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There is a range of options that you have to consider when deciding what kind of MBA you want
to do. Among the main choices you have to make are:
Course format: full-time, part-time, block residential or distance learning
Status: major "international" school or good national school
MBA course format
Full time MBAs have been seen as the "standard" MBA for some time, but more students
graduate from part time and distance learning courses than from full time MBAs.
So what are the benefits of the different delivery methods?
The real distinction comes between distance learning (DL) courses and the full or part time
courses. The cause for the distinction is class contact time. Some DL courses do offer
class contact time but noting that can compare with full or part time courses.
So why does class contact matter so much? Basically the "bookwork" side of the MBA is
vital. It gives the knowledge you need to understand different business disciplines,
but there is more to an MBA than just knowing about finance, or marketing, or whatever,
this extra dimension is about how you work as part of a group, how you can develop
your leadership capabilities. This can come through informal (working together to get a
project in on time) to formal means. An example of the latter are courses at LBS which
help students to read reports faster and with better comprehension or how to understand
the power politics which operate within organisations. Many schools include courses
such as media events with the board (students) being questioned by journalists (teaching
staff or other students).
This means that you will learn a great deal from a DL course, broaden your understanding
of various business disciplines and achieve new skill sets. However, you will get more
value from a part time or full time MBA course than you will from a distance learning course.
So what about the difference between full- and part- time courses? Traditionally full time
courses have received most of the attention and kudos. Partly this is reflected in the
axciom that "if you take an MBA before 30, you can pick your job, after 30 there are less
opportunities and after 35 it usually signals a career change". This viewpoint has been
increasingly undermined in the last five years but there is still some truth in it.
The average age on part-time courses tends to be higher (early-mid thirties as against mid -
late twenties) However graduates from the big international schools' part time programmes
(such as LBS in the UK) still receive offers from favoured recruiters such as the big
consultancies McKinsey and Bain.
MBA school status
Maybe you're thinking "well, everyone wants to go to the best school". That's true, but the
highest ranking schools also know they can charge major cash for their courses. It's up
to you to decide why you really want an MBA and what you want from it. If you are looking to
move into a big consultancy, or investment banking or similar career then you have limited
options. You have to go for a big name school. If you are looking for a for a programme which
will provide you with an overall knowledge of the business disciplines and enhance your
business skills but don't need a calling card MBA from a big name school you may get better
value from a mid-ranking national school. The real problems are often faced by candidates who
want a powerful boost to their career but may not want to go into consultancy or i-banking.
Here the difficulty is in deciding whether to go for a big name school (despite the cost) or
a one of the top "national" schools. In Europe this is reflected in the decision whether to
go to LBS or INSEAD (the two really international schools in Europe, with the possible addition
of IMD) or to a good national MBA school such as IESE, Rotterdam or Cranfield.
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