The MBA originated in the United States, during a period of industrialisation in the late 19th century to service companies needs for scientific approaches to management. Core MBA courses introduce students to different aspects of business such as marketing, accounting, human resources and operations management. Students on some programmes can focus on certain areas of subject.

Tuck School of Business was the first graduate business school in the US. Founded in 1900, it was the first institution to grant advanced degrees (masters) in the commercial sciences. The Master of Science in commerce was the forerunner to the modern MBA degree.

In 1908, Harvard University established the Graduate School of Business Administration (GSBA), offering the world’s first MBA programme.

Working professionals were first offered Executive MBA’s by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1940, and this is offered by most modern business schools.

The first MBA degrees outside the US were offered by The University of Western Ontario in Canada in 1950, with the University of Pretoria in South Africa following in 1951.  The Institute of Business Administration, Karachi in Pakistan was established in 1955 as the first Asian business school by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1957, INSEAD became the first European business school to offer an MBA programme.

The first MBA course to require all students to have a laptop in the classroom was the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College (Florida) in 1986.

The MBA degree has been adopted by universities worldwide, and has been adopted and adapted by both developed and developing countries.

The Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) is an internationally recognised business qualification which attracts people from a range of academic disciplines. Established in the US about 90 years ago now, the program now attracts over 1000 business schools and universities all offering MBA programs which aim to introduce students to the key areas of business which includes accounting, marketing, human resource, operations and management.

Most students decide to embark on an MBA qualification as it may further their career and open new career opportunities. It’s also very common for professionals with an MBA to see an increase in salary which can be very appealing.

The flexibility of an MBA is great as individuals who plan to study can choose from full-time, part- time, and distance learning. Of course, before you start an MBA course you have to consider costs and money for living as MBA courses can cost anything from £8,000 to £20,000 , so doing an MBA is a massive commitment therefore it’s important to know why you want to get the qualification in the first place.