Can you provide info on European MBA programs?

Hi Bryant,
Any update on this?

Looking forward to hear from you...

1.Most of them are 1 year program as you know...so,should one consider these for career change (re: Industry change not job function change)?

A one year program can be very effective for a career change actually, especially if your background and skills are alread a good preparation for your move. While the one year program does not provide the kind of deep coursework to choose a ton of electives, if you have the right background for an industry change, the one year can clearly get you on the road more quickly without as much expense.

2.Could you please let me know like INSEAD & IE whether LBS,Said & Judge also have rolling admissions and two intakes (for example, one in September 2014 and other in January 2015 for INSEAD)...?

This is not really a deep insight kind of question, but can be ascertained by a fairly quick research into these specific programs. As you do your due dilligence on these schools, I am sure this question can be easily found.

3. LBS,INSEAD are top ones but in global b-school rankings (FT) b-schools like IE,Said & Judge are placed ahead of many top 20 US schools like Ross,Darden,Anderson (for IE only),McCombs...How do you see that for an International applicant & career changer?

If your plan is to work in the geographic region of those schools, it would be preferrable to go there. You will have your network close by which can yield benefits for a career changer. If you goal is to work in the US, I would look at Emory's one year program or Kellogg or Cornell.

4..For these European schools, is it always better to apply in R1 (if some of them don't have rolling admissions and/or two intakes) rather than in R2 like US schools...? Round one and round 2 should be fairly balanced for intake, but we generally recommend round 1 if you can have everything ready.

Hi Bryant,
Thanks for your reply...!
Few quick thoughts on the follow-up:

1.Recently I heard that Internationals(especially Asians/Indians) may find it difficult to secure employment in the UK post-MBA as the UK is currently in the process of tightening it’s working visa restrictions...So, should Indian applicants with career change (re both industry-RE & job function change) mindset be refrain from applying to LBS or any other UK schools like Said/Judge?

2.Honestly I don't have any rigid preference between Europe/US...Euro school was in my top choice because of their 1 year less expensive and quick ROI-driven program.But as I see the constraint, I've been thinking of focusing on the other Euro (re outside UK) schools and US programs. Please let me know your your thoughts on this!

3. In the LT-will come back to India to start my own venture...But immediately after MBA, I'd like to see myself working in that country where i'll earn the degree...It's required for more diverse global experience and of course as far ROI is concerned (this is something Internationals need to consider very seriously I think..right?)...So in that line, UK seems to be not a great option at all with all their new rules & regulations.

I'd much appreciate your detail and straight forward feedback on these!

1.Recently I heard that Internationals(especially Asians/Indians) may find it difficult to secure employment in the UK post-MBA as the UK is currently in the process of tightening it’s working visa restrictions...So, should Indian applicants with career change (re both industry-RE & job function change) mindset be refrain from applying to LBS or any other UK schools like Said/Judge?

I would say a qualified 'yes' if your plan is to work in the UK after school. A degree from LBS or Judge could clearly travel well, so just because you go to school in the UK does not mean you have to work there. I recognize this may sound a bit contrary to my general advice to go to school where you want to end up working, but if you feel the LBS/Said/Judge network extends to other areas where you might be targeting employment, it could work out fine. Having said that, you should take your question directly to the career center at these schools, who would be able to offer you some very direct guidance on what they recommend you have in terms of Visas and also what their top recruiters are looking for in that regard.

2.Honestly I don't have any rigid preference between Europe/US...Euro school was in my top choice because of their 1 year less expensive and quick ROI-driven program.But as I see the constraint, I've been thinking of focusing on the other Euro (re outside UK) schools and US programs. Please let me know your your thoughts on this! You will get the same great education at a top school in the US or in Europe, but if your plan is to work at all in the US, then you'd be much better off coming here for your MBA. If you choose a good school in the US, you can likely get a good job in Europe as well. It doesn't work quite as easily in the other direction. Many schools in the US are beginning to prefer applicants with the HB1 Visa, so it's not just the UK with onerous requirements on this front. Make sure you check with your target schools in the US about these issues before you apply. The career services offices should be more than happy to answer your questions and the bonus is, you can use it as an opportunity to make an initial impression on them.

Thanks Bryant for your valuable inputs...Really appreciate.