The Faculty of Economics, Business, and Tourism at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria offers the Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Management (MBA), a professionally oriented program designed to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive, global, and continuously evolving business environment. This Master’s program provides advanced training in business management that combines a practical approach with a solid academic foundation, enabling students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the company and develop key decision-making competencies in complex contexts.
The program is aimed at graduates from different disciplines who wish to acquire or strengthen their training in business management, as well as professionals seeking to update their knowledge and assume greater managerial responsibilities. Throughout the program, students develop skills in key areas such as strategy, finance, marketing, human resources, and business analysis, while also incorporating an innovative, entrepreneurial, and problem-solving-oriented perspective.
The MBA at ULPGC is thus a multidisciplinary and employability-oriented program that prepares students to assume management and leadership roles across diverse organizational contexts, contributing to economic and social development and strengthening the business sector.
The curriculum comprises 60 ECTS credits, including 6 credits for External Internships and 6 for the Master’s Thesis.
The minimum number of European credits per student and academic period is aligned with the Progress and Permanence Regulations for official degrees at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which establish full-time and part-time enrolment modalities. Full-time students, corresponding to the standard study mode at ULPGC, must enroll in the full number of ECTS credits for the first year. From the second enrolment onwards, they must register for 48-60 ECTS credits. Part-time students must enroll in 30 ECTS credits in the first year and, from the second year onwards, between 24 and 30 ECTS credits. Students may request modifications to these limits through the Faculty Administration Office within the established deadlines and under the conditions set out in the regulations.
The language of instruction throughout the program is mainly Spanish, although some courses may include sessions delivered in English. For admission to the program, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, specifically English, at a level equivalent to B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
NOTE: The information displayed in the “Student Information” section, referring to the 2025/2026 academic year, is common to all Master’s programs and is therefore included in this program, even though it is not currently being delivered. When the information for the 2026/2027 academic year is published, it will be updated and will be the one MBA students should consider.
Profile, requirements, outings, and enrollment
The intended student profile for this Master's Degree comprises university graduates seeking to acquire or further develop their knowledge in Business Administration and Management. It is also addressed to graduates from a wide range of disciplines who possess a foundational background in business management or quantitative methods and wish to develop advanced competencies in organizational management and leadership.
The program is equally aimed at professionals currently in employment who, coming from diverse academic backgrounds, have experience in the business environment and seek to update or enhance their knowledge to adapt to increasingly dynamic, competitive, and global contexts, as well as to assume greater managerial responsibilities or to promote their own entrepreneurial initiatives.
Particular emphasis is placed on analytical ability, an interest in corporate decision-making, initiative, and a strong problem-solving orientation, together with a proactive attitude towards organizational challenges. The program is designed for both individuals intending to pursue professional careers in public and private organizations and those aspiring to develop or lead their own business ventures.
Furthermore, the program's multidisciplinary nature, together with its strong focus on analysis and decision-making, makes it an appropriate pathway for students seeking to continue their academic development, thereby facilitating access to doctoral programs in Economics and Business.
This Master’s Degree requires compliance with the prior qualification and training requirements established in Royal Decree 822/2021, Article 18, “Access and admission to official Master’s Degree programs.” The most relevant provisions include:
Holding an official Spanish Bachelor’s Degree (Grado) or equivalent is a requirement for access to a Master’s Degree. Alternatively, applicants may hold another official Master’s Degree or a qualification of the same level as a Spanish Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree issued by universities or higher education institutions within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that grants access to Master’s studies in the issuing country.
Applicants holding degrees from education systems outside the EHEA may also be admitted without the need for official recognition of their degree, provided that the university verifies that the level of training is equivalent to that of a Bachelor’s Degree and that the qualification grants access to postgraduate studies in the issuing country. Admission through this route does not imply official recognition of the prior degree for purposes other than undertaking the Master’s Degree.
Universities or faculties shall regulate admission to Master’s Degree programs by establishing specific requirements and, where appropriate, additional training complements. These may not exceed 20% of the program's total credit load. Credits corresponding to additional training complements shall be considered equivalent to other credits within the Master’s curriculum.
Universities shall reserve at least 5% of the places offered in official Master’s Degree programs for students with a recognized disability of 33% or higher, as well as for students with permanent educational support needs associated with disabilities who require specific support measures in their previous studies.
In addition, admission to this Master’s program requires that applicants have prior training enabling them to follow the program content, particularly in business management and quantitative methods. Applicants must demonstrate at least 12 ECTS credits in these areas, either from their previous university education or from subsequent study.
The most suitable academic backgrounds for the program include degrees in Business Administration and related fields, Economics, Tourism, and Engineering. For applicants with different academic backgrounds, the MBA Program Director will assess each candidate’s profile through a personal interview, taking into account both formal and non-formal education to determine whether they possess equivalent prior training.
