Research MBA Programs

This is a deli-ma which haunts many MBA aspirants worldwide, both Europeans and international. I am offering just a piece of advice to help you make an informed decision and a point of reference to begin your own research. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any clarification.

*MBA as one of the most reputed degrees in the world found solace in the English speaking world way before its need was felt by the French & the Spanish speaking world, all hail to the United States of America. Although no more then three French MBA programs at Insead, Hec & Emlyon regularly appear amongst the top 100 global MBA programs in the Financial Times MBA rankings, the number of MBA programs from the UK in this list is always between 10 & 15.

* A direct comparison (in numbers) between French & English schools offering world class MBA programs which feature regularly in the FT Global MBA rankings.

ENGLISH
Crème de la Crème - London Business School
Top Tier - Oxford-Said, Cambridge-Judge, Manchester, Cranfield, Warwick, Imperial
Global 2nd Tier - City, Lancaster, Bath, Henley, Strathclyde, Aston, Edinburg, Bradford, Birmingham, Durham.

FRENCH
Crème de la Crème - Insead
Top Tier - Hec
Global 2nd Tier - Essec, Emlyon, Grenoble, Edhec

*The overall representation is stronger in the UK so is the general support system of the schools, which is very important for MBA students. A school's reputation is not enough to fetch you a job, a strong careers department and a willing school staff is what makes all the difference.

*Student quality and facilities at the business schools are roughly the same at equivalent schools but Career Services at the schools in the UK tend to fare much better than their counterparts in France, particularly amongst the schools in the second tier.

*Language does play a very important role. In France, it is very difficult to find a job without mastering the French language but most MBA programs are in English to attract international participants. 50-60% of all international students at Insead & Hec find jobs outside of France and with the strong global reputation of these schools coupled with efficient career services, it is possible to find international jobs in other countries, outside of one's home country. On the other hand nearly 80-90% of all international students at other 2nd tier schools in France such as Emlyon have to go back home and look for a job using just their resources, as these schools have very faint reputation beyond French boundaries and ordinary to disastrous career services.

*According to more than a dozen of, class of 2010 & 2011, MBA graduates from 2nd tier schools in France & UK that i came in touch with, 'these schools have a strong focus on the MBA learning, but not on the post MBA career support'.

No wonder these MBA programs are regularly represented amongst the best 100 global MBA programs, they deserve it, but despite their smaller class sizes & global alumni many MBA graduates are still unemployed after having graduated 14 months ago. Sad but true. The situation is worse for international students studying for an MBA at these schools. Their post MBA aspirations are rarely met.

So whoever you are and wherever you wish to study, make sure you do substantial research and even if you have to delay your MBA to get into a better school, do not hesitate to do it.... Something better is always better for a reason even if that reason could just be a more committed career services department.