AMBS Global MBA vs Strathclyde MBA vs Asia School of Business

Vinoth Rau

13 6

Posted Mar 20, 2023 06:26

Good Day,

I'm hoping to get some guidance/advice on my (E)MBA selection. I intend to admit into a part-time program in Malaysia and hoping to leverage this to tap into UK/Europe employment opportunities in the ICT sector.

I'm a Malaysian with 14 yrs of experience in project/operations management in the ICT industry. Im currently in a middle senior position. I've managed to short list 3 options for (E)MBA based on rankings, program structure, accreditation and total investment . Below is the summary of my findings:

1. AMBS Global MBA -24 months Part-time modular mode with local residency workshops and a few compulsory international workshop. it is ranked #46 on FT Global MBA 2023 (fulltime), however in their brochure , it is claimed that the regardless of the study mode, the mba is of the same quality. therefore, can i use the FT ranking for this part time program too? cost : GBP 31,500 . This program will be launched in July 2023.

2, Strathclyde EMBA - 24 months part time weekend mode with local residency workshops and a few optional international workshop. it's ranked #91 on FT EMBA 2023. Cost: GBP 14,000 . it is also the oldest UK EMBA in malaysia.

3. Asia School of Business EMBA - this is a 16 months EMBA with part time modular mode structure. This program is a collaboration between Malaysia's Central Bank & MIT Sloan. candidates will have a chance to visit the MIT campus as well as participating in business practicums. However, ASB is not ranked in FT nor any other rankings. I'm not sure if i can leverage on the MIT Sloan's FT ranking. Cost : GBP 33,000

cost : ASB > AMBS > Strathclyde

Learning structure : ASB > AMBS > Strathclyde

ranking : this is tricky. do i opt for a higher ranked MBA or lower ranked EMBA? i realized AMBS and Strathclyde programs have been going down in ranks for the past 3 years. However, on the FT business school ranking, AMBS (#51) is higher ranked than Strathclyde Business School (#72).

Any other advice/suggestion to help me realize my targets are very much appreaciated.

Apologies for the long winded post but i really could use some help here. Thank you.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 20, 2023 10:39

It's worth assessing how a UK MBA will help you find roles in the UK or EU. With your experience, you can apply now for upcoming roles. You can make more impact by using your spare time for informational interviewing, networking and developing your brand, rather than taking an MBA. If you are targeting the EU, a language course might be more useful.

If you want to move out of project and operations management, a full-time degree taught in your target market will give you visa privileges and allow you to apply for jobs and network for effectively.

Given your goals, you should focus on finding a school with solid career services in your target market. That's not ASB. Although macroeconomic factors mean that most UK schools are falling, the national standing of the schools is unchanged. The online/blended UK schools with the best career services are Warwick and Manchester. Imperial and perhaps Bayes are other options.

The Strathclyde programme is an executive MBA: the students will be older and have more of a general management approach (and the EMBA's narrow range of electives also makes it a general management programme). The Alliance MBA has two tracks: a global track aimed at earlier career people, and an executive track aimed at more senior ones. Both these degrees are well discussed on this board so there's no need to repeat everything.

It's worth assessing how a UK MBA will help you find roles in the UK or EU. With your experience, you can apply now for upcoming roles. You can make more impact by using your spare time for informational interviewing, networking and developing your brand, rather than taking an MBA. If you are targeting the EU, a language course might be more useful. <br><br>If you want to move out of project and operations management, a full-time degree taught in your target market will give you visa privileges and allow you to apply for jobs and network for effectively. <br><br>Given your goals, you should focus on finding a school with solid career services in your target market. That's not ASB. Although macroeconomic factors mean that most UK schools are falling, the national standing of the schools is unchanged. The online/blended UK schools with the best career services are Warwick and Manchester. Imperial and perhaps Bayes are other options. <br><br>The Strathclyde programme is an executive MBA: the students will be older and have more of a general management approach (and the EMBA's narrow range of electives also makes it a general management programme). The Alliance MBA has two tracks: a global track aimed at earlier career people, and an executive track aimed at more senior ones. Both these degrees are well discussed on this board so there's no need to repeat everything. 

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MBA podcas...

75 29

Posted Mar 20, 2023 13:23

I’m a GMBA candidate at AMBS (and I document the journey as an MBA podcaster - details in my profile). I haven’t looked back since deciding to choose the AMBS option.

I’m a GMBA candidate at AMBS (and I document the journey as an MBA podcaster - details in my profile). I haven’t looked back since deciding to choose the AMBS option. <br>

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Vinoth Rau

13 6

Posted Mar 21, 2023 05:38

It's worth assessing how a UK MBA will help you find roles in the UK or EU. With your experience, you can apply now for upcoming roles. You can make more impact by using your spare time for informational interviewing, networking and developing your brand, rather than taking an MBA. If you are targeting the EU, a language course might be more useful.

If you want to move out of project and operations management, a full-time degree taught in your target market will give you visa privileges and allow you to apply for jobs and network for effectively.

Given your goals, you should focus on finding a school with solid career services in your target market. That's not ASB. Although macroeconomic factors mean that most UK schools are falling, the national standing of the schools is unchanged. The online/blended UK schools with the best career services are Warwick and Manchester. Imperial and perhaps Bayes are other options.

The Strathclyde programme is an executive MBA: the students will be older and have more of a general management approach (and the EMBA's narrow range of electives also makes it a general management programme). The Alliance MBA has two tracks: a global track aimed at earlier career people, and an executive track aimed at more senior ones. Both these degrees are well discussed on this board so there's no need to repeat everything.

Hi Duncan, thanks for your input.

If I may clarify further, are you suggesting that i may stand a chance by directly applying for UK jobs from Malaysia without an MBA? Yes, learning the local language of a target EU market is important as ive learnt from your other posts.

Moving away from project and operations management is one of the pathways, however, either way a full time taught degree in the UK is not an option i have currently, hence the part time option locally in Malaysia.

At least I'm now with one lesser option to choose from, thanks for that. Also , noted on the strength of the Manchester's career services as well as the standings of the schools.

i've actually read through all the thread on AMBS and Strathclyde before starting this post but the focus were more on programmes in the UK itself.... what i couldn't find is if anyone actually made a jump to the UK/EU by taking a part time programme at their international centers .. Do UK employers appreciate the UK MBAs taken outside of the UK ? This might be a lot to ask, but If you may shed some light on this, that'll be great. Thanks Duncan.

[Edited by Vinoth Rau on Mar 21, 2023]

[quote]It's worth assessing how a UK MBA will help you find roles in the UK or EU. With your experience, you can apply now for upcoming roles. You can make more impact by using your spare time for informational interviewing, networking and developing your brand, rather than taking an MBA. If you are targeting the EU, a language course might be more useful. <br><br>If you want to move out of project and operations management, a full-time degree taught in your target market will give you visa privileges and allow you to apply for jobs and network for effectively. <br><br>Given your goals, you should focus on finding a school with solid career services in your target market. That's not ASB. Although macroeconomic factors mean that most UK schools are falling, the national standing of the schools is unchanged. The online/blended UK schools with the best career services are Warwick and Manchester. Imperial and perhaps Bayes are other options. <br><br>The Strathclyde programme is an executive MBA: the students will be older and have more of a general management approach (and the EMBA's narrow range of electives also makes it a general management programme). The Alliance MBA has two tracks: a global track aimed at earlier career people, and an executive track aimed at more senior ones. Both these degrees are well discussed on this board so there's no need to repeat everything.  [/quote]<br><br>Hi Duncan, thanks for your input.<br><br>If I may clarify further, are you suggesting that i may stand a chance by directly applying for UK jobs from Malaysia without an MBA? Yes, learning the local language of a target EU market is important as ive learnt from your other posts. <br><br>Moving away from project and operations management is one of the pathways, however, either way a full time taught degree in the UK is not an option i have currently, hence the part time option locally in Malaysia.  <br><br>At least I'm now with one lesser option to choose from, thanks for that. Also , noted on the strength of the Manchester's career services as well as the standings of the schools. <br><br>i've actually read through all the thread on AMBS and Strathclyde before starting this post but the focus were more on programmes in the UK itself.... what i couldn't find is if anyone actually made a jump to the UK/EU by taking a part time programme at their international centers .. Do UK employers appreciate the UK MBAs taken outside of the UK  ? This might be a lot to ask, but If you may shed some light on this, that'll be great. Thanks Duncan. 

