Hi Guys,

I am preparing to apply to following business schools:

- Edinburgh
- Lancester
- Durham
- Henley
- Cass

Can anyone throw some light on quality of MBA programs of these schools and what are the prospects of finding job post mba. Further i heard that the Durham MBA is research based and is primarily based on lectures in comparison to rest from the above list which are more practical programs and focus on case studies method of teaching.

Can you brief me about your profile and your expectations from MBA program?

I have done ACCA and have post qualification experience of over 7 years. CUrrently i am working for a local company in Muscat as a Finance Manager. I have also completed 3 years training from E & Y where last position held was Assistant Manager Audit.
I have not taken GMAT yet but willing to do so.
My career has been stagnant for last few years and the reason i want to do MBA is to give a boost to my career, while i am not looking for a significant change in career and post MBA want to remain in Finance domain however i want to go beyond financial reporting and management accounting. Post MBA my target is to pursue career in financial advisory / consultany.
Durham seems good fit to my profile and budget, however a fact that their MBA program is entirely based on lectures and does not focus on case study makes me uncomfortable.

Dear Skaliya,
As per the details provided by you, i would suggest that you must look for institutions in down south region (preferably London) as you are looking to continue in Finance, where most of the financial companies are based. For you it is more important to develop a strong network within your industry, and therefore you must look for a school with strong alumni network in financial sector.
I would suggest that you can try for CASS, Henley, Warwick, Cranfield and depending on your GMAT and if budget allows then you can try for LBS and Said.

Those are good suggestions. I'd also look at Edinburgh and Birmingham, which are also within your budget.

I am doing Durham MBA (distance). It is true that DBS is research based but case studies are also significant in the course. I would say 50% research and 50% case studies. The good thing about case studies is that they are current business cases. There are some exceptional pre-2005 cases like Jack Welch's GE strategy etc. Also case studies, referencing, assignments are all Harvard style rather than Oxford academic style.

Those are good suggestions. I'd also look at Edinburgh and Birmingham, which are also within your budget.

thanks Duncan :)