today.
Second, our leadership development approach is unique. We don’t believe in giving students a fixed rulebook for how to be a leader. Instead, we start with Leadership Catalyst, which helps you explore who you are as a leader.
Midway through the programme, Leadership Behaviours and Psychology builds on that understanding. Finally, Leadership Springboard at the end is designed to launch you into the next stage of your career. The goal is to help you develop the leader you want to be — in your context, your environment, with your people.
Third, the programme has a strong international dimension. Hull has a global network through our research, our business connections, and our students. That diversity brings different perspectives, approaches, and problem-solving styles into the online classroom.
Finally, we actively encourage students to shape their own MBA journey. It’s about building your network, applying your learning immediately, and transitioning in your career in a way that aligns with your goals.
Chinedu: From my experience, that global aspect is real. You meet people you’d never normally cross paths with — from every continent and every kind of organisation. We even set up a WhatsApp group that includes classmates from all over the world.
We share ideas, help each other solve problems, and even meet up in person when we’re in each other’s countries. That connection has been one of the most valuable parts of the Global MBA for me.
Tom: Our students are typically aspirational professionals aiming for that next level of leadership or more strategic management roles. Many are in early to middle management, already demonstrating strong capability, but looking for the knowledge and tools to move up.
We also attract entrepreneurs who want to broaden their skills as organisational leaders. And we have a healthy mix from both public and private sectors. That variety means classroom discussions are enriched by different industry perspectives, constraints, and opportunities.
Geographically, we draw from a wide range — students come from across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Americas. That diversity creates a learning environment where you can see the same business challenge through multiple cultural and economic lenses.
Chinedu: The range of industries is just as broad. In my cohort, we had people from NGOs, government organisations, the military, multinational companies — you name it. The programme really helps you see the bigger picture, beyond your own work environment.
You start to understand how your role connects to global trade, policy, and social impact. And you also gain the confidence to step into bigger roles because you’re drawing on academic knowledge, research, and practical tools that set you apart.
Hull’s Global MBA is more than a qualification — it’s a launchpad. You’ll gain a leadership approach that’s authentic to you, practical skills you can apply immediately, and an international network that lasts a lifetime.
Explore the full programme details, admission requirements, and upcoming start dates on the Global MBA course page: