Economist MBA

Making the right choice
of executive education
George Bickerstaffe
20th anniversary edition
The Economist Intelligence Unit
The Economist Intelligence Unit is a specialist publisher serving companies establishing and managing
operations across national borders. For over 60 years it has been a source of information on business
developments, economic and political trends, government regulations and corporate practice worldwide.
The EIU delivers its information in four ways: through our digital portfolio, where our latest analysis is updated
daily; through printed subscription products ranging from newsletters to annual reference works; through
research reports; and by organising conferences and roundtables. The firm is a member of The Economist Group.
London New York Hong Kong
The Economist Intelligence Unit The Economist Intelligence Unit The Economist Intelligence Unit
26 Red Lion Square The Economist Building 6001, Central Plaza
London 111 West 57th Street 18 Harbour Road
SW1R 4HQ New York Wanchai
United Kingdom NY 10019, US Hong Kong
Tel: (44.20) 7576 8000 Tel: (1.212) 554 0600 Tel: (852) 2585 3888
Fax: (44.20) 7576 8476 Fax: (1.212) 586 1181/2 Fax: (852) 2802 7638
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.eiu.com
Electronic delivery
This publication can be viewed by subscribing online at http://store.eiu.com
Copyright
© 2008 The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of
it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Economist Intelligence
Unit Limited.
ISBN-13: 978-0-86218-209-0
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.
A catalogue of this publication is available from the British Library.
The authors of EIU Research Reports are drawn from a wide range of professional and academic disciplines. All the
information in the reports is verified to the best of the authors’ and the publisher’s ability, but neither can accept
responsibility for loss arising from decisions based on these reports. Where opinion is expressed, it is that of the
authors, which does not necessarily coincide with the editorial views of the Economist Intelligence Unit Limited
or of The Economist Newspaper Limited.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
11 10 09 08 07
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Halstan & Co Ltd., Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
INTERNATIONAL MBA
According to our participants, it is the combination of the year-long consulting project, the large
diversity in student body and faculty, and the strong focus on entrepreneurship that makes our
12-month International MBA programme so uniquely suited to meet their needs. If you are looking for a
dynamic learning experience that allows you to develop your entrepreneurial skills, it might be just the
right MBA for you too!
CONTACT US
+33 (0)4 78 33 77 83
www.em-lyon.com/theentrepreneurialmba
Lyon, France
Are you an entrepreneur at heart?
Here’s the right MBA for you!
EDUCATING ENTREPRENEURS FOR THE WORLD
v
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2007

Contents
Acknowledgements xi
Preface xiii
Part 1: Choosing a programme
Chapter 1 The MBA: riding out a storm 3
The MBA job market 3
Chapter 2 What you’ll learn—core and elective subjects 7
The core 7
Elective subjects 8
Employers and core and elective subjects 9
Teaching methods 9
Chapter 3 What you’ll learn—soft skills 13
Approaches to soft skills teaching 13
In-company projects 14
Using practising executives 15
Chapter 4 Different ways of taking the MBA 17
Full-time MBAs 17
Part-time MBAs 20
Executive MBAs 23
Distance-learning MBAs 25
Chapter 5 What you need to be an MBA 29
Qualifications 29
Work experience 29
The GMAT and other admissions tests 30
The admissions process 32
Application forms, references, essays and interviews 34
Paying for your programme 36
Chapter 6 Other options 39
Masters in Management 39
Specialised masters’ programmes 41
Specialised MBAs 42
vi
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Contents
Chapter 7 Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school 43
Programme 43
Faculty 44
Culture 46
Size 46
Facilities 46
Careers services 47
Internationalism 48
Location 50
Cohort 51
Accreditation 51
Part 2: Rankings and directory
Chapter 8 Full-time rankings 57
Why rank? 57
How is the Economist Intelligence Unit ranking different? 57
How did we choose which schools to rank? 59
Results 60
Regional round-up 64
Methodology: full-time MBA ranking 68
Directory
Using the directory 73
List of schools 75
Appendix: Comparative tables
Comparative data, full-time programmes 322
Comparative data, part-time programmes 328
Comparative data, distance-learning programmes 330
Comparative data, executive MBA programmes 332
Exchange rates 336
List of advertisers 337
vii
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Contents
List of figures
5.1 Average GMAT scores (top ten schools), 1998–2008 31
List of tables
1.1 Average starting salaries of recent MBA graduates 3
1.2 Average starting salaries of recent graduates from selected schools 4
1.3 Industry sectors recruiting graduates from the most recent
graduating full-time MBA class 5
4.1 Why did you decide to study for an MBA degree? (full-time students) 17
4.2 Accommodation costs around the world, 2008 19
4.3 Why did you decide to study for an MBA degree? (part-time students) 21
4.4 Part-time students sponsored by their company 21
4.5 Length of time part-time sponsored students agreed to stay with their company 21
4.6 Part-time tuition fees at selected schools 22
4.7 How did you choose the school where you are taking or took your MBA?
(part-time students) 23
4.8 Why did you decide to study for an MBA degree? (executive MBA students) 23
4.9 Executive MBA students sponsored by their company 24
4.10 Length of time executive MBA sponsored students agreed to stay
with their company 24
4.11 Why did you decide to study for an MBA degree? (distance-learning students) 26
4.12 How did you choose the school where you are taking or took your MBA?
(distance-learning students) 27
5.1 Average number of years’ work experience of full-time MBA students by region 30
5.2 Average GMAT scores of students by region 31
5.3 Average GMAT scores of students by region, selected schools 31
5.4 How difficult was it to get into your school? 32
5.5 How students finance their MBA programmes 36
7.1 How did you choose the school where you are taking or took your MBA? 43
7.2 Student and graduate ratings of programme content 44
7.3 Student and graduate ratings of faculty 44
7.4 Student and graduate ratings of back-up and facilities 47
7.5 Student and graduate ratings of careers service 48
7.6 Schools by percentage of foreign students 48
7.7 Foreign students by region 49
7.8 Student and graduate ratings of internationalism 49
7.9 Schools by percentage of foreign faculty 50
viii
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Contents
7.10 Foreign faculty by region 50
7.11 Student and graduate ratings of quality of student body 51
8.1 Why schools could not be ranked 59
8.2 Global ranking, 2008 60
8.3 Top ten schools by category 63
8.4 North American schools by rank 64
8.5 European schools by rank 66
8.6 Asian and Australasian schools by rank 67
8.7 Proportion of responses required from students and recent graduates 68
8.8 Summary of ranking criteria and weightings 69
All this space and nowhere to hide.
The Ashridge MBA.
It’s personal.
To book your place or for more information
call: +44 (0) 1442 841483 | visit: www.ashridge.org.uk/mba-which | email: [email protected]
Set in over 150 acres of English parkland – just a half hour journey from London –
Ashridge has all the space you’ll need to prepare for future leadership.
Yet, for a world-class business school, we offer a surprisingly intimate learning experience.
In a class of just 30 experienced professionals, you can expect high levels of personal
participation and individual attention from your tutors.
There’s nowhere to hide.
The Ashridge One-year Full Time MBA starts in January.
The Ashridge Two-year Executive MBA starts in September.
Experience the programme for yourself at our ‘MBA in a Day’,
which takes place at Ashridge six times a year.
Registered as Ashridge (Bonar Law) Memorial Trust. Charity number 311096.
The
Bath
MBA
An advanced management pregramme
des|gned te cha||enge the way yeu
th|nk abeut teday's cemp|ex bus|ness
env|renment.
Ccnslstently ranked amcng the leadlng
glcbal M8A prcgrammes and dellvered by
cne cf the uK's tcp µ buslness schccls.
The 8ath M8A ls deslgned fcr mature
and experlenced candldates seeklng a
prcgramme that emphaslse self-awareness,
lntultlcn, crcss-cultural sensltlvlty and
entrepreneurshlp skllls as well as a scclally
respcnslble and ethlcal apprcach tc
buslness and management.
Accredlted fcr cver ¸o years, wlth a reputatlcn
fcr excellence and value fcr mcney.
Full and part-tlme study cptlcns avallable.
1. +µµ (e) 1zz¸ j8jµj1
£. [email protected]
www.bathmba.ccm
PIONEERS IN GLOBAL MARKETS
We teach state-of-the-art theory, immerse stu-
dents in international experiences, and connect
them to best practice in business and policy.
INTERNATIONAL TO THE CORE
Our students come from Europe, Asia, Africa,
and Latin America, and international experi-
ences are built into our programs in partner-
ship with major foreign schools and companies.
EMPLOYMENT We have a strong record of
placing our students in leading corporations
and public sector institutions across the globe.
CONNECTED TO BUSINESS Many senior
executives visit the School each semester
through our CEO, Entrepreneurs, Corporate
Responsibility and Real Estate forums.
BOSTON: A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE
AND STUDY Brandeis is in Boston, home
to eight major research universities and to
250,000 students.
BUSINESS, ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
ADMISSION@LEMBERG. BRANDEIS. EDU • WWW. BRANDEIS. EDU/GLOBAL
xi
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
We would like to thank all the business schools that filled in our lengthy questionnaire and
encouraged their students and graduates to complete the separate questionnaire designed
for them. Thanks, too, to those schools that made available for interviews their faculty,
administrators and students during our editorial visits or took the time to visit the Economist
Intelligence Unit offices in London. Lastly, we are grateful to all the students and graduates
who contributed valuable comments on schools and programmes.
Acknowledgements
Invest in an MBA at Cass, and you’ll be putting your money where the
world’s business elite put theirs.
From our home in the City of London, we give our MBA students the best overview of the current
thinking and practice of the world’s leading global businesses that make the City their home. It’s
the most thrilling, total immersion ‘field trip’ designed to equip you for the real world. Whether you
choose a 12 month full-time MBA or two year part-time Executive MBA, you will gain both the
theory and practical skills to do business at the very highest level.
Find out more at a Cass MBA information session in London or meet us at a city near you.
Call us on +44 (0)20 7040 8608, visit www.cassmba.com or e-mail [email protected]
www.cassmba.com
Do your MBA where the
world does business
xiii
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Welcome to the 2008 edition of Which MBA? which marks 20 years of the Economist Intelli-
gence Unit’s guide to the best business schools around the world.
The first edition was published in 1990 as one of a series of The Economist Publications “Spe-
cial Reports”, and Which MBA? has appeared, in various forms, every year since then. In that
time it has tracked and reported on the many ups and downs in the fortunes of the MBA degree
and business schools generally.
At the time it first appeared the MBA market was very different from what it is today. The MBA
was not widely known as a qualification and business schools, even those we now think of as
world leaders, were often little more than adjuncts to universities or rather exotic “stand-
alone” institutions.
The guide was designed to fill a gap. Information about business degrees and business schools
was hard to come by in that pre-Internet age and there were certainly no “rankings”. (The
Economist Intelligence Unit first ranked the top 100 schools in the world in 2002 in the 14th
edition, although it had for some years collected and published key data without going as far
as ranking programmes.) Today there is a proliferation of information but Which MBA? still
leads the way as the most comprehensive and authoritative guide to MBA programmes.
As in previous editions, this guide contains the Economist Intelligence Unit’s ranking of the
100 best full-time MBA programmes offered around the world as well as descriptions of over
100 business schools, details of part-time, executive and distance-learning MBA programmes,
data on faculty size, student intake, facilities, admission requirements and deadlines, tuition
fees and likely accommodation costs, and an outline of each school’s history, present philoso-
phy and future plans. For an interactive version of the rankings, visit www.which-mba.com.
The introductory chapters include a general overview of the MBA, including a look at the cur-
rent state of the degree, what employers are looking for in graduates, the state of the job
market and how business schools are responding to change. They also describe the different
ways of taking an MBA—full-time, part-time, executive, distance learning—with a discussion of
what each involves and their pros and cons. What to look for in choosing a particular MBA pro-
gramme or business school and the onerous admissions process are also explained.
We hope you find these pages informative and, above all, useful. We wish you success in deter-
mining which MBA is right for you.
George Bickerstaffe
August 2008
Preface
www.audencia.com/mba
Karen Barrozzi
American-Venezuelan
Financial Analyst
At Audencia, I found
a real international
added value
“
”
Audencia MBA
International MBA
Taught entirely in English in a truly multicultural environment,
the 12-month Audencia International MBA programme is a quality
generalist MBA with a focus on business development.
This area of expertise, allied to the well-developed personal
coaching system on offer, means Audencia alumni have the
perfect profile to play a key role in the international growth of the
companies who recruit them.
Nantes, the home of Audencia International MBA, is France’s sixth
largest city, just two hours by regular, high-speed train from Paris
and near the long beaches and fishing ports of the Atlantic coast.
Next intake: September 2009
Contact: [email protected]
00 33 2 40 37 45 66
A French-American Alliance
Delivering a Dual MBA Degree
Paris Philadelphia
Tokyo Shanghai
Tri-Continent MBA
Accredited by AMBA and AACSB
In proud partnership between:
Ranked Top 20 in International Business
U.S. News and World Report, 2008
www.fox.temple.edu/imba www.enpcmbaparis.com
1
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 1
Part 1
Choosing a
programme
the globally networked management school
www.msm.nl
Emerge with the markets
Contact us to find out more about our accredited full-time and Executive MBA programs, the Master of Management, PhD, DBA, executive and tailor-made
programs at the most global business school in Europe.
Apart from our campus in Maastricht, The Netherlands, we offer MBA programs at campuses in China, Germany, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan,
Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Peru, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam,
Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
If the goal of your career is to be an uncontested asset to company operations in
emerging markets, then Maastricht School of Management is the right place for
you. Our MBAcan provide you with the understanding necessary to enhance your
potential in the global business network.
3
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 1
Chapter 1
The MBA: riding out a storm
In the 20 years since Which MBA? was launched the MBA degree has seen many ups and downs,
many booms followed by inevitable busts. Through it all the MBA has proved itself remarkably
resilient, capable of adaptation and reinvention, matching its structure and the skills it teach-
es to the demands of the time.
At the moment it is going through yet another turbulent period as the global credit crunch and
rising oil prices have forced recruiters to scale back hiring plans. However, yet again this does
not—as yet at any rate—seem to have dented enthusiasm for the MBA, among either potential
students or recruiters of MBA graduates.
The number of GMAT tests being taken (always a good proxy of interest in taking an MBA since
almost all business schools require it) in the first five months of 2008 rose by 11% compared
with the same period in 2007.
The MBA job market
The job market for current MBA graduates also looks bright. In the Economist Intelligence
Unit’s 2008 survey of business schools for Which MBA?, careers offices helped place, on aver-
age, 90% of their students in jobs within three months of graduation; and over half of the stu-
dents we surveyed had received more than one firm job offer.
Despite rising tuition fees, the MBA still offers a more-than-reasonable return on investment.
Graduates on full-time programmes can expect a basic salary increase of 83% compared with
their pre-programme jobs. The average basic salary of a full-time graduate at the schools we
surveyed was US$93,972—a rise of almost 10% compared with last year. In Europe, where stu-
dents tend to have more work experience, the average salary broke the US$100,000 mark. Even
in North America, which has seen a swathe of job cuts in the financial services sector—a key
recruiter of MBAs—salaries were holding up well, with many schools reporting steady increases
on last year.
Table 1.1
Average starting salaries of recent MBA graduates
Salary, US$ % increase on pre-MBA salary
World 93,972 83
Asia & Australasia 74,864 94
Europe 106,733 85
North America 89,132 80
4
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 1
The MBA: riding out a storm
Part 1
Table 1.2
Average starting salaries of recent graduates from selected schools
School Salary, US$ % increase on pre-MBA salary
Asia & Australasia
Macquarie 121,719 39
Otago 112,464 64
Melbourne 98,424 139
Monash 95,833 40
Curtin 95,167 28
Hong Kong UST 78,307 139
Queensland 71,983 79
Indian Institute (Ahmedabad) 59,879 n/a
Japan 59,443 179
Hong Kong SB 57,727 102
North America
Harvard 115,000 111
Pennsylvania (Wharton) 110,550 62
MIT (Sloan) 107,990 58
Dartmouth (Tuck) 107,406 78
Columbia 107,265 55
Northwestern (Kellogg) 104,100 55
Chicago 103,219 49
California at Berkeley (Haas) 101,859 57
Virginia (Darden) 100,575 55
New York (Stern) 100,376 65
Europe
Ashridge 209,000 246
Henley 156,000 21
Warwick 134,200 109
HEC Paris 132,940 105
IMD 130,000 64
Oxford (Saïd) 130,000 58
Audencia (Nantes) 127,500 41
City (Cass) 127,290 76
UC Dublin 123,288 48
Strathclyde 120,000 33
Note: Guaranteed base salaries of graduates. Increase compared with pre-MBA salary. Local currencies converted using average exchange rates for 2008:
US$1 = A$1.2, €0.73, HK$7.80, £0.5, NZ$1.36, Rs41.35, S$1.51, ¥117.76.
5
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 1
The MBA: riding out a storm
Part 1
Where the jobs are and where graduates want to go
Not that salary is the be-all and end-all for MBA graduates. They are typically more likely to
consider things such as career or personal development than merely remuneration. They
are also becoming more inclined to put a greater emphasis on issues such work–life balance
or a company’s ethical background. One way that this can be seen to manifest itself is in the
number of schools that are placing students in not-for-profit organisations—80% in our most
recent survey. Impressive though this is, as Table 1.3 shows it is still well below the more trad-
itional recruiters, such as consulting or finance.
Table 1.3
Industry sectors recruiting graduates from the most recent graduating full-time MBA class
Sector %
Consulting, professional services 98.3
Banking, finance 96.6
Technology, media, telecommunications 94.1
Industry, engineering, manufacturing 93.3
Consumer, retail 91.6
Pharmaceuticals, healthcare 87.4
Non-profit, public sector 79.8
Entertainment, publishing 63.0
Are recruiters happy hirers?
The relatively benign jobs outlook for MBA and other business graduates reflects widespread
employer satisfaction with MBA recruits. Employers are said to especially value business school
graduates for their management knowledge and communications skills as well as the technical
and quantitative skills typical of MBA graduates.
Recruiters point to experience with earlier MBA hires to back up their sense that the MBA is a
valuable credential worth paying for. A survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council
found that the majority, 83%, said they were very or extremely satisfied with employees who
have MBAs. Nearly all the employers said they strive to provide challenging and interesting
assignments in an effort to retain the people they hire.
6
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 1
The MBA: riding out a storm
Part 1
MBA: A brief history
Though often thought of as a “modern” phenomenon and frequently associated with the heady days
of the 1980s boom and the dotcom crash of the late 1990s, the MBA is an old qualification.
It first appeared in the US over 100 years ago, developing from the accounting and book-keeping
courses introduced as the country lost its frontier image and began to industrialise. It was modelled
on the standard American two-year postgraduate academic programme and most students enrolled
straight after taking a first degree. This model won rapid acceptance and spread quickly.
However, half a century later, MBA programmes were being attacked for a lack of academic rigour
and poor relevance to business issues. Two damning reports appeared in 1959, condemning
American graduate management education as little more than vocational colleges filled with
second-rate students taught by second-rate professors who did not understand their fields, did little
research and were out of touch with business.
Business schools responded rapidly, raising both their admissions and teaching standards and
establishing the now well-known American emphasis on academic research. The overall effect was
the creation of the classic American MBA model: a first year of required “core” courses to provide
a grounding in the basics of management, and a second year of electives to allow specialisation or
deeper study.
At the same time, interest in management education was growing in Europe, especially in the
UK, which was looking for an antidote to its economic and industrial decline. Business schools,
intended as “centres of excellence” and modelled closely on American schools, particularly Harvard,
were created within the universities of London and Manchester. The result was not greeted with
enthusiasm. It has long been argued that the UK was wrong to copy a system that was then fairly
new and was itself a response to particularly American problems. The insistence on an academic
regime meant that business schools might ignore the contribution that business itself could make.
This division of opinion between academic and industry-leaning business schools continues today.
Not all institutions in Europe copied the American model. IMD, INSEAD, Henley and Ashridge were all
started by groups of companies to provide management training. In France, the local and regional
chambers of commerce played a big part in establishing and supporting business schools.
The early 1990s saw a new wave of criticism of MBA programmes, this time focused on a supposed
lack of relevance to modern business. The MBA was said to be too academic, too theoretical and
divorced from real-life business practice. MBA graduates were criticised for adopting an analytical
and quantitative approach to business issues when companies needed managers with more diffuse
skills, such as leadership. Faculty were said to lack business experience and to be more interested in
research than in providing business solutions.
If anything, this criticism has intensified during the early years of the 21st century. It has led
schools, particularly in North America, to make further changes to the MBA programme design
and curriculum, adding courses on so-called “soft skills” such as communications, leadership and
interpersonal relations.
Other factors are also driving change. Recruitment of MBA graduates by management consultants
and financial services has been in decline for some years and there has been a need to develop other
job markets. The globalisation of business has made many of the MBA programmes in the US (where
business schools were busy satisfying a huge domestic demand) look increasingly parochial. US
schools also face increased competition from their European counterparts, which, because of the
international nature of European society and the closeness of most schools to industry, are already
meeting some of the criticisms.
7
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 1
Chapter 2
What you will learn—core and elective subjects
MBA programmes generally break down into “hard” and “soft” skill sets. Chapter 3 looks at how
soft skills (such as negotiation, communication and leadership) are taught. This chapter exam-
ines the “harder” topics such as functional subjects and analytical tools.
The core
In most programmes hard topics are split into two groups: required courses, usually known as
the core, that nearly all students must take; and elective, or optional, subjects that students
can follow because they have a particular interest or career ambitions. The core is studied early
in the programme and electives later.
However, these are changing times for the MBA, and the traditional core is under pressure.
As outlined in more detail in Chapter 3, recruiters now assume that the hard subjects are well
taught and their real interest is in students’ competence in the more hard-to-define soft skills,
and that the real differentiator between schools is their ability to design and deliver these. As
a result there are now almost as many soft skill subjects included in the core.
In contrast, hard subjects are coming to be seen almost as a “commodity”—fairly standardised
and taught equally well in most business schools. However, while the core is far from a defini-
tive list of hard subjects, there is a general consensus on what it should contain. It reflects the
original aim of the MBA degree, which was to give students an overall understanding of the
many functional areas of a business so they could become good general managers. Although
they may have different names and some may be bundled together, the subjects are generally
those described below.
Financial accounting
Financial accounting provides students with the technical skills needed to obtain economic
and financial information about a company from publicly available sources such as annual
accounts. Students learn how to process this information and act accordingly. Generally, the
subject is taught from the perspective of users of the information, not its preparation by quali-
fied accountants and auditors.
Managerial accounting
Managerial accounting covers the use of accounting data for management decision-making.
This includes areas such as budgeting, product costing, performance evaluation and transfer
pricing (the costs attributed to goods and services sold within a multinational organisation,
particularly across borders). There is also usually a special emphasis on incentives such as
executive bonuses and the tax implications of various actions.
8
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 2
What you will learn—core and elective subjects
Part 1
Finance
Finance is the core of the core. The main aim is to teach the various financial tools that are
available to monitor, control and project a firm’s performance. Areas covered include forecast-
ing techniques based on financial statement and ratio analysis, debt levels, capital structures,
discounted cash flow and the cost of capital.
Human resource management
HR (as it is universally known) covers the role of human resources policy as part of the strategic
planning framework of a company. Specific topics include recruitment and selection, promo-
tion, career development, performance-based evaluation and compensation policies.
Information management
Information and communications technology (ICT) plays a key role in many business functions.
This course generally looks at the issues involved in managing ICT, particularly choosing the
right technologies for particular applications and business needs.
Macroeconomics and microeconomics
Now often called managerial economics, this course deals with the interaction of a company
and its economic environment. Topics covered include supply and demand theory, market envir-
onments and the structure of markets.
Marketing
This course covers the basic principles of the marketing function. Topics usually include mar-
keting planning, situation analysis, segmentation, targeting, positioning, the marketing mix
and relationship marketing.
Organisational behaviour
Organisational behaviour (one of the softer of the hard subjects) provides an understanding of
how an organisation works and the behaviour of groups and individuals within it. Topics cov-
ered include group culture, managing performance, developing a corporate vision and design-
ing effective organisations.
Operations management
This course examines how to establish the processes that create a company’s products and
services. It also looks at ways of increasing competitiveness in terms of cost, speed, quality,
innovation, flexibility and dependability.
Strategy
This course looks at how to develop the analytical tools needed to create successful strategies.
These include analysing an organisation’s competitive environment and learning how firms
develop and sustain competitive advantage over time.
Elective subjects
At some business schools, particularly in Europe, core courses make up the bulk or even the
whole programme. But in the longer two-year programmes, especially in the US, elective
courses are an integral part of the programme that students must complete.
9
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 2
What you will learn—core and elective subjects
Part 1
In the past, elective courses made up the second year of a two-year programme. But they are
now increasingly being brought forward into the first year (another pressure on the tradi-
tional core programme). This is mainly so that students who want to change their careers can
gain some knowledge of their preferred subject before beginning the all-important internship
between the first and second years, when most permanent job offers are made.
The ability to take an in-depth specialisation means that MBA programmes of this sort can be
heavily customised to a student’s own interests. However, students should be aware that busi-
ness schools can sometimes be fickle about their elective offerings. The subjects offered may
vary from year to year (elective courses are often used to try out new ideas or reflect the inter-
est of a particular faculty member). Some electives may only be offered if there is enough stu-
dent demand and popular electives may be oversubscribed. Some schools, especially in the US,
have a bidding system to allocate places on as fair a basis as possible.
You should make sure you know what a school’s policy on electives is since these courses can
have an important impact on career prospects. Whether you want to take a wide range of
electives or specialise in one area, both the extent and the number of electives offered are
important, as is a school’s willingness to add extra classes if a particular subject becomes over-
subscribed.
Employers and core and elective subjects
The design of core and electives courses offered by business schools is closely linked to the
needs of MBA recruiters. According to the 2007 Corporate Recruiters Survey by the Graduate
Management Admissions Council, academic achievement (acquired technical or quantitative
skills, strong academic success and specialisations or concentrations of study) is one of the
three key factors in hiring recent MBA graduates. The other two are leadership potential (as
shown by an applicant’s years of work experience, taking on increased job responsibilities,
leading teams and managing people) and prior work experience.
Employers say that an “ideal” hire with a graduate business degree should have on average five
years of work experience, be ready to accept an entry-level position, and rise up in the com-
pany by deepening their understanding of the business and proving managerial competency.
In other words, the “dream job” might better serve as a long-term goal to be reached gradually
by making and implementing daily decisions (rather than throwing out big ideas); effectively
managing a small team (rather than developing company-wide principles of workforce man-
agement); and, lastly, through getting the work done and positively affecting the company’s
bottom line.
In addition, according to the survey, employers look for candidates with good job-hunt-
ing skills. “MBA degrees do not exempt applicants from proper résumé preparation, e-mail
follow-ups using perfect grammar and thorough research about the hiring companies before
their interviews.”
Teaching methods
The MBA is different from other academic qualifications in that it is part academic and part
vocational and covers a wide range of subjects. The method of working is also different, a mix
of noisy classroom debate, intense individual reading and small-group working. All this takes
place in an atmosphere of high pressure caused by heavy workloads.
10
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 2
What you will learn—core and elective subjects
Part 1
Three main methods of teaching are used in addition to traditional lectures: case studies (the
method was adopted from law schools, hence the name); project work (undertaken outside
the school); and group work (usually in sets of 3–6 people). Some schools use a mixture of all
methods, some use only one or two and a few rely exclusively on the case method. But what-
ever the mix there will be a lot of group working. Other common activities include computer
simulations, business games and role-playing.
Case studies
In the case-study method, all subjects, from accountancy and statistics to marketing and cor-
porate strategy, are taught using examples drawn from actual companies’ experiences (occa-
sionally cases may be fictitious, but they are always based on real-life events). These are
usually framed as narratives. Some have a mass of supporting data, relevant and otherwise,
and others have little. Students, like managers, are expected to respond based on what infor-
mation is available.
The virtue of this method is that it reflects the messy, cross-functional nature of business life,
where problems are not clear-cut and there are no right or wrong answers. Schools that use the
case method exclusively say that subjects such as accountancy can be taught via this method;
others argue that it is best suited to broader areas such as marketing or strategy.
The case method involves calling on a single student, or sometimes a group, to present to the
class an analysis of the dilemma contained in the case and the recommended action. The sub-
ject is then thrown open to discussion in which objections are made, alternatives are offered
and so on.
Cases take a lot of time and resources to find, study and write. Few schools could write all their
own cases even if they wanted to, and most use cases prepared by other schools as well as
their own. Harvard Business School, an almost exclusively case-method school, is probably the
most prolific source. The predominance of American cases from this and other North American
schools provokes criticism elsewhere that the case method results in an inappropriate cultural
bias.
Another criticism, especially from employers, is that the case method develops a habit of con-
centrating on the overview of management problems rather than the detail of how to solve
them.
Nevertheless, case studies remain a stalwart part of MBA programmes throughout the world, if
only because they stimulate class discussion and force students to think for themselves (and
fast) about real business problems.
Group working
You do not take an MBA by yourself—you take it as part of a group. Since real work increasing-
ly involves multidisciplinary task-forces or teams, the schools want to emulate this. They also
want to put students in situations where competing demands have to be resolved to get the job
done. Some schools observe how students behave in groups and assess them accordingly, fre-
quently awarding grades on a group basis.
Groups work together on cases, presentations and projects. They are formed in the first term
or semester and generally consist of up to six individuals, either assigned by the programme
director or (more rarely) self-selected by the students. Assigned groups are deliberately
designed to reflect diversity of background, experience, academic ability and even character.
11
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 2
What you will learn—core and elective subjects
Part 1
Groups may be rotated at set intervals to allow individuals to work with as many of their class-
mates as possible.
Although many students see group working as a useful and relevant experience, some com-
plain vigorously about other group members, dislike the extra effort that group work involves
and question its validity. In the busy schedule of an MBA programme, simply finding a time and
place for all to meet can be difficult.
Grades
Students at US business schools usually have to achieve a required standard in each subject
studied, typically a grade B or about 70%. Often this must be achieved as an average across
all subjects. Grades can be awarded for course work, assignments, class participation, group
work (where each student’s mark depends on others in the group) and formal examinations.
Some schools use a forced grading system, which means that, typically, 10% of students must
get the lowest grade. Students with 45% of all their results in the lowest grade are in trouble.
Schools in other parts of the world use a similar system, but with slightly more emphasis on
examin ations. Forced grading is particularly unpopular, mainly because students say it encour-
ages a highly competitive, unco-operative atmosphere.
Wharton’s new-style curriculum (1991)
The third edition of Which MBA? (1991) announced the arrival of what it
described as “one of the most significant developments in MBA education in 30
years” and one also hailed by Business Week as “the MBA for the 21st Century”.
Here’s what we said about Wharton’s then new curriculum at the time:
In general, Wharton’s new curriculum builds on the School’s traditional strengths in functional
areas, but integrates them more effectively. It introduces new areas (such as geopolitics,
innovation and entrepreneurship, and quality management), expands the School’s global focus
and develops stronger leadership skills. There are a number of innovations in both content and
structure: team-taught, cross disciplinary cases, tightly-focused 6-week modules, new disciplines
such as Technology and Risk and Crisis Management, and an intensive international study tour.
To ensure that all students meet the demands of this accelerated programme, Wharton has
developed a unique 4-week pre-entry programme that provides advance preparation in both
technical skills and the humanities.
BOOST YOUR
CAREER
AT GERMANY’S
LEADING
BUSINESS
SCHOOL
Mannheim MBA
As Unique as You Are
MMM
Choose
Mannheim Business School gGmbH · L 5, 6
68131 Mannheim · Germany
Or is there another MBA that offers
you the chance to …
… individually design your MBA?
… choose from four regional tracks
(German, Eurasian, Transatlantic,
or European) ?
… study at one, two, or three
different business schools?
… learn from Germany’s best business
faculty?
… study with world champions in
export and innovation?
… become 1
st
choice for Human
Resource Directors?
For more information visit our website at
www.mannheim-mba.com, send us an
e-mail: [email protected] or
give us a call: +49 (0) 621 181 37 21
Global CEOs want
our opinions—now
we’d like yours
If you believe that your opinions on business strategy
are worth hearing, we’d like to hear from you.
The Economist Intelligence Unit is regularly consulted by major corporations
who want our help preparing white papers and research reports. Recent
sponsors have included Oracle, Cisco, KPMG, Mastercard and IBM. To
produce these reports, we survey members of our global Decision-makers
Panel – a worldwide community of senior, experienced executives.
Owing to the success of our sponsored research programme, we are now
inviting further applications for panel membership.
How we survey members
Members take part in benchmarking surveys. They are occasionally
interviewed directly. And they are invited to executive meetings
surrounding the research.
Participation is free, by invitation and completely at the discretion of the
member. And members are free to opt out of the panel at any time. In a
typical year, a member might receive invitations to take part in four to six
surveys. With most taking around ten minutes to complete, the impact on
the working day is minimal.
The benefits of membership
Members receive a number of benefits:
• Priority access to the findings of the survey to which you contribute.
• Each time you complete a survey, you will receive a free book from The
Economist Bookshop.
• You also have free access to the online archive of previous reports,
searchable by topic.
• You may be invited to attend meetings with other senior executives
centred on the results of our research.
Sponsored research, editorial independence
As with all EIU publications, these reports are free from outside
influence. Sponsors agree to pay for the research and allow the
Economist Intelligence Unit to reach whatever conclusions it sees fit.
In fact, it is precisely this editorial independence that they—and the
major companies who receive the finished reports—value so
highly.Your opinions help shape the research findings in our wide-
ranging programme of sponsored reports.
Join now: If you would like to join the panel (the
online application form takes around 45 seconds to
complete) please visit www.eiu.com/panel.
An Economist Group business
13
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 1
Chapter 3
What you’ll learn—soft skills
“Soft skills”—communications, teamwork, leadership and so on—are the current buzz words of
MBA programmes (though they have been around as an issue for longer than you might think—
see box). Business schools are now insisting that students add such courses to an already
overcrowded curriculum because this is what recruiters say they want. In a recent Economist
Intelligence Unit study, it was soft skills—honesty, communication and people skills—and not
functional capabilities that topped the list of characteristics executives were looking for in
their most talented young managers.
One reason for this is that many recruiters (and business schools) believe that the main func-
tional core courses taught at business school (see Chapter 2) are now virtually a “commodity”,
with little difference in content or teaching methods (or skills) between schools. Adding soft
skills to the curriculum is becoming a way for a school to differentiate itself from its competi-
tors and attract the attention of recruiters.
Approaches to soft skills teaching
Of course, attributes such as leadership are not easy to teach. One of the first business schools
to take this kind of training seriously was the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of
Business. Its LEAD (Leadership Effectiveness and Development) programme is a required first-
year MBA course and now takes up over 125 hours of a student’s time.
According to Chicago, the aim of LEAD is to improve students’ abilities to motivate people,
build relationships and influence outcomes. It does this through role play, team building, and
other creative activities and experiences. Interestingly, LEAD also offers a learning opportuni-
ty for some second-year students, who serve as course facilitators, presenting course material
and coaching and mentoring first-year participants.
IMD in Switzerland runs a similar course called Leadership and Personal Development, which
combines outdoor activities, personal leadership development and study of organisational
behaviour. IMD argues that outdoor exercises provide an effective method for developing lead-
ership in that they allow the exploration of the deeper determinants of individual, interper-
sonal and group behaviour and offer the chance to explore openly behavioural factors which
otherwise operate only in the shadows: “the more you step out of your comfort zone, the more
you will learn”.
Another element of the course involves students understanding their personal leadership style,
how they interact with others and in what situations their strengths are most effective. This is
done through in-depth self-analysis, with the use of personal coaching by a trained psycholo-
gist, personality tests, team-building exercises, study group feedback on individual strengths
and weaknesses and leadership style, and group exploration of what makes effective leaders.
This is then combined with the study of individuals and social systems through organisational
behaviour to refine a leadership style.
14
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 3
What you’ll learn—soft skills
Part 1
Similarly, the new MBA curriculum at Stanford (see page 282) places a heavy emphasis on
teaching leadership and other soft skills, bringing executives into the classroom to relate
their experiences. Students take part in leadership simulations and other exercises, including
assuming executive roles and being assessed by senior alumni.
As this makes clear, not all soft skills can be imparted purely by business schools themselves.
There is also a role for business in helping to inculcate the values, attributes and competencies
it so loudly says that it is looking for. Business executives and recruiters need to be involved in
management education themselves. There are many ways business schools are helping them to
do this, including bringing in executives as adjunct faculty, student mentors or executives in
residence.
The second edition of Which MBA? (published in 1990 and written by Jane
Rogers) surveyed MBA graduates, MBA recruiters and corporate HR specialists.
Here’s what the survey revealed about “soft skills”:
There was considerable agreement about the key issues that MBA
programmes should be addressing in the future. 39 per cent of the recruiters
and 43 per cent of the personnel directors [HR specialists] thought that
leadership was the most critical issue while a further 26 per cent of the
recruiters and 31 per cent of the personnel directors thought that creativity and innovation
were the second priority. This concern in human resources managers is not surprising—after
all, their job is to develop future managers, but it contrasts with the very limited way most MBA
programmes view the topic.
It is striking that many of the new programmes developed in conjunction with companies reflect
this concern [while] flagship full-time programmes … are way behind. Business schools tend to
concentrate on other areas which are important such as internationalisation … and management
and control of information … because these subjects can be fitted into the traditional academic
mould—leadership, creativity and innovation are altogether more messy.
The issue that graduates thought was the most important for MBA programmes to address in the
future was leadership followed by management and control of information. The graduates were
also concerned about the management of change and a variety of people issues including people
management, ethics, social responsibility and broadmindedness. The implication is that graduates
were happy that functional areas and analytical skills were covered effectively in their programmes
but that they had become aware of other needs once they were back in the workforce.
In-company projects
However, perhaps the most important element is the in-company project. This is a compulsory
component of almost all MBA programmes, though the emphasis placed on it can vary. Some
schools, especially in Europe, such as Trinity College (Dublin) and Ashridge, build almost the
whole programme around projects. At Manchester Business School the so-called “Manchester
Method” reflects the school’s dedication to project work. Projects can help to instil some of the
softer business skills, such as leadership and interpersonal relations.
Elsewhere in Europe, the project often follows on from the taught part of the programme (and
may well take place with little input from the school) and concludes with a lengthy disserta-
15
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 3
What you’ll learn—soft skills
Part 1
tion, reflecting the academic model of masters’ degrees in other subjects. Usually, students
undertake such projects individually. In part-time and executive programmes, the project is
often carried out within a student’s own organisation and is promoted as a key value to spon-
soring companies.
Other schools, including many in the US, build smaller and shorter projects into the structure
of the programme. This type of project normally consists of a consultancy-like task and is ideal-
ly of real value to the organisation in which it is undertaken. Students are divided into groups
of 2–4 and conduct research both within and outside the company. They prepare a report and
recommendations for action, which are often formally presented to corporate executives as
well as to business school faculty.
As part of their project work, students at London Business School (LBS) spend a week observ-
ing (“shadowing”) managers at work and attempting to build an objective profile of their
management style. LBS says the shadowing project allows students to observe the challenges
faced by managers, appreciate the real world of managerial work by testing academic theories
against observed data, develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between manager-
ial style and organisational context, and reflect on leadership values.
Using practising executives
Many business schools are assiduous users of executives not just as objects of research but also
as adjunct faculty or at the very least as visiting speakers to address MBA students. In part their
success in doing so depends on their location. Schools based in large financial centres such as
London, New York or Shanghai usually have the most resources available.
Columbia Business School in New York is a good example. As the school is not slow to point
out, New York City acts as “a living laboratory”. Corporate stars are regular visitors on campus
to meet students and often work with faculty on research and teaching.
At Southern Methodist University (Cox) in the US, more than 200 executives and managers act
as mentors to students on the MBA and other programmes. Students can view the mentors’
professional biographies online and then nominate them as potential mentors. Once they have
met, student and mentor can decide how often they wish to get together and how the relation-
ship should be structured.
Executives in residence, who regularly teach courses or advise students, are particularly popu-
lar in North America. Mainly they serve for about year but it can be longer.
17
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 1
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
There are three distinct ways of taking an MBA: full-time, part-time (which includes variations
such as company MBAs and Executive MBAs) and distance learning. This chapter provides a
brief overview of each and points out some of the advantages and disadvantages.
Full-time MBAs
A full-time programme is what many prospective students regard as the “authentic” MBA
experience. It certainly offers advantages compared with other options. Studying an MBA full-
time gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself fully in the programme with few distrac-
tions from the learning process and in a stimulating atmosphere. Teaching faculty are usually
much more accessible than, say, on a part-time evening programme, where time for out-of-
class contact is limited.
Full-time programmes form the basis of the Economist Intelligence Unit ranking and they are
the only type of programme that fully delivers all four elements in our ranking criteria: career
opportunities; increased salary; networking; and personal development/education experience.
Part-time and executive MBA students are often sponsored so the career/salary issues are less
important, and distance-learning students may, by definition, find networking difficult.
Table 4.1
Why did you decide to study for an MBA degree?
(full-time students, %
a
)
To open new career opportunities 37
Personal development 21
To increase salary 14
To further current career 12
Educational experience 9
Potential to network 7
Company advice or requirement 1
a
Importance accorded by students to each factor.
Full-time options (1-year, 2-year)
A full-time programme can take anything from ten months to two years to complete. In the
US most full-time programmes last two years, taught over four semesters (or sometimes eight
mini-semesters) of about 13–14 weeks in the winter and spring of each year. (This means that
they do not last two years in total teaching time, just two calendar years overall.) A variation
on the semester system is trimesters, or three periods in each of the two years (these are also
sometimes referred to as terms or, confusingly, quarters).
There is much greater variety outside the US. Some leading schools, such as London Business
School (LBS) and IESE in Barcelona, follow a two-year style programme, though with consider-
able flexibility. The LBS MBA lasts between 15 and 21 months; IESE’s programme is completed
18
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
in 19 months. At two other prestigious European schools—INSEAD in France and IMD in Swit-
zerland—programmes last under a year.
US schools have also tinkered with their programmes to reduce the time taken to gain an MBA.
Many now offer accelerated one-year tracks for students who have studied business or related
degrees at undergraduate level. Students take a short top-up course in business fundamentals
during the summer and then go straight into the second year.
The first year of a two-year programme is generally devoted to “core” courses dealing with
the fundamentals of business such as finance, accounting, marketing and so on (see Chapter
2). Increasingly, though, in response to student demand, schools will offer one or two elec-
tive courses in the first year to allow earlier specialisation that they can take into their summer
internships.
The second year is mainly a time for students to pursue their own interests or career objectives
by taking optional subjects, or electives. These, especially in the US, can (or sometimes must)
be grouped into specialisations, often known as concentrations or majors, that reflect func-
tional areas such as finance or marketing or even specific career goals.
Most also include in-company project work and softer elements such as leadership, interper-
sonal skills and general personal development, either as courses in their own right or as paral-
lel workshops and seminars.
However, two-year programmes only occasionally include the project-based thesis that is a
feature of many one-year programmes, particularly in the UK. Although so-called one-year
programmes vary considerably in length, they are all extremely intensive. Most of them follow
the same core/elective framework as two-year programmes.
Proponents of one-year programmes argue that the time spent face-to-face with teaching staff
differs little from two-year programmes, but their opponents respond that one year is not long
enough for issues to be covered comprehensively. It is certainly true that the intense pressure
of a one-year course is a good preparation for business life—where time management and pri-
oritising are essential skills—but the first year of a two-year programme can be just as gruel-
ling and effective.
Cost
Studying an MBA full-time will cost you a great deal of money. The directory section of this
book contains details of the costs at each school.
Costs for full-time students break down into three areas: tuition, living expenses and forgone
earnings. Note that tuition may not always include other business school expenses such as
textbooks, fees for the use of a gym and even such essentials as photocopying. Good schools
will make clear the scale of these additional costs.
Tuition
As pointed out above, tuition costs vary greatly among schools. They are almost always fea-
tured on a school’s website. For an easy school-by-school comparison, look at the Appendix
tables on pages 322–32. Fees usually go up each year and may be finalised quite late.
19
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
In the 1990 edition of Which MBA? full-time programme tuition fees at MIT
were listed at US$15,900, the equivalent to US$25,240 in today’s money. This
year the fee is US$44,556—a measure of how the cost an MBA prices has risen
since Which MBA? was first published.
Living expenses
For full-time students, tuition costs are only the beginning. They also have to find accommoda-
tion and fund their living expenses. Accommodation costs vary according to location and some
examples are given in Table 4.2. Other expenses that need to be considered include health
insurance, networking (going for meals or drinks with other students or contacts) and overseas
exchanges.
Forgone earnings
Last, but by no means least, full-time students have to give up their salaries while they study.
Only a small number are sponsored by their employers. Although a typical MBA graduate from
a leading US school may expect a total salary (including bonuses) of around US$150,000–
160,000, he or she will have had to forego a pre-MBA salary of around US$55,000 for two
years. No wonder, then, that the payback period—the amount of time it takes to recoup the
total expenditure in gaining an MBA—is a topic of much interest to full-time students.
Table 4.2
Accommodation costs around the world, 2008
a
City 3-room furnished apartment 4-room furnished apartment
Europe
Amsterdam €1,345 (US$1,842) €1,500 (US$2,055)
Barcelona €999 (US$1,368) €1,000 (US$1,370)
Brussels €850 (US$1,164) €1,200 (US$1,644)
Dublin €1,400 (US$1,918) €1,650 (US$2,260)
Frankfurt €1,500 (US$2,055) €2,850 (US$3,904)
Geneva Swfr2,600 (US$2,167) Swfr4,000 (US$3,333)
London £1,750 (US$3,500) £3,800 (US$7,600)
Lyon €720 (US$986) €650 (US$890)
Madrid €900 (US$1,233) €1,100 (US$1,507)
Manchester £580 (US$1,160) £800 (US$1,600)
Milan €1,230 (US$1,685) €1,460 (US$2,000)
Oslo Nkr11,000 (US$1,877) Nkr10,500 (US$1,792)
Paris €2,100 (US$2,877) €2,800 (US$3,836)
20
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
City 3-room furnished apartment 4-room furnished apartment
North America
Atlanta US$875 US$1,650
Boston US$3,500 US$3,600
Chicago US$1,725 US$2,700
Cleveland US$725 US$1,100
Detroit US$1,275 US$1,715
Houston US$2,000 US$2,600
Los Angeles US$2,100 US$2,500
Mexico P20,000 (US$1,830) P30,000 (US$2,745)
Minneapolis US$750 US$1,600
Montreal C$1,200 (US$1121) C$1,500 (US$1,402)
New York US$6,000 US$6,000
Pittsburgh US$750 US$925
San Francisco US$2,095 US$3,000
Toronto C$1,850 (US$1,729) C$1,800 (US$1,682)
Vancouver C$1,513 (US$1,414) C$2,100 (US$1,963)
Washington, DC US$2,200 US$2,800
Asia and Australasia
Hong Kong HK$26,000 (US$3,333) HK$45,000 (US$5,769)
Melbourne A$2,380 (US$1,983) A$2,970 (US$2,475)
Perth A$1,600 (US$1,333) A$1,800 (US$1,500)
Shanghai Rmb17,000 (US$2,237) Rmb22,000 (US$2,895)
Singapore S$3,700 (US$2,450) S$5,800 (US$3,841)
Sydney A$3,000 (US$2,500) A$3,670 (US$3,058)
a
Moderate cost accommodation taken from the Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, June 2008, The Economist Intelligence Unit.
Part-time MBAs
Part-time programmes have always been an important part of the MBA market. Part-time
students usually attend classes in the evenings once or twice a week, at weekends, or both
(although there are many different formats and types of part-time programmes—see below).
Students may also spend short periods of time, generally a week, in residence on campus or at
other locations at some time during the programme.
Typically, part-time students are slightly older and have more work experience than their full-
time counterparts. This may reflect a different motivation for taking an MBA. Many part-timers
are seeking to advance their existing careers compared with full-time students, who are more
likely to be taking an MBA to change their career entirely. Equally, the majority of part-time
students try to persuade their existing employers to sponsor (or at least partially fund) their
degree. This is rarely the case with full-timers.
21
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
Table 4.3
Why did you decide to study for an MBA degree?
(part-time students, %
a
)
To open new career opportunities 32
Personal development 23
To further current career 21
To increase salary 12
Educational experience 6
Potential to network 4
Company advice or requirement 1
Friend’s recommendation 0
a
Importance accorded by students to each factor.
Table 4.4
Part-time students sponsored by their company
(%)
World Europe North America Asia & Australasia
52 56 46 47
Table 4.5
Length of time part-time sponsored students agreed to stay with their company
(%)
World Europe North America Asia & Australasia
Up to two years 30 30 20 23
3–5 years 13 21 7 2
Longer than 5 years 1 1 0 1
No agreement required 56 49 73 73
The curriculum of a part-time MBA is usually identical or very similar to the full-time version
offered by a school, and the degree awarded is generally the same and has equal standing.
Indeed, you should ask questions if the degree differs significantly. Where there are differ ences
these may include a smaller range of electives and the omission of some of the less academic
elements of a full-time programme, such as foreign trips, project work and outdoor manage-
ment development (although the trend is towards including them).
You can expect to take 2–4 years to complete a part-time programme, but many schools offer
considerable flexibility within a time limit of 5–7 years in which the degree must be completed.
The whole point of a part-time MBA is to combine it with your working life, and this has bene-
fits and drawbacks. One of the main benefits is not having to forgo your salary and spreading
the cost of an MBA over a longer period. Another is being able to apply academic principles and
new soft skills immediately to real business life.
Even so, mixing an MBA programme with a full-time job is not to be undertaken lightly and
there are disadvantages. As well as spending one or two long and demanding evenings a week
in class, you will also have to allow additional time (perhaps around 15 hours a week, maybe
more) for individual study, preparation and group work. This means balancing study, work and
family which can be difficult, especially if you do not have an understanding employer.
22
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
Many schools like students’ employers to know they are studying for an MBA so they appreci-
ate the work involved and are prepared to support them. Some schools may restrict part-time
students’ access to careers service—or even ban it completely—out of concern that employ-
ers might withdraw their goodwill if the schools are seen to be helping students change jobs.
Other schools adopt the opposite approach: they believe that because part-time students often
have extensive experience they are an attractive proposition to employers, so they allow them
the same access to careers services as their full-time counterparts.
There are also geographical limitations. Part-time programmes are, almost by definition, local
and generally students have to take what is available within easy reach. Similarly, there are
likely to be fewer foreign students on a part-time programme, although where a school is based
in a multicultural city with a lot of expatriate workers this may not be the case.
Part-time programmes are sometimes offered in a modular format, which alternates periods,
or modules, of on-campus education, each usually lasting between two weeks and a month,
with longer periods when students return to their own company to undertake projects based on
the theory they have learned. Although the classroom sessions are full-time, the programme
design and student experiences are different from traditional full-time programmes because of
the lengthy periods spent off campus back in the workplace.
The modular delivery method is common in consortium (aimed at employees of a small group
of companies), company (tailored by a business school for the employees of a single company)
and Executive MBAs (see below) and increasingly includes distance-learning elements.
Cost
Generally, tuition fees for part-time programmes are lower than those for the full-time version.
Again, the details are given in directory entries.
Table 4.6
Part-time tuition fees at selected schools
School Tuition fees
a
Arizona (Keller) US$38,500
Chinese University of Hong Kong HK$230,400 (US$29,538)
Curtin A$29,100 (US$24,250)
Florida (Hough) US$28,000
Glasgow £17,500 (US$35,000)
HEC Paris €4,500 (US$61,644)
NU Singapore S$34,000 (US$22,517)
Rice (Jones) US$81,000
UCLA (Anderson) US$30,000 per year
Wits R105,000 (US$14,894)
a
Fees for the total programme, unless otherwise stated
23
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
Table 4.7
How did you choose the school where you are taking or took your MBA?
(part-time students, %
a
)
World Europe North America Asia & Australasia
Reputation of school 35 33 35 40
Location 18 17 23 17
Content of programme 15 16 13 6
Quality of teaching faculty 12 12 12 10
Published ranking position 7 6 8 17
Teaching methods 6 8 1 4
Friend’s recommendation 3 4 2 3
Tuition and living costs 3 3 4 1
Advertising 0 1 0 0
Starting salary of graduates 0 0 1 0
Careers services record 0 0 1 1
Published guides 0 0 0 0
a
Importance accorded by students to each factor.
Executive MBAs
The Executive MBA (EMBA) is a degree aimed at students with more management experience
than those on regular MBA programmes, whether full-time or part-time. Since its introduction
by Chicago Graduate School of Business in 1943 it has grown substantially.
Table 4.8
Why did you decide to study for an MBA degree?
(executive MBA students, %
a
)
To open new career opportunities 30
Personal development 24
To further current career 22
To increase salary 12
Educational experience 5
Potential to network 4
Company advice or requirement 2
a
Importance accorded by students to each factor.
EMBA programmes generally lead to the same degree as full-time and part-time MBA pro-
grammes. Content and scheduling are often quite different, however, being geared to the
needs of senior working managers. EMBAs are a cross between part-time and modular pro-
grammes. Classes are typically held on Fridays and Saturdays, and there are often large compo-
nents of residential work and foreign field trips.
EMBAs are essentially career enhancing rather than career changing, particularly as employers
frequently foot the bill. As Table 4.8 shows, although 30% of students said they were look-
ing for career change, the majority, 46%, claimed they took their EMBA to develop personal-
ly or further their current career. In this regard, they can have considerable benefits for the
participants.
It is often the manager who initiates the idea of taking an EMBA, persuading the company of
24
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
the value to be gained. Sometimes it may be part of corporate strategy. In the past, companies
often considered participation in an EMBA programme as a reward for good service and/or a
potential retention tool. Now the approach is likely to be more hard-headed, with such pro-
grammes seen as part of a company’s overall executive education strategy.
Table 4.9
Executive MBA students sponsored by their company
(%)
World Europe North America Asia & Australasia
68 73 39 83
Many business schools have used the EMBA to experiment boldly and successfully with inte-
grating IT into management teaching. Plenty of EMBA programmes now combine elements of
modular programmes with residential sessions and distance learning. They are also increas-
ingly global in scope, with classes held in various locations around the world and intervening
periods spent in online learning and group work.
EMBAs are expensive. According to the Executive MBA Council the average total costs for its
members’ programmes was US$57,954 in 2007. But in return for high fees the programmes
are usually innovative and closely related to experience. The opportunity to share classes with
highly experienced and (usually) senior managers is one of the principal attractions of such
programmes; and despite the high costs, many companies remain enthusiastic sponsors of
participants.
The EMBA does attract criticism, however. Some argue that although it is a degree programme,
an EMBA is really a form of intensive executive education with the letters MBA added on as
an incentive. Nevertheless, at their best, EMBAs offer an opportunity for highly motivated and
experienced executives to come into contact with leading business academics.
Table 4.10
Length of time executive MBA sponsored students agreed to stay with their company
(%)
World Europe North America Asia & Australasia
Up to two years 37 37 30 40
3–5 years 15 15 22 0
Longer than 5 years 0 0 0 0
No agreement required 47 47 48 60
Cost
EMBAs are not cheap and are going up, as the Appendix table on page 332 shows.
Where students are sponsored, the choice of school and programme is often a joint decision by
students and their employers. Often, though, it is the student who does the initial research and
decides on the school and programme. It then becomes a question of persuading the employer
to agree.
For self-sponsored students or those who have a say in choosing an EMBA programme, there
are certain things to look for.
25
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
● The quality of the participants. The experience and seniority of other students are impor-
tant factors. These should match, or if possible slightly exceed, your own.
● Faculty. Make sure the programme is taught by the school’s best faculty. Your company (or
you) will be paying a lot of money.
● Globalisation. Some element of internationalism, even if the programme does not span
continents, is important. There should be at least one international study trip.
● Commitment. Be sure you can handle the workload. EMBAs are not an easy option. You will
have to do the studying and hold down your job at the same time.
Distance-learning MBAs
The burden of studying an MBA by distance learning should not be underestimated. Despite
business schools making increasing efforts to involve students, the fact that you study on your
own for much of the time—and that programmes can take three years or sometimes much long-
er to complete—means you will need a lot of self-motivation to get through it.
However, better use of information technology has improved distance-learning programmes.
Most now involve a mix of study materials. At the UK’s Open University Business School (OUBS),
for example, the materials supplied include course books, a study guide, CD-ROMs, videotapes,
audio tapes and access to a website. Some other programmes, notably in Canada, make use
of online lectures delivered by videoconference technology, allowing live interaction between
students and lecturers.
However, most schools still insist that students get together in the real world, either on cam-
pus for occasional residential weeks and weekends or in local study groups. Henley Manage-
ment College’s distance-learning MBA, for example, has regular face-to-face workshops at
Henley and local study groups for students outside the UK.
The University of Florida’s Hough Graduate School of Business was one of the first fully accred-
ited business schools to offer online MBA degrees. Its Internet (Flexible) MBA is equivalent to
any other MBA offered by the university. Another notable player—for its sheer size as much as
anything—is the University of Phoenix, which has around 45,000 distance-learning students
enrolled on its MBA programme.
The techniques and technologies of distance learning are increasingly being incorporated into
new types of MBA programmes which fall somewhere between the home-alone study described
and a traditional programme. Often they are described as executive MBAs (see above) and may
be partnerships between schools in different parts of the world, making a virtue of the global
coverage and “asynchronous” learning that the Internet, e-mail and similar technologies make
possible (in other words, you don’t have to be online at the same time in order to communicate
with someone, by e-mail for example).
The future success or otherwise of these types of programmes could have a significant effect
on the future direction not just of distance-learning programmes but of the MBA market as a
whole.
26
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
Advantages and disadvantages
The traditional distance-learning MBA is a reasonably inexpensive route to an MBA (see Cost)
compared with other methods. (The more exotic uses of distance learning described above can
be expensive, but the costs are usually borne by sponsoring companies.) It also offers inde-
pendence and convenience of study, although it can cause disruption in students’ personal
lives. It is not for the faint-hearted: if you can attain an MBA by distance learning, you can
attain it by any route.
Distance-learning programmes are also becoming increasingly popular with employers. Compa-
nies are more likely to provide support for such programmes than for other delivery methods.
They are significantly cheaper, and, since students study in their own time, the disruption to
an employee’s work commitments is minimal. Many companies believe that distance-learning
programmes are more practical than some of the alternatives, especially the full-time options.
They also allow students to be involved in projects within their own organisations, which are of
direct benefit to the employer.
The fifth edition of Which MBA? (1993) made the following comments on
distance-learning programmes:
Distance learning is simply a new word for a correspondence course. Despite
much talk over the last decade, technology such as teleconferencing and
computer links has taken a long time to appear. The distance learning
student still spends most of his or her time poring over text books and
workbooks, perhaps with some video and audio tapes to relive the tedium and some computer
disks to make work more effective.
Table 4.11
Why did you decide to study for an MBA degree?
(distance-learning students, %
a
)
Personal development 29
To open new career opportunities 29
To further current career 24
To increase salary 9
Educational experience 6
Potential to network 2
Company advice or requirement 1
a
Importance accorded by students to each factor.
27
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 4
Different ways of taking the MBA
Part 1
Table 4.12
How did you choose the school where you are taking or took your MBA?
(distance-learning students, %
a
)
Reputation of school 33
Content of programme 19
Teaching methods 19
Quality of teaching faculty 8
Published ranking position 7
Location 5
Friend’s recommendation 4
Tuition and living costs 3
Published guides 1
Advertising 0
Starting salary of graduates 0
Careers services record 0
a
Importance accorded by students to each factor.
The idea that distance-learning programmes are in some way the “poor relation” of the MBA,
particularly in relation to full-time programmes, is no longer tenable. Most distance-learning
programmes have now achieved equal standing with, and have the same academic rigour as,
other delivery methods. Because the corporate world has largely embraced them for its own
employees there is little reason why they should not accept them as an important qualification
in a new recruit.
Moreover, the growing use of distance-learning methods in other areas such as executive MBAs
has added a new “respectability”. Although like all programmes distance learning has its draw-
backs and advantages, students should not be concerned that they are in some way undertak-
ing a “lesser” degree.
Choosing a school
Choosing a distance-learning programme is just as difficult and just as important as choosing
any other type of MBA. Try to avoid the temptation to opt for a programme that looks “easy” in
terms of workload. To be worth anything, a distance-learning programme should be as rigorous
and demanding as any other MBA. You will only get out of it what you put in.
You should also ensure that a reputable business school backs any distance-learning MBA you
sign up for, just as you would for a full-time or part-time programme. In recent years the Euro-
pean Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), which runs the EQUIS accreditation
programme, has also introduced an accreditation system for e-learning programmes called CEL
(or teChnology Enhanced Learning). So far seven programmes have been accredited.
Cost
Distance-learning programmes vary considerably in cost. At IE in Madrid, for example, the Eng-
lish-language Global MBA Online is priced at €36,100 (US$49,452), compared with €49,100
(US$67,260) for the full-time programme. The Euro*MBA run by a consortium of European
schools is priced at €25,500 (US$34,932). Henley’s programme costs £15,595 (US$31,190),
and Warwick charges £4,800 (US$9,700) a year over, typically, three years. One of the more
expensive programmes, at US$41,000, is offered by Hough (Florida), but it includes provision
of a laptop computer, an iPod and specialised software.
29
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 1
Chapter 5
What you need to be an MBA
Qualifications
The MBA is a postgraduate degree which means that applicants should already possess a
first degree. This is a fairly universal requirement, though some exceptions may occasionally
be made for applicants to executive MBA programmes, where the emphasis is more on work
experience (see below).
However, since the MBA is a conversion degree that aims to equip students with the tools and
knowledge required to function as a manager, a good degree in any subject is acceptable. You
do not need to have previously studied a business subject. However, many schools now offer an
accelerated track for students with a business degree, which means that the MBA can be com-
pleted more quickly.
MBA programmes are usually heavily oriented towards mathematics and statistics (not to men-
tion such subjects as accounting) and students with limited mathematical skills may strug-
gle. Many leading schools, especially in the US, require students to have previously studied
quantitative disciplines, notably calculus. Most schools run pre-programme refresher courses
in all the quantitative areas. Anyone in any doubt about their ability should definitely attend;
indeed, some schools make it mandatory for students they deem lacking in quantitative skills.
But don’t let that put you off. The mathematics, particularly in the core subject areas, is not
that daunting and business schools like to take on non-quantitative students with an interest-
ing back ground. And you can usually rely on other students to give you a helping hand when
and if you need it.
Work experience
In general the MBA is a post-experience qualification. That is to say that business schools
require applicants to have experienced work life before joining a programme. As with the first
degree, this does not necessarily have to be business-related. Many schools relish recounting
the numbers of former jet fighter pilots and ballet dancers on their MBA programmes. The idea
is that students have some experiences of life and interrelationships that they can use to enli-
ven and illuminate classroom discussions. This is especially true with the growing emphasis on
“soft skills” (see Chapter 3). Most schools ask for two or more years of previous work experi-
ence.
However, the issue of work experience is subject to debate. Indeed, in some regards it is an
unusual requirement. After all, no one expects a student at medical school to have already
spent time in the operating theatre or a law student to have defended anyone in court. And
though many American schools ask for work experience, not all of them make it a requirement.
Stanford, for example, actively encourages college seniors and recent college graduates to
apply. A recent trend in the US has been to accept undergraduate applicants (usually from a
school’s associated university) but defer admission for two or three years while they gain work
experience. Both Chicago and Harvard have such schemes.
30
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 5
What you need to be an MBA
Part 1
In Europe, however, work experience is almost universally required. Indeed, there was some
concern that the Bologna Process (a means of harmonising European undergraduate and
postgraduate education—see box on page 40) would legitimise pre-experience masters’ pro-
grammes in business-related areas as “MBA” degrees. This now seems to have been avoided.
Instead, Europe is undergoing a rapid expansion of MSc in Management programmes, which
are designed for students who have just completed undergraduate degrees (see Chapter 6).
The general feeling among MBA students around the world, however, seems to be that they
(and their fellow students) do benefit from at least some experience of the workplace being
brought into the classroom.
Table 5.1
Average number of years’ work experience of full-time MBA students by region
Region No of years
World 5.6
Europe 7.0
Asia & Australasia 6.2
North America 4.5
The GMAT and other admissions tests
The GMAT
Although some schools may not require it (usually substituting their own test or asking for the
GMAT only for foreign students), most prospective MBA students will have to take the Graduate
Management Admission Test (GMAT).
The GMAT measures verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills but not specific areas
such as knowledge of business and job skills, or subjective areas such as motivation, creativ-
ity and interpersonal skills. It is designed to help predict a student’s potential academic per-
formance. Most schools find that it is a good indicator of likely success on an MBA programme,
particularly the quantitative aspects. The GMAT is fully computerised and is known as a com-
puter-adaptive test (CAT). The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), which spon-
sors and directs the test, says it requires minimal computer skills, and each test is preceded by
a computer-based tutorial.
Test scores
Although many schools do not stipulate minimum GMAT scores, most will have a cut-off point
in mind. At leading schools with high average GMAT scores this could be around 600–650; at
other schools, or those with less commitment to GMAT scores, it could be as low as 500.
The maximum achievable GMAT score is 800, but in any given year few students score maximum
points. Those who do so usually attribute it to a mixture of luck and practice. Tables 5.2 and
5.3 show the average scores of students for selected schools; the directory entries list the aver-
age for each school. Some, however, refuse to reveal their averages on the grounds that they
are misleading, since a high average does not necessarily imply overall ability. GMAT scores
reported by schools are also used as part of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s ranking of busi-
ness schools (see Chapter 00).
31
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 5
What you need to be an MBA
Part 1
Table 5.2
Average GMAT scores of students by region
a
Region GMAT score
World 649
North America 665
Europe 631
Asia & Australasia 635
a
As reported by schools. Not all schools require the GMAT or reveal GMAT scores.
Table 5.3
Average GMAT scores of students by region, selected schools
a
North America GMAT score Asia & Australasia GMAT score Europe GMAT score
Stanford 721 China Europe Int BS 686 INSEAD 700
Dartmouth (Tuck) 715 Hong Kong SB 670 Cambridge 690
(Judge)
Harvard 713 Singapore 657 London 690
Pennsylvania (Wharton) 712 Nanyang 653 IESE 688
California at Berkeley (Haas) 710 Hong Kong UST 643 IE 685
Chicago 710 Melbourne 640 Oxford (Saïd) 680
MIT (Sloan) 710 Chinese University 610 IMD 671
Hong Kong
Columbia 709 Japan 591 HEC Paris 664
Northwestern (Kellogg) 708 Otago 566 Cranfield 660
UCLA (Anderson) 704 ESADE 650
a
As reported by schools. Not all schools require the GMAT or reveal GMAT scores.
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Figure 5.1
Average GMAT scores (top ten schools), 1998–2008
676
688
694
700
704
708 708
704
707
711
709
Even though it is extremely important, the GMAT is not the be-all and end-all. As the GMAC
itself cautions, the GMAT is only one indicator, and by no means a perfect one. Academic
records, references, interviews and all the other paraphernalia of the business school admis-
sions process are equally important.
32
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 5
What you need to be an MBA
Part 1
TOEFL
An English-language MBA programme is a daunting prospect for people whose first language is
not English. Even native speakers have trouble in classes where a student is picked at random to
lead a discussion on a case study, and where students are assessed on their participation in class.
Most schools teaching in English therefore demand some proof of fluency from non-native speak-
ers. A few schools run their own tests or accept other qualifications, but the Test of English as a
Foreign Language, or TOEFL (pronounced “toe-fell”), is widely accepted as a standard measure.
GMAT scores
Which MBA? first began noting average GMAT scores in 1992. That year the
highest average score was 650 at MIT. By 2008 it was Stanford at 721.
The admissions process
In the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2008 survey for Which MBA?, students and recent gradu-
ates were asked to rate how difficult it was to get into their school. The results are given in
Table 5.4.
Table 5.4
How difficult was it to get into your school?
a
School Rating
American (Kogod) 3.0
Arizona (Eller) 3.1
Ashridge 3.0
Aston 2.9
Audencia (Nantes) 3.7
Bath 3.3
Birmingham 3.1
Bocconi 3.4
Boston 3.4
Bradford 2.0
Brandeis 3.3
British Columbia (Sauder) 3.2
California at Berkeley (Haas) 4.5
California at Davis 3.6
Cambridge (Judge) 3.8
Cape Town 3.4
Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) 3.9
Case Western (Weatherhead) 3.2
Chicago 4.5
School Rating
China Europe Int Business School 3.3
Chinese University of Hong Kong 3.2
City (Cass) 3.3
Columbia 4.6
Cornell (Johnson) 4.1
Cranfield 3.4
Curtin 2.8
Dartmouth (Tuck) 4.6
Dublin (Trinity) 3.4
Duke (Fuqua) 3.9
Durham 2.9
EADA 3.0
EGADE 2.7
Emory (Goizueta) 3.8
ESADE 3.7
Florida (Hough) 3.3
Georgia (Terry) 3.1
Glasgow 2.3
Grenoble 3.3
33
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 5
What you need to be an MBA
Part 1
School Rating
Harvard 4.5
HEC Montréal 3.3
HEC Paris 3.7
Henley 3.1
Hong Kong SB 3.2
Hong Kong UST 3.6
Hult 3.2
IE 4.0
IESE 3.9
Illinois 3.2
IMD 4.6
Imperial (Tanaka) 3.6
Indian Institute (Ahmedabad) 4.9
Indiana (Kelley) 3.4
INSEAD 4.2
Japan 3.1
Monaco 3.2
Iowa (Tippie) 3.0
Lancaster 3.3
Leeds 2.6
London 4.2
E.M. Lyon 3.3
Macquarie 3.2
Manchester 3.3
Mannheim 3.3
Maryland (Smith) 3.6
MIT (Sloan) 4.5
McGill 3.4
Melbourne 2.8
Michigan (Ross) 4.2
Minnesota (Carlson) 3.2
Monash 3.0
Nanyang 3.3
Singapore 3.6
New York (Stern) 4.1
Newcastle 2.9
North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler) 3.8
Northwestern (Kellogg) 4.5
Norwegian BI 3.3
Notre Dame (Mendoza) 3.6
Nottingham 2.8
Nyenrode 3.3
School Rating
Ohio (Fisher) 3.3
Otago 3.7
Oxford (Saïd) 3.8
Penn State (Smeal) 3.3
Pennsylvania (Wharton) 4.5
Pittsburgh (Katz) 3.2
Purdue (Krannert) 3.4
Queensland 3.1
Rice (Jones) 3.7
Rochester (Simon) 3.5
Royal Holloway 2.5
RSM Erasmus 3.4
Sheffield 3.0
Solvay 3.0
South Carolina (Moore) 3.0
Southampton 2.8
Southern California (Marshall) 3.5
Southern Methodist (Cox) 3.5
Stanford 4.9
Strathclyde 3.2
Temple (Fox) 3.2
Texas at Austin (McCombs) 3.7
Thunderbird 3.0
TiasNimbas 3.2
UCLA (Anderson) 4.0
UC Dublin (Smurfit) 3.0
Edinburgh 3.2
Vanderbilt (Owen) 3.5
Virginia (Darden) 4.1
Vlerick 3.6
Wake Forest (Babcock) 3.1
Warwick 3.4
Washington St Louis (Olin) 3.3
Washington (Foster) 3.7
Wisconsin 3.5
Wits 3.3
Yale 4.2
York (Schulich) 3.5
a
Rated on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means no difficulty or little effort
required, 3 means reasonable effort required and 5 means extremely
competitive, arduous entrance procedure. Schools are listed in
alphabetical order.
34
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 5
What you need to be an MBA
Part 1
Getting into the school of your choice
Although getting in to a leading business school is undoubtedly tough, admissions staff are
invariably helpful. You can (and should) expect them to be efficient in answering queries. Once
the submissions start rolling in, the concern becomes how to select only the best candidates
and make sure that none of them defects to competing schools. The qualities that admissions
departments look for in candidates are fairly standard. They expect a good first degree and a
good GMAT score, a solid work background, good interpersonal skills and leadership potential,
and a belief that you really want to come to their school—as well as a “wow” factor that some-
how sets candidates apart.
Diversity is another issue. White males still predominate on MBA programmes and the schools
would like more women and people from minority groups. They also like “international” stu-
dents. Some European schools appear to be almost addicted to international (that is, foreign)
students. They like to claim that a class of 80 students, for example, contains 80 different
nationalities. Admissions staff constantly monitor the balance of applicants offered a place so
that they can achieve the required diversity.
Apply early
It is important that prospective students apply early to their chosen school or schools. Busi-
ness school websites, brochures and this guide give final dates for applications, but these real-
ly are final. Admissions offices usually work on a rolling basis and start to fill up their classes as
soon as applications are received. Lists may therefore be full long before the deadline arrives.
Application forms, references, essays and interviews
Application forms
Application forms are long and difficult to complete, although the information they ask for is
straightforward:
● personal details;
● academic record, with grades obtained (you will have to get official transcripts);
● a work and experience record;
● references, normally unseen by the applicant, from two or three individuals who know your
academic and work experience;
● up to four short essays designed to give an insight into your personality and attitudes.
The application form is crucial in the admissions process. It is your chance to impress the admis-
sions office by pulling together your undergraduate performance, work experience, GMAT score
and anything else you can think of to impress them. But remember, however good the content,
a poorly completed application form will not get you very far. Spend a lot of time on it.
Electronic applications
Most applications are handled electronically, and a large number of schools allow you to download
and return an application form on their website. Many schools insist on electronic application.
35
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 5
What you need to be an MBA
Part 1
References
References (often called recommendations by North American schools) should be written by
people who have relevant and detailed knowledge of your academic or work background and a
good sense of your personality. Think carefully about whom you ask. Business schools expect
referees to have been your direct business or academic supervisors at some time. Whoever
you choose, make sure they know what an MBA is and the reasons you want to study one. You
should also brief them as much as possible on the schools you are applying to, why you have
chosen those schools and your subsequent career plans. Their input is vital, so a discussion
with them before they complete their part of the application form is important. The applica-
tions office expects them to provide a rounded (and accurate) picture of you and your achieve-
ments.
Alumni of your targeted business schools are considered to be particularly useful as referees,
so if you know any, don’t be afraid to approach them. But the really important point to bear
in mind is that whoever you choose must be someone you can trust to give a good reference in
good time.
Essay questions
Writing application essays is probably the most difficult part of the process. They are also a
potential minefield. Admissions staff say they read every essay submitted and regard them as
important indicators, especially in borderline cases. They see essays as a way of getting to your
real personality—so avoid the temptation either to brag outrageously or to be destructively
self-critical.
Most of the essay questions posed by schools are broadly similar, and they face the predict-
able problems of ready-prepared essays (not always written by the candidate) and the same
essays being submitted to many schools. But for the majority of candidates, essays represent
an opportunity for quality work and honesty. Admissions staff are experienced at spotting any-
thing phoney and are ever alert to fraudulent work. They are also clear about what they want.
Applicants should be equally clear and, within the bounds of honesty, legality and morality,
present themselves as fitting the particular school’s ideal model.
Interviews
Not every top-rated school requires interviews, although many are putting greater emphasis on
them as MBA programmes focus more on soft skills. The personality of students has become an
important ingredient in succeeding on a programme, and schools need to gain a more rounded
view of candidates in order to assess their personalities. Another reason is greater diversity.
Standardised admission processes produce standardised classes. An interview is a good way of
assessing students who may not quite match the academic ground rules but who have other
desirable qualities.
Generally, interviews take place after the application form has been reviewed. Most often they
are conducted on campus by admissions staff, although sometimes, as at Northwestern Univer-
sity (Kellogg), interviews are conducted by students. For foreign students or those living some
distance away, schools use outside interviewers (normally their own alumni).
36
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 5
What you need to be an MBA
Part 1
Paying for your programme
An MBA is expensive and one way or another you will need to find a way to pay for it. Whether
you are using your own savings, taking out a loan or persuading someone else to foot the bill
through a scholarship or company sponsorship, you should know what your options are before
applying.
The various ways students finance their MBA, based on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s sur-
vey for Which MBA? 2008, are outlined in Table 5.5.
Table 5.5
How students finance their MBA programmes
Were you sponsored by your company?
a
Yes
Full-time 7
Part-time 52
Executive 68
Distance-learning 54
If sponsored, for how long have you agreed not to leave your employment?
b
Up to two years 3–5 years More than 5 years No agreement required
Full-time 42 29 4 25
Part-time 30 13 1 56
Executive 37 15 0 47
Distance-learning 31 12 1 55
a
% of respondents. b % of students sponsored by their company.
Loans
Nearly all MBA students can obtain loans in their own countries through government schemes
or private banks. Typically, these are soft loans with more favourable interest rates and repay-
ment periods than the market offers. Schemes differ considerably from country to country.
Many business schools are able to put students in touch with the appropriate organisations and
most list available loan schemes on their websites or in their brochures. Schemes are generally
confined to nationals or full-time residents of the country concerned, but most will cover study
in another country.
The GMAC sponsors the MBA Loans Program in the US. In the UK, the Association of MBAs
(AMBA) organises soft loans (www.mbaworld.com).
Scholarships
Most schools offer some form of scholarship. However, the number and value vary enormous-
ly. Details of the amounts made available to students are contained in each school’s directory
entry. Most are linked to:
● merit (high scholastic achievement and potential that will reflect well on the school);
● need (high potential but few resources); or
● specific groups (for example, minorities or women).
37
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 5
What you need to be an MBA
Part 1
Few scholarships cover all costs, although in exceptional cases they might. The total amount of
aid available for all students can range from several million dollars at some American schools
to thousands of dollars per school in Europe and other parts of the world.
Sponsorship
Many MBA students try to get someone else to pay for their programme, showing that the
degree does indeed teach something about business. It is not easy, though, particularly for
a full-time programme. Employer support for part-time and distance-learning programmes is
much more common, especially among organisations with a management development focus.
Around 52% of part-time and 54% of distance-learning students were sponsored, according to
the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2008 survey of MBA students and recent graduates. Even so,
an employer may agree to pay only under an arrangement that requires an employee to stay
with the company for a specified time after graduation.
Earning and studying
Working while you study is an accepted part of undergraduate education throughout the world.
However, time constraints for full-time MBA students are much greater than for undergradu-
ate courses and working is frowned on—and usually outlawed—in short one-year programmes
and the first year of two-year programmes. Schools say that this is not just because a job might
affect their studies, but also because students can miss out on extra-curricular activities and
socialising. It is easier to work in the second year of longer programmes when pressures are
less intense. Many students combine second-year study with part-time work, either with local
companies or within the school itself, helping out in computer laboratories, admissions and
careers services and as teaching assistants. Some schools try to help spouses accompanying an
MBA student to find work, either with local companies or within the school itself.
39
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 1
Chapter 6
Other options
The MBA is far from being the only academic management qualification available. Although
this guide is obviously concerned with the general management MBA described in its pages,
prospective students should realise that alternatives are available. This chapter briefly outlines
what they are.
Alternatives to the MBA can be divided into three groups:
● the pre-experience general management MSc, often called a Masters in Management;
● specialised MSc degrees in particular management functions, such as finance or human
resources;
● specialised MBAs, which eschew the traditional general management approach to concen-
trate on a specific function or even a particular industry.
Specialised masters’ programmes, especially the Masters in Management (MM), are cleverly
designed to appeal to both potential students and recruiters. They are aimed at recent gradu-
ates with either a firm career objective (specialised MSc programmes) or an interest in general
management, especially with an international dimension (the MM), who do not want to spend
two or three years gaining the work experience generally required to enter an MBA programme.
In other words, at a time when increasing numbers of young people have a first degree, they
offer a way of gaining that sought-after postgraduate qualification quickly.
For potential recruiters, such programmes turn out comparatively young graduates with either
in-depth knowledge in a particular function or skill area or a broad base of management knowl-
edge (MM programmes essentially reproduce the MBA core). Furthermore, as they often include
lengthy internships, frequently international in scope, students also gain some exposure to
business.
Whether such programmes “cannibalise” the MBA, luring away students who might otherwise
take it, is a moot point. Most business schools say they are different markets attracting differ-
ent types of individual, but it seems unlikely that an MBA would be an immediate priority for
graduates of such programmes. However, given a few years in work, the Executive MBA (see
page 23) might be an attractive option for them. And since EMBAs are a lucrative proposition
for business schools, maybe the schools win both ways in the end.
Masters in Management
The MSc in Management (or similar title) is a particularly European approach to management edu-
cation. Although it has existed for some time its growth has been significant in recent years, par-
ticularly in response to the Bologna Process, which is attempting to harmonise the structure of
higher education (bachelors’ and masters’ degrees) within Europe (see box overleaf).
The Masters in International Business (MIB) offered by Grenoble Ecole de Management
Graduate School of Business in France is typical of this type of degree. Aimed at graduates from
40
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 6
Other options
Part 1
any discipline who have little or no work experience, it combines subjects typical of an MBA
programme with language training (in this case French) and an international project that can
be undertaken either as part of an internship or as part of full-time employment following the
taught programme.
The taught element of the programme is full-time, lasts for one year and covers marketing,
accounting, finance and economics, business information systems, intercultural management
and ethics, strategic management, managing technology, managing people in international
organisations, international business law, international financial management, international
business, global trade environment and foreign languages. As with most programmes of this
sort there are no electives.
The Bologna Process
By 2010 the Bologna Process is scheduled to sweep away idiosyncratic national systems and replace
them with a standard Anglo-Saxon-style progression of bachelor’s degree–master’s degree–PhD.
The main aim of Bologna is to encourage mobility among students and, consequently, greater
competition among Europe’s institutions of higher education. Business education will be
particularly affected by the process. This is partly because students prefer to study business degrees
at postgraduate, rather than undergraduate, level; but it is also because they are more likely to
move across borders to find the right school. Greater demand will lead to an explosion of masters’
programmes in management. Research by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) has
suggested there will be an extra 12,000 courses hitting the market (although many of these will be
existing courses redesigned to comply with Bologna).
Learning their own lessons
The big increase will be in the number of MSc in Management programmes (see main text), which
usually admit students straight from their undergraduate studies. This will have a knock-on effect
for the MBA. If traditional MBA applicants, who are generally aged 25–30, are only a few years out of
their MSc programme, will they want to return to business school so soon?
Ultimately, though, employers will hold the key to the MBA’s future. Much will depend on whether
they will be happy to recruit—and remunerate—students with an MSc and little experience.
European business schools face other uncertainties. Perhaps most troubling is whether they have the
infrastructure—and in particular the quality faculty—to cope with around 500,000 applicants a year
to MSc in Management programmes by 2010. Faculty are already a scarce resource. Few management
professors have all the skills that business schools are after. Furthermore, many are interested only
in their research and often deride the teaching side. While “gurus” may give a school prestige, they
are of little use to students if they are half-hearted in the classroom.
However, diverting resources towards training faculty may prove unappealing when many schools
will be unsure of the funding available to them. Moving from a system, such as in France, where
they can be guaranteed an undergraduate student for as long as seven years to one where they can
expect a maximum of four years means that many will have to move to a very different budgetary
model. And this is before anyone has decided how these new, ultra-mobile students will be funded.
Will public universities be funded centrally, for example, or will governments hand students a “euro
credit” that can be cashed in at any institution across Europe? All that is certain is that the often
sleepy world of European academia is in for a rude awakening. As IE’s dean, Santiago Iniguez de
Onzono, points out: “Bear in mind that many of the old, established universities in Europe have not
competed for 700 years. This is going to be tough.”
41
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 6
Other options
Part 1
This type of programme has proved popular with employers in Europe and many programmes
such as Grenoble’s involve business closely in curriculum design and teaching. Their popular-
ity has also been helped by accreditation schemes specially designed for them by the Europe-
an Foundation for Management Development (the EFMD Programme Accreditation System or
EPAS) and AMBA (Pre-experience Masters in Management programmes or PEMM).
Specialised masters’ programmes
Many European schools offer a range of specialised masters’ (MSc or MA) programmes. For
example, as well as its MBA programmes (and an MSc in Management), Cass Business School
in the UK offers 23 specialised MSc programmes, ranging from actuarial management, through
logistics, trade and finance, to grant-making management (for those interested in a career
in grant-making organisations). Nottingham Business School, also in the UK, offers nine MSc
programmes, ranging from computational finance to tourism management and marketing, and
seven MA programmes, from corporate social responsibility to risk management. Similarly,
Lancaster University Management School has 18 specialised MSc and MA programmes. London
Business School (LBS) has long run a successful MSc in Finance (MiF) programme.
As with the Masters in Management, employers are increasingly attracted by these pro-
grammes. Unlike an MBA, which is by definition a qualification in general management, spe-
cialised masters’ degrees are highly focused on particular industry sectors and even specific
career areas with a lot of the teaching done by expert practitioners.
Unlike the MSc in Management, the age profile and education and work history of students who
take specialist masters’ degrees is similar to those taking an MBA, and many specialised pro-
grammes require the GMAT.
How do specialist masters’ programmes differ from an MBA?
Apart from the specialisation itself, there are as many similarities as differences. In broad
terms, specialised masters’ programmes generally follow the structure of an MBA, with a range
of core courses that all students must take followed by a range of electives and ending with a
consultancy-like project.
Thus a specialised programme can be broad in approach in the core but narrow down in the
elective stage, effectively allowing a specialisation within a specialisation. Despite this
approach, the degree is not as broad as an MBA. Students will find no marketing or organisa-
tional behaviour courses in the core, for example.
What, if any, are their advantages for schools …
Given the sustained popularity of the MBA degree, do business schools gain anything from
offering these programmes, which lack the glamour of the MBA? LBS has admitted in the past
that launching the MiF raised some concerns about whether, given the similarity in student
profiles, the programme might cannibalise the MBA market, though it says that there is no sign
that this has happened.
Specialist programmes can enhance a business school’s MBA programme. For example, at LBS,
the MiF has allowed the school, always strong in finance, to expand the finance elective offer-
ings on its MBA programme.
For schools offering specialist programmes the trick seems to be to position them in carefully
42
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 6
Other options
Part 1
defined sectors that often coincide directly with existing career strengths. At Cass, for exam-
ple, given its location in the heart of London’s City financial district, there is a strong emphasis
on some of the more esoteric areas of finance such as actuarial science as well as on logistics,
shipping and real estate. Lancaster’s specialist programmes also have a solid leaning towards
finance, but it also includes project management, operations research and MAs in “softer”
areas such as human resources.
… and for students?
For prospective students the choice is straightforward but not less difficult. Specialised mas-
ters’ programmes offer a direct route to a specific career. Employers understand and value
them. The MBA, however, is a much more general degree and, unless customised through elec-
tives, does not naturally lead to any particular career route. But the MBA has a cachet that
other programmes, rightly or wrongly, may lack.
The bottom line seems to be that if you know the career you want, or if you want to advance in
your existing one, specialised masters’ programmes have a lot to offer. If you are undecided, or
want to switch careers, the broader-based MBA may be the choice for you.
Specialised MBAs
Although in theory the MBA is a general management qualification, it has always been open to
specialisation. Choosing to group your elective subject choices into a major or concentration
in a certain area, such as accounting or marketing (which some schools, especially in the US,
actually require), is obviously specialisation. Some schools will officially acknowledge this on
the degree. Over the past decade this type of specialisation has become increasingly overt and
very much career-based.
A stronger trend has been the emergence of specialised MBA programmes that offer the degree
in clearly defined areas such as arts management, healthcare management, or even football
management. These are generally offered by smaller business schools which are looking for a
highly visible niche in a competitive and overcrowded market and are realistic enough to real-
ise they cannot compete directly with the bigger business schools, most of which are still wed-
ded to the traditional generalist MBA.
This kind of specialist MBA sets out from the start to deliver a programme completely geared to
a function or industry, though it may contain some general management inputs. A good exam-
ple is the Executive Wine MBA, offered, appropriately, by Bordeaux Business School in France.
This part-time programme is closely geared to the wine industry and is designed for students
already working in it or with a strong desire to do so. It is delivered in co-operation with other
schools in Australia, the US (California) and Chile, covering four of the world’s most important
wine areas.
In this respect, specialised MBAs have a lot in common with the specialised masters’ pro-
grammes offered by leading business schools alongside their MBA programmes.
43
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 1
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing
a business school
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s survey of students and graduates for Which MBA?
2008, the most important factors in how and why students choose a particular school and pro-
gramme are reputation, programme content, location, a school’s published ranking position
and the quality of the teaching faculty. There are many other criteria, of course, and the impor-
tance of factors varies from student to student and region to region.
Table 7.1
How did you choose the school where you are taking or took your MBA?
(full-time students, %)
a
World Europe North America Asia & Australasia
Reputation of school 35 34 36 35
Content of programme 15 15 15 13
Location 12 13 11 13
Published ranking position 11 13 11 9
Quality of teaching faculty 10 8 10 12
Teaching methods 5 4 4 2
Tuition and living costs 4 5 4 7
Friend’s recommendation 3 3 3 2
Careers services record 2 2 3 3
Starting salary of graduates 2 2 2 3
a
Importance accorded by students to each factor.
The results in Table 7.1 show the overwhelming importance of a school’s reputation. Careers
services and starting salaries, according to our survey, play a remarkably small part in attract-
ing students. Why this should be so is unclear, since MBA students complain vociferously if
they feel that these areas are underperforming. It may reflect a growing acceptance that even
the best careers office cannot promise, let alone guarantee, a job.
Below are what we consider to be the ten essential criteria that students should consider
before choosing an MBA.
1 Programme
The essential elements of a good MBA programme, including such things as core and elective
subjects, soft skills training and projects, are discussed in the box on page 45. You can usually
find this information on schools’ websites and in their brochures. You should look carefully at
the curriculum details of any programme that interests you, particularly any changes that are
being proposed, which can be more frequent than you might think. Students’ views on their
programmes, according to our survey, are set out in Table 7.2. The results are based on ques-
tions covering areas such as the content and structure of the programme, the range of elec-
tives, the teaching quality and practical relevance.
44
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school
Part 1
Table 7.2
Student and graduate ratings of programme content
School % School %
Chicago 96 IE 90
Hong Kong UST 96 Imperial (Tanaka) 90
Monash 95 New York (Stern) 90
York (Schulich) 93 Virginia (Darden) 89
Northwestern (Kellogg) 92 Indian Institute (Ahmedabad) 89
MIT (Sloan) 91 Dartmouth (Tuck) 89
Michigan (Ross) 91 Cambridge (Judge) 88
INSEAD 90 Columbia 88
ESADE 90 London 88
Cornell (Johnson) 90 HEC Paris 88
Rice (Jones) 90 City (Cass) 88
Stanford 90 Duke (Fuqua) 88
Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) 90 North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler) 88
Note. These figures are derived from our survey of students and alumni; caution should be used when interpreting them.
2 Faculty
A school’s faculty—academic teachers and research staff—is the foundation of its reputation.
Their abilities and qualifications are one of the best indicators of a school’s standing. Faculty
are also a key element in a school’s marketing mix and are crucial in attracting good students
and corporate support.
Table 7.3
Student and graduate ratings of faculty
School % School %
Hong Kong UST 97 IE 92
Chicago 95 Harvard 92
Indiana (Kelley) 94 MIT (Sloan) 92
Cornell (Johnson) 94 Maryland (Smith) 92
Virginia (Darden) 94 Penn State (Smeal) 91
Rice (Jones) 94 North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler) 91
Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) 93 Dartmouth (Tuck) 91
Iowa (Tippie) 93 Michigan (Ross) 91
Duke (Fuqua) 93 Rochester (Simon) 91
New York (Stern) 92 Emory (Goizueta) 91
Stanford 92 Notre Dame (Mendoza) 91
Note. These figures are derived from our survey of students and alumni; caution should be used when interpreting them.
Top academic staff, who combine original and innovative thinking, a realistic grasp of corpo-
rate issues, and the skill to impart their knowledge and enthusiasm to students, are hard to
come by. A shortage of good young business faculty is causing problems for schools that are
eager to recruit them and is driving up academic salaries, especially in areas such as strategy,
45
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school
Part 1
accounting and finance. However, the shortages are not affecting all schools equally and the
biggest schools are likely to be best placed to attract leading players.
As well as their own faculty members, many schools play host to visiting academics from other
schools (sometimes as a prelude to poaching them), practising executives and others, normal-
ly known as visiting or adjunct faculty, who bring fresh knowledge and perspectives into the
classroom.
What should be in an MBA programme?
There are certain elements that by consensus are regarded as essential to an MBA. They include
initial functional or core courses (such as finance, marketing and economics) and specialist
analytical techniques (mainly statistics), followed by more advanced courses or electives in one or
more of the core areas. Soft skills are increasingly important (see Chapter 3) and may be part of the
core courses or taught in supplementary seminars and workshops.
There have been experiments with new approaches and variations on this theme, but the model has
proved remarkably robust. Below is a checklist of what an MBA programme should ideally contain.
Although developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit, this is not dissimilar from the criteria used
by the major international accreditation bodies (see page 51).
Checklist for an MBA programme
The programme should ideally contain the following:
● Pre-programme courses (optional or required) on quantitative methods, computing and
mathematics for students not already skilled in these areas.
● An orientation programme before the start of the first term to meet other students and members
of the faculty, and for team-building exercises.
● Solid grounding in core courses for general management.
● Waivers for existing skills (these are opposed by some schools).
● A wide choice of electives that also allow in-depth specialisation. Some courses outside
the business school (for example, in other university departments) should be allowed and
encouraged.
● Good international content, for example: course material, the number of foreign students and
teachers, visits overseas, the opportunity for language tuition and exchanges with foreign schools.
● Reasonable emphasis on soft skills.
● A good range of company projects.
The schools should also provide the following:
● Good teaching skills and research and library facilities.
● A satisfactory programme of senior executives as guest speakers, “executives in residence” and
others.
● Reasonable open-door policy for access to faculty.
● An administration willing to respond to student concerns.
● Formal help with finding accommodation.
● Excellent careers services, including training in interview skills.
● A good and active network of alumni.
46
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school
Part 1
3 Culture
You may think that all business schools are more or less the same, differentiated only by their
positions in the rankings. But while there are similarities—the appearance and atmosphere of
a tiered, horseshoe-shaped MBA classroom is almost a global symbol—there are many more
differences.
Taking an MBA at, say, London Business School will be a different experience from studying
one at Monash Graduate School of Business, just as Monash will be different from the Univer-
sity of California at Berkeley (Haas) in the US. This is much more than simple geography; there
are just as many differences among schools within the same country.
These differences are an indication of a school’s culture, that indefinable but all-pervading
quality that stems from a stated purpose, history, staff, students, business environment and
so on. A school’s prevailing culture is not easy to assess, but students consistently point out
how important it can be to the overall MBA experience. The editorial comments in the directory
indicate the more important cultural issues.
4 Size
The importance of the size of a business school can often be overlooked by prospective stu-
dents. But it can have a huge influence on the experience of taking an MBA. As with culture,
the size of business schools (not just the numbers of MBA students but also how many under-
graduates they have, whether or not they have large part-time and executive MBA intakes,
and their involvement in executive education) varies enormously. Many schools deliberately
restrict the size of their full-time MBA intake, arguing that a smaller cohort improves the qual-
ity of the teaching and learning experience. Conversely, many leading schools, such as Harvard
and INSEAD, have annual intakes of around 900.
The full-time average intake per year at North American schools in the directory this year is
227, compared with 102 in Europe and 84 in Asia and Australasia. The directory entries show
the number of students enrolled in the most recent incoming programme and the size of the
faculty.
Smaller schools allow more involvement but may lack the resources to provide an extensive
choice of other elements, such as electives. Bigger schools running two-year courses can have
more than 1,000 students on campus. They may have the resources but they can also some-
times be anonymous, offering minimal contact with faculty.
5 Facilities
Most business schools have excellent physical facilities. The directory entries give an indica-
tion of what is available. Although the content matters more than the packaging, the need to
attract good students and staff and to introduce new technology, which is much easier in a
modern building, has stimulated a major and continuing business school building boom over
the past decade.
All this has been good for students. North American schools, with their large endowments
and ability to call on wealthy alumni, have created some superb facilities. Table 7.4 shows the
results produced when we surveyed students and recent graduates on schools’ facilities and
the back-up they received from schools’ administrations.
47
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school
Part 1
Table 7.4
Student and graduate ratings of back-up and facilities
School % School %
Hong Kong UST 98 Cornell (Johnson) 93
Bath 97 Cranfield 93
Iowa (Tippie) 95 Lancaster 93
Rice (Jones) 95 Virginia (Darden) 93
Dartmouth (Tuck) 95 Emory (Goizueta) 93
Vanderbilt (Owen) 95 Norwegian BI 93
Chicago 95 HEC Montréal 92
Ashridge 94 Imperial (Tanaka) 92
Harvard 94 York (Schulich) 92
Monash 94 Wisconsin-Madison 92
Note. These figures are derived from our survey of students and alumni; caution should be used when interpreting them.
As a minimum there should be a good library, preferably dedicated to MBA students, with man-
agement and business books and access to national and international databases and communi-
cation systems, CDs and, especially, the Internet. Easy laptop access (preferably wireless) to a
school’s intranet is essential. Many schools require or advise students to have their own laptop
computer (where this is so it is indicated in the directory entry), although computer centres
with plenty of PCs remain important. More and more schools now provide laptops or insist stu-
dents buy those they recommend, often at a discount. This is mainly to ensure compatibility
but also because of fear of imported viruses. Sports and recreation facilities are also highly
desirable.
6 Careers services
However good a school’s programme, facilities and culture may be, in the end you also need it
to help you find the job you want. Of course, no business school can hand you a job on a plate,
but it should have a careers service capable of introducing you to the types of firms you want
to work for and equipping you to perform as well as possible in the recruitment process. How
students view careers services and the salaries they achieve after graduation are important ele-
ments in the ranking of schools by the Economist Intelligence Unit. As Table 7.5 shows, North
American schools, which devote more resources to these services, are often better organised
and staffed than in Europe, where many university-based schools merely direct their MBA
graduates to the central careers office. This is a cause of many complaints—though it is slowly
improving.
48
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school
Part 1
Table 7.5
Student and graduate ratings of careers service
Chicago 92 New York (Stern) 85
Hong Kong UST 92 Northwestern (Kellogg) 85
California at Berkeley (Haas) 92 Ashridge 84
ESADE 92 Washington (Foster) 84
Indian Institute (Ahmedabad) 90 Southern California (Marshall) 82
Rice University (Jones) 90 Wisconsin-Madison 82
IMD 88 Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) 82
Stanford 87 IE 81
Cornell (Johnson) 87 Duke (Fuqua) 81
Dartmouth (Tuck) 86 City (Cass) 81
Michigan (Ross) 86
Note. These figures are derived from our survey of students and alumni; caution should be used when interpreting them.
7 Internationalism
There is probably not a business school in existence that does not claim to be international in
its outlook, student body, faculty and teaching material. Indeed, many are going out of their
way to prove it, often at considerable expense. INSEAD, for example, has two campuses, one in
France and one in Singapore. Chicago has outposts in London and Singapore. All schools make
a big issue in their publicity material of the numbers of foreign students and faculty they admit
and employ.
But even though internationalism may generally be seen as a good thing—indeed, it is a cri-
terion in the Economist Intelligence Unit ranking—it does have its critics. Some schools are
accused of neglecting their home market, for example. On some programmes native-born stu-
dents point out that their foreign classmates can limit a programme because they lack linguis-
tic skills or have a cultural aversion to participation.
Table 7.6
Schools by percentage of foreign students
School % School %
IMD 97 Queensland 93
Monaco 97 Hong Kong BS 92
Vlerick Leuven Gent 96 Ashridge 92
Glasgow 96 Aston 92
Strathclyde 96 Audencia (Nantes) 92
Aston 96 Bath 91
Sheffield 95 Birmingham 91
Oxford (Saïd) 95 Bocconi 90
Rotterdam (Erasmus) 94 Bradford 90
Nyenrode 94 Cambridge (Judge) 90
Bradford 93 City (Cass) 90
Newcastle 93
49
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school
Part 1
Table 7.7
Foreign students by region
Europe % North America % Asia & Australasia %
IMD 97 Hult 92 Hong Kong BS 92
Monaco 97 Pittsburgh (Katz) 89 Singapore 90
Vlerick Leuven Gent 96 Minnesota (Carlson) 79 Hong Kong UST 84
Glasgow 96 Brandeis 77 Queensland 83
Strathclyde 96 York (Schulich) 73 Nanyang 81
Aston 96 MIT (Sloan) 65 Chinese University of Hong Kong 79
Sheffield 95 British Columbia (Sauder) 58 Japan 79
Oxford (Saïd) 95 Wisconsin-Madison 54 Macquarie 77
Rotterdam (Erasmus) 94 Case Western (Weatherhead) 50 Melbourne 70
Nyenrode 94 Emory (Goizueta) 47 Otago 46
Table 7.8
Student and graduate ratings of internationalism
School % School %
Hong Kong UST 98 Rotterdam (Erasmus) 89
INSEAD 93 HEC Paris 89
Thunderbird 93 Melbourne 89
IE 92 Chinese University of Hong Kong 89
Brandeis 92 ESADE 88
Hult 92 South Carolina (Moore) 88
London 92 China Europe Int Business School 87
Mannheim 90 Edinburgh 86
IESE 89 Nanyang 86
Norwegian BI 89 Southern California (Marshall) 86
York (Schulich) 89
Note. These figures are derived from our survey of students and alumni; caution should be used when interpreting them.
It can also be argued that what matters more than numbers of foreign students or faculty is
the way teaching and casework are done. Unfortunately, this is hard for would-be students to
assess. In the end, the easiest and most common method of assessing internationalism is sim-
ply to measure the percentage of non-national students and faculty studying and teaching at
schools. Tables 7.6 and 7.9, derived from our 2008 survey, provide these figures.
50
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school
Part 1
Table 7.9
Schools by percentage of foreign faculty
School % School %
IMD 100 Grenoble 58
Monaco 97 Ashridge 58
INSEAD 89 Durham 57
TiasNimbas 88 Cape Town 57
Hong Kong UST 86 Queensland 57
Hong Kong BS 85 Audencia (Nantes) 56
London 78 McGill 55
China Europe Int Business School 68 Nanyang 55
Chinese University of Hong Kong 67 City (Cass) 53
Melbourne 59 IE 52
Table 7.10
Foreign faculty by region
Europe % North America % Asia & Australasia %
IMD 100 McGill 55 Hong Kong UST 86
Monaco 97 South Carolina (Moore) 44 Hong Kong BS 85
INSEAD 89 Washington(Foster) 43 China Europe Int Business School 68
TiasNimbas 88 York (Schulich) 43 Chinese University of Hong Kong 67
London 78 British Columbia (Sauder) 40 Melbourne 59
Grenoble 58 Purdue (Krannert) 40 Queensland 57
Ashridge 58 Northwestern (Kellogg) 38 Nanyang 55
Durham 57 Pittsburgh, (Katz) 38 Otago 44
Audencia (Nantes) 56 Hult 35 Curtin 39
City (Cass) 53 North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler) 32 Singapore 38
However, internationalism also has a more practical side. It should mean some opportunity to
experience a foreign country as part of an MBA programme. This may involve a study trip, an
overseas project or a full-blown exchange, maybe spending a full term at a business school in
another country.
It also means language skills. English may be the international business language, and inter-
national courses are almost invariably taught in English, but the more internationally minded
schools place a strong emphasis on linguistic ability. Many schools, such as London Business
School, now require foreign-language skills for graduation.
8 Location
MBA students often choose where they would like to study for their MBA first and then look
round for a suitable school. This is not as whimsical as it might appear. In the US, for example,
an MBA programme can be a good way to find a job in a particular region. Schools in favoured
locations such as California or the south-eastern sun belt attract many out-of-state students
who settle in the area after graduation. In other parts of the world, students may be attracted
across national borders because they have an interest in working in a particular country. Stu-
51
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school
Part 1
dents often have existing links with, or an interest in, their chosen country of study; they may
already know the language and may plan to work there after graduation. Also their preferred
career direction may dictate a location, such as New York or London for finance or California for
IT. In any event, most students find that, although it may add to the pressures, working for an
MBA in a new location adds to the development potential of any programme.
9 Cohort
One of the most important parts of any MBA programme is the body of students with whom you
will study, often known, particularly in America, as a cohort. It is a cliché (and therefore contains
a lot of truth) that you will learn as much from your cohort as you will from your professors.
So what should you look for? First, your fellow students should be bright—at least as bright as
you and hopefully even brighter. Look at GMAT scores and grade point averages. Second, they
should be diverse both in their country of origin and their background. Look at the number
of nationalities represented; there should be a good variety with no particular national group
dominating. Their work experience and academic background should also be diverse, with stu-
dents coming not just from a business background with business-related first degrees but from
many areas. Tables 7.6–7.8 give some indication of the internationalism of the student body.
In our survey we asked students to assess their own classmates. The highest scores are listed in
Table 7.11.
Table 7.11
Student and graduate ratings of quality of student body
School % School %
Stanford 97 ESADE 92
California at Berkeley (Haas) 97 MIT (Sloan) 92
Dartmouth (Tuck) 96 Yale 92
Hong Kong UST 94 INSEAD 91
Virginia (Darden) 94 Michigan (Ross) 91
Northwestern (Kellogg) 94 Rice (Jones) 91
Cambridge (Judge) 93 Duke (Fuqua) 91
IMD 93 Harvard 91
Cornell (Johnson) 93 Columbia 91
Cranfield 92 Chicago 91
Note. These figures are derived from our survey of students and alumni; caution should be used when interpreting them.
10 Accreditation
Accreditation acts as an assurance that a school’s curriculum meets a minimum standard in
terms of what is taught, the quality of students that are admitted and the standard of the fac-
ulty. In other words, at the very least, accreditation means that the school to which you are
applying will not be a dud.
The three main international accreditation bodies are the US-based Association to Advance Col-
legiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); EQUIS, the accreditation arm of the Euro-
pean Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) in Brussels; and the UK’s Association
of MBAs (AMBA). Most business schools listed in the directory are accredited by one or more of
52
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 7
Top 10 considerations in choosing a business school
Part 1
these bodies and some by all three. (A few non-accredited schools are included because they
are deemed to be of potential interest to some students.)
Although nominally geographically based, these three bodies are international in scope,
accrediting business schools outside their own regions. This is an increasingly important aspect
of accreditation: business schools with global ambitions need accreditation systems that are
attractive to international students. For example, many schools in Europe seek AACSB Interna-
tional accreditation because it reassures students from North America.
55
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Part 2
Rankings
and
directory
57
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Why rank?
The Which MBA? ranking of full-time MBA programmes is now in its seventh year. The reason we
rank schools is straightforward: students demand it. If you are to pay tens of thousands of dol-
lars for your tuition, it is only natural to seek some impartial judgement on the quality of the
schools you are considering. Business schools themselves are slowly coming around to the idea
of rankings too. It is fair to say that at first they were antipathetic to them—after all, no one
really likes to be graded by outsiders—but now many recognise rankings as a legitimate tool for
prospective students. (Many have come to see the rankings as effective marketing tool as well.)
This is not to say that rankings are perfect. The rankings should form only part of a student’s
selection process. It is equally important to look at issues such as school culture, employment
prospects and areas of speciality. Although the Which MBA? rankings do not seek to measure a
school’s reputation, this can also be important.
To gain a rounded picture, it is essential to look at several different rankings. No two rankings
will seek to measure exactly the same things, so be sure you understand the methodology of
the survey and whether or not what is being measured is an important consideration for you.
How is the Economist Intelligence Unit ranking different?
The ethos behind our ranking is simple. For well over a decade the Economist Intelligence Unit
has been surveying students about why they decided to take an MBA. Four factors consistently
emerge:
● to open new career opportunities and/or further current career;
● personal development and educational experience;
● to increase salary;
● the potential to network
These are the basis of our ranking. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranks full-time programmes
on their ability to deliver to students the things that they themselves cite as most important.
It weights each element according to the average importance given to it by students surveyed
over the past five years. The criteria used to measure each of these four factors are detailed in
Table 8.8.
58
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
Other rankings
It is essential to look at several rankings when choosing a school and to understand the
methodologies behind them. There are countless rankings on the market, often concentrating on
a specific country or region. However, alongside the Economist Intelligence Unit’s, there are three
other major global rankings.
Business Week. This is probably the most influential ranking, especially in North America. It surveys
MBA graduates and MBA recruiters on a wide range of issues. Perhaps mindful of the Financial Times
(see below), it has introduced a measure of “intellectual capital”, which it describes as “a school’s
influence on the realm of ideas.” This makes up 10% of the ranking; the remaining 90% is split
between students and recruiters.
Top ranked schools (US): 1. Chicago; 2. Pennsylvania (Wharton); 3. Northwestern (Kellogg);
4. Harvard; 5. Michigan (Ross).
Top ranked schools (non-US): 1. Queen’s; 2. Western Ontario (Ivey); 3. Toronto (Rotman); 4. IMD;
5. London
Financial Times. This ranking is based on three main criteria: the career progression obtained from
the MBA (particularly its purchasing power in the marketplace); diversity of experience; and the
school’s research qualities.
Top ranked schools: 1. Pennsylvania (Wharton); 2. Columbia; 3= Harvard; 3= Stanford; 5. London
Wall Street Journal. This ranking is based on a survey of recruiters on their perceptions of the
attributes of schools and students.
Top ranked schools: 1. Dartmouth (Tuck); 2. Michigan (Ross); 3. Carnegie Mellon (Tepper);
4. Northwestern (Kellogg); 5. Pennsylvania (Wharton)
All MBA programme rankings depend on surveys of interested parties: the business schools;
the students or graduates; and recruiters. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranking follows this
pattern but differs from the rest in several important areas.
● More student-centric (continuing Which MBA?’s tradition of appealing to a student audi-
ence). It measures the way schools meet the demands students have of an MBA programme.
● All-embracing. It is based on detailed questionnaires completed by business schools and
around 20,000 current MBA students and graduates around the world. Key numerical data
(such as average GMAT scores) are combined with subjective views from students and gradu-
ates (such as their assessment of a business school’s faculty).
● Global. It allows direct comparison of MBA programmes around the world.
● Regional. It compares MBA programmes in three regions: North America; Europe; and Asia
and Australasia.
● Flexible. Programmes may be ranked in many ways, producing, for example, tables of the
top ten US or Asian and Australasian schools by GMAT score or the top ten US and European
schools by percentage of foreign students.
● Transparent. All the data used to rank schools are published as part of the school’s profile in
the directory section of this book.
Other rankings have some, but not all, of the above features.
59
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
How did we choose which schools to rank?
The Economist Intelligence Unit ranking of full-time MBA programmes was based on an initial
selection of 133 leading business schools around the world. All 133 schools were invited to
take part in our two-stage survey, which requires input from schools and the students/alumni
of each school. Of these, we were unable to rank 18 schools (see Table 8.1). The global top
100 schools were gleaned from the remaining 115. Schools outside the top 100 were given a
regional ranking only.
Table 8.1
Why schools could not be ranked
Failed to respond/unwilling to take part
Australian Graduate School of Management
Babson College—Franklin W Olin Graduate School of Business
University of Calgary—Haskayne School of Business
Concordia University—John Molson School of Business
EDHEC Business School
ENPC School of International Management
Helsinki School of Economics
Heriot-Watt University—Edinburgh Business School
Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris—MBA Sciences Po
Queen’s School of Business—Queen’s University
University of Toronto—Joseph L Rotman School of Management
University of Western Ontario—Richard Ivey School of Business
College of William & Mary—Mason School of Business
Insufficient data
EGADE—Tec de Monterrey
Georgetown University— McDonough School of Business
Royal Holloway School of Management—University of London
University of Southampton—School of Management
No full-time programme
Open University Business School
Given that 400 schools in the US have AACSB International accreditation and there are many
more that are not accredited, it could be argued that, with 59 North American schools, the
Economist Intelligence Unit ranking under-represents this important MBA market. However,
one of the main objectives of the survey is to provide global comparisons and it was limited
to leading schools throughout the world (so even schools at the bottom of our rankings are
among the world’s best). In common with all other rankings, there was an element of selectiv-
ity before the ranking process began.
60
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
Results
Rankings are little more than an indication of the MBA market at a particular time. They reflect
the prevailing conditions such as salaries, jobs available and the situation at a school at the
time the survey was carried out. Results of rankings can be notoriously volatile, so they should
be treated with caution. However, the Economist Intelligence Unit survey looks at data over a
three-year period, which helps provide a more rounded picture. Table 8.2 is a listing of schools
in rank order.
Table 8.2
Global ranking, 2008
Rank (2007
position in
brackets) School Country
1 (5) IMD—International Institute for Management Development Switzerland
2 (3) IESE Business School—University of Navarra Spain
3 (1) University of Chicago—Graduate School of Business US
4 (2) Stanford Graduate School of Business US
5 (4) Dartmouth College—Tuck School of Business US
6 (6) University of California at Berkeley—Haas School of Business US
7 (7) University of Cambridge—Judge Business School UK
8 (8) New York University—Leonard N Stern School of Business US
9 (15) London Business School UK
10 (9) IE Business School Spain
11 (22) Hong Kong University of Science and Technology—School of Business and Management Hong Kong
12 (13) Harvard Business School US
13 (11) Cranfield School of Management UK
14 (21) Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School Belgium
15 (24) York University—Schulich School of Business Canada
16 (14) Northwestern University—Kellogg School of Management US
17 (20) University of Pennsylvania—Wharton School US
18 (17) Massachusetts Institute of Technology—MIT Sloan School of Management US
19 (16) INSEAD France/Singapore
20 (10) Henley Management College UK
21 (18) Columbia Business School US
22 (12) University of Michigan—Stephen M Ross School of Business US
23 (27) Warwick Business School UK
24 (19) Ashridge UK
25 (23) University of Virginia—Darden Graduate School of Business Administration US
26 (n/a) Melbourne Business School—University of Melbourne Australia
27 (31) University of Oxford—Saïd Business School UK
28 (28) Cornell University—Johnson Graduate School of Management US
29 (29) Duke University—Fuqua School of Business US
30 (25) Yale School of Management US
31 (39) Hult International Business School US
61
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
Rank (2007
position in
brackets) School Country
32 (37) HEC School of Management, Paris France
33 (47) ESADE Business School Spain
34 (32) University of Notre Dame—Mendoza College of Business US
35 (33) Carnegie Mellon University—Tepper School of Business US
36 (26) University of Washington—Business School US
37 (35) International University of Monaco Monaco
38 (41) University of Southern California—Marshall School of Business US
39 (30) Emory University—Goizueta Business School US
40 (44) University College Dublin—Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business Ireland
41 (n/a) UCLA—Anderson School of Management US
42 (n/a) Indiana University—Kelley School of Business US
43 (34) Ohio State University—Fisher College of Business US
44 (n/a) Rice University—Jesse H Jones Graduate School of Management US
45 (58) Imperial College London—Tanaka Business School UK
46 (38) City University—Cass Business School UK
47 (43) Monash University Australia
48 (45) University of Texas at Austin—McCombs School of Business US
49 (42) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—Kenan-Flagler Business School US
50 (46) Rotterdam School of Management—Erasmus University Netherlands
51 (n/a) Mannheim Business School Germany
52 (50) Lancaster University Management School UK
53 (51) University of Maryland—Robert H Smith School of Business US
54 (48) University of Wisconsin-Madison—Graduate School of Business US
55 (56) University of Edinburgh Business School UK
56 (49) Washington University in St Louis—Olin School of Business US
57 (84) Macquarie Graduate School of Management Australia
58 (36) University of Hong Kong—School of Business Hong Kong
59 (60) Brandeis International Business School US
60 (57) Manchester Business School UK
61 (54) Aston Business School UK
62 (40) Pennsylvania State University—Smeal College of Business US
63 (65) University of Bath School of Management UK
64 (n/a) University of Minnesota—Carlson School of Management US
65 (59) University of Durham—Durham Business School UK
66 (55) Vanderbilt University—Owen Graduate School of Management US
67 (63) University of Birmingham—Birmingham Business School UK
68 (71) University of California at Davis—Graduate School of Management US
69 (78) Audencia School of Management Nantes France
70 (64) University of Strathclyde—Graduate School of Business UK
71 (74) Boston University School of Management US
72 (70) University of Pittsburgh—Joseph M Katz Graduate School of Business US
62
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
Rank (2007
position in
brackets) School Country
73 (91) Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
74 (66) E.M. Lyon France
75 (68) Purdue University—Krannert Graduate School of Management US
76 (61) University of Iowa—Henry B Tippie School of Management US
77 (52) Leeds University Business School UK
78 (75) University of Glasgow Business School UK
79 (98) Newcastle University Business School UK
80 (86) Bocconi University School of Management Italy
81 (72) Nanyang Technological University—Nanyang Business School Singapore
82 (77) International University of Japan—Graduate School of International Management Japan
83 (67) University of South Carolina—Moore School of Business US
84 (89) University of British Columbia—Sauder School of Business Canada
85 (81) Wake Forest University—Babcock Graduate School of Management US
86 (83) Southern Methodist University—Cox School of Business US
87 (69) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign—College of Business US
88 (82) University of Rochester—William E Simon Graduate School of Business US
89 (94) National University of Singapore—The NUS Business School Singapore
90 (73) TiasNimbas Business School Netherlands
91 (92) Indian Institute of Management—Ahmedabad India
92 (85) University of Georgia—Terry College of Business US
93 (62) Nottingham University Business School UK
94 (80) Curtin University Graduate School of Business Australia
95 (95) Temple University—Fox School of Business US
96 (n/a) Thunderbird School of Global Management US
97 (97) Universiteit Nyenrode—The Netherlands Business School Netherlands
98 (88) Sheffield University Management School UK
99 (93) Bradford School of Management UK
100 (n/a) McGill University—Faculty of Management Canada
Given the emphasis that full-time students put on schools’ careers services it is no surprise to
find that this is one of the strong points of most of the top schools in the ranking. It is per-
haps the area that receives the most vocal criticism from students when it does not meet their
high expectations, but when managed well it can set a school apart. At IMD, for example,
99% of students were in a job within three months of graduating, a fact that no doubt helped
the careers service receive a very high rating from students. It was a similar story at IESE and
Chicago, both of which score highly in the open new career opportunities category.
One reason that the top-rated schools have impressive careers statistics is that they are well-
resourced. However, it is also true that the students from the schools with the highest aca-
demic standard will automatically draw the attention of the best employers. What sets the
top-rated schools apart is that they do not rely merely on their reputation to place students,
but couple this with a tireless quest to bring the best employers to the school.
63
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
Bringing together the top companies and the brightest students inevitably leads to some
impressive salaries. European schools have recently had the upper hand when it comes to the
salaries of their graduates. This is partly because their students are generally older with more
work experience. However, despite a tough economic climate, many US schools have seen an
increase in the salaries of their graduates. Twelve schools now boast average salaries over
US$100,000, with Stanford leading North America at US$112,000.
But this is still well behind Europe’s tally of 21 schools. At IMD, for example, graduates can
expect to earn a basic salary of US$130,000. Even at some lower-ranking European schools,
such as Strathclyde or Audencia, students can expect to out-earn their more prestigious coun-
terparts at Stanford or Harvard.
Table 8.3
Top ten schools by category
Open new career Personal development Increase Potential
opportunities and educational salary to network
experience
1 Chicago Henley Ashridge Henley
2 Indian Institute (Ahmedabad) Monash Henley Thunderbird
3 Hong Kong UST Curtin HEC Paris Vlerick Leuven Gent
4 California at Berkeley (Haas) Bath IESE New York (Stern)
5 New York (Stern) Cambridge (Judge) Warwick HEC Paris
6 Dartmouth (Tuck) Hong Kong UST IMD IE
7 IE Melbourne Oxford (Saïd) Notre Dame (Mendoza)
8 IESE INSEAD Bath Cambridge (Judge)
9 Virginia (Darden) Hong Kong SB Hult E.M. Lyon
10 IMD York (Schulich) London Northwestern (Kellogg)
European schools also do well in the networking stakes, often because their alumni are more
international. IE, for example, has alumni associations in 49 countries. Even relatively young
European schools, such as Cambridge, already have an impressive reach across the world. In
contrast, many US schools’ alumni are yet to open a single overseas branch.
What the US schools are generally much better at, though, is keeping their alumni active once
they have left the programme. In this they are helped to some extent by having graduated
more MBAs each year for a longer time, meaning they have a bigger alumni base. But it is still
an impressive achievement to keep so many involved. Wharton, for example has over 80,000
active MBA alumni and Stern (New York) has over 50,000.
64
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
Regional round-up
North America
Despite some signs that the rest of the world is closing the gap, the US is still the world leader
in business education. Few schools outside the country can match the influence, reputation and
sheer size of the leading US schools, such as Chicago, Stanford, Harvard and Wharton. The best
schools have several advantages. For a start, their prestige is such that they can cherry-pick the
best students and faculty. The average GMAT score of a student at Stanford is 721. Wharton may
have over 200 faculty teaching on its MBA programme, but every one of them has a PhD; Chicago
is not far behind and can also boast several Nobel Prize winners among its faculty.
Table 8.4
North American schools by rank
Rank (2007
position in
brackets) School Country
1 (1) University of Chicago—Graduate School of Business US
2 (2) Stanford Graduate School of Business US
3 (3) Dartmouth College—Tuck School of Business US
4 (4) University of California at Berkeley—Haas School of Business US
5 (5) New York University—Leonard N Stern School of Business US
6 (7) Harvard Business School US
7 (13) York University—Schulich School of Business Canada
8 (11) University of Pennsylvania—Wharton School US
9 (8) Northwestern University—Kellogg School of Management US
10 (9) Massachusetts Institute of Technology—MIT Sloan School of Management US
11 (10) Columbia Business School US
12 (6) University of Michigan—Stephen M Ross School of Business US
13 (12) University of Virginia—Darden Graduate School of Business Administration US
14 (16) Cornell University—Johnson Graduate School of Management US
15 (17) Duke University—Fuqua School of Business US
16 (14) Yale School of Management US
17 (22) Hult International Business School US
18 (19) University of Notre Dame—Mendoza College of Business US
19 (20) Carnegie Mellon University—Tepper School of Business US
20 (15) University of Washington—School of Business US
21 (24) University of Southern California—Marshall School of Business US
22 (18) Emory University—Goizueta Business School US
23 (n/a) UCLA—Anderson School of Management US
24 (n/a) Indiana University—Kelley School of Business US
25 (21) Ohio State University—Fisher College of Business US
26 (n/a) Rice University—Jesse H Jones Graduate School of Management US
27 (26) University of Texas at Austin—McCombs School of Business US
28 (25) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—Kenan-Flagler Business School US
29 (29) University of Maryland—Robert H Smith School of Business US
65
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
Rank (2007
position in
brackets) School Country
30 (27) University of Wisconsin-Madison—Graduate School of Business US
31 (28) Washington University in St Louis—Olin School of Business US
32 (32) Brandeis International Business School US
33 (23) Pennsylvania State University—Smeal College of Business US
34 (n/a) University of Minnesota—Carlson School of Management US
35 (31) Vanderbilt University—Owen Graduate School of Management US
36 (38) University of California at Davis—Graduate School of Management US
37 (39) Boston University School of Management US
38 (37) University of Pittsburgh—Joseph M Katz Graduate School of Business US
39 (35) Purdue University—Krannert Graduate School of Management US
40 (33) University of Iowa—Henry B Tippie School of Management US
41 (34) University of South Carolina—Moore School of Business US
42 (45) University of British Columbia—Sauder School of Business Canada
43 (41) Wake Forest University—Babcock Graduate School of Management US
44 (43) Southern Methodist University—Cox School of Business US
45 (36) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign—College of Business US
46 (42) University of Rochester—William E Simon Graduate School of Business US
47 (44) University of Georgia—Terry College of Business US
48 (46) Temple University—Fox School of Business US
49 (49) Thunderbird School of Global Management US
50 (n/a) McGill University—Faculty of Management Canada
51 (40) University of Florida—Hough Graduate School of Business US
52 (47) Case Western Reserve University—Weatherhead School of Management US
53 (51) HEC Montréal Canada
54 (53) American University—Kogod School of Business US
55 (52) University of Arizona—Eller College of Management US
One of the reasons US schools maintain such high standards is that they have the economic
resources to do so. This is not just as a result of their size; it also reflects the tradition of alumni
donating large amounts of money to their alma mater. This is a peculiarly North American phe-
nomenon. For example, Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, recently bequeathed his old school,
Stanford, US$105m, with which it is building new facilities and has completely revamped its
curriculum. In total, Stanford has US$835m in endowments on which it can draw. But even this
is dwarfed by the US$2.3bn that Harvard has in its coffers.
Europe
Such huge bequests are rarely found in Europe. Indeed, when million-dollar gifts are given
they often come from American alumni of European schools, as happened when Gary Tanaka
donated £25m (US$50m) to Imperial College’s business school. But that is not to say that they
don’t have their own, unique advantages. First among these is an unparalleled internation-
alism, among the student body, the faculty and the curriculum. This can make the European
MBA an exciting cultural experience. IMD, which heads the overall ranking of business schools
for the first time, is a shining example of this. Around a quarter of students come from North
66
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
America, with a further quarter from Asia or Australasia. In all, 97% of its students and 100%
of its faculty are foreign.
Furthermore, European programmes are generally shorter and the students older and with
more work experience. If the mantra is that you should learn as much from your cohort as your
professors, then this makes many European schools very appealing. Ashridge students, for
example, might not be able to hold a candle to their prestigious American counterparts when
it comes to GMAT scores, but they do boast an average of 12 years’ business experience, three
times that of Harvard.
Table 8.5
European schools by rank
Rank (2007
position in
brackets) School Country
1 (2) IMD—International Institute for Management Development Switzerland
2 (1) IESE Business School—University of Navarra Spain
3 (3) University of Cambridge—Judge Business School UK
4 (7) London Business School UK
5 (4) IE Business School Spain
6 (6) Cranfield School of Management UK
7 (10) Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School Belgium
8 (8) INSEAD France
9 (5) Henley Management College UK
10 (11) Warwick Business School UK
11 (9) Ashridge UK
12 (12) University of Oxford—Saïd Business School UK
13 (14) HEC School of Management, Paris France
14 (18) ESADE Business School Spain
15 (13) International University of Monaco Monaco
16 (16) University College Dublin—Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business Ireland
17 (24) Imperial College London—Tanaka Business School UK
18 (15) City University—Cass Business School UK
19 (17) Rotterdam School of Management—Erasmus University Netherlands
20 (n/a) Mannheim Business School Germany
21 (19) Lancaster University Management School UK
22 (22) University of Edinburgh Business School UK
23 (23) Manchester Business School UK
24 (21) Aston Business School UK
25 (29) University of Bath School of Management UK
26 (25) University of Durham—Durham Business School UK
27 (27) University of Birmingham—Birmingham Business School UK
28 (34) Audencia School of Management Nantes France
29 (28) University of Strathclyde—Graduate School of Business UK
30 (30) E.M. Lyon France
31 (20) Leeds University Business School UK
67
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
Rank (2007
position in
brackets) School Country
32 (32) University of Glasgow Business School UK
33 (40) Newcastle University Business School UK
34 (35) Bocconi University School of Management Italy
35 (31) TiasNimbas Business School Netherlands
36 (26) Nottingham University Business School UK
37 (39) Universiteit Nyenrode—The Netherlands Business School Netherlands
38 (37) Sheffield University Management School UK
39 (38) Bradford School of Management UK
40 (n/a) University of Dublin—Trinity College—School of Business Ireland
41 (36) EADA—Escuela de Alta Dirección y Administración Spain
42 (44) Grenoble Ecole de Management—Graduate School of Business France
43 (42) Solvay Business School—Université Libre de Bruxelles Belgium
The UK is the hub of the European MBA market, with more top-ranked schools than the rest of
Europe put together. Spain has a handful of high-quality schools, including IESE, second in the
European ranking. France, too, is a significant player. One country that is still lagging behind
in western Europe is, perhaps surprisingly, Germany—its largest economy. Until recently, the
MBA in that country did not have the visibility it had elsewhere. However, that is changing
slowly and some good schools are emerging. This year, for the first time, we have included a
German school, Mannheim, which ranks 20th in Europe.
One thing that may accelerate this process, and indeed will have a profound effect on all Euro-
pean business education over the next few years, will be the Bologna Process (see box on page
40), which will standardise higher education across the continent and is likely to lead to an
explosion of new master’s level management programmes.
Asia and Australasia
The MBA market in Asia is growing in terms of both size and, among the top schools at least,
quality. Heavy investment in programmes is bringing the levels up to western standards—
something that could not have been claimed a few years ago. At the top-ranked Asian school,
the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, for example, there are 51 full-time facul-
ty teaching on the MBA programme, all of whom have PhDs. Facilities are often excellent and,
with easy access to markets such as China, employment prospects for students from the top
schools are burgeoning.
Table 8.6
Asian and Australasian schools by rank
Rank (2007
position in
brackets) School Country
1 (1) Hong Kong University of Science and Technology—School of Business and Management Hong Kong
2 (n/a) Melbourne Business School—University of Melbourne Australia
3 (3) Monash University Australia
4 (7) Macquarie Graduate School of Management Australia
5 (2) University of Hong Kong—School of Business Hong Kong
68
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
Rank (2007
position in
brackets) School Country
6 (9) Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
7 (4) Nanyang Technological University—Nanyang Business School Singapore
8 (5) International University of Japan—Graduate School of International Management Japan
9 (11) National University of Singapore—The NUS Business School Singapore
10 (6) Curtin University Graduate School of Business Australia
11 (10) Indian Institute of Management—Ahmedabad India
12 (8) China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) China
13 (n/a) University of Queensland—Business School Australia
14 (12) University of Otago—School of Business New Zealand
However, the increasing interest in Asian business education is a boon and a potential stum-
bling block. The sheer number of programmes that are setting up, particularly in China but also
in India, could see resources stretched in the coming years. In particular, there is a concern
about whether there are enough top-quality faculty to service such a large number of schools.
Questions will also be asked about the academic rigour of such programmes. This is where the
international accrediting bodies, such as AACSB International, AMBA and EQUIS, will have a
huge part to play. (The China Europe International Business School, for example, has EQUIS
accreditation.) It may also encourage more western schools to set up a campus in the region,
such as INSEAD has done in Singapore and Northwestern (Kellogg) in Hong Kong.
Methodology: full-time MBA ranking
To qualify for inclusion in the Economist Intelligence Unit rankings, the schools with full-time
MBA programmes that responded to our survey had to meet various thresholds of data pro-
vision, as well as attain a minimum number of responses to a survey gauging the opinion of
current students and alumni who graduated within the last three years. These were set as a
proportion of the annual intake of students to the programme as shown in Table 8.7.
Table 8.7
Proportion of responses required from students and recent graduates
Student intake Minimum responses required
Up to 43 10
44–200 25% of intake
More than 200 50
Data were collected during spring 2008 using two web-based questionnaires, one for business
schools and one for students and recent graduates. Schools distributed the web address of the
latter questionnaire to their own students and graduates. Around 20,000 students and gradu-
ates participated. All data received from schools were subject to verification checks, including,
where possible, comparison with historical data, peer schools and other published sources.
Student and graduate questionnaires were audited for multiple or false entries.
Memory has been built into the rankings by taking a weighted average of 2008 (50%), 2007
69
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
(30%) and 2006 (20%) data to provide a rounded picture of the school. Sudden movements in
data, which might not produce an immediate increase in quality, are thus reflected gradually,
much as the improvement would affect students.
Table 8.8 summarises the measures used to calculate the rankings together with their respec-
tive weightings. Student and alumni ratings make up 20% of the total ranking and 80% is
based on data provided by schools. The statistical methodology adopted for the ranking gives
each business school a unique score (known to statisticians as a z-score). Unlike some other
rankings, the Economist Intelligence Unit does not include any “equal” schools (for example,
four schools ranked equal sixth followed by one ranked tenth). However, it should be noted
that differences between some schools might be very slight.
Table 8.8
Summary of ranking criteria and weightings
a
Measure Indicators Weighting as
percentage
of category
A. Open new career opportunities (35%)
1. Diversity of recruiters Number of industry sectors 25.00
2. Assessment of careers services Percentage of graduates in jobs three months after graduation 25.00
3. Jobs found through the careers service Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers service 25.00
4. Student assessment Meeting expectations and needs 25.00
B. Personal development/education experience (35%)
1. Faculty quality Ratio of faculty to students
b
5.00
Percentage of faculty with PhD (full-time only) 10.00
Faculty rating by students 10.00
2. Student quality Average GMAT score 12.50
Average length of work experience 12.50
3. Student diversity Percentage of foreign students 8.33
Percentage of women students
c
8.33
Student rating of culture and classmates 8.33
4. Education experience Student rating of programme content and range of electives 6.25
Range of overseas exchange programmes 6.25
Number of languages on offer 6.25
Student assessment of facilities and other services 6.25
C. Increase salary (20%)
1. How much did your salary increase Salary change from pre-MBA to post-MBA (excluding bonuses) 25.00
after graduating
2. Leaving salary Post-MBA salary (excluding bonuses) 75.00
D. Potential to network (10%)
1. Breadth of alumni network Ratio of registered alumni to current students 33.33
2. Internationalism of alumni Number of countries with an official alumni branch 33.33
3. Alumni effectiveness Student assessment of alumni network 33.33
a
A minimum threshold of data was required for each category. Weightings for schools meeting the category threshold but not providing all data were
distributed evenly within the category.
b
Only faculty teaching on the full-time MBA programme were included. Faculty were weighted as follows: full-time
100%; part-time 50%; visiting 25%.
c
Variance from 50%.
70
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
It is essential that all rankings are open and transparent about data collection and the prob-
lems encountered. This ensures that students and business schools can interpret the results
correctly and take account of the caveats that inevitably surround such undertakings. Below
are some of the important considerations that should be observed in using the data and rank-
ing numbers in each of the four main categories surveyed.
Open new career opportunities
To gauge the effectiveness with which a school was able to open new career opportunities for
graduating students, this category measured the diversity of recruiters (by number of industry
sectors); the percentage of graduates in jobs three months after graduation; the percentage of
graduates finding jobs through the careers service; and students’ reports on whether a school’s
careers services department met their needs and expectations.
Ideally, we would also have liked to include a measure the volume of recruiters that visit a
school, but it has been difficult to come up with a suitable and acceptable way of doing this.
In particular, many of the business schools surveyed are members of the US-based MBA Career
Services Council (CSC), a body founded in 1994 with the purpose, among other things, of
developing and promoting standard and ethical operating procedures, including the report-
ing of salary and employment data. The CSC does not regard the number of companies either
recruiting on campus or contacting a business school as a good indicator of careers services
and advises against schools revealing such data. One business school in the US said that,
according to the CSC:
● It should not be perceived as negative if a student is able to obtain a job with a company
that does not come on campus.
● To be a good measurement, there should be a way to count recruiters accurately and com-
pare schools fairly. Differentiating between companies and their various divisions, business-
es or locations can be complicated. For example, should different GE businesses be counted
as one or more than one?
● Some careers services offices support undergraduate as well as MBA students and therefore
may automatically have access to more companies.
Personal development and educational experience
This category measured factors such as the ratio of faculty to students, the percentage of fac-
ulty with a PhD, the percentage of foreign and women students, and students’ perceptions of
the quality of their programme and of their school’s facilities and other services. Much of this
information was simple to collect and analyse.
One factor included was average GMAT scores. Not every business school requires the GMAT
(although most do), and where this was the case the GMAT score weighting was redistributed
within the category.
Increase salary
The Economist Intelligence Unit does not assign as great an importance to salary as some
other rankings do, but it is obviously a significant indicator. Our survey attempts to measure
the increase in remuneration delivered by an MBA as well as the absolute salary level at grad-
uation. Schools were asked to provide both the average salary of incoming students and the
average salary they received after graduation. A number of schools were unable to provide all
71
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Chapter 8
Full-time rankings
Part 2
this information, and in these cases the Economist Intelligence Unit has included an estimate
based on our survey of students, our own research and other published data.
Potential to network
This category measures the extent to which students benefit from a business school’s network
of alumni. It does this by measuring the ratio of alumni to current students and the number
of countries in which it has an alumni branch or chapter, and students’ and graduates’ own
assessment of how their school performed in this area.
Data from North American schools were widely available. Some schools outside that region,
however, had few or little-developed alumni branches, although almost all said they were
actively working to develop their alumni network and many had set up additional branches
since last year. Where there were no overseas alumni branches schools were rated at zero,
which will have affected their ranking position.
73
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Using the directory
The directory contains profiles of the most prominent MBA programmes (full-time, part-time,
executive and distance learning) offered by the business schools that were invited to partici-
pate in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s ranking. It is therefore not a comprehensive listing
and the absence of a particular school or programme implies nothing about its quality. Details
of the criteria used to select schools for the ranking are detailed in Chapter 8.
Schools are listed alphabetically by parent university (if applicable).
Ranking table
The EIU’s global and regional rankings of a school’s full-time programme are detailed in the
ranking table at the beginning of the profile. Schools in the top 100 have been given a global
rank. Schools outside the top 100 have been given only a regional rank.
The ranking is made up of four categories: open new career opportunities; personal develop-
ment and educational experience; increase in salary; and potential to network. How a school
ranks in each is given in the ranking table. Additionally, each of the categories is made up of
individual criteria (such as student assessment of careers services, faculty quality and so on).
Individual rankings for each criterion can also be found in the table.
Where a school is ranked outside the top 100 for a particular category or criterion it is shown as
“>100”. For a fuller explanation of the criteria see Chapter 8.
Other tables
In addition to the rankings, school profiles contain standard tables such as faculty, students,
recruiters and costs. Where possible these give a matrix of information, allowing you to com-
pare the different programmes offered by a school. For example, it is possible to compare the
average number of months’ work experience of students on full-time, part-time or executive
programmes.
Where data in a table is a ranking criterion, the ranking figure is shown in brackets.
Please note that the ranking is based on a three-year average, whereas the individual fig-
ures shown are the latest available. This will explain any apparent discrepancies whereby, for
ex ample, schools with the same GMAT score are ranked differently.
Strengths and weaknesses
Each school profile gives a list of a school’s particular strengths and weaknesses. Strengths
are those cited by the schools themselves as their areas of expertise. Weaknesses have been
gleaned from the student survey undertaken for Which MBA? 2008. For this reason it is impor-
tant to remember that weaknesses are only relative to a particular programme. For example, if
students cite marketing classes as an area of weakness, this is because they believe these have
fallen below the standards of other courses at the school. It does not mean that the school’s
marketing output will be poorer than at other schools.
74
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Using the directory
Part 2
Student/alumni quotes
These have been selected from comments made by students when completing our question-
naire. We have tried to make them as representative as possible.
