Join the growing ‘green collar’ workforce

Around the world, countries are responding to the threat of climate change with new government policies, products and services. Millions of new graduate jobs will be created in this new ‘green’ sector, all requiring very different professional business skills.

Very few universities already meet this need. Some offer specific programs in environmental studies or geography, but the challenges facing the global ‘green economy’ need a broad multi-discipline approach. Students will need to:

• Understand the scientific basis for greenhouse emissions
• Recognise the range of alternative energy efficient technologies
• Develop organisational change and behaviour modification strategies
• Acquire the financial skills needed to manage carbon accounts

Businesses that develop these abilities will enjoy spectacular growth in the new low carbon economy.

An alternative Masters of Business, from the Monash Graduate School of Business

Monash University has been a leader in sustainability education for many years, primarily within its Faculties of Science, Engineering and Arts.

The Graduate School of Business has partnered with the School Geography and Environmental Science to provide a Master of Business specialising in sustainability. It’s an industry-focused alternative in postgraduate studies, which provides the skills needed by climate change professionals.

“This Masters Degree has a strong emphasis upon personal development, corporate governance and social responsibility. It will suit a wide range of prospective students, including candidates without prior studies in business, who want to extend their skills in the vital area of business sustainability,” explains course director Wayne Gumley.

Students will graduate from this program ready to help businesses confront the increasing social and environmental constraints ahead. It can also provide a research pathway for students interested in higher degrees by research.

The sustainability specialisation extends the corporate governance and social responsibility foundations of the program. At least six additional units deal with specific areas of business sustainability, including:

• Scientific perspectives on sustainability,
• Measurement and reporting of sustainability and greenhouse performance,
• Legal obligations (environmental and climate related legislation)
• Social and environmental impacts on business decision making

Students in the program have the opportunity to take part in field trips, industry visits, and carbon market simulations, with presenters from a wide range of relevant disciplines.

For more information on the Master of Business please contact the Monash GSB at 1300 748 990, email [email protected], or visit the web at www.gsb.monash.edu.au

The Australian School of Business - Number 1. Where you want to be

The Australian School of Business at The University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney is Australia’s leading business school and a centre of excellence in business education and research in the Asia Pacific region. The School harnesses the power and prestige of both the UNSW Faculty of Commerce and Economics and the AGSM MBA and Executive Programs to deliver undergraduate and postgraduate programs, research programs and executive education. We have over 11,000 students and 400 staff, bringing cultural diversity and an international focus that creates a dynamic, cutting-edge education environment.

Leading the way in teaching and research

As one of the leading research universities in the Asia Pacific region the Australian School of Business at UNSW attracts the best and the brightest teachers to help students to reach their potential. In fact, the School was ranked number one for excellence in teaching and learning by the Australian government (DEST Learning and Teaching Performance Fund 07/08) and the School of Accounting was recently ranked top in accounting research among all Asia Pacific universities by Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting (2008).

Furthermore, the full-time AGSM MBA Program at the Australian School of Business has long been recognised as Australia’s premier graduate business program, and it’s ranking by the Financial Times (UK, 2008) as Australia’s number one MBA program is testament to this.

Advancing your career

Programs offered by the School cater for a diverse range of students; those who wish to develop general business skills, obtain specific professional accreditation, develop their leadership capabilities or attain an advanced qualification in their chosen field of study.

The Hobson’s Good Universities Guide 2009 lists the Australian School of Business as having the highest average undergraduate starting salaries in Australia for Business & Management graduates, Accounting graduates and Computing & IT graduates. Professor Alec Cameron, Dean of the Australian School of Business, says, “These outstanding results confirm the very high standing of our graduates in the business community. Our students are some of the most highly sought after in the country and the excellent starting salaries reflect this.”

Working directly with industry

The School’s programs have been developed through consultation and participation with senior executives from a wide variety of organisations including employers, industry associations and recruiters. This engagement with key stakeholders results in programs that are truly industry informed and industry relevant. Business partners are also actively involved in the curricular and co-curricular life of the School as adjunct teaching staff, Executives-in-Residence, mentors and advisors.

