The MBA, which will run in conjunction with Manchester Business School and one of Europes leading print media universities, HdM Stuttgart, will start next July with a minimum 20 students.

PrintCity president John Dangelmaier said management development was crucial to the industrys success.

Our industry has many technically qualified people but their training does not provide them with the necessary skills to manage people. Most learn on the job but there is little time to train and little allowance for mistakes.

The programme, which will cost from 15,500-17,000 (EUR22,000-24,000), offers three levels Certificate, Diploma and MBA.

The MBA will encompass 12 modules and a project and will take three and a half years to complete.
It will have two three-day workshop sessions held at either Manchester or Stuttgart for each of its five semesters.

There are also plans to hold workshops in Asia and North America in the future.

Dangelmaier said no other MBA programme was specifically tailored to meet the needs of the industry and accessible regardless of location.

Because its distance learning, its designed for people who are working. Also, the final project should be on something thats of concern to the company, so that they get practical benefits, he added.

Applicants will be over 27 years of age and will usually have a first degree. However, Manchester Business School worldwide project manager Bob Henry said that management experience would be accepted in lieu of formal qualifications.

Manchester Business School, which is listed in the FTs top 50 MBA providers, has offered fully accredited MBAs since 1992.