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Vinoth Rau

13 6

Posted Mar 21, 2023 05:40

I’m a GMBA candidate at AMBS (and I document the journey as an MBA podcaster - details in my profile). I haven’t looked back since deciding to choose the AMBS option.

Hey mate, i've just listened to your first episode..nice one..keep up the great work...

[quote]I’m a GMBA candidate at AMBS (and I document the journey as an MBA podcaster - details in my profile). I haven’t looked back since deciding to choose the AMBS option. <br> [/quote]<br><br>Hey mate, i've just listened to your first episode..nice one..keep up the great work... 

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 21, 2023 11:22

If I may clarify further, are you suggesting that i may stand a chance by directly applying for UK jobs from Malaysia without an MBA?

Exactly.

what i couldn't find is if anyone made a jump to the UK/EU by taking a part-time programme at their international centres. Do UK employers appreciate the UK MBAs taken outside of the UK ?

Someone must have been able to do that, but they may have been able to make that move even without an MBA. Studying in the UK creates a big difference because of the post-study work visa. I guess taking a UK MBA is a way of showing your intention, but that time would be better spent directly networking, raising your personal brand and applying for jobs. You could use some holiday to come to the UK and meet with recruiters and recruitment consultants (obviously, don't tell the border police that you are coming to do that). The easier way to make this transition would be to find a job very similar to one you have in the UK or EU, and then come here and start to study alongside your job (a senior leadership apprenticeship course in the UK, or an intensive language course in mainland Europe).

PS Also, consider Ireland, since there is no language barrier there (learning Irish will give you only a small advantage in the workplace).

[Edited by Duncan on Mar 21, 2023]

[quote]If I may clarify further, are you suggesting that i may stand a chance by directly applying for UK jobs from Malaysia without an MBA? [/quote]<div><br></div><div><br>
 Exactly.  <br></div><div><br></div><div><br>
[quote]what i couldn't find is if anyone made a jump to the UK/EU by taking a part-time programme at their international centres. Do UK employers appreciate the UK MBAs taken outside of the UK ? [/quote]</div><br>Someone must have been able to do that, but they may have been able to make that move even without an MBA. Studying in the UK creates a big difference because of the post-study work visa. I guess taking a UK MBA is a way of showing your intention, but that time would be better spent directly networking, raising your personal brand and applying for jobs. You could use some holiday to come to the UK and meet with recruiters and recruitment consultants (obviously, don't tell the border police that you are coming to do that). The easier way to make this transition would be to find a job very similar to one you have in the UK or EU, and then come here and start to study alongside your job (a senior leadership apprenticeship course in the UK, or an intensive language course in mainland Europe). <br><br>PS Also, consider Ireland, since there is no language barrier there (learning Irish will give you only a small advantage in the workplace).

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MBA podcas...

75 29

Posted Mar 21, 2023 13:31

Hey mate, i've just listened to your first episode..nice one..keep up the great work...

Thank you, that’s very kind feedback. We do it for fun and to help (hopefully).

[quote][quote]<br> [/quote]<br><br>Hey mate, i've just listened to your first episode..nice one..keep up the great work...  [/quote]<br><br>Thank you, that’s very kind feedback. We do it for fun and to help (hopefully).

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Vinoth Rau

13 6

Posted Mar 21, 2023 13:53

If I may clarify further, are you suggesting that i may stand a chance by directly applying for UK jobs from Malaysia without an MBA?

Exactly.

what i couldn't find is if anyone made a jump to the UK/EU by taking a part-time programme at their international centres. Do UK employers appreciate the UK MBAs taken outside of the UK ?

Someone must have been able to do that, but they may have been able to make that move even without an MBA. Studying in the UK creates a big difference because of the post-study work visa. I guess taking a UK MBA is a way of showing your intention, but that time would be better spent directly networking, raising your personal brand and applying for jobs. You could use some holiday to come to the UK and meet with recruiters and recruitment consultants (obviously, don't tell the border police that you are coming to do that). The easier way to make this transition would be to find a job very similar to one you have in the UK or EU, and then come here and start to study alongside your job (a senior leadership apprenticeship course in the UK, or an intensive language course in mainland Europe).

PS Also, consider Ireland, since there is no language barrier there (learning Irish will give you only a small advantage in the workplace).

