Master in
Business Administration (MBA)
A globally recognized dual-certificate MBA, built for Gulf professionals, powered by world-class partnership.
Our Program in Collaboration with ESSEC Business School
Established in 2007 in partnership with ESSEC Business School, the AGU-ESSEC MBA is an 18-month, full-time program designed for professionals seeking to advance their careers across the GCC. Students complete 36 courses covering all core business disciplines, choose a specialized track in either Public Private Partnership Management or Utility Management, and undertake a Consultancy Project addressing real business challenges in the region.
A highlight of the program is an International Residency at ESSEC's Paris La Défense Campus, where students attend MBA courses, visit leading companies, and engage with a global academic community. Graduates receive a dual MBA certificate from both AGU and ESSEC (ranked 24th worldwide by the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026), positioning them for senior leadership roles across the public and private sectors in the Gulf and beyond.
Graduate with two MBA certificates from Arabian Gulf University and ESSEC French Business School.
Choose a specialized track between Public Private Partnership Management and Utility Management.
Study under the supervision of an international faculty from leading academic institutions around the world.
Academic residency at ESSEC Business School in Paris, France.
Work on a consultancy project addressing real challenges in the Arabian Gulf region.
Curriculum
Structure
Semester 1 & 2 - Core
26 Credit Hours
Semester 3 - Track
14 Credit Hours
Consultancy Project
4 Credit Hours
Credit Requirement
36 credit hours of course work
3 semesters in 18 months
4 credit-hours consulting project
Academic residency at ESSEC Business School in Paris, France.
Target
Audience
Managers
Mid-Level and Senior Managers
Professionals
Public Sector Professionals
Professionals
Private Sector Professionals
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
Research
Areas
GCC Development and Economic Growth
Project Management and Strategic Planning
Financial Management
Technology Integration into Work Environment
Study Plan
Explore the complete list of courses
LEarning
& Research facilities
Data & Content Analysis Software
Access to Arabic and English Scientific Databases
Information Training Lab
Digital Database of University Theses and Research Papers
LEarning
Outcomes
Understand the drivers of GCC economic growth and Middle East geo-strategy, and their impact on the regional business landscape.
Gain a solid grasp of PPP models across their legal, financial, and operational dimensions.
Build strong financial skills in modeling, risk assessment, and cost-benefit analysis, with a focus on PPP and utility project evaluation.
Apply emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, IoT, and data analytics to enhance efficiency and transparency in business and public sector settings.