Students back for university reunion 25 years on

The 15 alumni, from Germany and the UK, held a reunion for Master of Business Administration (MBA) students who graduated in summer 2000 after completing 12 months of studying at the University of Bradford.

Their three-day trip included a tour of the University's campus, School of Management building and its business school's former headquarters on Emm Lane, Bradford, which it moved from in 2019. They also visited the new Darley Street Market in Bradford city centre.

Many of the returning students were employed during their studies by German pharmaceutical company Bayer, who had a relationship with the University's School of Management.

Alumni view

It was a special trip for married couple Christina Kruett and Christoph Doehner, who live in Cologne, Germany. They were already together before studying in Bradford, marrying later and have two sons, aged 16 and 18, the oldest of which is going to university in the Netherlands.

Christina said: "We didn't know anything about Bradford before we came. It was great fun. Travelling over to Bradford really opened my mind.

"I have been working for Bayer for 29 years now. I now lead one of their business units after we spent 20 years in Canada."

Christoph said: "Studying for the MBA was crucial to me getting a job in Calgary afterwards. It was a great thing to do the MBA in the UK."

Paul Hetherington, a fellow class of 2000 member, said: "It was such an international course. We were a close group."

More on the MBA at Bradford

The University's MBA is designed for working professionals and offers multiple start dates, a weekend study option and the choice of studying at the University's Dubai campus or from anywhere in the world via distance learning.

The University of Bradford has a choice of MBA programmes - Distance Learning MBA; Executive MBA in Dubai; and the world's first Innovation, Enterprise and Circular Economy MBA.

Professor Yvonne Moogan, Director of the School of Management, said: "Our MBA is well recognised and reputable.

"We wish to grow it in the next few years and have an even more successful Bradford MBA that is hybrid, combining online with block teaching here in Yorkshire.

"Our programme is constantly being refreshed to include AI and digital and sustainability so that it equips our learners with those transferrable skills to enter the disruptive and dynamic business world of today."

In March 2025, Bradford's Distance Learning (online) MBA was ranked first in the world for value for money for the second year running by the Financial Times.

Corporate tuition fee discounts are available, if there are multiple student enrolling from the same organisation. Loans of up to £12,858 are also available for UK students to help fund MBA tuition fees.

Bradford's School of Management is Triple Crown Accredited by AMBA, Equis and AACAS. Fewer than one per cent of business schools in the world have this honour.

The next intake for the University of Bradford's Distance Learning MBA is in October 2025. For more information, go to the Study our MBA website or call 01274 066041.

The alumni reunion shows how the University of Bradford creates lasting, life-changing experiences.

It reflects the strategy's focus on putting students first, widening access, and building a global reputation.

These former students went on to successful international careers, showing how Bradford helps people grow and make a difference.

Their return also highlights the University's progress and commitment to improving facilities and staying connected with its alumni.