Which MBA is more suitable for me? Manchester or Imperial?

sanpisapni

2 3

Posted May 25, 2018 10:46

Hi to all,

I am new and since there are less helpful and first-hand information in my own country to compare these two programms, I would like to ask help from you and thank you for any suggestion if possible.

Personal Profile:
Chinese, 7 years working experience in public relations, digital marketing and social media marketing; helped over 30 international brands improve their impression and consumer consideration specialised in cosmetics,IT and auto industries; Worked in two large-scale local agencies and had 4-year management experience.

Short-term career goal:
intend to transfer myself from solely agency practitioner to in-house marketer in an international organisation such as Google, Amason,L'Oreal, Landrover or any others.
As for the location, I intend to work 1-2 years in UK if possible but due to the long-term consideration, I will go back to my own country.

Situation:
I have got an offer from the Alliance Mancherster Business School and I am waiting for the offer from Imperial College Business School. If I am lucky enough to receive the offer from IC as well, which b-school would you advice to entry in according to my previous background and future career plan?

Personal Considerations:
As for the ranking,I think IC has a better international brand name but MBS has a better MBA ranking due to the FT ranking 2018. They both provide internship and international exchange opportunity.

In terms of the curriculum, IC seems to provide more compulsories and electives related to Hi-tech, which is the field that I have great interest.But on the other hand,MBS provides unique 4 live challenging projects while IC provides only one consultancy group project. I prefer the practical learning than case studies so I am not sure due to this preference, which one looks more fit?

Besides, I am not sure which school would be more competitive in the marketing area or actually they are similar to get the chance to look for the internship in a famous organisation?

Last but not least,what about the faculty and career development support?

To conclude, in my point of view, I think IC is more prestigious in general but MBS is more flexible and ranked a slight higher in this specific programme. Now, I would appreciate it very much if you could share more insightful views to help me know more about these two b-shcools in terms of an overview comment on the faculty, the reputation, the programme and the career support.

Thanks a lot!

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Duncan

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Posted May 25, 2018 11:31

It's important that you compare the MBAs rather than the brand names of the schools. If your work experience is not in the UK, then the added value of the long internship and projects at Alliance MBS will be huge. The extensive MBS campus network, in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore will also be useful.

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Duncan

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Posted May 25, 2018 11:34

The superiority of MBS for most students making major changes (two or three of role, country or industry) isn't in just one ranking, but in the consistently better outcomes for international students.

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sanpisapni

2 3

Posted May 25, 2018 12:39

It's important that you compare the MBAs rather than the brand names of the schools. If your work experience is not in the UK, then the added value of the long internship and projects at Alliance MBS will be huge. The extensive MBS campus network, in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore will also be useful.

Hi Duncan,

Many thanks for your so quick reply! Yes, I do agree the MBS MBA seems more practical but I heard some voices from local forum to say that IC would be more competitive for looking for a internship or work opportunity than MBS because IC is the target school for some famous organisation such as Google or Amazon and other companies I mentioned above and these organisations pay more attention to the whole university ranking? Does it make sense?I am not sure and I think I might have some misunderstanding.

Besides,to be honest, I have no idea of the actual reputation about these two b-schools in the UK. I mean out of the ranking, what do you think the word of mouth for these two b-schools?Because I noticed that MBS has longer history in MBA,but it seems going down?

I look forward to your further reply if you are convenient and thank you so much again.

[quote]It's important that you compare the MBAs rather than the brand names of the schools. If your work experience is not in the UK, then the added value of the long internship and projects at Alliance MBS will be huge. The extensive MBS campus network, in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore will also be useful. [/quote]

Hi Duncan,

Many thanks for your so quick reply! Yes, I do agree the MBS MBA seems more practical but I heard some voices from local forum to say that IC would be more competitive for looking for a internship or work opportunity than MBS because IC is the target school for some famous organisation such as Google or Amazon and other companies I mentioned above and these organisations pay more attention to the whole university ranking? Does it make sense?I am not sure and I think I might have some misunderstanding.

Besides,to be honest, I have no idea of the actual reputation about these two b-schools in the UK. I mean out of the ranking, what do you think the word of mouth for these two b-schools?Because I noticed that MBS has longer history in MBA,but it seems going down?

