How to Choose an MBA

Also in this section

• MBA in the UK - an overview
• Low Cost MBA In the UK
• January Entry MBA Programmes
• MBA for Fresh Graduates in UK universities
• MBA for Working Professionals

MBA courses can vastly improve the prospects and quality of your career, enabling you to reach your ultimate professional potential. The MBA is an international qualification that is well-respected by employers around the world. With the rising popularity of an MBA degree as one of the best post graduate courses worldwide, there are now practically thousands of business schools and an equal number of MBA programs available to those who wish to obtain an MBA degree. When asked which is the best MBA and which is the highest ranked MBA you must understand that these are two entirely different questions.

The best MBA will vary for each prospective student depending on work experience, educational background, where they prefer to live and budget. For example, the best MBA for a someone with a very strong professional and educational background with a large budget might be London Business School, Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial College but the best university for someone who has no or very little work experience with a more limited budget might be Aberdeen or Bangor. If you ask which is the highest ranked university then the answer is much more definitive. The most accurate MBA rankings are the Financial Times and The Economist, both of which will rank the top 100 world recognized business schools.

Generally the highest ranked MBA schools in the UK are the four first mentioned above along with Warwick, Newcastle, Bradford, Durham, Bath, City, LSE, Aston, Sheffield, Glasgow, Southampton, and several others. With such a huge and diversified choice, it becomes very difficult to know which program is right for you. Choosing an MBA course that serves your needs best is indeed a tough job.

Here are some things to consider when deciding on an MBA program.

Your Expectations from the MBA Program

No two MBA programs are absolutely alike and even though they teach you the same basics, they do not offer the same syllabus. So you need to ask yourself:

• Does this course give me the experience I am looking for?
• Does the syllabus include topics that are relevant to my chosen career?
• What electives does the program offer and am I interested in them?
• Is the content of the course suited to my needs?
• Do I have the required aptitude to successfully finish the course?
• Does the program offer practical training and real life experiences as well?

Your Physical Circumstances

You need to assess if a particular MBA program is feasible in terms of:

• Does the structure suit you?
• Is the program in your area or will you need to travel daily?
• Are the timings of the course suitable for you?
• Are you free to join the course on its start date?

Financial Considerations

An MBA program is an expensive program and thus you have to consider the financial impact of a particular program on yourself. Ask yourself:

• Can I afford the program fees?
• Will the living expenses, travel costs, and other expenses involved in the particular program put an immense financial burden on me?
• Will I have to borrow a loan to cover the costs?
• If I do take a loan, will I be able to bear the interest on the loan and how long will it be before I can repay it?

Impact on Your Lifestyle

• Will I be able to balance work and studying?
• Will I have to give up my job?
• How will a particular course affect my family life?

Once you have asked yourself the above questions in relation to the different MBA programs that may interest you, you can determine which of those programs is best for you and positively addresses all the above areas in which an MBA program can impact you.

Apply to all of the schools you are most interested in. The more programs you apply to, the more options you will have when selecting which program is best for you.

Realize your options after you get accepted into MBA programs and decide which is best for you personally based on factors discussed above.

Most people want to go in for an MBA program that is offered by the top A grade business schools and which have the highest ratings. If given a chance to enroll in such a program, they jump at it without considering how it can affect them, and later have to live with the consequences. Although an education from the top business schools cannot be compared to other programs, you have to decide which course is best for you according to the above guidelines.

If you choose to enroll into an MBA program just because it is THE best one available, but are unable to stay with the program or complete the course, then even the best of programs will not do you any good. So determine which program is best for YOU and then make the most of it.