Note on tables
In this directory:
“–” means that data were not provided by the school
“n/a” means the data are not applicable
75
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Directory
List of schools
Part 2
List of schools
American University—Kogod School of Business 80
University of Arizona—Eller College of Management 82
Ashridge 84
Aston Business School 86
Audencia School of Management Nantes 88
University of Bath School of Management 90
University of Birmingham—Birmingham Business School 92
Bocconi University School of Management 94
Boston University School of Management 96
Bradford School of Management 98
Brandeis International Business School 100
University of British Columbia—Sauder School of Business 102
University of California at Berkeley—Haas School of Business 104
University of California at Davis—Graduate School of Management 106
University of Cambridge—Judge Business School 108
University of Cape Town—Graduate School of Business 110
Carnegie Mellon University—Tepper School of Business 112
Case Western Reserve University—Weatherhead School of Management 114
University of Chicago—Graduate School of Business 116
China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) 118
Chinese University of Hong Kong 120
City University—Cass Business School 122
Columbia Business School 124
Cornell University—Johnson Graduate School of Management 126
Cranfield School of Management 128
Curtin University Graduate School of Business 130
Dartmouth College—Tuck School of Business 132
University of Dublin—Trinity College—School of Business 134
Duke University—Fuqua School of Business 136
University of Durham—Durham Business School 138
EADA—Escuela de Alta Dirección y Administración 140
University of Edinburgh Business School 142
EGADE—Tec de Monterrey 144
Emory University—Goizueta Business School 146
76
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Directory
List of schools
Part 2
ESADE Business School 148
University of Florida—Hough Graduate School of Business 150
Georgetown University—Robert Emmet McDonough School of Business 152
University of Georgia—Terry College of Business 154
University of Glasgow Business School 156
Grenoble Ecole de Management—Graduate School of Business 158
Harvard Business School 160
HEC Montréal 162
HEC School of Management, Paris 164
Henley Management College 166
University of Hong Kong—School of Business 168
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology—School of Business and Management 170
Hult International Business School 172
IE Business School 174
IESE Business School—University of Navarra 176
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign—College of Business 178
IMD—International Institute for Management Development 180
Imperial College London—Tanaka Business School 182
Indian Institute of Management—Ahmedabad 184
Indiana University—Kelley School of Business 186
INSEAD 188
University of Iowa—Henry B Tippie School of Management 190
International University of Japan—Graduate School of International Management 192
Lancaster University Management School 194
Leeds University Business School 196
London Business School 198
E.M. Lyon 200
McGill University—Desautels Faculty of Management 202
Macquarie Graduate School of Management 204
Manchester Business School 206
Mannheim Business School 208
University of Maryland—Robert H Smith School of Business 210
Massachusetts Institute of Technology—MIT Sloan School of Management 212
Melbourne Business School—University of Melbourne 214
University of Michigan—Stephen M Ross School of Business 216
77
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Directory
List of schools
Part 2
University of Minnesota—Carlson School of Management 218
International University of Monaco 220
Monash University—Graduate School of Business 222
Nanyang Technological University—Nanyang Business School 224
Newcastle University Business School 226
New York University—Leonard N Stern School of Business 228
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—Kenan-Flagler Business School 230
Northwestern University—Kellogg School of Management 232
Norwegian School of Management BI 234
University of Notre Dame—Mendoza College of Business 236
Nottingham University Business School 238
Universiteit Nyenrode—The Netherlands Business School 240
Ohio State University—Fisher College of Business 242
Open University Business School 244
University of Otago—School of Business 246
University of Oxford—Saïd Business School 248
Pennsylvania State University—Smeal College of Business 250
University of Pennsylvania—Wharton School 252
University of Pittsburgh—Joseph M Katz Graduate School of Business 254
Purdue University—Krannert Graduate School of Management 256
University of Queensland—Business School 258
Rice University—Jesse H Jones Graduate School of Management 260
University of Rochester—William E Simon Graduate School of Business 262
Rotterdam School of Management—Erasmus University 264
Royal Holloway School of Management—University of London 266
Sheffield University Management School 268
National University of Singapore—The NUS Business School 270
Solvay Business School—Université Libre de Bruxelles 272
University of Southampton—School of Management 274
University of South Carolina—Moore School of Business 276
University of Southern California—Marshall School of Business 278
Southern Methodist University—Cox School of Business 280
Stanford Graduate School of Business 282
University of Strathclyde—Graduate School of Business 284
Temple University—Fox School of Business 286
78
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Directory
List of schools
Part 2
University of Texas at Austin—McCombs School of Business 288
Thunderbird School of Global Management 290
TiasNimbas Business School 292
University College Dublin—Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business 294
UCLA—Anderson School of Management 296
Vanderbilt University—Owen Graduate School of Management 298
University of Virginia—Darden Graduate School of Business Administration 300
Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School 302
Wake Forest University—Babcock Graduate School of Management 304
Warwick Business School 306
University of Washington—Business School 308
Washington University in St Louis—Olin School of Business 310
University of Wisconsin-Madison—Graduate School of Business 312
University of the Witwatersrand—Wits Business School 314
Yale School of Management 316
York University—Schulich School of Business 318
80
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
4400 Massachusetts
Ave NW
Washington, DC
US
20016
Tel:
+1 202 885 1930
Fax:
+1 202 885 1869
E-mail:
kogodmba@american.
edu
Website:
kogod.american.
edu/mba
Programme director:
Lawrence Ward
Figures in brackets
represent rank
American University—Kogod School of
Business
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 54
Background
The Kogod School of Business dates from 1955 and was the first business school in Washington, DC. It
teaches undergraduate and graduate students and is fairly small—about 700 undergraduate and 400
postgraduate students—and has a high percentage of women. The school is closely integrated with the
university as a whole and stresses both its global perspective and, especially, its technological focus,
notably through the Center for Information Technology and the Global Economy. In addition to access
to Washington policymakers, the school has excellent links with business. The greater Washington area
is a high-tech corridor and executives are a regular presence on campus, both as guest speakers and as
executives in residence.
Facilities
Kogod has its own building at the centre of American University’s large campus, equipped with wireless
network (as is the whole AU campus), web terminals, classrooms, student lounges and meeting rooms.
There is no on-campus housing but the university has an apartment building for students. The Kogod
building is being connected to an existing classroom structure, which will be renovated, adding seven
classrooms, a student lounge, a financial services and information technology lab, a careers manage-
ment centre, and seminar and breakout rooms. Construction should be completed by autumn 2008.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.9 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 54 full-time
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.3 (n/a) 2.2
Percentage of faculty with PhD – –
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
Kogod’s two-year full-time MBA starts with a required orientation followed by 13 core courses. Instead
of grouping electives into concentrations, the school offers 11 market-oriented career tracks in areas
such as accounting, consulting, corporate finance and real estate. Students can also work with faculty
to design their own programme of study. Students take up to two career tracks. Waivers are available
and some electives may be taken in other parts of the university or at one of 15 other universities in the
Washington, DC, area.
The part-time MBA is exactly the same as the full-time version and it is possible to switch between
the two. There is considerable flexibility but students usually take two courses at a time. Classes are
held in the evening, Monday-Thursday.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 0 (n/a) –
81
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
American University—Kogod School of Business
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 42 25
Applicants:places 7:1 5:1
Percentage of women students 43 (n/a) 52
Percentage of foreign students 31 (n/a) 3
Average GMAT score 570 (n/a) 550
Average number of months’ work experience 42 (n/a) 60
Age range of students 24-29 24-35
Average age 27 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.8 (n/a) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 4 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 98 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 60 (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 74,714 (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary 52 (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Deloitte, Bearing Point, Freddie Mac –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees US$75 US$75
Programme fees US$28,226 US$1,079
Comments – Per credit
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$20,000 –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$20,000 –
Financial aid available US$20,500 –
Type of aid available Stafford Loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline May 1st May 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 22 months Aug start, 33 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“I enjoyed the
interaction with the
professors that you
really only get at a small
school.”
“We should get more
respect from recruiters
than we do.“
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance, real
estate, marketing
Weakness: recognition
among employers
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL;
references; essays
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; references;
essays; interview
82
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
1130 E. Helen Street
PO Box 210108
McClelland Hall, Rm 210
Tucson, AZ
US
85721-0108
Tel:
+1 520 621 5099
Fax:
+1 520 621 2606
E-mail:
mba_admissions@eller.
arizona.edu
Website:
www.mba.eller.arizona.
edu
Programme director:
Trina M Callie
Figures in brackets
represent rank
University of Arizona—Eller College of
Management
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 55
Background
The University of Arizona started offering a bachelor of commerce degree in 1913. The College of
Management was named after Karl Eller, an alumnus and Arizona entrepreneur, in 2004. It is a large,
full-range college teaching more than 4,500 undergraduate and 600 graduate students. The MBA pro-
grammes are small by US standards. The college has good links with the local business community and
has a strong tradition of entrepreneurship, action learning, social entrepreneurship, and community
and social outreach.
Facilities
The college is based in McClelland Hall, a large four-storey building on the university campus opened in
1992. The US$19m building is built around an open courtyard and houses classrooms, student areas,
computer laboratories, research centres, and faculty and administrative offices.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (n/a) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 30 full-time, 1 part-time
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (n/a) 0.6 0.4
Percentage of faculty with PhD 93 (n/a) 93 93
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (n/a) – –
Programme highlights
Eller’s two-year full-time MBA core includes required courses in leadership, communications and per-
sonal development and emphasises experiential learning, team work and in-company projects. The sec-
ond year is given over to electives, which can be taken broadly or grouped into a concentration.
The unusually short two-year evening part-time MBA programme is similar to the full-time pro-
gramme. Classes are held once a week on Thursday during three 16-week trimesters for a lengthy six
hours—4pm–10pm (though that includes dinner) with some residential sessions and an international
study tour. The programme is offered on campus and in Tucson.
Eller’s Executive MBA is even briefer, lasting just 14 months. There are two one-week residential
seminars followed by traditional Friday and Saturday sessions every other week, plus a 10-day inter-
national study tour.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (n/a) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 96 (n/a) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (n/a) – –
83
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Arizona—Eller College of Management
Students
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 64 52 76
Applicants:places 3:1 2:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 20 (n/a) 40 41
Percentage of foreign students 27 (n/a) 2 1
Average GMAT score 603 (n/a) 604 n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 36 (n/a) 54 156
Age range of students 22-30 24-35 28-46
Average age 25 29 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.8 (n/a) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 80 (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 52 (n/a) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (n/a) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 75,003 (n/a) – –
Percentage increase in salary 74 (n/a) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Emerson Network Power, – –
Intel Corporation, FedEx
Cost
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$50 US$50 US$50
Programme fees US$28,469 US$38,500 US$50,000
Comments Per year for non-Arizona residents – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$7,000 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$7,000 – –
Financial aid available n/a – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline April 15th October 1st May 15th
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Feb start, 18 months Aug start, 14 months
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“A focused and tightly
knit MBA programme,
with a reputable
specialisation in MIS.”
“Location of the school
makes it challenging
to attract a lot of
recruiters.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
entrepreneurship,
management
information systems,
finance
Weakness: location
can limit recruitment
options
First degree; at least
3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references;
2 essays; interview;
transcripts and financial
guarantee
First degree; at
least 7 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references;
2 essays; interview;
laptop
First degree; at least
2 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; references;
2 essays; transcripts and
financial guarantee
84
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
Berkhamsted
UK
HP4 1NS
Tel:
+44 1442 841 143
Fax:
+44 1442 841 144
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.ashridge.org.
uk/mba
Programme director:
Dr Patricia Hind
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Ashridge
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 24
Regional rank 11
Background
The MBA has traditionally been a small part of Ashridge’s activities, concentrating instead on executive
education and consulting. However, in recent years, the one-year MBA for self-sponsored students has
undergone significant changes which, together with marketing efforts, have brought it much more into the
European mainstream. The school has an international focus and emphasises an action learning approach.
Facilities
Ashridge has a unique and beautiful campus—150 acres of parkland centred on a 19th-century neo-
Gothic stately home (although the original site dates back to the 13th century), and the facilities are
very good. The Learning Resource Centre is open 24-hours-a-day. There are excellent computer and
video facilities (although participants are encouraged to bring their own computers) and a language
laboratory. On-campus accommodation (generally for EMBA students) is available in self-contained
study/bedrooms though many opt for local flats or hotels. There is a good restaurant and bar, a fitness
centre and ample sports facilities.
Full-time MBA Part-time executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.7 (45) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 43 full-time
Full-time MBA Part-time executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.7 (10) 1.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 60 (>100) 60
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (94) –
Programme highlights
Ashridge’s one-year full-time MBA programme is divided into four stages: the fundamentals (people,
performance, processes), integration (global environment, organisational life-cycle, business in
society, creating value, leading change), an in-company project and a final elective stage. Electives
are focused on market areas such as e-business or specialist areas such as project management.
Students can develop their own electives in consultation with faculty. Workshops on careers and
personal development run throughout the programme.
The two-year Executive MBA is designed for sponsored students. The programme has six main
themes—maximising human potential, shaping strategic direction, managing business finances, devel-
oping operational capability, leveraging information systems and building market focus—and involves
12 residential modules (of about one week each) over two years plus a project (normally in a student’s
own organisation) and an international study trip.
Full-time MBA Part-time executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (97) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (59) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (74) –
Open new career opportunities >100
Diversity of recruiters 92
Number in jobs three months after graduation 93
Jobs found through the careers service 97
Student assessment of careers service 71
Personal development/educational experience 55
Faculty quality >100
Student quality 9
Student diversity 47
Education experience 85
Increase in salary 1
Increase in salary 17
Post-MBA salary 1
Potential to network 93
Breadth of alumni network 75
Internationalism of alumni 86
Alumni effectiveness 77
85
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ashridge
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time executive MBA
Annual intake 26 29
Applicants:places 3:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 38 (38) 24
Percentage of foreign students 73 (51) 14
Average GMAT score 565 (94) 570
Average number of months’ work experience 144 (2) 168
Age range of students 29-45 29-43
Average age 35 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (65) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (92) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 80 (93) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 26 (97) –
Student rating of careers service 4.2 (71) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 209,000 (1) –
Percentage increase in salary 105 (17) –
Principal recruiters of graduates DHL, Standard Bank, RTL –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time executive MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees £29,500 (US$59,000) £28,850 (US$57,700)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £8,500 (US$17,000) –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available Bursary –
Criteria on which aid is granted Three categories: women in
leadership, emerging markets
and not-for-profit-sector –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time executive MBA
Application deadline December 31st August 31st
Programme dates Jan start, 12 months Sep start, 27 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“A very strong sense of
community—peers and
faculty all extremely
supportive and keen to
help each other maximise
performance.”
“Alumni network
has limited visibility
internationally”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
leadership, corporate
responsibility, strategy
Weakness: limited
alumni network
At least 5 years’ work
experience; GMAT; TOEFL;
references; essays
At least 5 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; essays;
interview
86
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
UK
B4 7ET
Tel:
+44 121 204 3325
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.abs.aston.ac.uk/
newweb/programmes/
mba/
Programme director:
Dr G H Griffiths
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Aston Business School
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 61
Regional rank 24
Background
Aston has grown rapidly in recent years and is among the largest business schools in Europe with
2,500 undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education students. It has strong contacts with
business, both in the Midlands area and internationally—there are faculty and student exchanges with
institutions in 11 countries. It also has a good reputation for research. The university’s 40-acre campus
is based in the centre of Birmingham, which has a full range of cultural and leisure activities. Accom-
modation is generally on campus.
Facilities
The business school has on-campus teaching facilities in the main university building and in the Nelson
building. There is a purpose-built postgraduate suite, which, as well as teaching and syndicate rooms,
contains 24-hour computer workshops and a recreation lounge. In 2006 Aston opened a £22m exten-
sion for its dedicated MBA facilities, including lecture theatres, breakout and seminar rooms, an MBA
base room and MBA coffee lounge. Sports and leisure amenities are available on campus.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA MBA (Distance Learning)
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (39) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 42 full-time, 1 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA MBA (Distance Learning)
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (57) 0.7 –
Percentage of faculty with PhD 95 (60) 95 95
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (64) – –
Programme highlights
The content of the Aston MBA is identical whichever delivery route is chosen.
Aston’s one-year full-time MBA consists of three ten-week terms. There are 12 taught modules: ten
core and two elective and an in-company project. The programme includes a one-week study visit to an
overseas business school.
In the 21-month part-time programme, students generally study one or two modules each term and
the project can take around six months. They can attend classes for one day or one or two evenings a
week. Part-time students can start the programme in January, April or October.
Taking the degree by distance learning (only available in Europe) involves a minimum of 21 months’
study as well as a project. Students receive DVDs of lectures as delivered to students on campus—plus
pdf copies of all handouts and notes. There are also e-mail, fax and telephone support and local self-
help groups. Students attend Aston for two days per term for face-to-face seminars. The programme
starts in January, April or October.
Open new career opportunities 61
Diversity of recruiters 44
Number in jobs three months after graduation 76
Jobs found through the careers service 81
Student assessment of careers service 48
Personal development/educational experience 35
Faculty quality 72
Student quality 59
Student diversity 1
Education experience 97
Increase in salary 63
Increase in salary 83
Post-MBA salary 47
Potential to network >100
Breadth of alumni network 69
Internationalism of alumni 70
Alumni effectiveness >100
87
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Aston Business School
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA MBA
(Distance Learning)
Student rating of programme 4.0 (73) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 25 (49) – –
Number of languages on offer 0 (96) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA MBA
(Distance Learning)
Annual intake 67 65 –
Applicants:places 6:1 3:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 48 (1) 34 42
Percentage of foreign students 96 (4) 6 11
Average GMAT score 620 (72) 620 620
Average number of months’ work experience 78 (29) 108 84
Age range of students 25-41 26-46 25-49
Average age 28 32 31
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.6 (>100) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA MBA
(Distance Learning)
Number of industry sectors 8 (44) – –
that recruited graduates
Percentage of graduates in jobs 89 (76) – –
3 months after graduation
Percentage of graduates finding 50 (81) – –
jobs through careers services
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (48) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 97,040 (47) – –
Percentage increase in salary 70 (83) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates KPMG, BP, Eli Lilley – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA MBA (Distance Learning)
Application fees – – –
Programme fees £19,950 (US$39,900) £14,550 (US$29,100) £14,550 (US$29,100)
Comments – – –
Accommodation costs £4,000 (US$8,000) – –
(on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs £4,300 (US$8,600) – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available £150,000 (US$300,000) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA MBA (Distance Learning)
Application deadline July 30th August 31st August 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Sep start, 12 months Sep start, 12 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“It has a very
international focus and
the teaching methods are
very practice oriented.”
“Alumni network needs
to improve.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: marketing,
finance, leadership
Weakness: alumni
network
First degree; at
least 4 years’
work experience;
references; essays
First degree; at least
4 years’ work experience;
2 references
First degree; at least
4 years’ work
experience;
2 references
88
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
8 route de la Jonelière
BP31222
Nantes cedex 3
France
44312
Tel:
+33 2 4037 4530
Fax:
+33 2 4037 3407
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.audencia.com
Programme director:
Valérie Claude-Gaudillat
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Audencia School of Management Nantes
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 69
Regional rank 28
Background
Audencia is a French grande école with a strong regional and national reputation. It is also determined
to be a major international player in the MBA market and has developed significantly in recent years,
hiring international faculty (who must demonstrate their ability to teach in English) and generally pro-
moting itself outside France. It has 90 international partnership agreements with schools and univer-
sities in 40 countries. Relationships with business are also good. The atmosphere on campus is friendly
and relaxed and there is an excellent ratio of faculty to students.
Facilities
The MBA programme is housed in Audencia’s large main building (with about 2,000 students in all) on
a modern campus less than 15 minutes from the centre of Nantes. The MBA and EMBA have their own
facilities including a study room with Internet access and a dedicated lecture space, but otherwise mix
with other students. The school has seven lecture theatres and 80 classrooms all connected to its inter-
nal TV system. All students (including MBAs) are required to undertake two hours of sports every week.
Housing in Nantes is expensive.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Euro*MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (46) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 18 full-time, 9 part-time, 15 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Euro*MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.3 (14) 2.0 –
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (17) 100 –
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (50) – –
Programme highlights
Audencia’s International MBA is a typical one-year European programme with a strong core of 12 courses,
business simulations, four electives (from 15 offered) geared towards business development, concluding
with a four-month project that can be either an academic thesis, a consulting project, an entrepreneurial
project, or an internship. Students are chosen on the basis of their work experience (averaging ten years,
though three is the minimum) and as a result are rather older than average. The programme is taught
entirely in English and the relatively small size allows for good interaction with faculty.
Audencia also offers a French-language part-time Executive MBA and corporate MBA programmes,
and is a member of the Euro*MBA consortium.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Euro*MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (71) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 20 (11) – –
Number of languages on offer 1 (100) – –
Open new career opportunities 89
Diversity of recruiters 89
Number in jobs three months after graduation 69
Jobs found through the careers service 79
Student assessment of careers service 98
Personal development/educational experience 12
Faculty quality 8
Student quality 23
Student diversity 22
Education experience 53
Increase in salary 29
Increase in salary >100
Post-MBA salary 21
Potential to network 100
Breadth of alumni network >100
Internationalism of alumni 52
Alumni effectiveness 97
89
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Audencia School of Management Nantes
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Euro*MBA
Annual intake 20 21 –
Applicants:places 3:1 3:1 –
Percentage of women students 40 (13) 33 26
Percentage of foreign students 70 (50) 3 50
Average GMAT score 620 (84) n/a n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 120 (6) 180 120
Age range of students 26-39 31-48 30-40
Average age 32 38 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.0 (56) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Euro*MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (89) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 94 (69) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 50 (79) – –
Student rating of careers service 2.9 (98) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 127,500 (21) – –
Percentage increase in salary 41 (>100) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Veolia, Accenture, IBM – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Euro*MBA
Application fees €95 (US$130) €95 (US$130) €125 (US$171)
Programme fees €19,000 (US$26,027) €19,000 (US$26,027) €25,500 (US$34,932)
Comments – €22,000 if company-financed –
Accommodation costs – – –
(on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs €4,000 (US$5,479) – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available €40,000 (US$54,795) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Euro*MBA
Application deadline September February 28th July 15th
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Mar start, 18 months Sep start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“A well designed package
of essential and practical
subjects for anyone who
would like to develop his
career in an international
environment.”
“There is a limited
network which is a direct
result of the smaller class
sizes.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: business
development,
corporate
responsibility, supply
chain management
Weakness: alumni
network
First degree; at
least 3 years’ work
experience; GMAT;
TOEFL; references
First degree; at
least 5 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; essay;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least
7 years’ work
experience;
2 references; interview
90
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
Claverton Down
Bath
England
BA2 7AY
Tel:
+44 1225 386 741
Fax:
+44 1225 383 902
E-mail:
mba-admit@
management.bath.ac.uk
Website:
www.bathmba.com
Programme director:
Dr Eleanor Morgan
Figures in brackets
represent rank
University of Bath School of Management
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 63
Regional rank 25
Background
The University of Bath’s School of Management is among the longest-established and largest business
schools in the UK, offering its first MBA in 1968. It has grown considerably in recent years. There are
around 90 teaching and research staff and around 2,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students,
including 30 full-time MBA students, 340 taught master’s students, and 180 full- and part-time research
students. It has a good research base, stressing “scholarly impact” and relevance, and excellent links
with industry. The long-established Claverton Entrepreneurship Programme attracts many budding
entrepreneurs.
Facilities
The school has two campuses: one just outside Bath and another in nearby Swindon, mainly used for
executive education. The purpose-built Bath campus overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath.
The MBA programme is housed in the Centre for Executive Development, which has its own purpose-
designed facilities including lecture and seminar rooms and common rooms. The library and learning
centre are open 24 hours a day in term time and there are good computer labs (although students are
encouraged to have their own laptops) and sports facilities. On-campus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.8 (6) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 61 full-time, 11 part-time, 32 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 2.5 (3) 2.9
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (31) 98
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (38) –
Programme highlights
Bath’s full-time one-year MBA offers a generalist approach though with a strong entrepreneurial con-
tent. The programme includes core courses; the mandatory Claverton Enterprise group project; elec-
tives; a series of workshops; and an individual in-company project and thesis carried out in the summer.
The emphasis is on working in small groups and an action learning approach.
The part-time Executive MBA has the same content. The programme can be completed in a minimum
of two years and a maximum of five.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (85) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (97) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (52) –
Open new career opportunities >100
Diversity of recruiters >100
Number in jobs three months after graduation 99
Jobs found through the careers service >100
Student assessment of careers service 40
Personal development/educational experience 4
Faculty quality 3
Student quality 5
Student diversity 8
Education experience 50
Increase in salary 8
Increase in salary 11
Post-MBA salary 14
Potential to network 41
Breadth of alumni network 22
Internationalism of alumni 60
Alumni effectiveness 49
91
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Bath School of Management
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 30 36
Applicants:places 6:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 43 (5) 33
Percentage of foreign students 77 (42) 7
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 108 (10) 120
Age range of students 25-40 28-40
Average age 32 34
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.2 (60) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 5 (>100) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 60 (99) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 10 (>100) –
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (40) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 112,062 (14) –
Percentage increase in salary 210 (11) –
Principal recruiters of graduates – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees £18,500 (US$37,000) £19,500 (US$39,000)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £3,800 (US$7,600) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £3,800 (US$7,600) –
Financial aid available £230,000 (US$460,000) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline August 1st –
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Jan start
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“As a whole the school
is great in its approach
to learning methods and
it is set in a relatively
quiet heritage city which
encourages academic
and non-academic
learning.”
“There is a need
to increase job
opportunities.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategic
supply and purchasing,
strategy leadership
and change, consumer
research
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; 2 references;
interview
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL or
IELTS; references; essay
92
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
University House
Edgbaston Park Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham
UK
B13 2TY
Tel:
+44 121 414 6249
Fax:
+44 121 414 3553
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
mba.bham.ac.uk
Programme director:
Paul Forrester
Figures in brackets
represent rank
University of Birmingham—Birmingham
Business School
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 67
Regional rank 27
Background
Birmingham has been teaching business via the Faculty of Commerce since 1902; the business school
was created in 1989 following the merger of the Commerce and Accounting and Finance departments of
the university. The school has continued to grow—it now has over 80 faculty—and offers a wide range
of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The school has excellent links with local, national and
international companies and strong Asian connections. It also has extensive international contacts,
particularly in emerging economies, and is strong in languages.
Facilities
Since 2004 the school has been based in the refurbished University House on the edge of the main cam-
pus. In 2005 a £20m extension added a 3,000 sq m learning and teaching facility for postgraduate and
continuing professional development students, as well as study and conference facilities and faculty
offices. On-campus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (37) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 39 full-time, 24 part-time, 7 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (63) 1.7
Percentage of faculty with PhD 85 (87) 85
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (94) –
Programme highlights
Birmingham’s one-year, full-time MBA programme is broadly based with a focus on international busi-
ness. Students take ten modules (six core and four electives) plus an individual in-company project.
Students can join the programme directly or via the one-year Graduate Diploma in Business Administra-
tion. Soft skills workshops run throughout the programme.
The part-time Executive MBA is similar to the full-time version and can be studied either in the even-
ings (two evenings a week) or in five seven-day blocks. It takes 2–4 years to complete. It is also taught
in Singapore and Hong Kong as a part-time modular programme.
The school also offers three specialist MBAs: The full-time MBA (Global Banking and Finance); the
MBA (Strategy and Procurement Management), which is also offered in Hong Kong; and the MBA Sports
Management. There is also a bilingual MBA (English/French or English/Spanish) offered in collabor-
ation with ESC Montpellier in France and FUNDESEM in Spain.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 3.8 (>100) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 40 (41) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Open new career opportunities 73
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 58
Jobs found through the careers service 90
Student assessment of careers service 82
Personal development/educational experience 21
Faculty quality 100
Student quality 7
Student diversity 34
Education experience 33
Increase in salary 73
Increase in salary 35
Post-MBA salary 69
Potential to network 82
Breadth of alumni network 66
Internationalism of alumni 44
Alumni effectiveness 88
93
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Birmingham—Birmingham Business School
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 91 41
Applicants:places 10:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 27 (69) 18
Percentage of foreign students 92 (10) 16
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) –
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (17) 180
Age range of students 26-40 26-51
Average age 31 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (86) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 94 (58) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 38 (90) –
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (82) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 87,000 (69) –
Percentage increase in salary 81 (35) –
Principal recruiters of graduates One Point Three Consulting (UK), –
Ministry of Finance and Economics (China), Barclays
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees GBP16,600 (US$33,200) GBP16,600 (US$33,200)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) GBP4,700 (US$9,400) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) GBP2,800 (US$5,600) –
Financial aid available Flexible –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline July 1st –
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Sep start, 24-48 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Its strength is the
internationalism of
student body, course
content and variety of
options, quality and
accessibility of staff and
value for money.”
“[Some lecturers] were,
in my opinion, weak
in delivery and lacked
credibility. But these
were the exceptions.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategy,
organisational
behaviour, finance
Weakness: some
teaching
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
2 references; interview
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; TOEFL or IELTS;
references; interview; laptop
94
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
Via Bocconi 8
Milano
Italy
20136
Tel:
+39 02 5836 6129
Fax:
+39 02 5836 2262
E-mail:
admissions@
sdabocconi.it
Website:
www.sdabocconi.it/mba
Programme director:
Valter Lazzari
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Bocconi University School of Management
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 79
Regional rank 34
Background
Bocconi University, Italy’s leading business university, is over 100 years old. The School of Management
was founded in 1971. The MBA class size is relatively small and interaction with faculty is good. The
school is academically strong, notably in economics, and has good links with business and industry.
Facilities
The MBA is run by the Masters Division of the School of Management, which is housed in a pleasant
building a short distance from the main university in the centre of Milan. There are 12 classrooms and
around 100 breakout rooms. There is no accommodation on campus and most students share apart-
ments in nearby areas of the city. Executive education is run from a separate building nearby with 16
classrooms, work areas and dining facilities as well as offices.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.6 (>100)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 92 full-time, 27 part-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.0 (28)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 88 (79)
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (>100)
Programme highlights
Bocconi’s full-time MBA begins in September with an optional pre-programme introductory suite of
courses in accounting, economics and quantitative methods for students without a background in eco-
nomics and finance. The courses are studied either by distance learning or at the school.
The programme proper begins in October with phase 1, Towards Managerial Excellence, which is
essentially the core. The second phase, in May, is called Full-Spectrum Management Skills, covering
soft skills. This is followed by an action-learning project (June–August) and the final phase (October–
December), Concentration, which is made up of electives. This phase can be replaced with an overseas
exchange. The programme is taught in English and students are expected to study English or Italian.
Bocconi’s new two-year Global Executive MBA (taught in English) mixes short on-campus modules
(at Bocconi, UCLA and Fudan University in Shanghai) with distance-learning elements.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (>100)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 54 (37)
Number of languages on offer 2 (86)
Open new career opportunities 76
Diversity of recruiters 51
Number in jobs three months after graduation 85
Jobs found through the careers service 62
Student assessment of careers service 93
Personal development/educational experience 91
Faculty quality 93
Student quality 69
Student diversity 55
Education experience >100
Increase in salary 40
Increase in salary 33
Post-MBA salary 44
Potential to network 86
Breadth of alumni network 84
Internationalism of alumni 31
Alumni effectiveness >100
95
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Bocconi University School of Management
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 109
Applicants:places 37:1
Percentage of women students 40 (23)
Percentage of foreign students 55 (56)
Average GMAT score 640 (51)
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (60)
Age range of students 25-32
Average age 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.0 (68)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (51)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 87 (85)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 61 (62)
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (93)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 96,055 (44)
Percentage increase in salary 88 (33)
Principal recruiters of graduates Boston Consulting Group, Johnson & Johnson, Bain & Co
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees €100 (US$137)
Programme fees €36,000 (US$49,315)
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €9,000 (US$12,329)
Financial aid available €1.4m (US$1.9m)
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans, tuition waivers
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, other criteria
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline April 30th
Programme dates Oct start, 12 months
Admission requirements First degree; work experience; TOEFL or IELTS; references; essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Very international,
brings together people
that enjoy being in
the international
environment.”
“The facilities are run-
down, but a new building
is planned.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: facilities
96
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
595 Commonwealth
Avenue
Boston, MA
US
02215
Tel:
+1 617 353 9781
Fax:
+1 617 353 5581
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
management.bu.edu
Programme director:
Kathie Nolan
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Boston University School of Management
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 71
Regional rank 37
Background
Boston University School of Management was founded in 1913 as the College of Business Administra-
tion and today teaches undergraduate, masters’ and executive education programmes. It has around
2,000 undergraduate students and 800 full-time and part-time masters’ students.
The school says its aim is to equip MBA and undergraduate business students for effective leader-
ship. To help achieve this the MBA curriculum is diverse and eclectic, notable for its emphasis on team-
work and on fusing the art, science and technology of business.
Facilities
The school is housed in the Rafik B Hariri building, which opened in 1996. It includes 25 classrooms, a 375-
seat lecture hall, five computer labs, an executive education centre, a library, cafés and common rooms.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (54) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 63 full-time, 30 part-time
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (57) 0.4 3.0
Percentage of faculty with PhD 92 (73) 92 92
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (37) – –
Programme highlights
Boston’s two-year full-time MBA emphasises the dynamics of global business. In the first year, students
are assigned to a cohort of 50–55 students who take core courses, assignments and projects together.
Students study 13 core courses (including a communications course) and one elective in the first year,
and one career-oriented course and nine electives in the second year. Concentrations are offered but
not required.
The programme is also offered in a part-time evening version lasting 3–6 years depending on the
number of courses taken each year.
The International Management Program is an accelerated 14-month MBA (though the time can be
extended) designed for internationally oriented managers who are settled in their careers (the school
warns that it is not for career changers). Students spend a ten-week summer in China, South Korea and
Japan taking an accelerated version of core classes and then return to Boston for their elective year. An
undergraduate business degree is not required.
The 17-month Executive MBA consists of classes on Fridays and Saturdays every other week, four
week-long residential sessions at approximately six-monthly intervals, including one international ses-
sion, and a capstone project that involves creating an international business plan.
Boston also offers specialised MBAs in health sector and public and not-for-profit management and
a joint MSc in Information Systems and an MBA in one 21-month programme.
Open new career opportunities 60
Diversity of recruiters 50
Number in jobs three months after graduation 48
Jobs found through the careers service 60
Student assessment of careers service 83
Personal development/educational experience 86
Faculty quality 71
Student quality 60
Student diversity 62
Education experience >100
Increase in salary 81
Increase in salary 66
Post-MBA salary 78
Potential to network 54
Breadth of alumni network 17
Internationalism of alumni 40
Alumni effectiveness 80
97
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Boston University School of Management
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (53) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (>100) – –
Number of languages on offer 0 (>100) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 158 222 31
Applicants:places 9:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 38 (13) 38 21
Percentage of foreign students 33 (88) 32 5
Average GMAT score 668 (36) 590 n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 57 (76) 66 168
Age range of students 23-38 22-47 31-45
Average age 27 28 38
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (59) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (50) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95 (48) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 60 (60) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.4 (83) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 85,277 (78) – –
Percentage increase in salary 68 (66) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Fidelity Investments, – –
Bank of America, State Street Bank
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$125 US$125 US$125
Programme fees US$36,540 US$1,412 US$78,000
Comments – Per credit Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$11,576 – –
Financial aid available US$6,174,140 – –
Type of aid available Loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline March 15th March 15th November 15th
Programme dates Sep start, 18 months Sep start, 27 months Jan start, 17 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“BU’s MBA offers an
outstanding curriculum
with a focus on concepts
that are directly
applicable to real-life
management.”
“Needs stronger ties to
the alumni network.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategic
role of information
technology, finance,
marketing
Weakness: alumni
effectiveness
First degree; at least
10 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 3 essays;
résumé; organisational
chart; letter of
sponsorship
First degree; at least
2 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
3 essays; résumé;
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 3 essays
98
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
Emm Lane
Bradford
West Yorkshire
UK
BD9 4JL
Tel:
+44 1274 234 373
Fax:
+44 1274 546 866
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.bradford.ac.uk/
management
Programme director:
Jo Hardcastle
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Bradford School of Management
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 97
Regional rank 39
Background
Bradford School of Management is a full-range business school teaching undergraduate, postgraduate,
doctoral and executive development students. It has partner organisations in Utrecht, Bonn, Mainz, Ber-
lin, Dubai, New Delhi, Hong Kong and Singapore and links with institutions in Nantes, Barcelona, Warsaw
and Bilbao. About 2,000 students are registered on various Bradford overseas programmes. The school is
also closely involved with the local community and business. Almost all students study a foreign language.
Facilities
The school is self-contained, based in several buildings on its own 14-acre site two miles from the main
university campus. There are lecture theatres, seminar and tutorial rooms, a management library, a
bookshop, a language unit, computer facilities and careers services, as well as a restaurant and bar. The
main university campus offers the full range of services and facilities for undergraduate and postgradu-
ate students. The school is planning developments on the site to link some of the current buildings and
provide new learning resources. Limited accommodation is available on campus, but most students
choose to live in the surrounding area, where accommodation is readily available at reasonable prices.