I look forward to your further reply if you are convenient and thank you so much again.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted May 25, 2018 21:14

If you were an undergraduate that could be right. I invite you to get on LinkedIn see which schools have the most MBA alumni in marketing roles in your target industries.

[Edited by Duncan on May 25, 2018]

If you were an undergraduate that could be right. I invite you to get on LinkedIn see which schools have the most MBA alumni in marketing roles in your target industries.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted May 25, 2018 21:29

More or less all the UK schools are falling in the FT ranking, in the medium term, for macroeconomic reasons and because of PPP. In the last few years MBS has been relatively stable, and I think even improving in terms of career progression for graduates.

Evidently, the 18 month model gives it (and HEC, ESADE, etc) particular advantages for people making complex transitions.

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sanpisapni

2 3

Posted May 26, 2018 12:57

More or less all the UK schools are falling in the FT ranking, in the medium term, for macroeconomic reasons and because of PPP. In the last few years MBS has been relatively stable, and I think even improving in terms of career progression for graduates.

Evidently, the 18 month model gives it (and HEC, ESADE, etc) particular advantages for people making complex transitions.

Thank you so much, Duncan, your advice is so helpful that I'll do more research to make decision and especially I'll search the specific role through linked-in according to your suggestion. Thank you again and I think I have clearer picture now. : )

[quote]More or less all the UK schools are falling in the FT ranking, in the medium term, for macroeconomic reasons and because of PPP. In the last few years MBS has been relatively stable, and I think even improving in terms of career progression for graduates.

Evidently, the 18 month model gives it (and HEC, ESADE, etc) particular advantages for people making complex transitions. [/quote]

Thank you so much, Duncan, your advice is so helpful that I'll do more research to make decision and especially I'll search the specific role through linked-in according to your suggestion. Thank you again and I think I have clearer picture now. : )

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Afelbassio...

3 6

Posted Jun 21, 2018 06:07

Dear Duncan,

So whats your opinion if the comparison is between Imperial online MBA and AMBS global MBA and not the fultime version. If i am settled in my home country egypt and planning to shift my career to consultany here in egypt (i.e the networking part of the MBA is not important for me) so which school is better in such a case?

Hansk,
Best regards

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Duncan

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Posted Jun 21, 2018 09:51

Manchester's Global MBA is, as far as I can see, the closest thing you can get to an on-campus MBA experience. The emphasis on group work and skills development makes it very different from the Imperial course, which is more of a personal journey. Given MBS has a campus in Dubai, I think the stronger regional network could be an asset to you.

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Afelbassio...

3 6

Posted Jun 21, 2018 13:13

Manchester's Global MBA is, as far as I can see, the closest thing you can get to an on-campus MBA experience. The emphasis on group work and skills development makes it very different from the Imperial course, which is more of a personal journey. Given MBS has a campus in Dubai, I think the stronger regional network could be an asset to you.

Dear Mr. Duncan,

thanks for your prompt response. from your percpective, do you think that networking is the most important part of the MBA? in fact, i am a good self-lerner and i can study independantly online (e.g imperial online MBA). do you think it is better to study online MBA? or take online business courses (e.g. coursera courses) that can constitute an imaginary online MBA without paying all this amount of money. in other words, is there a difference between an online MBA and online courses?
thanks

[Edited by Afelbassiouny on Jun 21, 2018]

[quote]Manchester's Global MBA is, as far as I can see, the closest thing you can get to an on-campus MBA experience. The emphasis on group work and skills development makes it very different from the Imperial course, which is more of a personal journey. Given MBS has a campus in Dubai, I think the stronger regional network could be an asset to you. [/quote]

Dear Mr. Duncan,

thanks for your prompt response. from your percpective, do you think that networking is the most important part of the MBA? in fact, i am a good self-lerner and i can study independantly online (e.g imperial online MBA). do you think it is better to study online MBA? or take online business courses (e.g. coursera courses) that can constitute an imaginary online MBA without paying all this amount of money. in other words, is there a difference between an online MBA and online courses?
thanks

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 21, 2018 14:37

No, I think the educational experience is the most important.

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Afelbassio...

3 6

Posted Jun 21, 2018 18:03

No, I think the educational experience is the most important.

sorry, but what i understood from your feedback is that the education experience from online MBA and online business courses is almost the same. Am i right?

[quote]No, I think the educational experience is the most important. [/quote]

sorry, but what i understood from your feedback is that the education experience from online MBA and online business courses is almost the same. Am i right?

