MBA vs Executive MBA—What’s the Difference?

This blog has been sponsored by IE Business School. Find out about their Executive MBA, Executive MBA In Person, IE Brown Executive MBA and Global Executive MBA options.

With Business and Economics being the second most popular subject of choice for potential Masters students (according to our survey results), we thought it was about time to finally answer the question: what is the difference between an MBA and an Executive MBA? Plus, we’ve highlighted some of the options underneath the Executive MBA umbrella so you can find the right programme for you!

#1 Study mode

Typically, an MBA will last for one year and is studied full-time. Flexible options are available if you’re looking to keep your current job or work alongside your studies, but that will increase the overall time it takes you to complete the degree.

Executive MBAs are usually studied part-time for 16 to 20 months depending on the programme, so you can study around your existing job. Typically an Executive MBA might be studied online to fit around work, but this will differ with each business school. Some schools also offer in-person classes on Fridays and weekends. At IE Business School you can opt for 100% online, in-person or a blend, depending on the programme you choose.

#2 Type of student

Executive MBA programmes are designed for very experienced professionals. If you’re interested in one, then you’re probably already at a senior management or leadership level with at least a decade of managerial experience under your belt! You’ll also (probably) be a bit older than the average MBA student—34 years plus, rather than under 30.

If you don’t have this level of experience, then an MBA would be better suited, as long as you have between three and seven years of experience to pull from. At IE Business School, the standard Executive MBA and Executive MBA Presencial require at least five years’ experience, whereas the IE Brown Executive MBA and Global Executive MBA require more than 10 years.

#3 Entry requirements

If you’re interested in doing an MBA, you’ll probably need to have taken a standardised graduate admissions test such as the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Not all business schools will require this, but the more competitive ones probably will.

On the flip side, if you’re applying for the Executive MBA, it’s less likely that this will be a requirement because of your extensive knowledge and pre-existing expertise.

#4 Course content

An MBA programme usually focuses on developing the leadership and initiative for high-flying careers in management and entrepreneurship, with modules typically in Accounting, Management, Finance, Marketing, and Business Law. You’ll usually be given the option to specialise through elective modules as well.

An Executive MBA focuses more on developing C-suite thinking, designed to enhance your technical business skills and help you specialise in transforming organisations.

#5 Career opportunities

Due to the experience required to get into an Executive MBA programme, you can probably guess that career-wise, the focus is getting into the C-suite and adding to your existing knowledge.

If you’re early in your career, then you may be more interested in using an MBA as a stepping stone into management or you might be looking to move sectors.

If you’ve decided that an Executive MBA is for you

Congratulations on making that decision! Now you’ve decided that an Executive MBA is for you, that’s not the end of it . . . you have options to choose from within the Executive MBA programme! To give you an idea of some of the sub-categories of Executive MBAs, we have examples from IE Business School, which offer the following:

Executive MBA: delivered in Spanish or English, and in the format that better suits your needs, whether that's in-person at the IE Tower in Madrid, with classes on Fridays and Saturdays or blended, combining online classes with optional face-to-face periods. The Executive MBA helps you work on your leadership skills and hone your knowledge of the business world.
Global Executive MBA: with a focus on global business leaders, this programme has residential periods spanning three continents—America, Europe and Asia—for a truly global experience. For executives and expert entrepreneurs focused on the global playing field.
IE Brown Executive MBA: Brown University and IE Business School have united to deliver this joint programme, with residential periods in Madrid, Providence and Cape Town. Ideal for high-powered, experienced professionals.

Now you know more about the differences between an MBA and an Executive MBA, the sky’s the limit with wherever you want to go next!

Ready to explore your MBA options?

Find out about the IE Business School Executive MBA, Executive MBA In Person, IE Brown Executive MBA and Global Executive MBA options. You can also search our FindAMasters Masters degrees in Business and Management course listings.

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