Two MBA students working at Warwick Business School

Big opportunity: Engineers and scientists can now study for a top MBA to help them set up their own business

Warwick Business School has won approval to deliver a prestigious scholarship programme that offers UK engineers and scientists the opportunity to combine their skills and learning with a world-class business education.  

The Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship programme was founded in 1987 by Lord Sainsbury of Turville, who hoped that learning business skills through MBA studies would help engineers to set up their own high-tech businesses or progress to the top of large UK companies.  

Engineers in Business Fellowship (EIBF), the charity that organises the scheme, has now added WBS and four other UK business schools to its list of 14 approved institutions worldwide. 

The programme has been very successful, with more than 400 engineers graduating from top international business schools. Known as Sainsbury Management Fellows (SMFs), these graduates have created more than 300 new companies worth almost £5 billion along with more than 21,000 jobs in the UK. 

This year, the scheme is being expanded to scientists who can demonstrate leadership qualities and their commitment to the UK economy. Mirroring the UK contingent on the list of approved schools for engineers, these scholarships will be for study at WBS, Judge, Saïd, Alliance Manchester, Cranfield and Imperial, all of which are linked to the top science research universities in the UK. 

EIBF, which partners with Royal Academy of Engineering for the engineers’ scheme, is teaming up with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to administer the Sainsbury Science Management Fellows Scholarships.  

All in all, EIBF is now awarding 16 MBA scholarships per year of £50,000 each to promising UK engineers and scientists looking to take their business skills to the next level.  

Andy Lockett, Dean of Warwick Business School and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship said: “This is an exciting development for Warwick Business School and will give engineers and scientists on the Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship programme access to our world-class MBA programme.  

“They will find that our various MBA courses have an Entrepreneurship Specialism where students can use the modules and expertise of our academics and Professors of Practice, who bring great experience from the venture capital world, to get their business idea off the ground. 

“Warwick Business School is for the Change Makers, those that want to make a difference in the world, and with a tradition of entrepreneurship and innovation we are well placed to give these bright engineers and scientists the knowledge they need to make their own impact.”  

EIBF has also announced that it is opening up its application process to applicants who have not yet secured a place at a business school. Successful candidates will be able to apply to a school, secure in the knowledge that they have financial resources. 

David Falzani MBE, President of EIBF, said: “We are excited that this will be a boost to social mobility and support those brightest of candidates who would benefit from the SMF programme but are less financially confident.” 

The SMF programme is open to UK nationals, currently living in the UK. Potential candidates must have a first degree in an engineering or science field, have professional post-degree experience, and be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to UK industry and scientific research.  

Applications are now open for the Sainsbury Engineering Management Fellows Scholarships, while those interested in the Sainsbury Science Management Fellows Scholarships can visit the NPL website.  

Successful applicants will become part of the SMF network, comprised of senior UK and world business leaders.   

Commenting on the new programme for scientists, Lord Sainsbury of Turville said: “The success of the Sainsbury Engineering Management Fellows has led me to believe that we should widen the impact of the scholarship scheme by helping those who have scientific degrees to also acquire business skills.  

“An MBA will provide scientists with credible business skills, allowing them to transform their innovations into commercial products.” 

Find out more about our Change Makers at Warwick Business School.