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Duncan

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Posted Jun 21, 2018 20:55

No, that's not my view. Of course an online MBA *is* an online business course. But a good MBA differs from a MOOC in having a wide range of additonal benefits: most obvious are the team work, soft skills and personal development. However, there is also a greater volume of formative and summative feedback, better educational support, better access to school resources and alumni networks, and so many other elements that are too many to list.

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George Pat...

597 233

Posted Jun 21, 2018 22:09

Afelbassiouny, your budget seems limited so check out UoL Queen Mary Global MBA, they have super good price for Egypt

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Afelbassio...

3 6

Posted Jun 22, 2018 04:27

Afelbassiouny, your budget seems limited so check out UoL Queen Mary Global MBA, they have super good price for Egypt

Thank u Mr. George for ur advice. In fact my budget is not limited, i have been accepted in both, manchester GMBA and imperial global online MBA. What makes me appear as confused is that i have been studying online business courses on coursera and edx for apmost 2 years and honestly it acquired me with a solid background in fundementals of business (such as marketing, acoounting, and economics). The reason why i am posting here is that i had a very big confusion questions which is “why people and me pay all this amount of money in online (or semi online) MBA programs such as that of manchester and imperial?” While the science i want is available in MOOCs for almost free of charge however, Mr. Duncan gave a me a wider picture and an answer to this question. If u would lile to add ur own words too regarding this debate, i will be more than happy :)
Thanks

[quote]Afelbassiouny, your budget seems limited so check out UoL Queen Mary Global MBA, they have super good price for Egypt [/quote]

Thank u Mr. George for ur advice. In fact my budget is not limited, i have been accepted in both, manchester GMBA and imperial global online MBA. What makes me appear as confused is that i have been studying online business courses on coursera and edx for apmost 2 years and honestly it acquired me with a solid background in fundementals of business (such as marketing, acoounting, and economics). The reason why i am posting here is that i had a very big confusion questions which is “why people and me pay all this amount of money in online (or semi online) MBA programs such as that of manchester and imperial?” While the science i want is available in MOOCs for almost free of charge however, Mr. Duncan gave a me a wider picture and an answer to this question. If u would lile to add ur own words too regarding this debate, i will be more than happy :)
Thanks

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Duncan

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Posted Jun 22, 2018 16:57

I do wonder if it would be possible for you to find an executive MBA that met your needs. I have also worked in public relations, and there are some great specialist masters (the ESADE-SDA Bocconia EMMS, the RSM programme and the executive masters in communications at SMU and USI are really interesting). I wonder if something like the OneMBA or the IMM might suit you? At least the Warwick MBA allows you to move between the EMBA, Full-time MBA and distance mode very easily.

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JVP

1 2

Posted Aug 19, 2018 21:06

Hi, I am in the same boat trying to figure out a B school for me which has a distance learning program that gives me maximum exposure, flexibility (work and school) and ROI.

My Profile:
BS from India
MS from USA
3.5 years work experience (technical) in Automotive Industry in USA (on going)

Objective of doing MBA: Combining technical with management/business skill to add weight to my profile and open up options across industries

Long Term goal: Transition into management role (Automotive industry; open to other industries as well)

Short Term goal: 1)Start Online MBA in Jan 2019 2) Relocate to UK pending first available opportunity (assuming in next 12-18 months) with my current employer to get international exposure. This location is about an hour from Manchester.

I have been doing internet research and Imperial and Manchester are the two university that have programs I found interesting. Manchester's tuition is about 8-10 K pounds cheaper than Imperial and requires 3yrs work ex compared to 5yrs for Imperial, but they do mention that they may consider exceptional applicants.

Based on my profile and goals what would be the best B-school? Are there any other universities that I should be looking at?
Your insights are greatly appreciated.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Aug 19, 2018 23:43

Warwick or Manchester seems like the best options.

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Inactive User

2.941 1.801

Posted Aug 20, 2018 19:30

Also, maybe Cranfield? They have a couple interesting engineering-type MSc programs in automotive, which could make for some interesting networking. Plus, there's a Nissan plant in town.

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JVP

1 2

Posted Aug 26, 2018 06:20

Thank you for the response.

Will these university help to find jobs in UK and/or USA? Or should I consider US university like Kelly online MBA?

For what majors are these university known? My interest lies in strategy/marketing domain.

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