MBA in Marketing in Sri Lanka: The London Met MBA at ESOFT

TL;DR: The MBA in Marketing is a London Metropolitan University (UK) degree delivered in Colombo by ESOFT Uni. It is a full 180-credit postgraduate qualification, assessed through assignments rather than examinations, with blended study for working professionals. Local tuition is listed at LKR 790,000 in total.

If you already work in marketing or management and want a postgraduate degree without leaving your job, this is one of the routes worth a close look. Below is how the programme is built, who can join and what the fee covers, using the details on its Uplift page.

Apply now or read on for the detail.

Business postgraduate programs at ESOFT Uni

Who awards the MBA and who teaches it

The degree is awarded by London Metropolitan University in the UK. ESOFT Uni delivers the programme locally from its Colombo campus. The full 180-credit MBA is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka, which matters if you plan to use the qualification for employment or further study here.

ESOFT states that the programme has run in Sri Lanka since 2013. Graduates join the alumni networks of both ESOFT and London Metropolitan University, and may attend the graduation ceremony in the UK.

How you study

The programme is offered in a blended, hybrid format designed for people who work. Classes follow flexible schedules, so you can fit study around a job instead of pausing your career.

Assessment is based on practical assignments, with no traditional examinations. A university-approved academic panel of industry experts and practitioners guides the work. The record on Uplift does not state a fixed duration, so confirm the length of study with ESOFT when you enquire.

What the modules cover

The MBA is built around eight compulsory modules, so every student covers the same core before specialising in marketing through the project.

Management foundations

Leadership and Strategic Management
People and Organisations: Principles and Practices in Global Contexts
Accounting and Finance for Managers
Management Learning and Research

Marketing focus

Marketing, Marketing Communications and Operations
Digital Marketing and Social Media
Developing Organisational Capabilities
Business Research Project

The marketing modules give the degree its specialism: strategy and communications, digital and social media, and a research project where you apply the ideas to a real business question.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need:

A relevant undergraduate degree, or an equivalent professional qualification.
Relevant work experience, typically two or more years in a marketing, management or professional role.
English language proficiency, which may be required. No test or score is named on the programme record, so ask ESOFT what it expects.

No minimum degree classification is stated. If you are close to the experience requirement but not quite there, ask the institute whether it is a firm minimum before you rule yourself out.

Fees

Uplift lists the following for the local route:

Tuition: LKR 790,000 in total.
Application fee: LKR 20,000.

International students are listed at USD 3,500 in total tuition with a USD 200 application fee. ESOFT notes that monthly instalment plans may be available and that conditions apply, so check the current payment options with the institute. For a wider view of how postgraduate costs are quoted, see how to read and compare degree fees.

Where the degree can lead

ESOFT lists marketing roles as the natural destinations: Marketing Manager, Strategic Marketing Director, Brand Manager, Marketing Communications Manager and Business Development Manager. These are the roles the programme is aimed at, not a guarantee of any outcome.

Is it the right fit?

The MBA suits someone who already has a degree and some work history, wants a recognised postgraduate qualification and needs study that bends around a job. It is a less natural fit if you are a recent school leaver or want a first degree, in which case a diploma or undergraduate route is the better starting point.

You can read the full programme page on Uplift: MBA in Marketing at ESOFT Uni. For the wider picture, the guide to MBA routes in Sri Lanka explains the different kinds of MBA, and the notes on master's degree entry requirements cover what institutes usually ask for. You can also see more programs from ESOFT Uni.

Common questions

Is the MBA recognised in Sri Lanka?

The program record states that the full 180-credit MBA is recognised by the University Grants Commission. You can check recognition for any degree yourself on the UGC website before you enrol.

Do I sit written examinations?

No. All assessments are practical assignments, guided by a university-approved academic panel of industry experts and practitioners. If you prefer applied work to timed papers, this format may suit you.

Can I study while working?

That is what the blended format is for. The program is described as flexible and designed for working professionals. Ask ESOFT how classes are scheduled and whether weekend or blended delivery applies to the batch you would join, since the registration fee differs between those two modes.

Do I need a marketing degree?

No. The record asks for a relevant undergraduate degree or an equivalent professional qualification, plus work experience in a marketing, management or professional role. Your degree does not have to be in marketing, but your experience should show why the specialisation fits you.