The Australian School of Business is entrusted to prepare postgraduate students for admission to membership of peak professional bodies including: CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and the Institute of Actuaries (London). Accreditation is supported by a rigorous quality assurance process. Other peak industry bodies providing accreditation include the Australian Computer Society and the Australian Marketing Institute.

Continual development

The speed of change in the business world is increasing exponentially. Organisations are becoming more fluid, responsive and flexible, therefore, universities need to be increasingly innovative and entrepreneurial. This is a challenge relished by the Australian School of Business as the tools at our disposal (teaching and research) are some of the most powerful in Australian business education and enable the continual redesign and redevelopment of our programs.

In Semester 1, 2009 the School will be offering a new Master of Commerce specialisation in Supply Chain and Logistics which has been developed in response to the need for skilled Operations Managers in the increasingly internationalised business world.

International students who are interested in distance learning should consider the Master of Business and Technology Program (MBT), which provides the intellectual tools for management in today's technology-driven environments. The MBT Program is a part-time program and is available to students living outside of Australia. This enables participants the option of studying towards a UNSW degree without having to leave their home country via interactive web-based classes with other students from Australia and abroad.

More information

For more information about the Australian School of Business at The University of New South Wales, visit www.business.unsw.edu.au

Measuring the value of an MBA

Looking for a five-star MBA? Deakin University provides one of the best in Australia, and has just been awarded a five star rating from the Graduate Management Association of Australia (GMAA). The Deakin MBA (International) received a four star rating.

The GMAA ratings are a simple way to cut through the spin surrounding many MBA programs – it’s an independent measure of the quality and value of their qualifications. The Association also brings MBA graduates together with unique networking opportunities – members include senior managers, business consultants, academics and government leaders.

Deakin is the largest provider of professional education in Australia, and has helped people get more from their careers for over 20 years. Their innovative learning approach helped them to develop the world’s first genuine off-campus MBA. Plus, with over 24 different areas of specialisations to choose from, you’ll receive an MBA tailor-made to your future, brilliant career.

To find out more about studying for an MBA at Deakin, visit www.deakin.edu.au/mba

Get an unfair advantage

Clear Admit School Guides offer objective reports on MBA programs, so you can compare schools in a meaningful way.

The Guides provide detailed information for your application essays in a time-saving format. Everything you need to know about a school is in one place - from curriculum and admissions to job placements and scholarships.

You can’t afford to miss out on this information – just visit the StudyLink shop to purchase a guide to your new Business School.

Dubai: Hult MBA is a Middle East first

Hult International Business School now offers the opportunity to study a top-ranking American one-year MBA in the world’s fastest growing city, Dubai.

Dubai is one of the most international cities in the world, with more than 150 nationalities, and is the gateway for commerce between East and West. Double-digit GDP growth is forecast for the next eight years, and over 150 Fortune 500 companies have an established base there.

Hult give students the option to study at any of their three locations – Boston, Shanghai (a satellite campus) or Dubai, and gain a unique insight into the world’s key economies. The Dubai campus offers highly qualified faculty from the US and Europe in a modern world-class facility. The Academic Dean of Hult’s Dubai campus says “The opportunity to study for a world-class MBA in one of the most dynamic cities anywhere will be attractive to students from around the world. Already we are seeing interest from students as far away as Tokyo.”

Hult’s President, Stephen J. Hodges, sees it as another way Hult can provide MBA students with a global perspective and exciting career opportunities in the world’s fastest growing economies. Obtaining visas and residency in the UAE is easier than in the USA or Europe, and there is an attractive 0% income tax rate. English is widely spoken, and is the language of the professional workplace.

Hult’s MBA is ranked 21st in the US by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The Dubai program features the same case study method, with management consulting projects and business simulations, and requires a mature, experienced student group with at least three years work experience. Located in the Dubai Academic City, campus life is self-contained. The school’s ultra-modern facilities include wireless internet access, amphitheatre-style classes and a computer centre.