You’ve just opened up a new path of pursuing my goals .. thanks a lot Duncan. I’ll read up more on this . I’ve never come across the Senior Leadership Apprenticeship course before. Is there any rankings that I can refer to as I couldn’t find any on Google?

It never crossed my mind to speak with the recruiters. I’d probably start reaching out to them then. Thanks for the immigration tips as well????

Also, Thanks for suggesting Ireland. However , if I do choose Ireland , then I’d imagine studying in Ireland would make more sense than in the UK?

[quote][quote]If I may clarify further, are you suggesting that i may stand a chance by directly applying for UK jobs from Malaysia without an MBA? [/quote]<div><br></div><div><br>
 Exactly.  <br></div><div><br></div><div><br>
[quote]what i couldn't find is if anyone made a jump to the UK/EU by taking a part-time programme at their international centres. Do UK employers appreciate the UK MBAs taken outside of the UK ? [/quote]</div><br>Someone must have been able to do that, but they may have been able to make that move even without an MBA. Studying in the UK creates a big difference because of the post-study work visa. I guess taking a UK MBA is a way of showing your intention, but that time would be better spent directly networking, raising your personal brand and applying for jobs. You could use some holiday to come to the UK and meet with recruiters and recruitment consultants (obviously, don't tell the border police that you are coming to do that). The easier way to make this transition would be to find a job very similar to one you have in the UK or EU, and then come here and start to study alongside your job (a senior leadership apprenticeship course in the UK, or an intensive language course in mainland Europe). <br><br>PS Also, consider Ireland, since there is no language barrier there (learning Irish will give you only a small advantage in the workplace). [/quote]<br><br>You’ve just opened up a new path of pursuing my goals .. thanks a lot Duncan. I’ll read up more on this . I’ve never come across the Senior Leadership Apprenticeship course before. Is there any rankings that I can refer to as I couldn’t find any on Google? <br><br>It never crossed my mind to speak with the recruiters. I’d probably start reaching out to them then. Thanks for the immigration tips as well????<br><br>Also, Thanks for suggesting Ireland. However , if I do choose Ireland , then I’d imagine studying in Ireland would make more sense than in the UK? 

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Vinoth Rau

13 6

Posted Mar 21, 2023 13:55

Hey mate, i've just listened to your first episode..nice one..keep up the great work...

Thank you, that’s very kind feedback. We do it for fun and to help (hopefully).

I’m sure it’s gonna help many out there . Apart from being ambs’s unofficial brand ambassador ????

[quote][quote][quote]<br> [/quote]<br><br>Hey mate, i've just listened to your first episode..nice one..keep up the great work...  [/quote]<br><br>Thank you, that’s very kind feedback. We do it for fun and to help (hopefully). [/quote]<br><br>I’m sure it’s gonna help many out there . Apart from being ambs’s unofficial brand ambassador ????

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 21, 2023 14:14

There's no ranking of SLAs, and they might have changed by the time you arrived in the UK. I'd say that Cranfield, Henley, Lancaster and Manchester are the leaders. The first three has MBA pathways, and the last two I think that MSc pathways.

Yes, because of the visa benefits you should study in Ireland to work there.

There's no ranking of SLAs, and they might have changed by the time you arrived in the UK. I'd say that Cranfield, Henley, Lancaster and Manchester are the leaders. The first three has MBA pathways, and the last two I think that MSc pathways. <br><br>Yes, because of the visa benefits you should study in Ireland to work there.

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Vinoth Rau

13 6

Posted Mar 22, 2023 13:35

There's no ranking of SLAs, and they might have changed by the time you arrived in the UK. I'd say that Cranfield, Henley, Lancaster and Manchester are the leaders. The first three has MBA pathways, and the last two I think that MSc pathways.

Yes, because of the visa benefits you should study in Ireland to work there.

thanks for your valuable insights Duncan

[quote]There's no ranking of SLAs, and they might have changed by the time you arrived in the UK. I'd say that Cranfield, Henley, Lancaster and Manchester are the leaders. The first three has MBA pathways, and the last two I think that MSc pathways. <br><br>Yes, because of the visa benefits you should study in Ireland to work there. [/quote]<br><br>thanks for your valuable insights Duncan 

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