Applicants who do not meet these academic requirements may also be admitted if they can demonstrate at least 2 years of professional experience in positions related to Business Administration and Management.
Language Requirements
Regarding language proficiency, applicants must demonstrate command of a foreign language, specifically English, at a level equivalent to or higher than B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Additionally, international students wishing to enroll in the program must demonstrate a minimum B2 level of Spanish, the program's primary language of instruction.
Selection Criteria
As a general rule, the primary criterion for ranking applications is the degree to which the candidate’s academic profile aligns with the objectives and content of the program.
In addition, the following merits will be considered in the allocation of places:
- An academic record of the degree granting access to the Master’s program.
- Language proficiency accredited through official certifications.
- Relevant prior academic training.
- Professional experience related to the program profile. With regard to professional experience, its quality and relevance, level of responsibility, duration, and demonstrated impact in the professional field will be taken into account.
The criteria for the evaluation of merits in the allocation of places are as follows:
EVALUATION MAXIMUM
CRITERIA SCORE
Academic Record: 50
Professional Experience: 20
Language Proficiency: 15
Relevant Prior Academic Background: 15
TOTAL | 100
The MBA graduate profile is highly diverse, encompassing roles in middle and senior management in both SMEs and large companies/multinational corporations, as well as access to high-level positions in the public sector or managerial roles within Public Administration. At the same time, the training provided enhances graduates’ entrepreneurial capacity and employability across a wide range of fields.
Below is a sample of potential graduate profiles and/or career opportunities associated with the program:
- Project Manager: Leads and coordinates business projects.
- Business Analyst: Evaluates and optimizes business processes.
- Business Consultant: Provides advisory services to improve strategies and operations.
- Entrepreneur: Establishes and manages new business ventures.
- Human Resources Manager: Develops and implements HR policies.
- Marketing Specialist/Manager: Designs and executes marketing strategies.
- Digital Transformation Consultant: Advises on the implementation of digital technologies.
- Financial Manager/Analyst: Oversees financial planning and management.
- Operations Manager/Technician: Supervises the company’s day-to-day operations.
External practices
Teaching projects, justification, objectives and results
In an increasingly competitive and global environment, companies demand highly qualified professionals capable of assuming management and leadership roles, as well as talented entrepreneurs. Society requires individuals with a broad-based education, multidisciplinary skills, and a strong command of analytical tools to address complex challenges and generate effective responses in changing contexts.
Within this framework, the Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) responds to the need to train professionals with advanced competencies in business management. The program is particularly aimed at graduates from different fields of knowledge who wish to acquire or strengthen their training in business administration, developing the ability to analyze complex situations, design strategies, and make well-founded decisions with rigor and critical thinking.
This Master’s program has been designed with a clear, practical, and multidisciplinary orientation, supported by a faculty with proven academic and professional experience. Through the curriculum, students acquire a comprehensive understanding of the different functional areas of a company and develop tools for strategic and operational planning, as well as for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of results. The training is complemented by external internships in companies and public and private institutions, as well as by the completion of a Master’s Thesis, which allows students to specialize in a specific area or develop a business project.
The program contributes to improving graduates’ employability and facilitates access to a wide range of career opportunities. It prepares professionals capable of operating across different functional areas of a company and contributing to economic and social development.
The MBA program at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) is designed to expand postgraduate educational offerings in business in the Canary Islands, providing a public alternative to existing options. This reinforces the university’s commitment to developing highly qualified human capital and enhancing the competitiveness of the business sector.
Specific Objectives of the MBA
- To equip students to assume leadership and management roles, fostering skills in strategic and operational decision-making.
- To strengthen leadership capabilities in multicultural environments and multidisciplinary teams, promote motivation, and talent development.
- To provide advanced knowledge for the formulation and implementation of business strategies that enable organizations to achieve their long-term objectives.
- To teach methodologies for the efficient management of resources and processes, optimizing productivity and business competitiveness.
- To foster an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, equipping students with tools to identify business opportunities and develop innovative projects.
- To enhance students’ ability to manage change and innovation within organizations, promoting sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
- To develop advanced competencies in financial analysis, planning, and management control, ensuring sound and sustainable financial management.
- To train students in the use of financial analysis tools and techniques for informed and strategic decision-making.
- To provide in-depth knowledge of strategic and operational marketing, as well as sales management, to improve the company’s competitive position in the market.
- To teach digital marketing strategies and market analysis for identifying and exploiting new business opportunities.
- To promote a comprehensive understanding of corporate social responsibility and business ethics, ensuring that management decisions align with ethical and sustainable values.
- To encourage responsible business practices that contribute to social and environmental well-being.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes of the MBA are detailed below:
KNOWLEDGE
KN 1. Integrate knowledge and address the complexity of formulating judgments based on incomplete or limited information, including reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of such knowledge and judgments.
