Win a £25,000 MBA course at Henley Business School The Telegraph has teamed up with Henley to offer one reader a £25,000 bursary for its new MBA. Beginning this September, the course is ideal for recent graduates who have had a few years work experience but want to enhance their skills and knowledge of the business sector and develop themselves professionally. It's also aimed at high-potential workers who are capable one day of running an organisation, or setting up their own business, but aren't quite sure how to go about it and need advice and guidance on where to start. McBain says MBAs are typically used by established, senior executives to help them change careers and explore new opportunities in the world of business, but the same principle can be applied to younger, less experienced staff. An MBA can be a very good career-changing vehicle. Perhaps younger workers have experience in finance, for example, but don't want to be pigeonholed into that career. They may want to try marketing or sales," he says. "Employers tend to want people who have developed themselves, and an MBA signals that," he says. The "early career" MBA on offer at Henley, which lasts one year, covers three main areas, McBain says. These are the functional aspects of running a business, from marketing and HR to finance, IT and processing systems; how to make strategic decisions in a global marketplace and finally, a module on "reputational relationships," which involves managing change, corporate governance and developing so-called "sustainable leadership." Like many MBAs, the course is practical and involves working with local employers on business projects and assignments. It also involves a secondment to South Africa to work with non-governmental organisations on managing change amid tough circumstances. Henley's focus is on personal development through applied knowledge, learning in groups. People can expect to be stretched to develop their careers," he says. In return, Henley is looking for "exceptional" candidates. For this competition, applicants must posses a first degree and be able to demonstrate some sort of entrepreneurial flair, such as having set up a small business or introducing innovative new working practices during their day jobs. What Henley is not looking for, however, are people whose priority is simply to earn the big bucks. Anyone hoping for a lucrative career in banking need not apply, McBain jokes. "An organisation that just makes a lot of money in the short term, then fails, is not the sort of organisation we're trying to encourage," he says more seriously. But we are looking to develop people who are capable of being senior managers, or to set up their own business, perhaps a charitable organisation - people with a broad set of skills. An MBA gives you a broad understanding of what works and what doesn't work in business. The early-career Henley MBA is aimed at people in their late twenties, with three years or more experience in work, although Henley will accept applications from any age. About 50 people are expected on the first course. Submit an essay of no more than 1000 words addressing this question: What are the challenges for sustainable leadership in the future? Entries must arrive to Janice Goodwin, Henley Business School, Greenlands, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3AU and clearly marked Telegraph MBA bursary by midnight on July 20 Entrants must include their CV, which details career history and ongoing professional or academic development, a 500 word personal statement demonstrating their academic excellence and a covering letter explaining their reasons for applying Shortlisted entrants shall be those whose essay, solely in the opinion of the judges, displays the most original and exceptional thinking Entrants must be eligible for entry to the Henley full-time MBA Programme Full details of the course are at www.henley.com/mba The winner will be notified by August 3