Expanding a business, pivoting into a new industry, or stepping into a broader leadership role — these are moments when experience alone may not be enough. You know how things work, but now you want to shape how they evolve.
An MBA helps you do that with intention. It provides you with the space to step back from day-to-day execution and reassess how you approach strategy, growth, and impact. You revisit core areas like finance, operations, and marketing — not to relearn them, but to understand how they connect at a higher level.
Through structured frameworks, cross-functional collaboration, and exposure to diverse industries, you sharpen your thinking and widen your perspective. You already know the weight of decision-making — an MBA helps you carry it with more clarity and confidence. It’s about climbing the ladder and moving forward with a broader toolkit, a stronger network, and a mindset built for what’s next. If that’s what you’re ready for, consider these institutions for your MBA journey:
CETYS Graduate School of Business promotes innovation, advances applied research and empowers socially committed executives and entrepreneurs. Source: CETYS University
CETYS University
Located along the US-Mexico border, CETYS University has spent over 60 years transforming its unique location into a gateway to global opportunities. With campuses in Mexicali, Tijuana, and Ensenada, CETYS sits at the heart of the Cali-Baja region (California, US + Baja California, Mx), where a shared economy drives more than 3.8 million jobs each year. This is what having a geographic advantage is all about.
The region is home to one of North America’s most advanced manufacturing ecosystems, encompassing industries such as aerospace, medical devices, clean energy, and others. Here, learning is anything but theoretical. You can work on real-world projects through partnerships with over 900 companies, including Medtronic, Fender, CEMEX and Eaton Aerospace.
At CETYS Graduate School of Business (CGSB), you can choose from globally recognised programmes tailored to international aspirations. Options include the MBA in Spanish, the CETYS–University of San Diego Dual-Degree MBA, taught entirely in English; the CETYS-Mexico, VGU-Vietnam, UASUA-Austria Triple-Degree MBA, with study periods in Austria and Vietnam, also taught entirely in English and obtaining three master’s degrees; and finally the Master in Business Intelligence and Digital Transformation (MBI) in Spanish. These programmes blend academic excellence with the multicultural, cross-border experience of Baja California, a region known for both its lifestyle and its economic momentum.
Being global is built into CETYS’s DNA. As many as 32% of faculty come from abroad, and nearly half the students gain overseas experience during their programme. With WASC and ACBSP accreditations and a QS Stars rating, CETYS delivers globally recognised education at an affordable cost.
Beyond academics, you’ll benefit from modern labs, creativity hubs, and an incubator linked to local venture capital networks. Field visits to high-tech factories, mentorship from top executives, and cross-border hackathons are all part of the experience. Career advisers and an active alumni network in over 30 countries further help students access internships and job opportunities worldwide.
CGSB International Week brings together students from across the world for an immersive experience. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a first-hand taste of the Cali-Baja region—its culture, its economic dynamism, and its cross-border lifestyle. During this week-long event, participants explore the region, including the world’s busiest land border crossing, while discovering how interconnected business ecosystems drive both regional and global integration.
At CETYS University, education transcends borders—preparing you to lead, innovate, and make an impact around the world.
Learn more about CETYS University.
UCL’s MBA programmes develop leadership and management skills while building strategic insight and professional networks for your next career step. Source: University College London
University College London
What does it take to lead in a world that never stands still? At University College London (UCL), the answer lies in combining cutting-edge knowledge with practical, global experience. Founded in 1826 in central London, UCL has grown into one of the world’s top universities, known for bold thinking and real-world impact. Today, its MBA programmes are helping professionals across industries become confident, strategic leaders.
If your work involves infrastructure or civil engineering, UCL offers a programme tailored to your needs. The Major Infrastructure Delivery MBA is a flexible, modular programme designed to accommodate your career. Delivered over two years and backed by the world’s top-ranked built environment faculty, it equips you with the tools to lead complex infrastructure projects.
For professionals working in global business environments, the UCL MBA in Global Management offers an alternative path. Building on UCL’s strong academic foundation, this online programme fuses live, interactive teaching with the freedom to continue working full-time. Over two to five years, you’ll deepen your skills in strategy, data, technology, and decision-making — key areas for anyone looking to lead effectively in today’s fast-moving markets.
If you’re aiming to sharpen your leadership skills through an international lens, the UCL MBA with Peking University is a great option for how immersive it is. Based in Beijing and delivered over 16 months, the programme draws on the strengths of both institutions. You’ll explore topics like marketing, analytics, and operations in the context of China’s rapidly evolving economy, while gaining practical experience through specialist electives and applied projects.
Whichever route you choose, UCL’s MBA programmes offer practical tools and personalised support to help you reach your career goals. A fully dedicated Careers team works with you to further refine your strategy and explore both growth in your current role and transitions to new industries or functions.
At Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you gain the skills and experiences to become purposeful leaders. Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
What if your next big career move didn’t require hitting pause on your life? With the iMBA from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you don’t have to choose between work, life, and earning a top-tier MBA. This fully online programme is built for working professionals like you, offering flexibility, affordability, and a hands-on learning experience that keeps pace with your career.
That balance is what sets the iMBA apart. You can stack graduate certificates, build your degree over time, and customise your learning journey to match your goals. As you move through the programme, you’ll join a global classroom filled with CEOs, doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs from cities like London, Tokyo, Dubai, and New York. You’ll learn from each other while building an international network.
From the moment you begin, what you learn applies immediately. Each course is grounded in real business challenges, helping you sharpen skills in leadership, strategy, and communication. The curriculum is designed to mirror the decisions you face in the workplace. That’s why 62% of students report getting a promotion, job offer, or new position while still in the programme. On average, students see a 25% salary increase before graduating.
This impact is made possible through an engaging and collaborative learning experience. Faculty are accessible and deeply involved, and your classmates bring insights from a wide range of industries. Rather than passively listening to lectures, you’ll be deep in discussions where ideas are shared, challenged, and applied to real scenarios.
And throughout it all, you’re supported by an alumni network and the strength of a globally respected university brand. From day one until graduation and beyond, the Gies iMBA moves with you, fuels your growth, and gives you the tools to lead with confidence, wherever you are in your career.
Learn more about Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International.