KN 2. Identify complex business environment problems by applying and integrating advanced knowledge, understanding, scientific grounding, and problem-solving capabilities.
KN 3. Understand the main legal issues affecting day-to-day business operations from commercial, labor, and tax perspectives.
KN 4. Identify key interactions among departments within a company’s operational cycle to support strategy implementation, as well as the tools available to enable coordinated execution.
KN 5. Analyze the macroeconomic and microeconomic environment in which a company operates, as well as its impact on business decision-making.
KN 6. Select, among feasible strategic options available to a company, the one that best fits the competitive and corporate contingencies shaping its business environment.
KN 7. Identify the business implications of human resource management practices and design policies consistent with a changing labor environment.
KN 8. Design a comprehensive ethical business conduct policy applicable across diverse cultural environments to support sustainable business development.
KN 9. Incorporate sustainability into the company’s daily activities.
KN 10. Conduct in-depth studies and produce rigorous reports on functional areas, companies, and markets.
KN 11. Lead organizational transformation processes, manage resistance to change, and adapt companies to new competitive dynamics.
SKILLS
SK 1. Provide a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, often within a research context.
SK 2. Apply acquired knowledge and problem-solving skills in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
SK 3. Communicate conclusions, knowledge, and the reasoning underpinning them clearly and unambiguously to both specialized and non-specialized audiences.
SK 4. Manage, analyze, and synthesize information effectively.
SK 5. Demonstrate effective professional communication, both oral and written.
SK 6. Make effective use of information and communication technologies in professional practice and learning.
SK 7. Use a company’s accounting and financial information to assess its long-term viability and identify non-obvious short-term issues.
SK 8. Plan, implement, and evaluate business projects using advanced methodologies and informed decision-making to optimize resources and outcomes.
COMPETENCES
CO 1. Lead teams and organizations, promoting the free exchange of ideas and experiences, the search for innovative solutions, and a sustained commitment to excellence.
CO 2. Responsibly promote forms of knowledge and action that contribute to the enrichment of the economic, social, and cultural capital of society.
CO 3. Foster knowledge grounded in respect for human rights, fundamental rights, democratic values, equality, and a culture of peace.
CO 4. Actively engage in professional practices that respect the environment and promote sustainability.
CO 5. Demonstrate the capacity for continued learning in a largely self-directed or autonomous manner.
CO 6. Demonstrate the ability to solve complex problems.
CO 7. Demonstrate effective organizational and planning skills.
CO 8. Anticipate and adapt to new situations.
CO 9. Make complex decisions.
CO 10. Apply critical thinking.
CO 11. Lead multidisciplinary and multicultural teams to achieve strategic business objectives in a global environment.
CO 12. Effectively coordinate marketing decision-making processes to ensure coherence in complex and changing business environments.
CO 13. Appropriately assess the importance of corporate social responsibility in complex contexts.
CO 14. Analyze and evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of business activity.
CO 15. Transform theoretical knowledge acquired in an academic setting into practical professional competencies.
CO 16. Identify innovative opportunities, develop disruptive business models, and lead venture creation processes in uncertain environments.
CO 17. Use digital tools and emerging technologies to improve business efficiency and support data-driven decision-making.
CO 18. Understand and use English terminology and communicate clearly and effectively in this language, particularly in the field of Business Administration and Management.
The need to establish a plan to implement teaching improvement actions justifies calculating and analyzing indicators that reflect students' academic progress, taking into account their performance throughout the degree program.
The main indicators proposed for the Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Management are described below:
GRADUATION RATE
The aim of this indicator is to measure the program's effectiveness in terms of students’ academic achievement. It is calculated by dividing the total number of graduates within the expected duration of the study plan (or within one additional academic year) by the number of students in the corresponding entry cohort.
DROPOUT RATE
This is obtained by dividing the total number of students who have withdrawn within the expected time to complete the study plan (or within one additional academic year) by the number of students in the entry cohort. It is a complementary indicator to the graduation rate. This indicator has been calculated for students who have completed the Master’s Thesis stage. According to available historical data, most students complete the taught phase of the program, and withdrawals are rare, occurring primarily during the Master’s Thesis stage.
EFFICIENCY RATE
This indicator aims to provide information on the efficiency of the academic training process and is influenced by the extent of students’ course repetition. It is calculated by dividing the total number of credits in the study program by the total number of credits that graduates of a given academic year must enroll in.
For the Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Management, the following initial targets are established:
Graduation rate: 85%
Dropout rate: 15%
Efficiency rate: 75%
The faculties of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) analyze and take into account training outcomes. To this end, they have procedures in place that ensure the measurement, analysis, and continuous improvement of learning outcomes, employability, and the satisfaction of different stakeholder groups.
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