Full-time MBA in UK schools

kneehigh

1 2

Posted Mar 13, 2013 11:21

Hi,

I am currently considering studying an MBA in the UK and have a few questions. I have been working full time now for around 5 years and most of my experience is centered around the energy sector. I used to work in Australia at a electricity generation company and worked in multiple roles in trading and finance with my last role their being a short term energy trader.

I then left and went travelling around the world for 8 months then landed a job in the UK as a Energy Consultant at a small company that sells modelling software and also consultancy in energy markets and modelling. I haven't had a proper 'manager' title but as a consultant I have done a bit of work on my own in other European countries for clients and also trained up juniors in my previous roles.

I studied a double degree in Commerce and IT then did an extra year and graduated with an lower second class honors in IT too. My university grades are pretty scattered with a few fails in some subjects in my mid years but then also quite a few of distinctions and high distinctions in later years. Will my failures in some subjects effect my admission?

I haven't done the GMAT yet but just started studying for it I suspect my ability I would probably sit around 650ish.

I have worked almost exclusively in the energy and while I do enjoy it I wouldn't mind seeing what else is out there. I did enjoy trading so potentially getting back into trading or something finance based might be of interest. I guess I am not 100% sure of exactly where I want to end up after I do a MBA I just feel that doing one will help me 'find myself' along the way and I can narrow the things that are of interest to me and then narrow down on what I want my career to be focused on. Will not having well set out reasons/goals effect my applications?

In terms of schools over here I have been considering Imperial, Cass, Manchester and Warick. Cambridge would be a stretch school limited by my uni GPA / GMAT. I would also want a school that had decent alumni connections around the world since one day I am probably plan on going back to Australia to live but are more than happy to do some time working in London for 3-10 years if need be. Also a school with a decent reputation outside of the UK would be important to me as well.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 13, 2013 14:06

Yes, the weak grades will be noticed. I think you need to clarify your goals and get a strong GMAT to compensate, some way over 650 for the schools you are looking at.

Look on LinkedIn to see how large the alumni networks are of these schools in Australia.

There's a good list of schools at http://www.find-mba.com/board/27082

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davidsmart

34 68

Posted Mar 13, 2013 14:37

Hi,

I am currently considering studying an MBA in the UK and have a few questions. I have been working full time now for around 5 years and most of my experience is centered around the energy sector. I used to work in Australia at a electricity generation company and worked in multiple roles in trading and finance with my last role their being a short term energy trader.

I then left and went travelling around the world for 8 months then landed a job in the UK as a Energy Consultant at a small company that sells modelling software and also consultancy in energy markets and modelling. I haven't had a proper 'manager' title but as a consultant I have done a bit of work on my own in other European countries for clients and also trained up juniors in my previous roles.

I studied a double degree in Commerce and IT then did an extra year and graduated with an lower second class honors in IT too. My university grades are pretty scattered with a few fails in some subjects in my mid years but then also quite a few of distinctions and high distinctions in later years. Will my failures in some subjects effect my admission?

I haven't done the GMAT yet but just started studying for it I suspect my ability I would probably sit around 650ish.

I have worked almost exclusively in the energy and while I do enjoy it I wouldn't mind seeing what else is out there. I did enjoy trading so potentially getting back into trading or something finance based might be of interest. I guess I am not 100% sure of exactly where I want to end up after I do a MBA I just feel that doing one will help me 'find myself' along the way and I can narrow the things that are of interest to me and then narrow down on what I want my career to be focused on. Will not having well set out reasons/goals effect my applications?

In terms of schools over here I have been considering Imperial, Cass, Manchester and Warick. Cambridge would be a stretch school limited by my uni GPA / GMAT. I would also want a school that had decent alumni connections around the world since one day I am probably plan on going back to Australia to live but are more than happy to do some time working in London for 3-10 years if need be. Also a school with a decent reputation outside of the UK would be important to me as well.

Man you are on a right track, London is an amazing place to spend a year while doing MBA. East or West LONDON is the best.

<blockquote>Hi,

I am currently considering studying an MBA in the UK and have a few questions. I have been working full time now for around 5 years and most of my experience is centered around the energy sector. I used to work in Australia at a electricity generation company and worked in multiple roles in trading and finance with my last role their being a short term energy trader.