To find out more about how you can study for a Hult MBA in Dubai, talk with one of our student counsellors or visit our website.

MBA Part 2: The secrets to a successful application

You are investing in your future, so be prepared to invest some time in your application. A successful MBA application takes time and research. After narrowing down your options to the business schools that are right for you, you then need to prove to them that you will be the right student for their program.

Now it is time to be marketing yourself.

Requirements vary greatly between business schools. The top schools can select the very best – students with high GMAT scores, extensive business and managerial experience and great presentation skills. But a high GMAT score does not guarantee you a place at a high ranking school, and often the school you feel fits your needs best may not require a GMAT result at all.

The application process

You need to start your application well in advance – at least a year before you plan to start your MBA. A typical business school application may require your education transcripts, GMAT scores and English language test scores, employment record and CV, two references, answers to specific questions or essays, and an interview. Make time to do it well and the return on investment will be with you for life.

To complete all of these you will need to have a good understanding of yourself, what you have to offer, and what the school offers you. Research the school thoroughly – not just their online guides or prospectus; talk with alumni from the course, read the school’s student blogs, and join their online discussions. You can also purchase Clear Admit’s impartial guides to the top US business schools through StudyLink. These give valuable insights into what each school specifically wants from a candidate.

Remember, the school is looking for two things – how well you will fit in, and how well you will stand out. They want to create an interesting and diverse class, so they need to know how you will contribute to that, and what makes you unique.

They are also looking for evidence of your leadership potential, intellectual ability and the thought you have put into your career plan.

Testing, testing…

Preparing for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) can take a large amount of your MBA application time, especially if it has been a while since you last studied, or if English is not your first language. The test gives business schools a standardised way to assess candidates. It is split into three parts: analytical writing, quantitative and verbal. Most of the top business schools will require a score of 650 or higher - not only US schools but also those in the UK, Europe or Australia.

The GMAT is designed to test your logic and persuasive writing, and does not assess academic knowledge beyond basic maths and grammar. You can practice with sample tests and prep materials - find more about this at www.gmac.com. Focus on the areas you feel are your weakest. Remember the GMAT is not the only part of your application and it may make more sense to spend extra time on your essays or enhancing your other credentials.

What schools really look for…

Many schools only require GMAT results if your undergraduate degree does not meet their requirements. The University of Exeter (in South-West England) offers a 12 month full time MBA and requires a minimum of three years work experience. GMAT results are not required and English proficiency test results are only required for non-native speakers. Students must be at least 24 years old.

In contrast, Bond University in Queensland, Australia, requires at least eight years work experience for its Executive MBA program, and at least three of those years at a managerial level. They also require two references, a letter of employer support and a cover letter outlining your careers goals and the reasons for choosing an MBA with Bond. As one of the best universities in Australia for graduate outcomes, an MBA from Bond University has a good reputation and students benefit from the experiences of their hand-picked peer group.

One of the newest MBA programs on offer in Europe is at ESMT, in Berlin. They offer generous scholarships and a small, internationally diverse class. All self-sponsored candidates are eligible for between 20,000-40,000 euros in financial aid. The online application for the ESMT MBA requires good GMAT and English language proficiency scores, education transcripts, answers to set essays and an interview - which can be conducted by phone, video conference or in person.

Ulf Drier, from ESMT, says their program is unique thanks to the access to the 25 founding multinational companies who provide sponsorship for the substantial scholarships, as well as excellent career opportunities after graduation.

Remember that a successful MBA application will require strategic thinking, organisational skill and the ability to market yourself – all of which is good training for the MBA itself, and for your career in the future.

For more advice on how to get started with your MBA application, chat with one of our student counsellors today.

Australia: Top American MBAs offered in Adelaide

If you are interested in an MBA from one of the top US schools, but would like to study in Australia, you should consider one of the programs available at the Carnegie Mellon Heinz School in Adelaide, South Australia.