Full-time Executive Distance
MBA Part-time MBA learning MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.9 (98) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 50 full-time, 22 visiting
Full-time Executive Distance
MBA Part-time MBA learning MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (64) 1.7 18.0
Percentage of faculty with PhD 72 (>100) 72 72
Student rating of faculty 4.0 (>100) – –
Programme highlights
The Bradford MBA is based on core courses, electives and an in-company or research-based project. The
one-year full-time programme includes eight compulsory core subjects (plus a required introductory
course), five electives and a management project including a 15,000-word dissertation. There is a good
deal of group working. Case studies are used extensively.
The Executive Part-time MBA is identical to the full-time version and can be completed in two and
a half to six years. Most students complete it in three years. Classes are held on campus one or two
evenings a week and then students complete their project. The project can be replaced with a shorter
version and two additional electives. Students can also opt to replace the elective/project section with
an action learning project in their own organisation.
Bradford’s distance-learning MBA has an almost-identical curriculum. It can be completed in a
minimum of two or a maximum of six years.
Open new career opportunities 100
Diversity of recruiters 99
Number in jobs three months after graduation 69
Jobs found through the careers service >100
Student assessment of careers service 94
Personal development/educational experience 87
Faculty quality >100
Student quality 13
Student diversity 88
Education experience >100
Increase in salary 33
Increase in salary 2
Post-MBA salary 89
Potential to network 97
Breadth of alumni network 83
Internationalism of alumni 61
Alumni effectiveness 99
99
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Bradford School of Management
Full-time Executive Distance
MBA Part-time MBA learning MBA
Student rating of programme 3.9 (>100) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (96) – –
Number of languages on offer 4 (76) – –
Students
Full-time Executive Distance
MBA Part-time MBA learning MBA
Annual intake 121 42 4
Applicants:places 7:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 24 (100) 29 21
Percentage of foreign students 93 (7) 6 74
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 96 (23) 96 96
Age range of students 25-39 29-46 28-43
Average age 29 34 34
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.0 (>100) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Executive Distance
MBA Part-time MBA learning MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (99) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 93 (69) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 5 (>100) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.4 (94) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 80,000 (89) – –
Percentage increase in salary 196 (2) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Wal-Mart Asda, Ford, Tate & Lyle – –
Cost
Full-time Executive Distance
MBA Part-time MBA learning MBA
Application fees n/a n/a n/a
Programme fees £17,950 (US$35,900) £14,950 (US$29,900) £10,450 (US$20,900)
Comments For EU students. £18,950 (US$37,900) – –
for non-EU students
Accommodation costs £4,300 (US$8,600) – –
(on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs £4,000 (US$8,000) – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available – – –
Criteria on which aid is granted – – –
Application details
Full-time Executive Distance
MBA Part-time MBA learning MBA
Application deadline August 31st August 31st –
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Sep start, 24 months Sep start, 36 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Teaching for the most
part is very good and
learner support services
are outstanding.”
“Some poor quality
students with little to
contribute.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
organisational
behaviour, international
business
Weakness: some weak
students
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL or IELTS;
2 references; interview;
laptop; Bradford Test
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL or IELTS;
2 references; interview
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL or IELTS; references;
Bradford Test
100
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
415 South Street
Waltham, Massachusetts
US
02454
Tel:
+1 781 736 4829
Fax:
+1 781 736 2263
E-mail:
admission@lemberg.
brandeis.edu
Website:
www.brandeis.edu/
global
Programme director:
Ben Gomes-Casseres
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Brandeis International Business School
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 59
Regional rank 32
Background
Brandeis International Business School (IBS) is among the youngest business schools in the US. It
started in 1994 as the Graduate School of International Economics and Finance with 50 students in its
MA and PhD programmes. The MBA was launched in 1998. Its parent university, Brandeis, is also rela-
tively young, starting in 1948 and including Eleanor Roosevelt and Leonard Bernstein among its early
faculty. The university now has 3,200 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate students. The business school
has a determinedly international approach. It has excellent links with business, with around 20 practis-
ing managers acting as adjunct faculty. There is also a good executive speaker series. The IBS is small,
with about 300 students in total.
Facilities
The IBS is based in the Lemberg Academic Center and Sachar International Center in a corner of the
235-acre Brandeis campus in Waltham, about 10 miles from downtown Boston. The buildings have offic-
es, classrooms, computer clusters and other student facilities. Library, sports and other campus facili-
ties are good. A small amount of on-campus housing is available for international students but most live
off-campus.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (68)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 21 full-time, 19 part-time, 1 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (54)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 81 (86)
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (8)
Programme highlights
The IBS’s two-year full-time MBA has a strong focus on international business, reflected in a first-year core
that covers the major functional disciplines with a distinctive international twist. Students can take two
electives in the first year if they have completed sufficient required courses. Second-year electives may be
grouped into a concentration of either international finance or international economic policy. Students
who do not opt for either receive an MBA in international business, the “default” concentration.
Students must fulfil an international experience requirement. This can be completed before (living
outside the US for at least three years or working abroad in a professional position for at least three
months) or during the programme (through an overseas internship or exchange). They are also expect-
ed to have a basic knowledge of a language other than English, again either acquired before or during
the programme.
Open new career opportunities 58
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 80
Jobs found through the careers service 74
Student assessment of careers service 52
Personal development/educational experience 41
Faculty quality 51
Student quality >100
Student diversity 6
Education experience 6
Increase in salary 47
Increase in salary 8
Post-MBA salary 75
Potential to network >100
Breadth of alumni network >100
Internationalism of alumni 96
Alumni effectiveness 79
101
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Brandeis International Business School
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (22)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 64 (11)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 60
Applicants:places 3:1
Percentage of women students 40 (3)
Percentage of foreign students 77 (39)
Average GMAT score 585 (85)
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (93)
Age range of students 28-32
Average age 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.0 (67)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 82 (80)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 52 (74)
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (52)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 83,787 (75)
Percentage increase in salary 77 (8)
Principal recruiters of graduates State Street Global Markets, BNP Paribas, EMD Serono
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$55
Programme fees US$36,122
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$12,000
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$12,000
Financial aid available US$1.9m
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline April 15th
Programme dates Sep start, 18 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 2 years’ work experience;
GMAT; TOEFL or IELTS; references; 2 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“A unique international
milieu. You live with and
get to know well fellow
students from every
corner of the world.”
“The is a lack of good
marketing classes.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: international
economics,
international finance,
international business
Weakness: marketing
courses
102
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
#160 – 2053 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC
Canada
V6T 1Z2
Tel:
+1 604 822 0229
Fax:
+1 604 822 5657
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.sauder.ubc.ca/mba
Programme director:
Wendy Ma
Figures in brackets
represent rank
University of British Columbia—Sauder
School of Business
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 83
Regional rank 42
Background
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of the largest in Canada, and the Sauder business school
is also comparatively large, teaching 2,000 undergraduates. However, it admits only around 200 students
on all MBA programmes and 140 doctoral and other masters’ students. The school is named after a local
business leader and former UBC alumnus, Dr William L Sauder, who in 2003 endowed the Faculty of Com-
merce and Business Administration with a gift of C$20m (US$18m), the largest single private donation
made to a Canadian business school. Sauder has good partnerships with business and a strong reputation
for research. It has also developed an interesting approach to MBA teaching and programme design.
Facilities
The school is based in its own complex on the university campus in three buildings that include fac-
ulty offices, administration, classrooms, a business library and conference facilities. There are dedi-
cated MBA facilities that include classrooms, lounge, and study and meeting spaces. It also has offices
and teaching space in downtown Vancouver. The attractive university campus, on a forested peninsula
overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is about 30 minutes’ drive from Vancouver, one of North America’s most
attractive cities. On-campus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
in Healthcare
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (62) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 49 full-time, 23 part-time, 0 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
in Healthcare
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (70) 1.4 3.1
Percentage of faculty with PhD 86 (81) 86 86
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (46) – –
Programme highlights
The Sauder MBA is a 15-month programme with core subjects offered as a single, team-taught, 13-week
foundation course covering basic management disciplines. After the core, students choose from eight
areas of specialisation, each consisting of both required and elective modules, or form their own for the
general management option.
The 28-month part-time MBA is similar to the full-time version including the same integrated first-
year core. The second and third years vary, however, with electives offered across a wide range of areas
rather than focusing on specialisations. The programme ends with a project, often within students’ own
organisations. Classes meet every three weeks beginning in January on Friday evenings and all day Sat-
urday and Sunday.
The 20-month part-time International MBA is a variation on the full-time programme with the core
taught partly in Vancouver and partly at UBC’s partner business school, the School of Management at
Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China. Additional courses are taught in China.
Open new career opportunities 75
Diversity of recruiters 44
Number in jobs three months after graduation 74
Jobs found through the careers service 86
Student assessment of careers service 88
Personal development/educational experience 65
Faculty quality 85
Student quality 79
Student diversity 61
Education experience 23
Increase in salary 90
Increase in salary 13
Post-MBA salary 100
Potential to network 84
Breadth of alumni network 78
Internationalism of alumni 37
Alumni effectiveness 91
103
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of British Columbia—Sauder School of Business
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
in Healthcare
Student rating of programme 4.2 (52) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 54 (38) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
in Healthcare
Annual intake 126 51 23
Applicants:places 3:1 2:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 33 (36) 44 76
Percentage of foreign students 58 (52) 3 –
Average GMAT score 617 (74) 615 –
Average number of months’ work experience 67 (38) 72 144
Age range of students 25-35 27-37 32-54
Average age 29 32 38
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (89) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
in Healthcare
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (44) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 94 (74) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 53 (86) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.1 (88) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 74,766 (100) – –
Percentage increase in salary 161 (13) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Best Buy , Vancouver Coastal Health, RBC Financial –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
in Healthcare
Application fees C$125 (US$117) C$125 (US$117) C$125 (US$117)
Programme fees C$38,967 (US$36,418) C$38,967 (US$36,418) C$50,000 (US$46,729)
Comments Total programme Total programme Tuition will be C$55,000
for 2008/2009
Accommodation costs C$8,400 (US$7,850) – –
(on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs C$9,600 (US$8,972) – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available C$3.6m (US$3.4m) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
in Healthcare
Application deadline April 30th September 30th November 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 15 months Jan start, 28 months Jan start, 15 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Sauder has a very strong
academic foundation to
its programme combined
with an international
aspect that is second to
none.”
“[The careers service]
could certainly be more
pro-active in attracting
more recognisable
companies.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
supply chain
management,
sustainability
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL, ELTS
or MELAB; 3 references;
3 essays; interview
First degree; at least
2 years’ work experience;
TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB;
references; 3 essays
First degree; at least
8 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 3 references;
essay; interview
104
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
S430 Student Services
Bldg. #1902
Haas School of Business
University of California
Berkeley
US
CA 94720-1902
Tel:
+1 510 642 0342
Fax:
+1 510 642 4700
E-mail:
mbaadm@haas.
berkeley.edu
Website:
www.haas.berkeley.edu
Programme director:
Julia Hwang
Figures in brackets
represent rank
University of California at Berkeley—
Haas School of Business
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 6
Regional rank 4
Background
Haas School of Business was established in 1898 and is named after Walter A Haas, a 1910 alumnus of
the then College of Commerce and president of San Francisco-based Levi Strauss for nearly 30 years.
It is the oldest business school at a public university in the US. The school is heavily influenced by the
teaching and research ethos at Berkeley and by its strong connections with business in nearby Silicon
Valley. On-campus visits by executives, including teaching stints, are regular events. The school has a
strong research base but puts at least as much emphasis on the teaching abilities of faculty members.
With an annual intake of fewer than 250 students, the Haas MBA programme remains comparatively
small and intimate.
Facilities
The school is based in a mini-campus complex of three linked buildings, opened in 1995, that provide
good facilities for MBA students, undergraduates and participants on executive education programmes.
However, space is limited. All teaching rooms can receive video, audio, and electronic data, including
wireless computer access. The layout is designed to favour informal contacts between students and fac-
ulty. On-campus accommodation is available; private housing in the Berkeley area is expensive.
Full-time Evening & Berkeley-Columbia
MBA Weekend MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (65) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 85 full-time, 124 part-time
Full-time Evening & Berkeley-Columbia
MBA Weekend MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (58) 0.9 3.2
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (2) 100 100
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (38) – –
Programme highlights
Haas’s two-year full-time MBA covers 12 required core courses (including leadership and ethics courses)
and at least two electives in the first year. The two first-year semesters are divided into seven-week mini-
semesters. There is a two-day career-planning seminar in the first-year fall semester. The second year con-
sists of electives, which make up around 60% of the programme. Electives can be taken both within Haas
and in the university as a whole. There is no requirement to group electives into concentrations.
The three-year part-time programme shares a similar curriculum to the full-time version (there
are only 10 core courses and, typically, eight electives). The programme is offered in two variations:
Evening (two evenings a week) and Weekend (all day Saturday). Weekend classes alternate between the
Haas campus and a facility in nearby Silicon Valley.
The 19-month Berkeley–Columbia Executive MBA is taught jointly by faculty from Columbia and Haas
School of Business at the University of California. During each of the five terms students attend four
Open new career opportunities 4
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 22
Jobs found through the careers service 32
Student assessment of careers service 2
Personal development/educational experience 20
Faculty quality 27
Student quality 18
Student diversity 37
Education experience 43
Increase in salary 35
Increase in salary 76
Post-MBA salary 33
Potential to network 11
Breadth of alumni network 32
Internationalism of alumni 18
Alumni effectiveness 8
105
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of California at Berkeley—Haas School of Business
Thursday–Saturday blocks at Berkeley and one Wednesday–Saturday block at Columbia. Participants
earn an MBA degree from both institutions.
Full-time Evening & Berkeley-Columbia
MBA Weekend MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (38) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 15 (72) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time Evening & Berkeley-Columbia
MBA Weekend MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 239 240 66
Applicants:places 14:1 4:1 –
Percentage of women students 33 (41) 21 26
Percentage of foreign students 42 (72) 26 17
Average GMAT score 710 (6) 697 0
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (56) 96 144
Age range of students 26-32 24-53 29-55
Average age 29 32 37
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.8 (2) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Evening & Berkeley-
MBA Weekend Columbia
MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95.6 (22) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 72.6 (32) – –
Student rating of careers service 4.6 (2) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 101,859 (33) – –
Percentage increase in salary 57 (76) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Google, Deloitte, Bain & Co – –
Cost
Full-time Evening & Berkeley-Columbia
MBA Weekend MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$175 US$175 US$175
Programme fees US$40,737 US$28,686 US$140,000
Comments For non-residents of California Per year Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$10,240 – –
Financial aid available US$13,475,350 – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time Evening & Berkeley-Columbia
MBA Weekend MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline March 12th November 30th –
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Aug start, 33 months May start, 19 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“With smaller class sizes,
collective interest in
niche categories vary
from year to year. The
administration rallies
to support the unique
makeup of the interests
of each class extremely
well.”
“Needs more physical
space as the programme
is growing.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
management/strategy,
marketing, finance
Weakness: facilities
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references required;
essays; laptop
First degree;
work experience; TOEFL;
references required; essays
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 3 essays;
laptop
106
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Address
One Shields Ave
Davis, CA
US
95616
Tel:
+1 530 752 5354
Fax:
+1 530 754 9355
E-mail:
admissions@gsm.
ucdavis.edu
Website:
www.gsm.ucdavis.edu
Programme director:
James Stevens
Figures in brackets
represent rank
University of California at Davis—Graduate
School of Management
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 68
Regional rank 36
Background
The Graduate School of Management at the University of California at Davis (near Sacramento) was
established in 1981 to provide management education to the growing northern California region. The
school is small, with 30 full-time faculty and around 120 full-time MBA students. However, its reputa-
tion is growing, particularly in entrepreneurship, and the school says its aim is to be a leader in man-
agement research and education. It has established good links with local business through a business
partnership programme, guest speakers and executives in residence.
Facilities
The school is based on the main university campus and facilities are good with wireless and wired net-
work access throughout and two student PC labs. Davis is a small college town with students making up
more than half its population. A new home for the school, Gallagher Hall is scheduled to open in 2009.
Full-time MBA Working Professional MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.1 (95) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 29 full-time, 20 visiting
Full-time MBA Working Professional MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (60) 0.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (2) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (24) –
Programme highlights
Davis’s two-year full-time MBA, the Daytime MBA, is a variation on the traditional US model. Students
take 24 courses made up of six core courses, three breadth courses (chosen from a menu) and 15 elec-
tives, which can be grouped into concentrations or taken more broadly and may include international
study trips, consulting projects and individual work with faculty. Breadth courses are seen as a link
between the required core and electives.
The three-year (though it can be shorter or longer) part-time Working Professional MBA has the
same curriculum and structure as the full-time programme. Classes are held in downtown Sacramento
once a week on weekday evenings and Saturdays. The part-time programme is also offered in the San
Francisco Bay Area with classes on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday on alternate weekends.
Full-time MBA Working Professional MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (53) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 6 (79) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Open new career opportunities 65
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 84
Jobs found through the careers service 70
Student assessment of careers service 56
Personal development/educational experience 55
Faculty quality 19
Student quality 61
Student diversity 53
Education experience 73
Increase in salary 79
Increase in salary 29
Post-MBA salary 83
Potential to network 73
Breadth of alumni network 71
Internationalism of alumni >100
Alumni effectiveness 45
107
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of California at Davis—Graduate School of Management
Students
Full-time MBA Working Professional MBA
Annual intake 56 143
Applicants:places 6:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 43 (8) 31
Percentage of foreign students 21 (>100) 47
Average GMAT score 672 (32) 611
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (81) 96
Age range of students 23-36 26-39
Average age 27 31
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (30) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Working Professional MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 89 (84) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 59 (70) –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (56) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 85,555 (83) –
Percentage increase in salary 90 (29) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Wells Fargo & Company, –
PricewaterhouseCoopers,
Blue Shield of California
Cost
Full-time MBA Working Professional MBA
Application fees US$125 US$125
Programme fees US$38,747 US$2,550
Comments – Per course
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$8,249 –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$8,249 –
Financial aid available US$2.5m –
Type of aid available Scholarships, grants, loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need –
Application details
Full-time MBA Working Professional MBA
Application deadline May 14th June 4th
Programme dates Sep start, 21 months Sep start, 36 months
Admission requirements

Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The small class size
gives a unique learning
opportunity with
access to the professors
directly.”
“The facilities are poor,
but we are getting a new
building soon.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
organisational
behaviour
Weakness: facilities
First degree; at least 1 year’s
work experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 3 essays;
interview by invitation
First degree; references;
3 essays; laptop; interview
by invitation
108
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 7
Regional rank 3
Background
Although founded only in 1990, Judge Business School has quickly established itself as a leading busi-
ness school, a rise helped, no doubt, by having such a prestigious parent institution—the University of
Cambridge will be 800 years old in 2009. As well as the MBA it teaches some undergraduate, PhD and
other masters’ programmes and has made full use of its proximity to the high-tech, entrepreneurial “Sili-
con Fen”. It has also made shrewd alliances such as the one with MIT (page 212) in the US.
Facilities
Judge has one of the most interesting buildings in the UK: a post-modern complex in central Cambridge,
a university town that is fascinating to many international students. All students are members of the
University of Cambridge and as such also members of one of its 31 colleges. About two-thirds of MBA
students live in college accommodation, either in a traditional college or in college-owned housing. The
rest find accommodation fairly easily (although it can be expensive) in and around Cambridge.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (22)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 40 full-time, 10 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (95)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (2)
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (50)
Programme highlights
Judge’s one-year full-time MBA programme is a fairly standard European mix, consisting of 12 compul-
sory core courses, five electives and three projects (group entrepreneurial and consulting projects and
an individual project, which ends the programme). Some electives can be taken in other areas of the
university. A distinguished-speaker series on leadership runs throughout the programme.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (30)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 150 (11)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
University of Cambridge—
Judge Business School
Address:
Trumpington St
Cambridge
UK
CB2 1AG
Tel:
+44 1223 339 646
E-mail:
mba-enquiries@jbs.
cam.ac.uk
Website:
www.thecambridgemba.
com
Programme director:
Dr Richard Barker
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 40
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 65
Jobs found through the careers service 45
Student assessment of careers service 41
Personal development/educational experience 5
Faculty quality 46
Student quality 8
Student diversity 9
Education experience 4
Increase in salary 21
Increase in salary 59
Post-MBA salary 22
Potential to network 8
Breadth of alumni network >100
Internationalism of alumni 1
Alumni effectiveness 50
109
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 150
Applicants:places 6:1
Percentage of women students 33 (53)
Percentage of foreign students 90 (16)
Average GMAT score 690 (18)
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (20)
Age range of students 27-35
Average age 30
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.7 (16)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 93 (65)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 70 (45)
Student rating of careers service 3.6 (41)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 110,000 (22)
Percentage increase in salary 69 (59)
Principal recruiters of graduates Barclays, McKinsey & Co, Accenture
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees n/a
Programme fees £30,500 (US$61,000)
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £5,000 (US$10,000)
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £5,000 (US$10,000)
Financial aid available £3.5m (US$7m)
Type of aid available Scholarships, HSBC loan scheme
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit and/or need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline May 29th
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL or IELTS; references required; 2 essays
The directory
University of Cambridge—Judge Business School
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“An intensely personal
MBA which is not merely
focused on technical
skills and knowledge.”
“Small business school
alumni network,
however, large Cambridge
University network.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
entrepreneurship/
innovation, strategy/
consulting, finance
Weakness: small alumni
network
110
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank n/a
Background
The University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business has been teaching management for 40 years.
The school has a strong national, regional and international reputation and is well aware of the chal-
lenge it faces in developing distinctive approaches to management education that suit South Africa’s
position as the leading economy in sub-Saharan Africa and a culturally diverse society in the process
of profound change. The GSB claims to be pioneering a new model of a business school, both inter-
national in orientation and suited to countries which are experiencing socio-political transformation,
inter national competitiveness and economic development.
Facilities
The school is near Cape Town’s upmarket Waterfront development (it is housed in a converted prison).
All facilities are separate from undergraduate areas and include seven lecture theatres, 25 student sem-
inar rooms, student common area, computer lab, restaurant and offices. On-campus accommodation is
available.
Full-time MBA Modular MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.9 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 23 full-time, 45 visiting
Full-time MBA Modular MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (n/a) 0.9
Percentage of faculty with PhD 65 (n/a) 65
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
Cape Town’s 11-month full-time programme is based on 11 core courses and three electives chosen from
around 15 offered. Students must also produce a research report and a company analysis of an exist-
ing organisation. The company analysis forms the capstone course of the curriculum and provides an
action-learning experience similar to a consulting project.
The programme is also offered in a two-year modular format with an identical curriculum. The two-
year programme is divided into six two-week, full-time residential learning modules, each followed by
a 14-week part-time block carried out in the student’s workplace. The modular Executive MBA is run
along virtually identical lines.
Full-time MBA Modular MBA
Student rating of programme 3.8 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 72 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 0 (n/a) –
University of Cape Town—Graduate School
of Business
Address:
Private Bag X3
Rondebosch, Cape Town
South Africa
7700
Tel:
+27 214 061 424
Fax:
+27 214 061 464
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.gsb.uct.ac.za
Programme director:
Lance Stringer
Figures in brackets
represent rank
111
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Students
Full-time MBA Modular MBA
Annual intake 78 79
Applicants:places 2:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 26 (n/a) 22
Percentage of foreign students 36 (n/a) 18
Average GMAT score 545 (n/a) 545
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (n/a) 84
Age range of students 32-36 30-35
Average age 34 33
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.8 (n/a) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Modular MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 43 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 27 (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.1 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 64,539 (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary 40 (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates IQ Business Group, –
Letsema Consulting, ABSA Capital
Cost
Full-time MBA Modular MBA
Application fees R500 (US$71) R500 (US$71)
Programme fees R73,790 (US$10,467) R92,700 (US$13,149)
Comments Total cost is R94,605 (US$ 13,419) –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) R70,000 (US$9,929) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) R50,000 (US$7,092) –
Financial aid available R800,000 (US$113,475) –
Type of aid available Bursaries –
Criteria on which aid is granted Need, merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Modular MBA
Application deadline October 31st October 31st
Programme dates Jan start, 11 months Feb start, 22 months
Admission requirements
The directory
University of Cape Town—Graduate School of Business
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great value for money.
The quality of the
programme and of
the teaching material
exceeds the financial
requirements.”
“The marketing courses
were not practical
enough.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
entrepreneurship,
business in emerging
markets, leadership
Weakness: marketing
courses
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL;
references; 9 essays
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; 2 references;
9 essays; interview
112
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 35
Regional rank 19
Background
The Tepper School of Business was founded in 1949 and is one of seven graduate schools of Carnegie
Mellon University. It is probably best known for exploring the scientific principles of business manage-
ment, a quantitative approach and cutting-edge use of information technology. The school was renamed
in 2004 following a US$55m gift from an alumnus.
Facilities
Posner Hall provides excellent facilities, including classrooms, computer labs, a cafeteria, study loun-
ges, conference rooms, and careers and faculty offices. The main campus library is next door. Carnegie
Mellon University is small by US standards, with around 8,000 students, but its attractive campus is
adjacent to the sprawling University of Pittsburgh. Most on-campus accommodation is for undergradu-
ates; graduate students generally rent housing in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Full-time MBA FlexTime MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (36) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 65 full-time, 12 part-time
Full-time MBA FlexTime MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (73) 1.1
Percentage of faculty with PhD 97 (33) 97
Student rating of faculty 4.7 (7) –
Programme highlights
Most courses last one mini-semester (seven-and-a-half weeks) and generally students take four courses
in each. Functional and broader core courses are taken during the first year, as are some electives. The
second year consists mainly of electives. One concentration (three electives) is required, although many
students take more. Soft skills courses and workshops are offered throughout the programme. Students
may fulfil the requirements for the degree in 16 months by taking courses during the summer after the
first year instead of undertaking an internship.
The three-year part-time programme (the FlexTime MBA) has the same curriculum as the full-time
version and students can transfer from one to the other. The programme begins in August and students
attend classes throughout the year.
Tepper also offers a three-year distance learning (FlexMode) MBA, delivered via interactive TV to
their workplace, for students sponsored by companies affiliated with the school.
Full-time MBA FlexTime MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (9) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (96) –
Number of languages on offer 5 (71) –
Carnegie Mellon University—Tepper School
of Business
Address:
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
US
15213-4080
Tel:
+1 412 268 8678
Fax:
+1 412 268 7824
E-mail:
mba-admissions@
andrew.cmu.edu
Website:
ww.tepper.cmu.edu
Programme director:
John Mather
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 16
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 17
Jobs found through the careers service 41
Student assessment of careers service 19
Personal development/educational experience 69
Faculty quality 17
Student quality 55
Student diversity 100
Education experience 58
Increase in salary 49
Increase in salary 63
Post-MBA salary 42
Potential to network 64
Breadth of alumni network 55
Internationalism of alumni 66
Alumni effectiveness 46
113
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Students
Full-time MBA FlexTime MBA
Annual intake 182 71
Applicants:places 7:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 25 (>100) 31
Percentage of foreign students 40 (76) 19
Average GMAT score 698 (15) 629
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (92) 60
Age range of students 24-32 24-35
Average age 27 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (37) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA FlexTime MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 98 (17) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 72.09 (41) –
Student rating of careers service 4.1 (19) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 97,394 (42) –
Percentage increase in salary 69 (63) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, A.T. Kearney –
Cost
Full-time MBA FlexTime MBA
Application fees US$100 US$100
Programme fees US$47,800 US$25,104
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – –
Financial aid available US$16.6m –
Type of aid available Loans, scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, eligibility –
Application details
Full-time MBA FlexTime MBA
Application deadline March 9th April 30th
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Aug start, 36 months
Admission requirements
The directory
Carnegie Mellon University—Tepper School of Business
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“I believe this is the most
academically rigorous
MBA programme in the
country.”
“Less extensive alumni
network than larger
schools.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
strategy, technology
Weakness: small alumni
base
First degree; TOEFL; references;
3 essays; interview; laptop
First degree; TOEFL;
2 references; 3 essays; laptop
114
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 52
Background
Weatherhead School of Management dates from the 1920s, when MBA and BBA programmes were
first offered by Cleveland College of Case Western Reserve University. It granted the region’s first MBA
degree in 1930. The college was named in 1980 in honour of one of Cleveland’s outstanding entrepre-
neurial families. The student body is diverse and there is a strong emphasis on teamwork and a personal
approach to student development.
Facilities
The school is based in the US$62m Peter B Lewis Building, designed by Frank Gehry. It has some of the
most advanced business school facilities in the world, with faculty offices, classrooms and meeting areas
distributed throughout the building to encourage networking. The surrounding University Circle area is
lively, with lots of museums, art galleries and concert halls. On-campus accommodation is available, but
most students rent flats in the nearby Cleveland Heights area.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (n/a) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 73 full-time
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (n/a) 1.0 2.7
Percentage of faculty with PhD 92 (n/a) 92 92
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (n/a) – –
Programme highlights
Weatherhead’s two-year full-time MBA links a fairly traditional academic approach with a personal-
ised scheme of education and development. Students take 10 core courses and workshops, and eight
electives, either in a concentration or more broadly based, beginning with one course in the second
semester of the first year. An emphasis on action learning culminates in a required project in the third
semester of the programme. Students with an undergraduate business degree can opt for an acceler-
ated track 11-month MBA.
The part-time evening programme is almost identical to the full-time version but with six electives.
There is an accelerated (two years rather than three) version for students with an undergraduate busi-
ness degree. Classes meet on campus once a week (twice a week in the short summer semester) and
students can start in any semester.
The part-time programme is also offered as a Saturday version, lasting a short two years (though
students can take longer to complete it if they wish) mixing all-day classes for 7–8 Saturdays and dis-
tance learning elements.
Weatherhead’s Executive MBA is a 21-month programme with classes held on one weekend (Friday
and Saturday) a month. Students attend four-day residencies at the start of each semester and there is
a 10-day overseas study tour in the second year.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (n/a) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 24 (n/a) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (n/a) – –
Case Western Reserve University—
Weatherhead School of Management
Address:
10900 Euclid Avenue
Peter B. Lewis Building
Cleveland, OH
US
44106-7235
Tel:
+1 216 368 2069
Fax:
+1 216 368 5549
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.weatherhead.
case.edu
Programme director:
Jon Fuller
Figures in brackets
represent rank
115
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 92 74 27
Applicants:places 3:1 1:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 31 (n/a) 46 17
Percentage of foreign students 50 (n/a) 7 4
Average GMAT score 611 (n/a) 548 0
Average number of months’ work experience 37 (n/a) 69.6 180
Age range of students 23-31 24-37 30-44
Average age 26 29 38
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.7 (n/a) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 73 (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 32 (n/a) – –
Student rating of careers service 2.9 (n/a) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 72,949 (n/a) – –
Percentage increase in salary 57 (n/a) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates IBM, KeyCorp, National City – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$50 US$50 US$50
Programme fees US$35,333 US$1,434 US$86,000
Comments Per year Per credit hour Total Programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$550 – –
Financial aid available US$2,140,000 – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline June 30th – –
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Jan start Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements
The directory
Case Western Reserve University—Weatherhead School of Management
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The school keeps
exploring innovations in
management study.”
“The school’s career
services has been
reorganised leaving it
understaffed.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
organisational
behaviour
Weakness: careers
services
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays;
interview
First degree; at
least 10 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
essays; interview
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays
116
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 3
Regional rank 1
Background
The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) is the second-oldest business school in
the US (founded in 1898) and has a deservedly high reputation for research, scholarship and teach-
ing ability in business education. The school has produced six Nobel laureates—more than any other
business school. The GSB is large, with 1,100 students in its full-time MBA programmes, 1,400 on its
Evening and Weekend MBAs, 480 EMBA and thousands of executive education participants. Finance is
the most acclaimed subject at Chicago and students have a justified reputation for number crunching,
though other areas, such as marketing and entrepreneurship, are also very strong.
Facilities
The full-time MBA is based in a new (2004) US$125m building in the middle of the university campus,
the Charles M. Harper Center. Facilities are among the best in the world, including 12 classrooms,
31 group study rooms, four outdoor terraces and a Winter Garden in a central atrium. The part-time
programmes are housed in the equally well-equipped Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago, which also
houses the North American Executive MBA programme. The school has premises in Singapore for the
Asian EMBA and in London for the European EMBA.
Full-time Evening Weekend Executive MBA— Executive Executive
MBA MBA MBA North America MBA—Europe MBA—Asia
Student assessment of facilities 4.7 (2) – – – – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 131 full-time, 32 part-time, 20 visiting
Full-time Evening Weekend Executive MBA— Executive Executive
MBA MBA MBA North America MBA—Europe MBA—Asia
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (00) 0.4 1.8 2.1 2.1 2.0
Percentage of faculty with PhD 99 (21) 99 99 99 99 99
Student rating of faculty 4.8 (2) – – – – –
Programme highlights
Chicago’s two-year full-time MBA is highly flexible with only the LEAD (Leadership: Effectiveness and
Development) course for first-year students required. Students design their own curriculum within broad
guidelines. There is no requirement for a concentration (13 are offered) and students are encouraged to
choose from a wide range of electives, including courses offered by other university departments. A varia-
tion on the full-time programme, the International MBA, requires additional courses, an international
internship or study abroad, and proficiency in a second language. The programme generally takes
24 months to complete. Part-time programmes include the Evening MBA (one evening a week) and the
Weekend MBA, which runs all day on Saturdays. Both take between two and a half and five years to com-
plete and are identical to the full-time programme, though LEAD is not required. Classes for both are held
at Chicago’s downtown Gleacher Center. The EMBA North America is run on alternate weekends at the
Gleacher Center; the EMBA Europe is based in London; and the EMBA Asia is based in Singapore. Each pro-
gramme lasts 21 months and involves some shared classes with the others and time on all three campuses.
University of Chicago—Graduate School
of Business
Address
5807 South Woodlawn
Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
US
60637
Tel:
+1 773 702 4282
Fax:
+1 773 702 6420
E-mail:
admissions@
chicagogsb.edu
Website:
www.chicagogsb.edu
Programme director:
Stacey Kole
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 1
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 10
Jobs found through the careers service 3
Student assessment of careers service 1
Personal development/educational experience 23
Faculty quality 22
Student quality 26
Student diversity 70
Education experience 14
Increase in salary 39
Increase in salary 97
Post-MBA salary 31
Potential to network 22
Breadth of alumni network 31
Internationalism of alumni 21
Alumni effectiveness 25
The directory
117
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Full-time Evening Weekend Executive Executive Executive
MBA MBA MBA MBA—North MBA— MBA—
America Europe Asia
Student rating of programme 4.7 (1) – – – – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (92) – – – – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – – – – –
Students
Full-time Evening Weekend Executive Executive Executive
MBA MBA MBA MBA—North MBA— MBA—
America Europe Asia
Annual intake 555 426 102 88 89 92
Applicants:places – – – – – –
Percentage of women students 33 (58) 24 16 28 20 24
Percentage of foreign students 40 (82) 134 56 10 83 66
Average GMAT score 710 (7) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 58 (74) 62 77 168 144 168
Age range of students 25-31 25-34 26-36 31-46 30-40 30-41
Average age 28 29 30 37 35 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.5 (22) – – – – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Evening Weekend Executive Executive Executive
MBA MBA MBA MBA—North MBA— MBA—
America Europe Asia
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – – – – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 97 (10) – – – – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 88 (3) – – – – –
Student rating of careers service 4.6 (1) – – – – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 103,219 (31) – – – – –
Percentage increase in salary 49 (97) – – – – –
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, Lehman Brothers, – – – – –
Merrill Lynch
Cost
Full-time Evening Weekend Executive Executive Executive
MBA MBA MBA MBA—North MBA— MBA—
America Europe Asia
Application fees US$200 US$175 US$175 US$100 US$100 US$100
Programme fees US$47,260 US$4,655 US$4,655 US$127,000 US$63,000 US$164,000
Comments Per year Per course Per course Total Total Total
programme programme programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$13,500 – – – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$13,500 – – – – –
Financial aid available – – – – – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – – – – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – – – – –
Application details
Full-time Evening Weekend Executive Executive Executive
MBA MBA MBA MBA—North MBA— MBA—Asia
America Europe
Application deadline March 11th June 19th May 1st March 31st March 31st April 1st
Programme dates Sep start, Jan start, Sep start, Jun start, Jun start, Jun start,
21 months 30 months 26 months 21 months 21 months 21 months
Admission
requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“There is a great freedom
of choice. There are no
required class and thus I
don’t have to spend time
taking classes that are
not relevant to my career
interests.”
