Full time MBA - Warwick vs Cranfield (Sept 2023 intake)

Rahul Dua

3 5

Posted Nov 29, 2022 17:58

I am an Indian male with nearly six years of experience in accounting and finance. I am also a member of a couple of professional accounting bodies. I intend to transition to the asset and investment management industry. Moreover, I am also deeply interested in fintech.

I have secured an offer for a full-time MBA program from Warwick Business School and Cranfield School of Management. I am looking to start my studies in September 2023. Cranfield has also offered me a 33% scholarship, while I did not get any scholarship from Warwick. However, the cost is not a deciding factor for me.

During my MBA, I want to focus on leadership and entrepreneurship development aspects with exposure to fintech. I am not planning on specializing in finance, as I am pursuing CFA, which I will complete before my MBA. After finishing my MBA, I plan to work with asset management corporations or banks in the UK. (However, I am open to exploring entrepreneurial ventures if an opportunity arises). In the long run, I want to start my firm.

I am a bit confused about making a choice between Warwick and Cranfield as both schools seem to have a good alumni network, a curriculum focused on entrepreneurship development and strong career support. ROI on initial investment also seems similar, although Cranfield has an edge in my case due to the scholarship. Both have a fintech module. Also, neither of them has any location advantage (Cranfield is 50 miles and Warwick is 98 miles away from London.)

Which school is better considering my career goals?
Any other suggestions are also welcomed.

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Thant Htet...

122 113

Posted Nov 30, 2022 07:39

Congratulations on your acceptance. Better choose Cranfield as it has a compact and solid networkings. Besides, it does have a good reputation when it comes to an entrepreneurship.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Nov 30, 2022 22:44

Warwick is the better school for most people.

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Rahul Dua

3 5

Posted Dec 06, 2022 18:09

Warwick is the better school for most people.

Thank you, Duncan, for your feedback.

Cranfield has recently revamped their entire curriculum starting from the academic year 2023-24. As per their website, they have made their modules more management and leadership-focused and introduced mandatory one-month overseas study modules.

From a curriculum structure perspective, I find Cranfield a bit better. However, I can not find a dedicated career centre for management students at Cranfield. (The website keeps redirecting to the general career service page applicable to all undergraduate and postgraduate students).

In contrast, I found Warwick's career centre dedicated to MBA students. Given my international student status and my aspirations to switch careers, I am biased towards Warwick based on its career support services.

Can you tell me any other factors besides career services I should consider before making a final decision?

[Edited by Rahul Dua on Dec 06, 2022]

[quote]Warwick is the better school for most people.  [/quote] Thank you, Duncan, for your feedback. Cranfield has recently revamped their entire curriculum starting from the academic year 2023-24. As per their website, they have made their modules more management and leadership-focused and introduced mandatory one-month overseas study modules.  From a curriculum structure perspective, I find Cranfield a bit better. However, I can not find a dedicated career centre for management students at Cranfield. (The website keeps redirecting to the general career service page applicable to all undergraduate and postgraduate students).  In contrast, I found Warwick's career centre dedicated to MBA students. Given my international student status and my aspirations to switch careers, I am biased towards Warwick based on its career support services. Can you tell me any other factors besides career services I should consider before making a final decision?

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Duncan

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Posted Dec 06, 2022 23:20

That's a long conversation. Considering Cranfield's ongoing decline in the MBA rankings (see Monday's FT ranking) I think you would need a very specific reason to attend it.

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Rahul Dua

3 5

Posted Dec 07, 2022 06:58

That's a long conversation. Considering Cranfield's ongoing decline in the MBA rankings (see Monday's FT ranking) I think you would need a very specific reason to attend it.

Thank you for the prompt response.

I am going with Warwick. Thank you again for providing your valuable inputs.

[quote]That's a long conversation. Considering Cranfield's ongoing decline in the MBA rankings (see Monday's FT ranking) I think you would need a very specific reason to attend it.  [/quote] Thank you for the prompt response. I am going with Warwick. Thank you again for providing your valuable inputs.