I then left and went travelling around the world for 8 months then landed a job in the UK as a Energy Consultant at a small company that sells modelling software and also consultancy in energy markets and modelling. I haven't had a proper 'manager' title but as a consultant I have done a bit of work on my own in other European countries for clients and also trained up juniors in my previous roles.

I studied a double degree in Commerce and IT then did an extra year and graduated with an lower second class honors in IT too. My university grades are pretty scattered with a few fails in some subjects in my mid years but then also quite a few of distinctions and high distinctions in later years. Will my failures in some subjects effect my admission?

I haven't done the GMAT yet but just started studying for it I suspect my ability I would probably sit around 650ish.

I have worked almost exclusively in the energy and while I do enjoy it I wouldn't mind seeing what else is out there. I did enjoy trading so potentially getting back into trading or something finance based might be of interest. I guess I am not 100% sure of exactly where I want to end up after I do a MBA I just feel that doing one will help me 'find myself' along the way and I can narrow the things that are of interest to me and then narrow down on what I want my career to be focused on. Will not having well set out reasons/goals effect my applications?

In terms of schools over here I have been considering Imperial, Cass, Manchester and Warick. Cambridge would be a stretch school limited by my uni GPA / GMAT. I would also want a school that had decent alumni connections around the world since one day I am probably plan on going back to Australia to live but are more than happy to do some time working in London for 3-10 years if need be. Also a school with a decent reputation outside of the UK would be important to me as well.</blockquote>

Man you are on a right track, London is an amazing place to spend a year while doing MBA. East or West LONDON is the best.

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ezra

521 711

Posted Mar 14, 2013 10:34

Will not having well set out reasons/goals effect my applications?

Schools like to see that you have direction, so being able to define some short- and long-term career goals is pretty important. However, that's not to say that you have to stick with the long-term goals when you start your MBA; many students find that exposure to new ideas and topics does change their career direction. If anything, I would come across as having confidence in a direction, but show that you're open to change.

The higher-ranked programs will generally have larger networks in a place like Australia. Cambridge has a sizable alumni base in Australia, and Warwick does as well. You can research this through Linkedin, as Duncan suggested, or ask the schools directly.

<blockquote>Will not having well set out reasons/goals effect my applications?</blockquote>
Schools like to see that you have direction, so being able to define some short- and long-term career goals is pretty important. However, that's not to say that you have to stick with the long-term goals when you start your MBA; many students find that exposure to new ideas and topics does change their career direction. If anything, I would come across as having confidence in a direction, but show that you're open to change.

The higher-ranked programs will generally have larger networks in a place like Australia. Cambridge has a sizable alumni base in Australia, and Warwick does as well. You can research this through Linkedin, as Duncan suggested, or ask the schools directly.

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kneehigh

1 2

Posted Mar 14, 2013 18:23

Thanks guys for your comments so far. Assuming I couldn't get into Cambridge for example and I believed my longer term career interest was in finance after a MBA would I then be looking at somewhere like Cass?

Even though a worldwide alumni network would be good for the foreseeable future I am open to stay in London so a good alumni network base here would be also a plus. I have read through some other threads and people have commented on certain programs being quite compressed (Warwick) and where as others like Manchester are better if you are thinking of changing fields due to the possibility of an internship and a more relaxed learning pace.

One other question, I quite like more practical/case study based learning do the teaching styles vary between schools greatly?

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 15, 2013 01:01

The educational experience is not just about the 'teaching' style but also about the use of projects, group assessment, internships etc. The shorter, more intensive programmes will have much less of that educational experience.

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ezra

521 711

Posted Mar 20, 2013 18:22

Assuming I couldn't get into Cambridge for example and I believed my longer term career interest was in finance after a MBA would I then be looking at somewhere like Cass?

Cass would be great if you wanted to get into financial services in London - according to LinkedIn, it's just behind LBS in London-based financial services representation. It's 12 months rather than Manchester's 18 months, so it might feel more "compressed" as you say, although I'm not sure that would be a huge issue.

<blockquote> Assuming I couldn't get into Cambridge for example and I believed my longer term career interest was in finance after a MBA would I then be looking at somewhere like Cass?</blockquote>
Cass would be great if you wanted to get into financial services in London - according to LinkedIn, it's just behind LBS in London-based financial services representation. It's 12 months rather than Manchester's 18 months, so it might feel more "compressed" as you say, although I'm not sure that would be a huge issue.