“It is not always is easy
to realise the practical
relevance of what is
taught.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance
and accounting,
strategic management,
marketing
Weakness: programme
can sometimes be over-
theoretical
The directory
University of Chicago—Graduate School of Business
First degree; TOEFL or
IELTS; references;
3 essays; personal
slide presentation
First degree;
2 references;
3 essays;
interview
First degree;
2 references;
3 essays;
interview
First degree; work
experience;
3 references; essays;
interview;
employed full-time;
career history
First degree; work
experience;
3 references; essays;
interview;
employed full-time;
career history
First degree; at
least 10 years’ work
experience;
3 references; 2 essays;
interview; employed
full time; career
history; company
support letter
118
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 12
Background
The Shanghai-based China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) is a non-profit joint venture by
China’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, Shanghai municipal government and the
EU. Shanghai Jiaotong University and the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)
effectively run the school, which was set up in 1994. CEIBS has rapidly established itself and now pro-
duces 180 MBA graduates, 600 EMBA graduates and 8,000 executive education participants every year.
It has 4,500 alumni. Though its main mission is to further economic development in China it is also
expanding its global reach, increasing its research output (particularly in ethics, values and corporate
social responsibility) and continues to grow in terms of faculty and staff.
Facilities
CEIBS is based on a new campus in Pudong, Shanghai, and has excellent facilities. Its Phase II develop-
ment is now complete, increasing floor space to around 40,000 sq m. The school has three academic
centres with 12 lecture theatres, 26 discussion rooms, six lecture rooms and 52 faculty/administration
offices. On-campus dormitory accommodation is available. The school also has facilities in Beijing and
Shenzhen.
Full-time MBA MBA for Executives
Student assessment of facilities 3.9 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 31 full-time, 11 visiting
Full-time MBA MBA for Executives
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (n/a) 0.1
Percentage of faculty with PhD 90 (n/a) 90
Student rating of faculty 4.0 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
CEIBS’ 18-month full-time MBA programme consists of 14 compulsory core courses in the first two
terms, followed by electives (which may, but need not be, grouped into a finance or marketing con-
centration) and a seven-week group consulting project. International students are required to learn
Chinese and encouraged to take the Chinese Proficiency Test (also known as HSK) to assist their MBA
study and future career in China.
The Executive MBA is offered in English (the International programme) or Mandarin. The two-year
part-time programme comprises 15 compulsory courses, four electives and one group project. Classes
meet once a month, Friday–Monday. During the second year, participants can specialise in finance or
advanced marketing or follow a general track. International programme participants take one course at
a leading business school in the US or European Union. Another overseas course is an option. Currently,
International and Chinese classes are held in Shanghai and Mandarin classes in Beijing and Shenzhen.
Full-time MBA MBA for Executives
Student rating of programme 4.0 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 109 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 3 (n/a) –
China Europe International Business School
(CEIBS)
Address:
No. 699 Hongfeng Road
Pudong New District
Shanghai,
China
201206
Tel:
+ 86 21 2890 5675
Fax:
+ 86 21 2890 5114
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.ceibs.edu
Programme director:
Lydia Price
Figures in brackets
represent rank
119
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Students
Full-time MBA MBA for Executives
Annual intake 191 710
Applicants:places 3:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 35 (n/a) 20
Percentage of foreign students 16 (n/a) 23
Average GMAT score 686 (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 68 (n/a) 168
Age range of students 25-33 33-43
Average age 29 38
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (n/a) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA MBA for Executives
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 91 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 75 (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.1 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 41,165 (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary 78 (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates OCBC, Tesco, McKinsey & Co –
Cost
Full-time MBA MBA for Executives
Application fees US$80 Rmb900 (US$118)
Programme fees US$35,000 Rmb338,000 (US$44,474)
Comments – Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) Rmb12,000 (US$1,579) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) Rmb18,000 (US$2,368) –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need –
Application details
Full-time MBA MBA for Executives
Application deadline May 11th November 14th
Programme dates Aug start, 18 months Mar start, 24 months
Admission requirements
The directory
China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“China will be too big to
be ignored in the future.
The best place to learn
about China is in the
country itself.”
“Career services are
geared mostly to Chinese
and Chinese-speaking
students.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: Chinese
economy and emerging
markets, banking and
finance, leadership
Weakness: international
recruitment
First degree; at least 2 years’
work experience; references;
3 essays
First degree; at least 8 years’
work experience; 2 references;
4 essays; interview
120
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 72
Regional rank 6
Background
The MBA started by the graduate school of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 1966 (the
same year the school was established) is the oldest, and one of the most prestigious, full-time pro-
grammes in Hong Kong. The university itself is predominantly for undergraduates and has over 12,000
students, though the MBA programme is small. The school has a strong alumni base and good connec-
tions with the local business community. Guest lectures by local and international business leaders are
a regular part of the MBA curriculum and most courses also involve project work. The programme partic-
ularly appeals to would-be entrepreneurs and is commonly used as a launching pad for new businesses.
As CUHK is a bilingual university, some knowledge of Chinese languages is useful. However, virtually all
MBA classes are given in English. Only those directly related to markets in China or dealing in depth with
Chinese issues are given in Chinese languages.
Facilities
CUHK is sited on a large split-level campus overlooking the scenic Tolo Harbour, near Shatin, some
40 minutes’ drive from Hong Kong Island (there is a fast commuter rail link). Facilities are excellent.
Modern classrooms provide good technology and computing support. There are also student common
rooms and a behavioural science laboratory for scientific investigative research and skills development.
On-campus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (30) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 110 full-time, 10 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 2.2 (1) 1.1 2.4
Percentage of faculty with PhD 91 (50) 91 91
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (76) – –
Programme highlights
CUHK’s 16-month full-time MBA includes a required pre-course session, 11 core courses and a variable
number of electives depending on the concentration taken. Concentrations are either in China business,
finance or marketing, all of which require a mix of required and optional elective courses, though stu-
dents also have a general management option. Students who opt not to take an internship or exchange
can complete the degree in 12 months by continuing classes through the summer.
The part-time Evening MBA programme is similar to the full-time version, including concentrations.
Classes are held at CUHK’s downtown MBA centre once a week for each course. The Weekend part-time pro-
gramme is similar to the full-time and Evening versions. Students take two courses per semester. Classes
are held on the main campus on Saturdays. Both programmes are normally completed in two years.
The Executive MBA consists of eight ten-week quarters over two years. Chinese and English lan-
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Address:
Faculty of Business
Administration
Shatin, N. T.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong SAR/China
Tel:
+852 2609 7777
Fax:
+852 2603 6289
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.cuhk.edu.hk/mba
Programme director:
Michael Ferguson
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 56
Diversity of recruiters 82
Number in jobs three months after graduation 26
Jobs found through the careers service n/a
Student assessment of careers service 50
Personal development/educational experience 16
Faculty quality 2
Student quality 94
Student diversity 21
Education experience 8
Increase in salary >100
Increase in salary 14
Post-MBA salary >100
Potential to network 34
Breadth of alumni network 18
Internationalism of alumni 92
Alumni effectiveness 31
121
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
guages are used. There is a residence week in a local hotel at the beginning and end of the programme.
Classes are held at CUHK’s downtown MBA centre on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
CUHK also takes part in OneMBA, a joint global programme (see page 264).
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (>100) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 70 (4) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (54) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 52 108 50
Applicants:places 5:1 3:1 0:1
Percentage of women students 36 (21) 47 20
Percentage of foreign students 79 (37) 15 16
Average GMAT score 610 (75) 570 n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 66 (70) 96 168
Age range of students 26-32 26-34 34-47
Average age 29 30 38
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (76) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (82) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 98 (26) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services n/a (n/a) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (50) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 52,538 (>100) – –
Percentage increase in salary 156 (14) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Goldman Sachs, IBM, LVMH – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees HK$180 (US$23) HK$180 (US$23) HK$180 (US$23)
Programme fees HK$270,000 (US$34,615) HK$230,400 (US$29,538) HK$308,000 (US$39,487)
Comments Total programme – Total programme
Accommodation costs HK$42,000 (US$5,385) – –
(on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs HK$72,000 (US$9,231) – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available US$350,000 – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, – –
exchange, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline March 31st March 31st March 7th
Programme dates Aug start, 16 months Aug start, 24 months Aug start, 24 months
Admission requirements
The directory
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“It has a prime location
and strong professors
teaching the core
coursework.”
“There is not enough
of variety [of electives]
to choose, due to the
number of students.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing, China
business
Weakness: limited
elective choice
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
essay; interview
First degree; at
least 7 years’
work experience;
references; interview
First degree; at least
3 years’ work
experience; GMAT;
TOEFL; references; essay
122
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 46
Regional rank 18
Background
Cass is based in the heart of the City of London, one of the world’s leading financial centres. Its links
with business are excellent and the list of visiting speakers is impressive. The full-range school is big
by European standards (thought most undergraduate programmes are taught at a separate site) and
makes a point of combining an intellectual, academic approach with business-oriented practicality. A
good slice of MBA course work is taught by practising executives—the fact that most of them are on
Cass’s doorstep helps.
Facilities
Cass is housed in a £36m eight-floor building in London’s financial district, built in 2002. The excellent
facilities include classrooms, lecture theatres and syndicate rooms. There is some on-campus accom-
modation in halls of residence, but demand outstrips supply. Help is given to students seeking accom-
modation in London, but it is expensive and may be some way from the school.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (58) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 102 full-time, 4 part-time
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.3 (11) 1.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 92 (67) 92
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (60) –
Programme highlights
Cass’s one-year full-time MBA begins with a traditional core of 12 courses arranged in four modules,
followed by six electives and an individual project, often used as a precursor to landing a job. The core
takes up the first two terms, electives the third and the project the final term. Soft skills and careers
training are good, and each student has an individual alumnus to act as a mentor.
The part-time evening Executive MBA is more or less identical to the full-time version and is taken
over two years. Classes meet two evenings a week in term time and on the occasional weekend. Students
take core courses in the first year, and eight elective courses and a business project in the second year.
The EMBA is also offered in a modular version.
A two-year, part-time EMBA is also offered in Dubai in collaboration with the Dubai International
Financial Centre.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (36) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (96) –
Number of languages on offer 2 (91) –
City University—Cass Business School
Address:
106 Bunhill Row
London
UK
EC1Y 8TZ
Tel:
+44 20 7040 8662
Fax:
+44 20 7040 8898
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.cassmba.com
Programme director:
Chris Storey
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 80
Diversity of recruiters 84
Number in jobs three months after graduation 88
Jobs found through the careers service 99
Student assessment of careers service 23
Personal development/educational experience 42
Faculty quality 13
Student quality 43
Student diversity 19
Education experience 100
Increase in salary 11
Increase in salary 40
Post-MBA salary 7
Potential to network 32
Breadth of alumni network 20
Internationalism of alumni 22
Alumni effectiveness 68
123
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 80 71
Applicants:places 5:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 37 (26) 20
Percentage of foreign students 69 (45) 41
Average GMAT score 646 (56) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (18) 120
Age range of students 26-36 28-39
Average age 30 32
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (38) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (84) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 72 (88) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 27 (99) –
Student rating of careers service 4.0 (23) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 127,290 (7) –
Percentage increase in salary 76 (40) –
Principal recruiters of graduates KPMG, Royal Bank of Scotland, –
Standard & Poor’s
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees £50 (US$100) £50 (US$100)
Programme fees £28,000 (US$56,000) £37,000 (US$74,000)
Comments Total programme –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £7,800(US$15,600) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £5,000 (US$10,000) –
Financial aid available £200,000 (US$400,000) –
Type of aid available Studentships, scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline May 31st –
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Feb start, 24 months
Admission requirements
The directory
City University—Cass Business School
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Its main strength is its
relations within industry.
It is ideally located in the
City of London.”
“There is a lack of
marketing courses.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
finance, strategy ,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: marketing
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL;
references; essay
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; 2 references;
essay; interview; laptop
124
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 21
Regional rank 11
Background
Columbia rightly stresses its international orientation, but the school’s location in New York City is a big
plus. It can draw on high-profile executives as guest speakers and adjunct faculty as well as offer attrac-
tive internships and project opportunities. Columbia also has good national and international links,
including a network of more than 33,000 alumni around the world who can provide access to informa-
tion, mentors and jobs. Hundreds of employers actively recruit each year, conducting thousands of on-
campus interviews and corporate presentations.
Facilities
The business school is based in the refurbished Uris Hall, at the centre of the university campus, which
provides classrooms, library, faculty and student lounges, offices and a delicatessen. Library, sports and
leisure facilities are good. There are further amenities at Warren Hall, an eight-storey building five min-
utes’ walk from Uris and shared with the School of Law.
Columbia University has submitted proposals for a major expansion in the West Harlem area and if
this succeeds it may mean a move for the school in future years. Some university housing is available
but most students rent accommodation.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA EMBA-Global
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (95) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 116 full-time, 116 part-time, 7 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA EMBA-Global
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (100) 2.1 3.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (22) 98 98
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (57) – –
Programme highlights
The core curriculum of Columbia’s two-year full-time MBA has been revamped with effect from autumn
2008. Students will now take two full courses and 12 half-term courses. In the second half of the second
term in the “flexible core”, students will select one core class from three pre-specified menus (Organi-
zations, Performance and Markets). Electives start towards the end of the first year. Some electives
are designated as master classes, project-based courses specialising in particular industries such as
media, real estate and consulting. Concentrations are not required, but students can group electives
into offered areas of concentration or design their own. Some electives can be taken in other graduate
schools of the university.
Classes for the 20-month Executive MBA are held on Friday and Saturday of alternate weeks. The
programme comprises five consecutive terms with four classes each term.
The 20-month EMBA–Global is run in partnership with London Business School (LBS). The programme
is a mix of campus-based lectures, case studies, projects and teamwork, field trips, company-based projects
and online course material (see page 198). Participants earn an MBA degree from both institutions.
Columbia Business School
Address:
3022 Broadway
Uris Hall, Room 216
New York, New York
US
10027
Tel:
+1 212 854 2747
Fax:
+1 212 854 3050
E-mail:
[email protected].
edu
Website:
www.gsb.columbia.
edu/mba
Programme director:
Amir Ziv
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 15
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 35
Jobs found through the careers service 17
Student assessment of careers service 24
Personal development/educational experience 40
Faculty quality 62
Student quality 21
Student diversity 48
Education experience 67
Increase in salary 30
Increase in salary 95
Post-MBA salary 28
Potential to network 28
Breadth of alumni network 54
Internationalism of alumni 30
Alumni effectiveness 17
125
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The school also offers the Berkeley–Columbia Executive MBA (see page 104 for full details).
Full-time MBA Executive MBA EMBA-Global
Student rating of programme 4.3 (39) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 35 (84) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA EMBA-Global
Annual intake 711 115 72
Applicants:places 8:1 – –
Percentage of women students 34 (28) 26 22
Percentage of foreign students 42 (74) 45 38
Average GMAT score 709 (8) n/a n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (60) 108 120
Age range of students 25-31 28-39 28-40
Average age 28 32 33
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (15) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA EMBA-Global
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (35) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 79 (17) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (24) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 107,265 (28) – –
Percentage increase in salary 55 (95) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, Citi, Goldman Sachs – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA EMBA-Global
Application fees US$250 US$160 US$170
Programme fees US$43,436 US$133,200 US$132,840
Comments Total programme Total programme Total
programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$18,900 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$18,900 – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available Fellowships, scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA EMBA-Global
Application deadline April 16th June 1st January 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 20 months Sep start, 20 months May start, 20 months
Admission requirements
The directory
Columbia Business School
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“I never realised that
being in NY would be so
useful in terms of access
to speakers, alumni etc.”
“The facilities leave
something to be desired.
Classrooms are cramped
and the technical services
are sub par. But that will
all change in a few years
when Columbia Business
School moves into its new
location.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
management,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: cramped
facilities
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 4 essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least
5 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; essay;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least
5 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 2 essays;
interview
126
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 28
Regional rank 14
Background
By US standards the Johnson Graduate School of Management is small with a friendly and co-opera-
tive, teamworking ethic and a commitment to business education that is readily applicable to the real
world. Although it is a bit out of the way (a five-hour drive from New York City), geographical isolation
has not stopped it setting up international links, notably with Japan, and about one-third of students
come from outside the US. The school is closely linked to its parent, the prestigious Ivy League Cornell
University (a link the school’s five-year strategic plan intends to strengthen), and MBA students are
encouraged to take advantage of the range of courses offered by the university as a whole.
Facilities
The Johnson school is based in Sage Hall, which is one of the earliest buildings at Cornell and a his-
toric landmark (it was constructed to house Cornell’s first women students). A US$35m renovation has
effectively created an entirely new building within the old walls and provided outstanding facilities,
including eight amphitheatre classrooms and 29 breakout rooms. The school has also added a broadcast
studio for use in the Cornell-Queen’s Executive MBA programme, allowing real-time, interactive video-
conferencing for students in the US and Canada. The university is set in beautiful countryside in New
York State’s Finger Lakes region, and from November to March the weather is cold. Social life, which
centres on the university, is good. Most MBA students live off campus, where accommodation is reason-
ably priced. Some foreign students live on campus.
Full-time Executive Cornell-Queen’s
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.7 (9) – –
Faculty Number of faculty: 65 full-time, 19 part-time, 25 visiting
Full-time Executive Cornell-Queen’s
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (>100) 1.7 109.0
Percentage of faculty with PhD 92 (51) 92 92
Student rating of faculty 4.7 (4) – –
Programme highlights
Cornell’s two-year full-time MBA programme has the traditional rigorous US core (12 required function-
al courses), plus two or more electives in the first year and the remaining elective courses in the second.
The core has some interesting innovations, the most notable being so-called immersion courses, taken
during the spring semester of the first year, in which students work on real problems with real dead-
lines. Although these are optional, about 80% of students take them. Johnson encourages students to
take advantage of Cornell by choosing electives offered by other areas of the university.
There is an accelerated 12-month track for students with graduate degrees in scientific or technical
fields and extensive work experience. The programme begins in May with a 10-week term that covers
most of the two-year core. Students then join the elective streams.
The part-time, 22-month Executive MBA is held at IBM Palisades Executive Conference Center out-
Cornell University—Johnson Graduate
School of Management
Address:
Sage Hall
Ithaca, NY
US
14853
Tel:
+1 607 255 5670
Fax:
+1 607 255 2823
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.johnson.cornell.
edu
Programme director:
Cathy Dove
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 18
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 34
Jobs found through the careers service 62
Student assessment of careers service 8
Personal development/educational experience 51
Faculty quality 39
Student quality 50
Student diversity 86
Education experience 16
Increase in salary 57
Increase in salary 91
Post-MBA salary 41
Potential to network 33
Breadth of alumni network 73
Internationalism of alumni 72
Alumni effectiveness 7
127
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
side New York City. Classes are held every other weekend (all day Saturday and Sunday morning) and
there is a one-week residential session on the Ithaca campus at the beginning of each of the four terms.
The Cornell-Queen’s Executive MBA is a joint venture between Johnson and Queen’s School of Busi-
ness in Canada. Classes for the heavily technology-based 17-month programme are held in New York
State, Ohio, Washington State, Oregon, Washington DC and across Canada, and feature a combination
of on-campus residential sessions and multi-point interactive videoconferencing-based sessions.
Full-time Executive Cornell-Queen’s
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.6 (4) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 34 (79) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time Executive Cornell-Queen’s
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 310 65 1
Applicants:places 7:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 25 (93) 32 19
Percentage of foreign students 35 (77) 20 56
Average GMAT score 686 (29) 0 625
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (60) 144 144
Age range of students 24-32 26-62 28-50
Average age 28 34 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (11) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Executive Cornell-Queen’s
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (34) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 64 (62) – –
Student rating of careers service 4.3 (8) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 98,000 (41) – –
Percentage increase in salary 56 (91) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Citi, General Electric, Deloitte – –
Cost
Full-time Executive Cornell-Queen’s
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$200 US$150 US$0
Programme fees US$44,950 US$127,800 US$98,000
Comments – Total programme Fully inclusive (tuition,
accommodations, food)
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$7,800 – –
Financial aid available US$4,800,000 – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time Executive Cornell-Queen’s
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline March – –
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Jul start, 22 months Jul start, 17 months
Admission requirements
The directory
Cornell University—Johnson Graduate School of Management
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The overall atmosphere
and sense of community
here is outstanding,
and I am certain it is
unique.”
“Many of the courses
should incorporate some
more international
content.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
consulting, marketing
Weakness:
internationalism
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 2 essays
First degree;
2 references; 2 essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least
7 years’ work experience;
2 references; 2 essays;
interview; laptop
128
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 13
Regional rank 6
Background
Cranfield School of Management, a key part of the postgraduate Cranfield University, was formally
established in 1967 and is one of the UK’s longest-established business schools. It has a strong interna-
tional orientation, with close links with companies and other schools and geographic regions. The MBA
programme is well regarded but the school also puts a strong emphasis on executive education and has
extensive research expertise across a wide area.
Facilities
Cranfield, housed in several closely grouped buildings, is large and very well equipped. The school’s
information centre is computer-based and there are good computer facilities for students. Plenty of
accommodation is available on the sprawling university campus, but many students live off campus in
the surrounding villages, where housing is easy to find and reasonably priced. Because the campus is
isolated a car is almost essential.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.7 (10) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 78 full-time, 1 part-time, 7 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (51) 1.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 76 (100) 76
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (47) –
Programme highlights
Cranfield’s one-year full-time MBA consists of four taught terms rather than the more usual (in the UK)
three. The first and second terms are devoted to 14 core courses (including a one-week project man-
agement module) and the third and fourth terms to electives, projects and study tours. Electives are
grouped into themed modules, such as implementing and leading change and managing strategic inno-
vation. Students must choose the equivalent of five major modules, assessed via individual and group
projects. A personal and professional development theme is compulsory. There is also a required inter-
national study tour. Some students may be required to attend pre-programme training.
The two-year part-time Executive MBA starts in January and ends in November of the following
year. Part-time participants attend classes at Cranfield for 14 weekends (all day Friday and Saturday)
and three-and-a-half week residential periods spread throughout each year. A modular version requires
attending six eight-day modules at Cranfield each year.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (32) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 129 (11) –
Number of languages on offer 3 (79) –
Cranfield School of Management
Address:
Cranfield
Bedford
England
MK42 0AL
Tel:
+44 1234 754 818
Fax:
+44 1234 752 439
E-mail:
mbaadmissions@
cranfield.ac.uk
Website:
www.cranfieldMBA.info
Programme director:
Sean Rickard
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 36
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 45
Jobs found through the careers service 30
Student assessment of careers service 55
Personal development/educational experience 22
Faculty quality >100
Student quality 10
Student diversity 58
Education experience 11
Increase in salary 14
Increase in salary 42
Post-MBA salary 11
Potential to network 17
Breadth of alumni network 41
Internationalism of alumni 20
Alumni effectiveness 16
129
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 129 68
Applicants:places 3:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 23 (>100) 24
Percentage of foreign students 84 (38) 34
Average GMAT score 660 (42) 660
Average number of months’ work experience 96 (14) 132
Age range of students 26-36 28-43
Average age 31 34
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (14) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 92 (45) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 50 (30) –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (55) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 116,904 (11) –
Percentage increase in salary 82 (42) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Dunnhumby, SITA, UBS –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees n/a n/a
Programme fees £26,500 (US$53,000) £28,000 (US$56,000)
Comments Total programme, laptop included Total programme, laptop included
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £4,200 (US$8,400) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £9,000 (US$18,000) –
Financial aid available £500,000 (US$1m) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Need, merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline September 1st January 1st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Jan start, 24 months
Admission requirements
The directory
Cranfield School of Management
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The camaraderie among
students—as well as
a do-it-yourself, ‘it’s
your MBA’ approach—
encourages leadership
skills development.”
“Given the duration of
programme and diversity
of candidates, perhaps
the depth of some
modules like accounting
and finance can only
cover base concepts.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: leadership
and personal
development,
corporate strategy,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: finance
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT;
TOEFL or IELTS; references;
4 essays
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; 2 references;
4 essays; interview
130
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 93
Regional rank 11
Background
Curtin University Graduate School of Business (GSB) is part of Curtin Business School, which in turn is
the largest teaching unit of Curtin University of Technology. The school has close links with business
and industry, a good national brand name and a strong focus on Asian issues. As well as academic facul-
ty, the school uses many senior executives as adjunct professors and teaching fellows. Through a series
of business leaders seminars, which focus on a range of management and leadership topics, it provides
exposure to local and global leaders.
Facilities
Curtin GSB is based in the centre of Perth in a refurbished building, formerly the government printing
office, and facilities are specially designed for graduate students, most of whom work full-time nearby.
It also provides easy access to business locations. Perth is noted for its superb food and wine and for its
beaches. It also provides easier access to some of Asia’s most thriving economies than many commercial
centres on Australia’s eastern seaboard. The school is planning a new satellite campus in Singapore.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (67) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 15 full-time, 29 part-time, 3 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (53) 0.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (54) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (68) –
Programme highlights
The Curtin MBA is offered in identical full-time and part-time formats with the option to complete some
courses via distance learning. The minimum time required to complete the basic MBA is 12 months
full-time or between two and four years part-time. There are different tracks for students with an
undergraduate business degree and those without. Three specialisations are available: marketing, stra-
tegic procurement and human services. Alternatively, students can take four additional general units
to receive an Advanced MBA. The programme can be completed online but some residence at Curtin is
required. It is also offered part-time at Curtin’s Sarawak campus in Malaysia.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (61) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 25 (28) –
Number of languages on offer 1 (100) –
Curtin University Graduate School of
Business
Address:
78 Murray Street
Perth
Western Australia
6000
Tel:
+ 61 8 9266 2882
Fax:
+ 61 8 9266 3368
E-mail:
[email protected].
edu.au
Website:
www.gsb.curtin.edu.au
Programme director:
Peter Galvin
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities >100
Diversity of recruiters 87
Number in jobs three months after graduation >100
Jobs found through the careers service 97
Student assessment of careers service 68
Personal development/educational experience 2
Faculty quality 71
Student quality 2
Student diversity 11
Education experience 89
Increase in salary 89
Increase in salary >100
Post-MBA salary 65
Potential to network 81
Breadth of alumni network 59
Internationalism of alumni 77
Alumni effectiveness 72
131
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 59 164
Applicants:places 3:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 39 (6) 39
Percentage of foreign students 37 (53) 15
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) –
Average number of months’ work experience 144 (2) 144
Age range of students 25-39 26-45
Average age 31 34
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (53) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (87) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 29 (>100) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 30 (97) –
Student rating of careers service 3.6 (68) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 95,167 (65) –
Percentage increase in salary 28 (>100) –
Principal recruiters of graduates BHP Billiton, ANZ Bank, Australian Government –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees A$29,100 (US$24,250) A$29,100 (US$24,250)
Comments Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) A$6,110 (US$5,092) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) A$14,656 (US$12,213) –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, AusAid, Indigenous Aid –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline – –
Programme dates Jan start, 12 months Jan start, 24 months
Admission requirements
The directory
Curtin University Graduate School of Business
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“It’s an excellent
programme with a very
diverse international
component.”
“Not much focus on
recruitment. Most
students were already
employed or had pre-
existing opportunities.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: business
strategy, leadership and
governance, strategic
procurement
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL, IELTS or CUTE;
references; interview; laptop
First degree; at least 3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL, IELTS or CUTE;
2 references
132
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 5
Regional rank 3
Background
Tuck School of Business, part of the prestigious Dartmouth College, is the oldest graduate school of
business in the world (founded in 1900). It offers only one degree programme, the full-time MBA, and
claims this gives it added focus. The school is noted for general management, teamwork, close student–
faculty relations and the Tuck experience of a small residential programme in a beautiful, if slightly
remote, semi-rural setting. Almost all work is done in assigned teams and the ability to succeed in col-
laborative working is essential.
Facilities
The school consists of six interconnected buildings combining traditional Georgian and modern archi-
tecture on a 13-acre site on the western edge of the Dartmouth campus. Paul Danos, only the ninth
dean in the school’s long history, has invested heavily in faculty hiring, technology and building, and
the facilities are excellent. Most first-year students live on campus, further heightening the collegiate
atmosphere. Tuck is planning a new “living and learning” complex on campus that is expected to pro-
vide at least three new classrooms capable of seating between 60 and 70 students, additional study
rooms and accommodation for about 95 first-year students.
Hanover is a tiny college town, about two hours’ drive from Boston, in a beautiful country setting in
New Hampshire. Despite its remoteness, Tuck has no difficulty in attracting recruiters and all the major
organisations are represented on campus.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.8 (1)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 42 full-time, 35 part-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (>100)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (11)
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (15)
Programme highlights
The first year of Tuck’s two-year full-time programme concentrates on a lengthy 14-course core plus a
team project and one elective. The emphasis is on leadership and leadership development courses run
throughout the first year. Most first-year work is carried out in four- or five-person study groups. Sec-
ond-year students study 12 electives and undertake an optional international field project. There is no
requirement to select a major but students are free to group electives if they wish.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (14)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 44 (62)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Dartmouth College—Tuck School of
Business
Address:
100 Tuck Hall
Hanover, NH
US
03755
Tel:
+1 603 646 0041
E-mail:
tuck.admissions@tuck.
dartmouth.edu
Website:
www.tuck.dartmouth.
edu
Programme director:
Matthew Slaughter
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 6
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 7
Jobs found through the careers service 18
Student assessment of careers service 11
Personal development/educational experience 11
Faculty quality 33
Student quality 16
Student diversity 53
Education experience 15
Increase in salary 23
Increase in salary 47
Post-MBA salary 27
Potential to network 25
Breadth of alumni network 81
Internationalism of alumni 50
Alumni effectiveness 1
133
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Dartmouth College—Tuck School of Business
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 255
Applicants:places 10:1
Percentage of women students 34 (47)
Percentage of foreign students 37 (84)
Average GMAT score 715 (2)
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (54)
Age range of students 25-32
Average age 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.8 (3)
Recruiters/career services
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 98 (7)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 81 (18)
Student rating of careers service 4.3 (11)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 107,406 (27)
Percentage increase in salary 78 (47)
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, Lehman Brothers, Bain & Co
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$220
Programme fees US$42,990
Comments Per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$9,725
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$11,100
Financial aid available Varies
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit or a combination of merit and need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline April
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements First degree; TOEFL; references; 4 essays; interview; laptop; transcripts
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The school has a strong
curriculum, but it is the
students, administrators
and faculty behind the
curriculum that make this
place so special.”
“Not enough focus on
international business
in the case studies and
lectures.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategy/
management, finance,
marketing
Weakness: can lack
internationalism
134
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 40
Background
The Trinity MBA is one of the oldest in Europe (it started in 1964) and Trinity College is one of Europe’s
oldest universities, founded by Elizabeth I in 1592. Illustrious alumni have included Jonathan Swift,
Oliver Goldsmith, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. The school of business teaches undergraduate and
graduate programmes.
Facilities
The school is based on the Trinity campus, a collection of ancient and modern buildings and grassy or
cobbled courtyards in the centre of Dublin. The MBA programme has its own 40-seat classroom, eight
syndicate rooms, a common area, an adjacent kitchen and offices. The syndicate rooms are equipped
with computer facilities providing Internet access. Students can use all the university facilities, includ-
ing general and specialised databases. The college will advise on accommodation.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.1 (n/a)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 13 full-time, 11 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (n/a)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 85 (n/a)
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (n/a)
Programme highlights
Trinity’s one-year MBA programme has a tradition of personalised, tutorial-style learning, and the class
size is deliberately kept small. In the second half of the programme students meet practising executives
in a series of seminars. They also spend one week in mainland Europe as an introduction to the business
implications of the European Union.
The programme is divided into five modules with typical core courses and more broadly based cours-
es taught across most of them. Each module is linked to one of the stages of a team (5–6 students)
in-company project that is the centrepiece of the programme and is worked on throughout most of the
year. At each project stage the team must produce oral and written reports. Students also work on an
individual research essay.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 3.9 (84)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 40 (22)
Number of languages on offer 0 (111)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 30
Applicants:places 11:1
Percentage of women students 27 (n/a)
Percentage of foreign students 27 (n/a)
Average GMAT score 571 (n/a)
Average number of months’ work experience 144 (n/a)
Age range of students 27-44
Average age 34
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (n/a)
University of Dublin—Trinity College—
School of Business
Address:
Trinity College Dublin
School of Business
Dublin
Ireland
Tel:
+353 1896 1994
Fax:
+353 1679 9503
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.trinitymba.com
Programme director:
Vincent Dooley
Figures in brackets
represent rank
135
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Dublin—Trinity College—School of Business
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (n/a)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 90 (n/a)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 30 (n/a)
Student rating of careers service 3.2 (n/a)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 118,297 (n/a)
Percentage increase in salary 90 (n/a)
Principal recruiters of graduates –
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees €100 (US$137)
Programme fees €28,500 (US$39,041)
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) €3,800 (US$5,205)
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €5,100 (US$6,986)
Financial aid available €80,000 (US$109,589)
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted EU citizens, academic, financial need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline August 15th
Programme dates Sep start, 11 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience;
GMAT; TOEFL; references; 3 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Choose TCD for the
diversity, the class size,
the price, the reputation
and the location.”
“Not enough
focus on alumni
development/networking
opportunities.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategy,
finance, international
business
Weakness: alumni
network
136
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 29
Regional rank 15
Background
The Fuqua School of Business is young by US standards, starting only in 1970. It underwent significant
growth during the 1980s after a series of gifts from J B Fuqua, an Atlanta industrialist and philanthrop-
ist. (The name is pronounced “few-qua”.) The school stresses collaboration and there is an emphasis on
functional skills and personal effectiveness through soft skills workshops and projects. From an initial
12 students in 1970, Fuqua now has over 1,300 students on MBA programmes as well as a strong execu-
tive education arm. The school has been a leader in the use of technology in teaching. It has close links
to business, benefiting from its base in the Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill triangle, a cluster of universi-
ties and high-tech businesses.
Facilities
Facilities are excellent. The Keller Center’s 40,000 sq-ft east wing houses the MBA programme. It
includes five lecture halls, two auditoriums, seminar and team rooms, the placement and faculty offices,
a student lounge, two computer labs, a snack bar and the library. More faculty and other offices are
located in the west wing.
