The most important thing to consider is why you want to do an MBA. This will determine whether your key concern is the reputation of the institution, their international faculty, the average age and experience of students, the institution’s links with business and industry, or the cost and location of the course.
If your goal is to work for a big-name management consulting firm, then the prestige of the school is important. But this comes at a price. Some schools ranked further down the list may offer excellent value for money. Trinity College in Dublin is ranked 70th worldwide in the FT Top 100 2007 rankings, but 2nd for value for money. They offer a one year full time programme with small, internationally diverse classes. One of the oldest MBA programmes in Europe, they are internationally accredited by AMBA – also a good indication of the quality of the programme. Applicants must be at least 26 years old and have a minimum of 3 years work experience.
Many younger students are looking to the newer flexible entry programmes. The University of Wales Institute in Cardiff requires either a recognised degree, 5 years management experience, or a professional qualification. It offers a unique international study visit to view first-hand how world-class organisations manage their resources. These field trips have taken students to Europe, South Africa and Brazil in recent years.
UWIC MBA alumni David Gatehouse says; “The thing that has really impressed me is the huge diversity of backgrounds, culture and thinking that I have been exposed to on the course.”
Newcastle College also runs an MBA programme which is validated by the University of Wales, and considers qualifications, work experience and the students’ potential. These courses offer good value for money, and take one year of full time study.
In Australia, the Griffith University Business School has been awarded a five star rating 5 years in a row by the GMAA. They offer hands on experience through internships locally and abroad, and focus on sustainable business practices in their one year full-time program.
For many students the opportunity to network with their classmates and learn from their experiences is as important as the course work. Professor David Sims, associate dean for MBA programmes at Cass Business School in London says; “We want our students to learn not only from what we teach them, but from their fellow students… (they) will be transformed differently depending on where they study and who they study with.”
Many international students are looking beyond the traditional American MBA schools as their two year programmes add to the time and financial commitment. However, Hult International Business School in Boston offers a 1 year accelerated programme. 90% of Hult’s students are from outside the US, which can also be an attractive feature for MBA students seeking international mobility and networking opportunities. The program is ranked 21st best MBA in the US, and 33rd in the world.
Another globally focused American MBA program is available at the Fisher Graduate School of International Business, part of the Monterey Institute in California. They offer a number of flexible entry options, including a fast-track program for students with a higher level of work experience and university-level language study. The school ranked first amongst US business schools for international mobility in the recent FT survey.
Once you have made a short-list of schools, the application process begins. Graham Richmond, from education consultancy firm Clear Admit, points out that “MBA applicants need to dig deeper than the school web sites when reading up on programs. This means reading student blogs, b-school forums, listening to podcasts and so on.”
Clear Admit has just launched an excellent range of unbiased School Guides for leading US business schools. These cut through the marketing hype and can give applicants a knowledge-edge over their competitors for a placement. You can order them now through the StudyLink website.
With competition for the top-ranked schools as fierce as ever, increasingly flexible business school programmes offer many students a new opportunity to change their careers and their future. Good luck with your decision – and remember, a
StudyLink counsellor can help guide you!