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davidsmart

34 68

Posted Mar 21, 2013 10:58

Assuming I couldn't get into Cambridge for example and I believed my longer term career interest was in finance after a MBA would I then be looking at somewhere like Cass?

Cass would be great if you wanted to get into financial services in London - according to LinkedIn, it's just behind LBS in London-based financial services representation. It's 12 months rather than Manchester's 18 months, so it might feel more "compressed" as you say, although I'm not sure that would be a huge issue.

The only place worth spending time in UK is London. Great student community, empolyement prospects and on top of that great attractions and awsome night life.

<blockquote><blockquote> Assuming I couldn't get into Cambridge for example and I believed my longer term career interest was in finance after a MBA would I then be looking at somewhere like Cass?</blockquote>
Cass would be great if you wanted to get into financial services in London - according to LinkedIn, it's just behind LBS in London-based financial services representation. It's 12 months rather than Manchester's 18 months, so it might feel more "compressed" as you say, although I'm not sure that would be a huge issue.</blockquote>

The only place worth spending time in UK is London. Great student community, empolyement prospects and on top of that great attractions and awsome night life.

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saroo

47 93

Posted Mar 21, 2013 12:43

My friend get admission offer for masters in account / finance from Manchester Business School and Edinburgh Business School. He is done CA and big 4 experience (KPMG and Deloitte). After masters he want to live and work in big 4 in UK. Which is better for job in UK Manchester or Edinburgh.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 21, 2013 13:41

Edinburgh Business School, which is at Heriott Watt, is not great. Do you mean the University of Edinburgh Business School?

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saroo

47 93

Posted Mar 21, 2013 16:33

Edinburgh Business School, which is at Heriott Watt, is not great. Do you mean the University of Edinburgh Business School?

Yes sir i am meaning University of Edinburgh Business School. What you suggest sir, is it good for finding job after masters.

<blockquote>Edinburgh Business School, which is at Heriott Watt, is not great. Do you mean the University of Edinburgh Business School?</blockquote>

Yes sir i am meaning University of Edinburgh Business School. What you suggest sir, is it good for finding job after masters.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 21, 2013 16:47

Those are both good programmes. Neither is in the top tier for MSd finance http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2012 but they are strong for accounting. In both schools, students have good accounting knowledge on the way in.

PS The Edinburgh programme seems to be better for accounting; the MBS programme is a CFA partner, so it's more focussed on financial analysis. At Edinburgh, Advanced Management Accounting is in the first semester, and is followed by International Management Accounting in the second semester. At Manchester I think the students come in with a bit less accounting knowledge, and do Advanced Management Accounting only in the second semester.

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saroo

47 93

Posted Mar 21, 2013 18:00

Those are both good programmes. Neither is in the top tier for MSd finance http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2012 but they are strong for accounting. In both schools, students have good accounting knowledge on the way in.

PS The Edinburgh programme seems to be better for accounting; the MBS programme is a CFA partner, so it's more focussed on financial analysis. At Edinburgh, Advanced Management Accounting is in the first semester, and is followed by International Management Accounting in the second semester. At Manchester I think the students come in with a bit less accounting knowledge, and do Advanced Management Accounting only in the second semester.

Thank you sir. can you list few more programs which are best to get into big 4 audit firms in UK.

<blockquote>Those are both good programmes. Neither is in the top tier for MSd finance http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2012 but they are strong for accounting. In both schools, students have good accounting knowledge on the way in.

PS The Edinburgh programme seems to be better for accounting; the MBS programme is a CFA partner, so it's more focussed on financial analysis. At Edinburgh, Advanced Management Accounting is in the first semester, and is followed by International Management Accounting in the second semester. At Manchester I think the students come in with a bit less accounting knowledge, and do Advanced Management Accounting only in the second semester.</blockquote>

Thank you sir. can you list few more programs which are best to get into big 4 audit firms in UK.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 21, 2013 18:34

I think Durham and Warwick are the places to focus on.

The UK Universities with the biggest alumni networks in accounting are Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Durham, Loughborough, Warwick and Bristol.

Also look for business schools with the strongest finance programmes, if non-accounting roles in the Big 4 are interesting: Oxford, Cranfield, Imperial, Cass and Henley.

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