Manchester Business School's Middle East centre becomes largest in the international network

An additional 125 students joined the school's four part-time executive MBA programmes, bringing the total number of students in the region to over 600 (and over 50 nationalities). It was the largest single intake of students since the school opened in Dubai in 2006.

The Middle East centre, based in Dubai Knowledge Village, now has the largest number of students of the school's seven international executive centres outside the UK (Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Malaysia, Caribbean, Brazil, Middle East) after only three years of operation.

Middle East student applications to the school rose by 21% and the new student intake increased the overall number of students in the region by 25%. Of the new students, 60% are resident in the UAE, with the balance from across the GCC and wider Middle East

(13% resident in Saudi Arabia) and beyond (including students currently resident in Africa and North America); 23% of the new students are businesswomen.

Economic downturns traditionally lead to an increase in applications to top business schools, as business people see an opportunity to enhance their long term career prospects. The effect is also being witnessed in the Middle East.

The rise in applications for our executive MBAs reflects a general increase in interest in the top business schools, says Chris Higgins, Regional Director Middle East, at MBS Worldwide.

Applications to the school are rising at all our international centres around the world, as well as at the Manchester campus. Our MBA students are all experienced middle and senior managers from around the region, with an average age of 35.

They are all seeking to enhance their careers and are prepared to invest in themselves - the vast majority of the new students are self-financed. We have also seen an increase in interest from businesswomen in this intake which is a very positive development for the school in the region.

The MBS Worldwide Middle East centre offers four part-time, port graduate executive MBA programmes, Construction MBA, Engineering Business Management MBA, Finance MBA and the new Global (general) MBA.