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UK MBA or Canada?


Posted Jul 12, 2019 01:38

Hi all
I have been a long time lurker, but finally want your view points on my individual situation.

I have an admit to a Top 5 UK MBA - full time program.

I am currently 40 years old software engineer. I also got a PR from Canada last year but I still live in India.

I am now in a conundrum as to whether I should move to Canada and pursue a job or go to the MBA.

MBA option
--------
Pros
-----
- Maybe my last chance to do an MBA
- Opportunity to transform myself
- Get new perspectives on other topics other than Software engineering
- Career options
- UK (have lived here for 11 years and am very comfortable here)

Cons
-----
- Nervous about chances of getting a job after
- Lose 1 year that could be spent in Canada which count towards citizenship
- UK Immigration policies

Questions
-------
- If I decide to move to Canada after, then what's the value of UK MBA in Canada

Canada option
-----------------
Pros
-----
- Start my life in Canada now
- Already a PR and hence no ambiguity in immigration status
- Passport after 3 years after which I can move to India with improved mobility

Cons
------
- Any job found will be in Software engineering


I have been breaking my head over these options but no definitive answers :(
Appreciate your advice
Hi all
I have been a long time lurker, but finally want your view points on my individual situation.

I have an admit to a Top 5 UK MBA - full time program.

I am currently 40 years old software engineer. I also got a PR from Canada last year but I still live in India.

I am now in a conundrum as to whether I should move to Canada and pursue a job or go to the MBA.

MBA option
--------
Pros
-----
- Maybe my last chance to do an MBA
- Opportunity to transform myself
- Get new perspectives on other topics other than Software engineering
- Career options
- UK (have lived here for 11 years and am very comfortable here)

Cons
-----
- Nervous about chances of getting a job after
- Lose 1 year that could be spent in Canada which count towards citizenship
- UK Immigration policies

Questions
-------
- If I decide to move to Canada after, then what's the value of UK MBA in Canada

Canada option
-----------------
Pros
-----
- Start my life in Canada now
- Already a PR and hence no ambiguity in immigration status
- Passport after 3 years after which I can move to India with improved mobility

Cons
------
- Any job found will be in Software engineering


I have been breaking my head over these options but no definitive answers :(
Appreciate your advice
quote

Posted Jul 12, 2019 07:48

I was 36 when I graduated from LBS, and thought it was an excellent choice. At a school with high and fast employment and excellent international mobility, like Cambridge or Warwick, I think you have a high chance of success. Oxford is a bit riskier but, of course, it's well known in Canada. Manchester is the tricky school because the long format is aimed at people who need more support to make a bigger transition and, as a result, it provides a lot of project and networking opportunities but does have less success because the students are harder to place. Cass, the sixth school, would be a better choice for you than Manchester.

Work visas are an issue but at your level there is quite a labour shortage.

[Edited by Duncan on Jul 12, 2019]

I was 36 when I graduated from LBS, and thought it was an excellent choice. At a school with high and fast employment and excellent international mobility, like Cambridge or Warwick, I think you have a high chance of success. Oxford is a bit riskier but, of course, it's well known in Canada. Manchester is the tricky school because the long format is aimed at people who need more support to make a bigger transition and, as a result, it provides a lot of project and networking opportunities but does have less success because the students are harder to place. Cass, the sixth school, would be a better choice for you than Manchester.

Work visas are an issue but at your level there is quite a labour shortage.
quote

Posted Jul 13, 2019 04:27

Thanks Duncan. Appreciate your detailed response.
Thanks Duncan. Appreciate your detailed response.
quote

Posted Jul 15, 2019 19:12

Just curious: why didn't you apply to any schools in Canada? Certainly a well ranked Canadian MBA program would have more sway with a wider variety of local firms than a UK MBA.
Just curious: why didn't you apply to any schools in Canada? Certainly a well ranked Canadian MBA program would have more sway with a wider variety of local firms than a UK MBA.
quote

Posted Jul 24, 2019 20:05

Are there any good schools in the US that also have good networks in the UK and Canada? I would like to study in the US but I also am considering immigrating after the MBA.
Are there any good schools in the US that also have good networks in the UK and Canada? I would like to study in the US but I also am considering immigrating after the MBA.
quote

Posted Jul 25, 2019 13:56

I am a UCLA alum in the UK who spent a semester at Dartmouth. They, like most top US schools, have small but active networks concentrated in London, and in the sort of roles that would actively hire Americans. There are very few British alumni, and the value of a small network is obviously limited. However, US alumni of any school are more active than British alumni.
I am a UCLA alum in the UK who spent a semester at Dartmouth. They, like most top US schools, have small but active networks concentrated in London, and in the sort of roles that would actively hire Americans. There are very few British alumni, and the value of a small network is obviously limited. However, US alumni of any school are more active than British alumni.
quote

Posted Jul 25, 2019 13:58

If you want to work in the UK, the advantages of a UK MBA are huge. Maybe consider the Chicago EMBA in London?
If you want to work in the UK, the advantages of a UK MBA are huge. Maybe consider the Chicago EMBA in London?
quote

Posted Aug 01, 2019 19:04

Are there any good schools in the US that also have good networks in the UK and Canada? I would like to study in the US but I also am considering immigrating after the MBA.

Try not to hedge your bets too much, and if you have to, choose a very strong school. The Chicago EMBA London program would be a good choice, but something like the MBA from LBS might also be worth considering, depending on your career goals. The LBS MBA lends itself to international mobility, and their network is strong in the US.

On a different level would be Hult, which has campuses in the UK and the US.
[quote]Are there any good schools in the US that also have good networks in the UK and Canada? I would like to study in the US but I also am considering immigrating after the MBA.[/quote]
Try not to hedge your bets too much, and if you have to, choose a very strong school. The Chicago EMBA London program would be a good choice, but something like the MBA from LBS might also be worth considering, depending on your career goals. The LBS MBA lends itself to international mobility, and their network is strong in the US.

On a different level would be Hult, which has campuses in the UK and the US.
quote

Posted Aug 05, 2019 19:29

Alright that makes sense. I am honestly not sure about that Chicago program since I only have 4 years of work experience at this time. I will for sure check out LBS and Hult - I appreciate those suggestions!
Alright that makes sense. I am honestly not sure about that Chicago program since I only have 4 years of work experience at this time. I will for sure check out LBS and Hult - I appreciate those suggestions!
quote

Posted Aug 05, 2019 22:31

Oh, sorry... I only just realised that you are not the original poster. No, you should aim for a full time degree instead.
Oh, sorry... I only just realised that you are not the original poster. No, you should aim for a full time degree instead.
quote

Posted Aug 08, 2019 17:57

Will do thank you!
Will do thank you!
quote

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