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Rahul Dua

3 5

Posted Feb 11, 2023 14:36

Warwick is the better school for most people.

Hello Duncan,
I also received an offer from Alliance Manchester with a 15% scholarship today. I applied at Warwick and Manchester simultaneously and received the offer from Warwick in Nov while my application at Manchester was still under process as per their deadlines.

Can you provide guidance on whether I should continue with Warwick or switch to Manchester? Fintech and investment management continues to be my area of interest.

[quote]Warwick is the better school for most people.  [/quote] Hello Duncan, I also received an offer from Alliance Manchester with a 15% scholarship today. I applied at Warwick and Manchester simultaneously and received the offer from Warwick in Nov while my application at Manchester was still under process as per their deadlines.  Can you provide guidance on whether I should continue with Warwick or switch to Manchester? Fintech and investment management continues to be my area of interest.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Feb 11, 2023 20:58

Tricky choices. Warwick has a more senior cohort, with people moving more in a straight line. Manchester is more of a catapult more more junior people who are more often changing career. Manchester feels like a safer choice if you are unsure about career directions.

Tricky choices.  Warwick has a more senior cohort, with people moving more in a straight line. Manchester is more of a catapult more more junior people who are more often changing career. Manchester feels like a safer choice if you are unsure about career directions. 

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Rahul Dua

3 5

Posted Feb 21, 2023 22:20

Tricky choices. Warwick has a more senior cohort, with people moving more in a straight line. Manchester is more of a catapult more more junior people who are more often changing career. Manchester feels like a safer choice if you are unsure about career directions.

Thanks Duncan, for your insights.

After researching the curriculum, I found that Warwick has put in place more infrastructure in terms of electives, incubators, monthly workshops,etc. for entrepreneurship compared to Manchester. I am deeply interested in exploring this area.

Moreover, The three projects at Machester are focused on consultancy - Non- profit/business and international business. Consultancy is my second career choice if I do not get a desired role in the investment management area. As consultancy is not my primary interest, I feel that those projects may not help me get a job in investment management. I can spend that time networking or searching for a potential employer in my desired field.
On the flip side, I think Manchester has a bit better electives with added flexibility to decide as to how many electives you can choose. From a location perspective, Macherster is a clear winner as it has a nice cluster of financial services jobs (so dependency on London is reduced). Also, 18 months gives a breather compared to the 12-month program at Warwick.

After considering everything, I am leaning towards Warwick. Please let me know your insights.

[quote]Tricky choices.  Warwick has a more senior cohort, with people moving more in a straight line. Manchester is more of a catapult more more junior people who are more often changing career. Manchester feels like a safer choice if you are unsure about career directions.  [/quote] Thanks Duncan, for your insights. After researching the curriculum, I found that Warwick has put in place more infrastructure in terms of electives, incubators, monthly workshops,etc. for entrepreneurship compared to Manchester. I am deeply interested in exploring this area. Moreover, The three projects at Machester are focused on consultancy - Non- profit/business and international business. Consultancy is my second career choice if I do not get a desired role in the investment management area. As consultancy is not my primary interest, I feel that those projects may not help me get a job in investment management. I can spend that time networking or searching for a potential employer in my desired field. On the flip side, I think Manchester has a bit better electives with added flexibility to decide as to how many electives you can choose. From a location perspective, Macherster is a clear winner as it has a nice cluster of financial services jobs (so dependency on London is reduced). Also, 18 months gives a breather compared to the 12-month program at Warwick. After considering everything, I am leaning towards Warwick. Please let me know your insights.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Feb 22, 2023 01:05

If your focus is on finance, then why not compare what these MBAs offer for finance?

The Manchester projects are really focussed on building teamworking and soft skills. Many students are weak at those, especially those whose work experience has been impacted by the pandemic.

If your focus is on finance, then why not compare what these MBAs offer for finance?  The Manchester projects are really focussed on building teamworking and soft skills. Many students are weak at those, especially those whose work experience has been impacted by the pandemic.

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