NTU MBA vs HKU MBA

Question

Hi ,
I am from a Artificial Intelligence / Blockchain background with currently two offers -

1.NTU MBA Programme -no scholarship declared yet -1 year
2.HKU MBA -with maximum scholarship - 1 year

Post MBA goal (not rigid) is to go in Product management ,or roles at intersection of business/strategy and technology .Though I am flexible on it.

*I might have to return to my home country- India -down the line ,but nothing concrete .
*I have had international experience in Singapore in my undergrad before for 6-7 months .

Thanks

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi  mbaaspirant007  congrats on the admits.

I am leaning toward the NTU admit. A scholarship would further increase its weight.

1. NTU has a strong track record of placing graduates in tech jobs in Singapore, which is an appealing prospect

2. Singapore has a predominantly English-speaking job market, and being an Indian, you will have an advantage in terms of networking opportunities as compared to HK.

3. I have seen Indians who studied in Hong Kong end up searching for/applying to jobs in Singapore, but rarely vice-versa, again giving NTU an edge in this regard.

However, it would be beneficial to reach out to alumni to gain firsthand insights.

mbaaspirant007 · Answer

Hi  MBAGuide 
Insightful as always.

Adding to this 
Though from what I have heard, Work VISA Regulations are much stricter in Singapore than in Hong Kong, making getting a job easier in HK. Also, the Preference of locals for jobs in Singapore over international students.

What do you think .

Thanks

MBAGuide · Answer

mbaaspirant007 you might actually be right about the ease of getting a VISA in Hongkong as HK has become more sensitive to retaining top talent. Either way, you will be eligible to convert your HK or SGP student visa to a long-term visitor pass that you can use to look for the right job even after you graduate. Many people make use of this to land the right opportunity. Given that both offers are extremely appealing, it would be beneficial to investigate where your preferred companies typically recruit. I know that big tech companies likely recruit from both campuses but networking when you are in the proximity of the offices can help you get the right referrals sometimes. Apple recruits for its SGP office from both schools, so you will be able to interview irrespective of where you study. Google on the other hand is big on referrals. Therefore, focus on your target companies/roles and understand feeder pipelines to decide between the two. I would suggest you reach out to alumni or career centers at both schools to make an informed decision. But remember that while the schools can offer resources and networking opportunities, your own confidence and preparation during the recruitment process will ultimately determine your success. Best wishes

bb · Answer

Hi. Congrats on your admits!

One concern I have about Hong Kong is recruiting without language skills. There’s a bit of a misconception about Hong Kong being fully English-speaking since it was a British colony for like 100 years.

Hong Kong has a very strong culture the British have preserved and it has a very strong use of Cantonese and traditional script. In my experience, you can easily run into cab drivers or Uber drivers who will not speak English. People in the store will not speak English. They’ll speak Cantonese. I think it’ll be pretty challenging to find a job without language skills. I think also the number of Expat workers has been shrinking overtime … there is an Indian community in Hong Kong but I’m not sure if they are within your target industries.

I would say that in general it would be easier to find a job in Singapore than in Hong Kong without knowing local languages.

You can check with the current students but in my experience, all international students in the recruiting in Singapore anyway.

Posted from my mobile device

mbaaspirant007 · Answer

Thanks a lot  bb

Really valuable and pragmatic points !

mbaaspirant007 · Answer

Thanks MBAGuide

bb · Answer

You’re welcome. I do encourage you to reach out to any of the current student sent check with them but recruiting in Hong Kong has been rough for the last 10 to 15 years since it has been discussed on GMAT Club.

Posted from my mobile device

NTU MBA vs HKU MBA

Which should one choose

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