Part of the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University in America, the new campus offers two master’s degree programs: Master of Science in Public Policy Management (MSPPM) and Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT). The information technology program consistently ranks number one in the US News and World Rankings Report, and the Public Policy program rates in the top five.

Graduates are awarded a US degree, with dual recognition in Australia and the US. Students can also take advantage of the formal exchange program between the US and Australian campus. Further financial aid is also now available, with the announcement of four Telstra scholarships for the MSIT program, worth $90,000 each.

It is also now easier to apply, with a new two-year program opening up admission to current university students. Previously, the one-year program required at least three years work experience before admission.

Executive Director of Carnegie Mellon Heinz School Australia, Mr Tim Zak, said; “The two-year program has a strong practical component and an internship which gives students experience in the workplace as well as the skills and knowledge required for a wide range of public policy and management roles.”

The unique MSPPM program prepares students for leadership positions in government, non-government organisations, industry or consulting. The MSIT program offers a mix of technology, management and strategy courses, immersing students in the very latest advances in the field through a blend of technical training and real-world experience.

To find our more about studying at Carnegie Mellon Heinz School Australia, contact a StudyLink counsellor today.

Choosing the right MBA institution for you…

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! 

UK: Salford welcomes new business school

Salford University officially opened its new business school on 22 May with a keynote address by University of Salford alumnus Andy Bond, now Chief Executive of the ASDA supermarket group.

The school, the result of a merger of four former schools, is one of the largest in the UK. The University itself has a long history and is currently celebrating the 40th anniversary of its Royal Charter and was initially established in 1896 as the Royal Technical Institute.

Professor John Wilson, Head of Salford Business School, said: "The new Salford Business School builds on Salford's past success in the field of business and our aim now is to develop our reputation nationally and internationally in order to contribute to economic growth.”
Around 3,800 students, many of whom are international, study at the Salford Business School. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, part-time study options, and a well-established 12 month MBA programme.
Salford is a dynamic waterfront city just one and a half miles from Manchester city centre. A new media city development will house an explosion of new media and creative industries - including the BBC, which will be relocating significant parts of its production to the new site by 2011. Manchester itself is one of the UK’s most cosmopolitan cities, with excellent transport links around the UK and the rest of the world. The University of Salford has over 2,500 international students from 130 countries, and offers a variety of scholarships to help with tuition.

Salford Business School is offering international students a new online application facility, and there is still time to apply for courses starting in September. You can find out more about studying at the Salford Business School at http://www.business.salford.ac.uk/.

USA: Hult MBA ranked #1 in post-graduation salary increase

The prestigious Economist Intelligence Unit survey has ranked Hult as the best in the world for post-MBA graduation salary increase. It compared 100 MBA programs spanning the US, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Following Hult on the ranking for Post-Graduation Salary are Brandeis at #2, IESE at #3, and Harvard at #4.Overall Hult International Business School is ranked #33 globally for its MBA program by the Economist and #22 in the US.

Hult graduates have gone on to employment at major corporations, including Dell, Deloitte, HP, JP Morgan, KPMG, McKinsey & Company, Panasonic, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, P&G, and UBS, amongst many others. The average post-graduation salary of the Hult graduates of September 2006 was US$81,737.

Located in the academic heart of America, Boston, Hult International Business School has one of the largest international student bodies amongst the top-ranked schools in the US. Every year, 165 students from more than 30 countries study the accelerated one-year MBA program. On average, each class consists of 30 nationalities, speaking over 50 languages. Their cultural diversity, maturity and work experience enrich the Hult learning experience.

Hult International Business School offers a unique action-learning curriculum in a fast-track one-year MBA program, with plenty of real-life learning opportunities. Jaye Matriano, from the Philippines, said she chose Hult because “Hult is a one-year program with international diversity. The sizes of the classes are smaller compared to other MBA schools; thus, learning is more personalised.”

Hult students also benefit from a recently expanded career consultation service, which has strengthened corporate recruiter relations.

To find out more about studying your MBA at Hult, contact one of our student counsellors today.