MBA Durham - Worth it?

Spaniard

1 2

Posted Mar 16, 2012 21:13

Hi!

I am a Spanish Mech Engineer with 5-year exp. I want to get an MBA in the UK to (1) gain an international perspective, (2) find a job in London, which is a city I adore, and (3) move from the industrial to the banking/finance area.

I have made a bit of a research and think that Durham may be suitable for several reasons:
- Quite good reputation (FT, The Economist...)
- Good at finance
- On Linkedin, 10-15% of Durham alumni live in London. Approx the same proportion work in finance.
- By far, the most affordable among the top UK B-schools.

However, I have read different opinions about Durham. Some of them praise it whereas others severely criticise it... I am really confused, honestly, so I'd like to know your opinion:

1 - Is Durham suitable for my objectives above?

2 - Do you think that some other B-School is significantly better in order to attain those objectives? I assume that, for instance, Cranfield is better. But it costs 15k more than Durham. Do you think that the difference between them is SO big?
(For the record, I have in mind investing 18k-26k in the course. I can afford the Cranfield MBA but it huuuuurts).

3- Is Durham highly regarded by recruiters in the UK? And in the rest of the world?

4 - What about its teaching quality? I have read posts talking about posts talking about rumours... Do you have any actual facts? I don't know, but the programme and the structure of the subjects look very consistent!

Thanks in advance!

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 17, 2012 06:42

Look at the average salaries. There is a massive difference. Get into the best programme you can for your goal, regardless if cost.

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Sarames

17 34

Posted Mar 17, 2012 07:33

How about Cass

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Spaniard

1 2

Posted Mar 17, 2012 17:25

Thanks for your feedback!

I guess Cass is probably the best option (after LBS) if you want to end up working in the City.

However, my question is: do you really think that such a big difference in cost (in relation to Durham) will be actually reflected in terms of career prospects?

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Sarames

17 34

Posted Mar 17, 2012 19:07

Thanks for your feedback!

I guess Cass is probably the best option (after LBS) if you want to end up working in the City.

However, my question is: do you really think that such a big difference in cost (in relation to Durham) will be actually reflected in terms of career prospects?

Cass has a good reputation. When i was looking at MScs and MBAs, i had to rule out Cass due to 2 reasons, 1.all its MSc programs are in Finance and 2. Cass is in London. (personally, finance is not my thing)
I am no expert but from what i have understood from my research is: study in a university in a country and preferably in a city where you want to live and work after graduation, or atleast the city where you can come across better opportunities. About the cost, i noticed, programmes at universities in London are more expensive, it would be due to their higher costs, so for students- higher tuition + higher living costs, thats why i was not to keen on studying in London. About career prospects, yes i do think the better the university, better the career prospects.

<blockquote>Thanks for your feedback!

I guess Cass is probably the best option (after LBS) if you want to end up working in the City.

However, my question is: do you really think that such a big difference in cost (in relation to Durham) will be actually reflected in terms of career prospects? </blockquote>

Cass has a good reputation. When i was looking at MScs and MBAs, i had to rule out Cass due to 2 reasons, 1.all its MSc programs are in Finance and 2. Cass is in London. (personally, finance is not my thing)
I am no expert but from what i have understood from my research is: study in a university in a country and preferably in a city where you want to live and work after graduation, or atleast the city where you can come across better opportunities. About the cost, i noticed, programmes at universities in London are more expensive, it would be due to their higher costs, so for students- higher tuition + higher living costs, thats why i was not to keen on studying in London. About career prospects, yes i do think the better the university, better the career prospects.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 17, 2012 21:32

When i was looking at MScs and MBAs, i had to rule out Cass due to 2 reasons, 1.all its MSc programs are in Finance [..]

That's not true: http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/courses/masters/courses/management

The Cass MSc in Management offers four pathways:

Marketing
Business Risk Management
Entrepreneurship
Strategic Management

<blockquote> When i was looking at MScs and MBAs, i had to rule out Cass due to 2 reasons, 1.all its MSc programs are in Finance [..]</blockquote>

That's not true: http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/courses/masters/courses/management

The Cass MSc in Management offers four pathways:

Marketing
Business Risk Management
Entrepreneurship
Strategic Management

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Sarames

17 34

Posted Mar 18, 2012 07:27

When i was looking at MScs and MBAs, i had to rule out Cass due to 2 reasons, 1.all its MSc programs are in Finance [..]

That's not true: http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/courses/masters/courses/management

The Cass MSc in Management offers four pathways:

Marketing
Business Risk Management
Entrepreneurship
Strategic Management

I have a 6 year work experience and most MSc Management programmes are designed for students with not more than 3 years work experience, including this one. :(

<blockquote><blockquote> When i was looking at MScs and MBAs, i had to rule out Cass due to 2 reasons, 1.all its MSc programs are in Finance [..]</blockquote>

That's not true: http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/courses/masters/courses/management

The Cass MSc in Management offers four pathways:

Marketing
Business Risk Management
Entrepreneurship
Strategic Management</blockquote>

I have a 6 year work experience and most MSc Management programmes are designed for students with not more than 3 years work experience, including this one. :(

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