Portsmouth: Innovators offered MBA scholarships at Portsmouth Business School

Innovative leaders have been given the chance to win one of two full £17,600 scholarships to study for their Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

The innovation scholarships are being offered by the University of Portsmouth Business School and the city’s Cathedral Innovation Centre, supported by the Royal Society of Arts.

The main aim of the scholarships is to encourage and foster creativity and innovation in the region, and to support those who wish to make a greater leadership contribution in the areas of social, public or economic innovation. Successful applicants will be required to focus their MBA assignments and dissertation in one of four areas: the marine economy, the rural economy, the public sector or the social sector.

The scholarships are for the part-time Executive MBA starting this September at Portsmouth Business School, and the programme, which is accredited by the prestigious Association of MBAs, comprises two years of block delivery study, followed by a research project lasting six months.

As well as course tuition fees, winners will also receive business and innovation mentoring arranged through the Cathedral Innovation Centre and will be given access to a network of business resources to help support their studies. Additionally, on successful graduation they will become life-time members of the Association of MBAs providing them with a network of over 5,000 contacts worldwide.

Professor Gioia Pescetto, dean of Portsmouth Business School, said: “The aim of the scholarships is to promote the value of innovation and social responsibility in our region which, in turn, has the potential to help local businesses, large and small, become fit for business challenges as we emerge from the recession.”

To be eligible to apply for the scholarship candidates must have: a first degree (2:2 or above), at least three to five years of managerial or professional work experience, have demonstrated a commitment to innovation in their career and a desire to make innovation a focus of their MBA study and work after graduating, and live in the south central region.

The deadline for applications is July 24.