Master of Business Administration from Heriot Watt: Meet our Graduates

As a part of our goal to offer more support to all adults in the Award, the International Award Foundation is committed to offering additional training and professional development to all of our staff and volunteers across the globe.

In 2019, we entered a partnership with Heriot Watt University to offer Foundation and NAO staff the opportunity to pursue their Master of Business Administration in a fully virtual manner. At the renegotiation of our contract with Heriot Watt University in early 2022, we took advantage of their existing tiered approach to the MBA. The full MBA requires nine full courses. Upon completion of three courses (or one year of study), a student is awarded a fully accredited Certificate of Business Administration. Upon completion of six courses (or two years of study), a student is awarded a fully accredited Diploma of Business Administration. These options, and the complete flexibility of the HWU Executive MBA programme, allow students to defer, take a break or even end their studies when they choose. As such, the time commitment is completely flexible. This tiered approach to recognition also allows for completion at three different levels – much like the Award itself.

The tuition rate is discounted over 50% off the regular tuition rate for those students who apply through the Foundation programme.

The Foundation hopes that all adults in the Award will take advantage of this option, should it meet with their professional development goals.

Emma Morton's story

“I undertook the online MBA as part of the partnership between Heriot Watt University and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.

The core programme provides a broad insight into business, covering all areas from strategy to leadership to finance and marketing. I can now use the knowledge and skills from my studies which have allowed me to perform my job at a higher level, considering all aspects of the charity and not just my department. The electives allow you to delve deeper into an area of interest.

The distance learning approach works well, allowing you to study at your own pace and interact with other students. The lecturers were great, and the various media used worked well. There was always support on hand from the faculty and other students.

It can be challenging to balance working full-time with studying; however, it has been worth it, and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering doing an MBA. The online approach is beneficial while working full time, allowing you to plan your studies around your work and personal commitments.

It was a struggle to motivate myself through the first couple of modules; however, it soon became second nature and part of my routine. It was always a great achievement to complete a module and be one step closer to the finish line.

The distance learning MBA is genuinely global; this was very evident at the in-person graduation ceremony. Heriot Watts alumni network not only provides career advice but also allows graduates to build and expand their networks.

I started the degree while I was the Head of Finance for the Foundation, the learnings through the MBA helped me hugely to take the next step in my career as I progressed to the role of Chief Financial Officer in June this year. The MBA has had a positive impact on my career and my self-confidence.”

– Emma Morton, MBA 2022, Foundation staff member.

Jessica Silva's story

“Joining an MBA programme is never an easy decision. It can be known for being a gruelling and competitive all-consuming programme. So, when I decide to register for the Heriot-Watt MBA Programme through the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, it wasn’t a simple decision. I consulted with my partner, friends and family about the process and programme. They never wavered in their support and encouraged me to enrol in the programme straight away.

I can now say that the past 2.5 years have been both the most difficult but also the most rewarding of my life. As a woman early on in her career, getting a seat at the table isn’t always easy nor is believing you have the skills to affect change. Heriot-Watt’s programme empowered me with the technical knowledge, training and practical skills to be able to join any company and diagnose business issue. What’s more is the programme’s holistic approach ensure’s you approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset.

As an Award holder, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award empowered me with a non-formal education applicable to the workplace, I found the MBA programme to be complimentary to this. Progressing through the programme felt very intuitive. I was fortunate in that each module could be applied in real time to my life outside the programme. From studying economics and market inflation during the pandemic to developing a marketing plan whilst I was a Brand and Comms Manager, I found all of the modules applicable to real life, which made the material stick.

Since joining the programme in January 2020, I am proud to say that my salary has increased by 61.7% and I have managed to secure 2 new positions at the senior-management level during the global pandemic. I am now working at the Director level and help to inform strategic change for my organization. I can directly attribute my success to this programme as it not only gave me the skills but also the confidence to aim higher than I ever have. My future has never looked brighter, and I am confident that I the skills I’ve learned will help me join executive leadership of a business during my career.

You’ll never regret the programme and remember that it’s what you make of it. If you sign up when you’re not ready, you don’t reap the benefits as it’s all about how you use the tools Heriot-Watt gives you. If/when you’re ready though, this programme will change the trajectory of your life.”

– Jessica Silva, MBA graduate 2022, Gold Award Holder