Full-time MBA—Global MBA—Cross MBA—Weekend
MBA Executive Continent Executive
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (17) – – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 114 full-time, 17 part-time, 15 visiting
Full-time MBA—Global MBA—Cross MBA—Weekend
MBA Executive Continent Executive
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (96) 1.7 1.2 1.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 97 (37) 97 97 97
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (9) – – –
Programme highlights
Duke has updated its MBA curriculum. The full-time MBA is taught in six-week terms with students taking
three or four courses per term, allowing at least five electives to be taken in the first year. The number
of electives can be increased by taking the FleX Term, a two-week winter term with key career electives
aimed at preparing students for their summer internship.
The programme starts with a three-week “Global Institute” in August, which combines two core
courses on leadership and ethics and global business. Concentrations are not required but are offered.
A concentration typically offers six focused electives chosen from a range offered.
The Duke MBA–Weekend Executive is a 20-month part-time programme. Classes meet all day Friday
and most of Saturday (with an overnight stay) on campus on alternate weekends. Students take three
required classes during each of the first four terms and six short elective courses in the fifth term. There
is an optional international study tour and some online learning.
The Duke MBA–Global Executive is a 5-term 18-month programme with residential sessions in Asia,
South America, Europe and the US. Each term includes a three-week reading period, a two-week resi-
Duke University—Fuqua School of Business
Address:
One Towerview Drive
Durham, NC
US
27708
Tel:
+1 919 524 1645
Fax:
+1 919 660 2949
E-mail:
admissions-info@
fuqua.duke.edu
Website:
www.fuqua.duke.edu/
mba/daytime/
Programme director:
Michael Hemmerich
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 34
Diversity of recruiters 53
Number in jobs three months after graduation 72
Jobs found through the careers service 36
Student assessment of careers service 18
Personal development/educational experience 24
Faculty quality 41
Student quality 20
Student diversity 55
Education experience 27
Increase in salary 41
Increase in salary 58
Post-MBA salary 39
Potential to network 42
Breadth of alumni network 94
Internationalism of alumni 53
Alumni effectiveness 20
137
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Duke University—Fuqua School of Business
dential classroom session, 10-12 weeks of online work and a one-week break.
The 20-month Duke MBA–Cross Continent MBA is a variation on the Global Executive programme,
using on-campus residencies and distance learning. There are nine residential sessions (eight one-week
sessions and one week of orientation), of which six are in North America, one in Europe, one in Asia
and one in a third international location. During non-residential weeks students spend 20 hours a week
continuing their studies online.
Full-time MBA—Global MBA—Cross MBA—Weekend
MBA Executive Continent Executive
Student rating of programme 4.4 (18) – – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 130 (58) – – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (59) – – –
Students
Full-time MBA—Global MBA—Cross MBA—Weekend
MBA Executive Continent Executive
Annual intake 429 85 118 109
Applicants:places 7:1 – – –
Percentage of women students 36 (49) 19 21 16
Percentage of foreign students 40 (64) 44 35 37
Average GMAT score 690 (16) n/a 652 648
Average number of months’ work experience 66 (48) 180 77 120
Age range of students 26-34 34-45 26-34 29-41
Average age 29 39 30 34
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (12) – – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA—Global MBA—Cross MBA—Weekend
MBA Executive Continent Executive
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (53) – – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 89 (72) – – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 72 (36) – – –
Student rating of careers service 4.1 (18) – – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 98,510 (39) – – –
Percentage increase in salary 88 (58) – – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Johnson & Johnson, – – –
Bank of America, Deloitte
Cost
Full-time MBA—Global MBA—Cross MBA—Weekend
MBA Executive Continent Executive
Application fees US$200 US$200 US$200 US$200
Programme fees US$44,100 US$135,500 US$101,900 US$102,900
Comments Per year Total programme Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$6,500 – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$6,500 – – –
Financial aid available – – – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – – –
Application details
Full-time MBA—Global MBA—Cross MBA—Weekend
MBA Executive Continent Executive
Application deadline March March 16th March 16th January 15th
Programme dates Aug start, 22 months May start, 18 months Jul start, 20 months Mar start, 20 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“An impressive quality
of coursework and
education with a dynamic
student body.”
“Although an
international focus
is woven effectively
throughout the
curriculum it would
be nice to have an
international business
concentration added
officially and for it to
be supported by more
language courses.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing, general
management
Weakness: international
courses
First degree;
references; 2 short
essays and two long
essays; interview;
laptop
First degree; at least 10 years’
work experience; TOEFL,
IELTS or TOEIC;
3 references; interview;
laptop; sponsorship letter
from employer
First degree; at least
3 years’ work
experience; references;
interview; laptop;
sponsorship letter
from employer
First degree; at least
5 years’ work
experience; references;
interview; laptop;
sponsorship letter
from employer
138
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 65
Regional rank 26
Background
Durham Business School, founded in 1965, is one of the oldest in the UK and the university itself is
exceeded in age only by Oxford and Cambridge. Like them it operates a college system to which all stu-
dents, including MBAs, belong. The school is large, with some 2,500 students, the majority of them
postgraduates. It has strong international connections with other academic institutions and with local,
national and international business. The city of Durham has some exceptional architectural and histori-
cal features, making it a highly desirable studying environment. Professor Rob Dixon took over as dean
in April 2008. He was previously deputy dean.
Facilities
Postgraduate business education including MBAs and specialist masters are offered at Mill Hill Lane
campus, a dedicated site about a 20-minute walk from the centre of Durham, with lecture theatres, sem-
inar rooms and breakout areas. The business school has its own library and there is 24-hour access to
computer facilities. On-campus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (59) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 57 full-time, 1 part-time, 104 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.5 (13) 8.1
Percentage of faculty with PhD 89 (74) 89
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (91) –
Programme highlights
Durham’s full-time MBA programme’s core courses are grouped into seven themed areas or modules.
Students choose five electives in the second term from about 20 offered; these can be grouped into
a specialisation or taken across a broad range. The individual academic dissertation or in-company
project, which requires a dissertation of 15,000 words, is undertaken in June–September. Personal and
professional development workshops run throughout the programme. The specialised full-time MBA
(Finance) has the same core but three compulsory financial electives.
Durham’s two-year part-time Executive MBA is more or less identical to the full-time programme
though with six core and six elective courses. Classes meet all day Friday and Saturday every two or
three weeks.
The distance-learning MBA/MBA (Finance) is again virtually identical in content to the full-time and
part-time programmes and leads to the same degree.
Durham also offers a part-time MBA in the Caribbean region in collaboration with the Caribbean
Management Education Centre and a similar programme in Germany.
University of Durham—Durham Business
School
Address:
Mill Hill Lane
Durham
UK
DH1 3LB
Tel:
+44 191 334 5457
Fax:
+44 191 334 5218
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.dur.ac.uk/dbs
Programme director:
Dr Julie Hodges
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 70
Diversity of recruiters 69
Number in jobs three months after graduation 60
Jobs found through the careers service 10
Student assessment of careers service >100
Personal development/educational experience 38
Faculty quality 67
Student quality 17
Student diversity 63
Education experience 52
Increase in salary 74
Increase in salary 32
Post-MBA salary 73
Potential to network 52
Breadth of alumni network 52
Internationalism of alumni 23
Alumni effectiveness 76
139
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Durham—Durham Business School
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (81) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 12 (61) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 54 20
Applicants:places 7:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 24 (78) 20
Percentage of foreign students 93 (18) 4
Average GMAT score 600 (81) 0
Average number of months’ work experience 120 (5) 180
Age range of students 26-40 29-46
Average age 31 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (>100) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (69) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95 (60) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 80 (10) –
Student rating of careers service 2.8 (>100) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 85,832 (73) –
Percentage increase in salary 82 (32) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Barclays, BT, Ericsson –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees £20,500 (US$41,000) £16,500 (US$33,000)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £5,000 (US$10,000) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £5,000 (US$10,000) –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline July 31st November 30th
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Jan start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great academic quality,
infrastructure and
learning environment.”
“Weak careers services:
a lack of practical
support and not very well
connected.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: human
resource management,
organisational ecology,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL or
IELTS; references
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL or IELTS;
2 references; interview
140
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 41
Background
EADA (Escuela de Alta Dirección y Administración) is a commercial operation formed in 1957 in Barce-
lona. It was originally a consultancy in business management and administration which expanded into
customised in-company training. In 1960 it started its first open training courses and in 1981 gave up
consulting to concentrate exclusively on training. It likes to see itself as a Spanish version of Ashridge,
Henley or IMD. Not surprisingly, it has excellent links with business. The aim is that its international
network, which originally focused on Latin America, should cover the whole world. International faculty
and staff have been hired to help achieve this.
Facilities
EADA is based in an eight-storey building in Barcelona. Facilities include 24 classrooms, an auditorium,
a library, computer labs and meeting rooms, a cafeteria and a restaurant. EADA also has a residential
training centre in Collbató, about 40 km from Barcelona, with 113 rooms, a restaurant, 18 classrooms,
two auditoriums, meeting rooms, a library and a swimming pool. The centre is used on a regular resi-
dential basis by all MBA programmes, mainly for outdoor development exercises and soft skills training.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.6 (n/a) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 24 full-time, 7 part-time, 22 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (n/a) 2.0 0.6
Percentage of faculty with PhD 38 (n/a) 38 38
Student rating of faculty 4.0 (n/a) – –
Programme highlights
EADA’s one-year International MBA is offered in English. The programme starts with a one-week orien-
tation and foundation session. Students then study the extensive core (14 courses) between October
and May, a set of integrative courses in May and June, and electives in July. Throughout the programme
there are three team projects—a marketing plan, a business plan and new business venture—and stu-
dents complete a corporate business project.
EADA also runs a Spanish MBA in full-time and part-time versions and a Spanish-language Executive
MBA. It also participates in the Euro*MBA consortium.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (n/a) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 20 (n/a) – –
Number of languages on offer 1 (n/a) – –
EADA—Escuela de Alta Dirección y
Administración
Address:
Arago 204
Barcelona
Spain
08011
Tel:
+34 93 452 0844
Fax:
+34 93 323 7317
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.eada.edu
Programme director:
Giulio Toscani
Figures in brackets
represent rank
141
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
EADA—Escuela de Alta Dirección y Administración
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 89 26 84
Applicants:places 3:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 38 (n/a) 31 15
Percentage of foreign students 89 (n/a) 13 6
Average GMAT score 620 (n/a) 620 n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (n/a) 66 120
Age range of students 25-40 23-36 31-40
Average age 29 29 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (n/a) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 4 (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 90 (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 40 (n/a) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.1 (n/a) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 100,000 (n/a) – –
Percentage increase in salary 66 (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates HSBC, Hewlett-Packard, Honeywell – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees n/a n/a n/a
Programme fees €25,500 (US$34,932) €22,000 (US$30,137) €29,750 (US$40,753)
Comments – – Total programme
Accommodation costs – – –
(on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs €11,000 (US$15,068) – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available €96,775 (US$132,568) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline May December 31st September 21st
Programme dates Sep start, 10 months Mar start, 15 months Oct start, 18 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Good balance between
hard and soft skills as
well as focus on team
work.”
“Some infrastructure
is poor, such as
Internet, databases
and computers. But it
has improved in recent
years.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategy,
HRM, finance
Weakness: facilities
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT
First degree; at
least 3 years’ work
experience; interview
First degree; at least
5 years’ work
experience; interview;
CV; company letter
142
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 55
Regional rank 22
Background
The Business School is closely integrated with Edinburgh University, one of the oldest (founded in 1582)
and most highly respected universities in the UK. The university first offered a business degree in 1918
and the MBA was introduced in 1980. The school is full-range, teaching business and economics degrees
at undergraduate, masters’ and doctoral levels. It has a strong research focus and a good international
orientation.
Facilities
The school has its own fairly modern building with good facilities in the middle of the university campus,
close to the city centre. It is used exclusively by postgraduate management students, researchers and
executive-course participants. Students use the main university library, which is close by. The univer-
sity has excellent sports and cultural amenities and on-campus accommodation is available. Edinburgh
offers a wide variety of cultural and leisure activities.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (49) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 43 full-time, 3 part-time, 34 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (42) 2.7
Percentage of faculty with PhD 88 (82) 88
Student rating of faculty 4.1 (100) –
Programme highlights
The one-year full-time Edinburgh MBA programme covers eight functional core subjects in the first
semester linked by integrative projects. The first half of the second semester consists of a required stra-
tegic management course and three options (electives) followed in the second half by one-week courses
designed to link ideas from different subject areas to management issues. In the final part of the pro-
gramme students complete a project and dissertation. A revamped Career and Personal Development
(CPD) Programme, including an individual competency framework, psychometric and diagnostics test-
ing, one-to-one feedback, and an individual development plan, is a major part of the MBA.
The full-time MBA is also taught in a 48-month modular version alongside full-time students.
Edinburgh also offers a 15-month International MBA, taught alongside, and identical to, the first
one and a half semesters of the full-time programme. After that, students complete a full term’s course
work at one of Edinburgh’s partner schools in Canada, China, Europe or the US. Between July and
December they undertake a work placement in a country other than their country of origin and produce
a 15,000-word dissertation.
The 30-month part-time MBA starts with an induction programme (two evenings a week for two
University of Edinburgh Business School
Address:
7 Bristo Square
Edinburgh
UK
EH8 9AL
Tel:
+44 131 650 8067
Fax:
+44 131 650 6501
E-mail:
edinburgh.mba@
ed.ac.uk
Website:
www.man.ed.ac.uk
Programme director:
Dr Inger Seiferheld
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 72
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 77
Jobs found through the careers service 99
Student assessment of careers service 49
Personal development/educational experience 29
Faculty quality 91
Student quality 15
Student diversity 24
Education experience 37
Increase in salary 31
Increase in salary 79
Post-MBA salary 29
Potential to network 53
Breadth of alumni network 53
Internationalism of alumni 47
Alumni effectiveness 48
143
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Edinburgh Business School
weeks) and classes generally meet twice a week. Students study ten foundation (core) subjects (five in
the first year, three in the second year and two in the final year) and complete integrative projects. They
also take five electives (three in the second year and two in the third year) with students from other
MBA programmes and complete a dissertation.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (78) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 20 (51) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 66 30
Applicants:places 5:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 27 (63) 23
Percentage of foreign students 80 (30) 7
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (25) 132
Age range of students 27-37 30-44
Average age 31 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (42) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95 (77) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 28 (99) –
Student rating of careers service 3.8 (49) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 105,714 (29) –
Percentage increase in salary 54 (79) –
Principal recruiters of graduates HBOS, Shell, PricewaterhouseCoopers –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees £22,800 (US$45,600) £16,450 (US$32,900)
Comments – Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £4,750 (US$9,500) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £4,450 (US$8,900) –
Financial aid available £60,000 (US$120,000) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Essay, nationality, academic excellence –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline July 31st July 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Sep start, 30 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The international class
had no near competition
from any of the schools
I visited. This added a
whole new angle on each
topic we discussed.”
“Not all lecturers have
practical experience.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance and
business economics,
entrepreneurship,
career and personal
development
Weakness: some faculty
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL or IELTS;
references; essay; laptop;
may be called for interview;
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL or IELTS;
2 references; essay; aptitude
test; may be called for interview
144
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank n/a
Background
The Escuela de Graduados en Administración y Dirección de Empresas (EGADE) was founded in 1995 to
take over the graduate business programmes at Tecnológico de Monterrey (or ITESM), one of Mexico’s
largest universities, with campuses throughout the country. EGADE is generally reckoned to be the best
graduate business school in Latin America.
In 1995 the school offered one academic programme. It now offers six masters’ courses, a PhD, two
post-masters’ certificates and other top management programmes, which together teach more than
1,400 business executives in Mexico, Central and South America, North America and Europe every year.
EGADE has 1,100 graduate students, an alumni network of over 5,600 and strong ties with business-
es and institutions. It accepts the GMAT but also administers its own admissions test, the Prueba de
Admisión a Estudios de Posgrado (PAEP).
Facilities
Facilities at EGADE are very good. The school occupies a large new building (completed in 2001), which
is said to symbolise innovation, growth, interaction and the exchange of experiences. It includes
27 classrooms, 20 meeting rooms, a 300-seat auditorium, a cafeteria, a library and a wireless internet
connection. Students can also use the facilities of the main campus. EGADE is based in the metropol-
itan area of Monterrey, 180 miles south of the US–Mexican border. It is one of Latin America’s most
attractive cities for business.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA OneMBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.8 (n/a) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 46 full-time, 84 part-time, 12 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA OneMBA
Number of faculty per student 1.8 (n/a) 0.5 –
Percentage of faculty with PhD 93 (n/a) 93 93
Student rating of faculty 3.7 (n/a) – –
Programme highlights
The English-language MBA is known as the MBA with specialisation in Global Business and Strategy
(MBA-GBS) and is a double degree offered jointly by EGADE and Belk College of Business Administra-
tion at the University of North Carolina in the US. Students receive two MBA degrees—one from Tec de
Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, and one from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte—and a certifi-
cate in Global Business and Strategy, issued jointly by EGADE and Belk College. The programme consists
of three “prerequisite” courses, mainly quantitative, followed by ten core courses covering the main
business functions and five courses that make up the global business and strategy concentration. Three
of the five are required and two are chosen from a list of eight elective courses including a project and
an internship. The MBA-GBS can be taken full-time (15 months) or part-time (30 months) at the EGADE
campus. Belk College components are offered as weekend sessions and via videoconferencing.
EGADE’s main MBA programme, which can also be taken full-time (16 months) or part-time
(30 months), is largely taught in Spanish, but students are required to be able to read English since
most reading material in the programme is in that language.
EGADE is one of the partner schools in the Global Executive OneMBA (see page 264).
Tec de Monterrey, Campus Guadalajara, and the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Busi-
ness are offering a new Executive International MBA (see page 276 for more details).
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA OneMBA
Student rating of programme 3.6 (n/a) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 181 (n/a) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (n/a) – –
EGADE—Tec de Monterrey
Address:
Col. Valle Oriente
San Pedro Garza Garcia,
N. L.
Mexico
66269
Tel:
+52 81 8625 6040
Fax:
+52 81 8625 6028
E-mail
olga.delatorre@itesm.
mx
Website:
www.egade.itesm.mx
Programme director:
Carlos Serrano
Figures in brackets
represent rank
145
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
EGADE—Tec de Monterrey
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA OneMBA
Annual intake 52 269 10
Applicants:places 1:1 2:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 60 (n/a) 28 –
Percentage of foreign students 56 (n/a) 6 1
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) 593 589
Average number of months’ work experience 36 (n/a) 72 156
Age range of students 22-39 22-55 26-48
Average age 26 29 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.2 (n/a) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA OneMBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation – (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services – (n/a) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (n/a) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ – (n/a) – –
Percentage increase in salary – (n/a) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Wal-Mart, SINTEC, CEMEX Central – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA OneMBA
Application fees US$138 US$138 US$138
Programme fees US$29,919 US$32,056-38,468 US$45,000
Comments Total programme Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – – –
Financial aid available US$858,090 – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Academic record – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA OneMBA
Application deadline June 13th July 31st August 22nd
Programme dates Jul start, 17 months Sep start, 2.5–3 years Sep start, 21 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“A huge network in the
Latin America region.”
“Administrative support
is the weakness.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: human
capital, strategy,
marketing
Weakness:
administration
First degree; at least
3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
3 references; essay;
interview; laptop
First degree; at
least 7 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
3 references;
3 essays; interview;
laptop; résumé;
company support
letter
First degree; at least
3 years’ work
experience; GMAT;
TOEFL; references;
essay; résumé
146
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 39
Regional rank 22
Background
Emory University’s Goizueta Business School’s main emphases are on business ethics, leadership and glo-
bal business. It has close links with the local economy and the atmosphere is friendly, stressing local com-
munity service and volunteer action by students. The school was founded in 1919 as the Emory University
School of Economics and Business Administration and in 1994 was named after Roberto C Goizueta, chair-
man and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company (also based in Atlanta) from 1981 until his death in 1997.
Facilities
The school is based on the main “street” of the Emory University campus and the facilities, which are
shared with undergraduate business students, are excellent. Most students live off campus, where rent-
ed apartments are easy to find and reasonably priced. Downtown Atlanta is only 15 minutes’ drive away.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.6 (5) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 45 full-time, 15 part-time, 3 visiting
Full-time MBA Evening MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (83) 0.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 89 (61) 89
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (28) –
Programme highlights
The core curriculum for Goizueta’s two-year full-time MBA has been revamped for the autumn 2008
start. The number of required courses has been cut from 10 to eight, with two of those lasting less than
a semester, to allow more time for electives. Executive lectures and personal development workshops
(called “Goizueta Plus”) remain part of the core. Students take 11 elective courses (one of which must
be an international course), which can be grouped into a concentration or taken across a broad range,
including some from other Emory schools.
An accelerated one-year track is available for students with a first degree in business or economics or a
strong quantitative background. The new curriculum will apply to this programme from the 2009 entry.
The part-time Evening MBA generally lasts three years (though, via a personalised design option,
it can take as little as two or as much as five), with three semesters each year. Classes meet one or two
evenings a week.
The Weekend Executive MBA last 16 months and classes are held on alternate weekends (Fridays
and Saturdays, although a Thursday is sometimes added to this schedule) and there is a small distance-
learning element. The programme ends with a ten-day international study tour.
The 20-month Modular Executive MBA has virtually the same curriculum as the Weekend programme.
It is delivered via distance learning and nine on-campus modules.
Emory University—Goizueta Business
School
Address:
1300 Clifton Road
Atlanta, Georgia
US
30322
Tel:
+1 404 727 8931
Fax:
+1 404 712 9648
E-mail:
[email protected].
edu
Website:
www.goizueta.emory.
edu
Programme director:
J B Kurish
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 39
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 29
Jobs found through the careers service 63
Student assessment of careers service 33
Personal development/educational experience 44
Faculty quality 52
Student quality 47
Student diversity 65
Education experience 24
Increase in salary 61
Increase in salary 60
Post-MBA salary 55
Potential to network 40
Breadth of alumni network 58
Internationalism of alumni 62
Alumni effectiveness 27
147
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Emory University—Goizueta Business School
Full-time MBA Evening MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (46) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 34 (67) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Evening MBA
Annual intake 180 116
Applicants:places 6:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 31 (64) 24
Percentage of foreign students 47 (66) 18
Average GMAT score 685 (20) 640
Average number of months’ work experience 58 (75) 72
Age range of students 25-32 0-0
Average age 28 30
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.5 (21) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Evening MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 94 (29) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 55 (63) –
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (33) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 93,059 (55) –
Percentage increase in salary 55 (60) –
Principal recruiters of graduates A.T. Kearney, Bank of America, Deloitte –
Cost
Full-time MBA Evening MBA
Application fees US$150 US$150
Programme fees US$37,200 US$7,500
Comments Per year Per semester
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$14,000 –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$19,000 –
Financial aid available US$59,138 –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need –
Application details
Full-time MBA Evening MBA
Application deadline February 1st March 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 22 months Sep start, 33 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The size, personalised
attention, great
culture, awesome
fellow classmates and
an environment that
encourages you to take
risks and step out of your
comfort zone are Emory’s
strengths.”
“Need to strengthen
our brand beyond the
Southeast.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing, consulting
Weakness: brand
recognition
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays
First degree; at least 2 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 4 essays;
interview
148
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 33
Regional rank 14
Background
ESADE was set up by the Catalan business community and the Jesuits to teach management and law and
promote a scientific and humanistic approach to management research and education. The school, which
celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007, has a long tradition of internationalism and pluralism. It mixes a
rigorous academic approach to business with a commitment to social responsibility and business ethics,
a common characteristic of Spanish business schools. The atmosphere is friendly and uncompetitive.
Facilities
The ESADE campus in Barcelona (it also has facilities in Madrid, Buenos Aires and Casablanca) is split
between three buildings reasonably close to the city centre. MBA classes are based in an attractive and
futuristic building erected in the 1990s (though some say it lacks practicality). MBA students share
some facilities with undergraduates. There is no on-campus accommodation, but the school offers effec-
tive help in navigating Barcelona’s complicated housing market. Most students share rented apartments
and the lack of a campus means much group work goes on in students’ own homes. However, ESADE is
developing a new campus outside Barcelona.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (75)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 91 full-time, 32 part-time, 29 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (36)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 78 (98)
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (85)
Programme highlights
The 18-month full-time programme, designed for career changers, is divided into five stages: general man-
agement and business setting, integrating strategy with business functions; global management; a sum-
mer section covering in-company experiences and other elements; and, in the six months of the second
year, two stages that cover electives and specialisations or extensive exchange programme. The Leader-
ship Assessment and Development Programme (LEAD) covers soft skills and personal development.
The programme starts with an orientation and a one-month introduction to basic business princi-
ples. It is a bilingual programme, and students can choose between English and Spanish sections in
their first academic year. By the beginning of stage five, all candidates are fluent enough in both lan-
guages to choose electives given in either.
There is also an accelerated one-year full-time English-language MBA for students with an under-
graduate degree in business, economics or engineering and significant work experience. The format is
similar to the 18-month programme. ESADE also offers a part-time MBA, similar to the full-time version,
and an Executive MBA in Barcelona and Madrid. Both are taught in Spanish though a reasonable level of
business English is recommended.
ESADE Business School
Address:
Avenida Pedralbes 60-62
Barcelona
Spain
08034
Tel:
+34 932 806 162
Fax:
+34 932 048 105
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mba.esade.edu
Programme director:
Olaya Garcia Lancha
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 14
Diversity of recruiters 53
Number in jobs three months after graduation 35
Jobs found through the careers service 21
Student assessment of careers service 12
Personal development/educational experience 59
Faculty quality 97
Student quality 60
Student diversity 18
Education experience 57
Increase in salary 74
Increase in salary 36
Post-MBA salary 70
Potential to network 50
Breadth of alumni network 60
Internationalism of alumni 35
Alumni effectiveness 54
149
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
ESADE Business School
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (31)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 50 (53)
Number of languages on offer 5 (71)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 150
Applicants:places 3:1
Percentage of women students 31 (65)
Percentage of foreign students 85 (34)
Average GMAT score 650 (50)
Average number of months’ work experience 64 (53)
Age range of students 26-33
Average age 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (20)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (53)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (35)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 86 (21)
Student rating of careers service 4.6 (12)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 95,263 (70)
Percentage increase in salary 95 (36)
Principal recruiters of graduates Novartis, Delta Partners Consulting Dubai, Everis Consulting
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$166
Programme fees US$67,244
Comments Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) n/a
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$33,384
Financial aid available US$237,330
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline July 11th
Programme dates Aug start, 18 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 2 years’ work experience; references; 2 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Course content is truly
international, and so
are participants. We’re
exposed to such a wide
variety of perspectives
from all over the world.”
“There is a shortage of
study space, and short
opening hours.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: social
entrepreneurship,
leadership, marketing
Weakness: facilities
150
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 51
Background
The University of Florida was established in 1853 and the College of Business Administration was found-
ed in 1926. In January 2007 William R Hough, a graduate of Warrington’s first MBA class in 1948, made
a US$30m endowment to graduate business programmes at the school. The endowment will be used to
support teaching, academic programmes and enhancements in the graduate school of business, and to
facilitate the construction of a new building, the Hough Graduate School, to house the graduate busi-
ness programmes.
Facilities
The school is located on the 2,000-acre university campus in Gainesville, central Florida, between Orlan-
do and Jacksonville. It is based in three buildings that house classrooms, faculty offices and student
facilities, which are shared by students at the bachelor, masters’ and PhD levels. MBA facilities include a
study lounge, a graduate business computer lab and laptop hook-ups in many common areas.
Full-time Professional Executive Internet
MBA MBA MBA MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (n/a) – – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 100 full-time, 12 part-time, 7 visiting
Full-time Professional Executive Internet
MBA MBA MBA MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.1 (n/a) 0.5 3.0 –
Percentage of faculty with PhD 96 (n/a) 96 96 96
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (n/a) – – –
Programme highlights
Warrington’s two-year full-time Traditional MBA divides semesters into two eight-week modules, includ-
ing a week of exams. Students take 16 core courses (including soft skills courses) in the first year and
nine electives plus a required strategy course in the second year. Electives are generally grouped into
concentrations though students are also free to choose electives from all concentrations.
Students with any undergraduate degree (not just business) can opt to complete the programme
in 12 months, effectively taking the core in May–August and then joining second-year students. Those
with a business first degree may complete the programme in 9 months starting in June before joining
second-year students.
The part-time MBA for Professionals programme is divided into seven 16-week terms, with students
completing two courses per term. Classes meet on the university campus one Saturday and Sunday a
month for 27 months. There is a 16-month version for students with an undergraduate business degree.
Both versions are also offered in south Florida at the Bonaventure Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale.
The 20-month Executive MBA programme is divided into five four-month terms plus a one-week
international study tour, and classes are taught on campus, Friday–Sunday, once a month.
Warrington’s Internet (Flexible) MBA was one of the first online MBA degrees to be offered by a fully
accredited business school. The programme has a 27-month curriculum in which students meet on cam-
pus for one weekend (Saturday and Sunday) at the end of each term (eight times). A 16-month Internet
MBA for students with an undergraduate business degree is also available.
Full-time Professional Executive Internet
MBA MBA MBA MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (n/a) – – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 38 (n/a) – – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (n/a) – – –
University of Florida—Hough Graduate
School of Business
Address:
134 Bryan Hall
Gainesville
US
32611
Tel:
+1 352 273 3255
Fax:
+1 352 392 8791
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
floridamba.ufl.edu
Programme director:
Alex Sevilla
Figures in brackets
represent rank
151
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Florida—Hough Graduate School of Business
Students
Full-time Professional Executive Internet
MBA MBA MBA MBA
Annual intake 96 255 40 –
Applicants:places 4:1 1:1 1:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 27 (n/a) 30 25 30
Percentage of foreign students 20 (n/a) 23 7 1
Average GMAT score 682 (n/a) 599 603 596
Average number of months’ work experience 40 (n/a) 56 144 67
Age range of students 24-29 25-31 33-41 25-31
Average age 26 28 37 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.2 (n/a) – – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Professional Executive Internet
MBA MBA MBA MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 5 (n/a) – – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96.1 (n/a) – – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs 59.5 (n/a) – – –
through careers services
Student rating of careers service 2.9 (n/a) – – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 66,669 (n/a) – – –
Percentage increase in salary 38 (n/a) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates ExxonMobil, KPMG, Wachovia Bank – – –
Cost
Full-time Professional Executive Internet
MBA MBA MBA MBA
Application fees US$30 US$30 US$30 US$30
Programme fees US$45,706 – US$40,000 –
Comments – Total –
programme
Accommodation costs US$7,910 – – –
(on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs US$8,330 – – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available – – – –
Type of aid available Assistantships, scholarships, loans – – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – – –
Application details
Full-time Professional Executive Internet
MBA MBA MBA MBA
Application deadline March 15th – July 31st December 31st
Programme dates Aug start, Jan start, Aug start, Jan start
21 months 16-27 months 20 months
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Excellent professors with
an exceptional alumni
network.”
“Careers services were the
weakest link in the chain
for UFMBA.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: career
services
First degree; at
least 2 years’
work experience;
TOEFL;
2 references;
2 essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at
least 2 years’
work experience;
TOEFL;
2 references;
2 essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least
2 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
references; 2 essays;
interview
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
2-year, out-of-state.
U$10,471 (1-year in-state),
U$30,637 (1 year out-of-state),
U$15,457 (2-year in-state)
First degree; at
least 2 years’
work experience;
TOEFL;
references;
2 essays;
interview; laptop
152
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank n/a
Background
The university was established in 1789 as the first Jesuit institution of higher learning in the US,
although freedom of religious belief among students has always been a principle. The university says
that the vision of its founder, John Carroll, still guides its commitment to Catholic, Jesuit education in
the liberal arts tradition, with respect for diversity and open dialogue in the pursuit of truth.
The (undergraduate) School of Business was established in 1957 to pursue this tradition and grew
out of what was originally part of Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, hence its emphasis on glo-
bal business. An MBA programme for full-time students was introduced in 1981, and an international
executive MBA programme for professionals began in 1994. In 1998, the School of Business received
a US$30m gift from Robert Emmett McDonough, a 1949 graduate of the School of Foreign Service, and
the school was renamed in his honour.
Facilities
The MBA programme is housed in the McDonough Graduate Center, which occupies over 32,000 sq ft in
the historic Car Barn (built in the late 19th century to store streetcars). It includes four case classrooms,
a student lounge, a computer lab, group meeting rooms, the careers centre (with videoconferenc-
ing facilities for long-distance interviews) and administrative offices. A new building is scheduled for
completion in autumn 2008 and will be occupied in early 2009. The five-storey, 172,000 sq ft structure
will include tiered classrooms and seminar space, conference rooms, team meeting rooms, quiet study
space, an expanded careers management suite with recruiting rooms, a 350-seat auditorium, faculty
offices and student common space. No on-campus accommodation is available for graduate students.
Full-time Evening International
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities n/a (n/a) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 33 full-time, 13 part-time
Full-time Evening International
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (n/a) 0.4 0.9
Percentage of faculty with PhD 91 (n/a) 91 91
Student rating of faculty n/a (n/a) – –
Programme highlights
McDonough’s two-year full-time MBA focuses on general management with a strong emphasis on global
business. The programme is divided into seven-week modules and is strongly integrative, with a team-
centred approach. However, the core is generally traditional in design. Most of the second year is given
over to electives with no requirement to opt for a concentration or specialisation. All students under-
take a residency and team project overseas.
Students can also opt for an honours certificate in International Business Diplomacy (IBD) offered
by McDonough and Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service as part of their MBA curriculum.
Classes in the three-year part-time MBA, the Evening Program, meet two evenings a week on cam-
pus. Students take two courses at a time taught in six-week modules. The programme begins with a one-
week orientation residency. Core courses are taken in the first two years and electives in the third. There
are two other residencies in the first two years: a one-week international study tour and a “regional
focus” held over two long weekends.
The International Executive MBA (IEMBA) consists of an 18-month sequence of courses and projects
divided by four one-week periods of study, or residencies. Classes meet every other weekend, all day
Friday and Saturday.
In 2008 McDonough is launching a Global Executive MBA programme as a joint venture with ESADE
in Spain (see page 148).
Georgetown University—Robert Emmet
McDonough School of Business
Address:
3520 Prospect Street NW
Suite 215
Washington, DC
US
20057
Tel:
+1 202 687 8509
Fax:
+1 202 687 2017
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
msb.georgetown.edu
Programme director:
Jett Pihakis
Figures in brackets
represent rank
153
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Georgetown University—Robert Emmet McDonough School of Business
Full-time Evening International
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme n/a (n/a) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 1 (n/a) – –
Number of languages on offer 0 (n/a) – –
Students
Full-time Evening International
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 264 105 51
Applicants:places 7:1 3:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 32 (n/a) 30 19
Percentage of foreign students 32 (n/a) 17 16
Average GMAT score 677 (n/a) 665 620
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (n/a) 60 164
Age range of students 23-38 23-27 30-47
Average age 28 26 37
Student rating of culture and classmates n/a (n/a) – –
Recruitment/careers service
Full-time Evening International
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation n/a (n/a) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 39 (n/a) – –
Student rating of careers service n/a (n/a) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 90,082 (n/a) – –
Percentage increase in salary 67 (n/a) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Citi, Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM – –
Cost
Full-time Evening International
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$175 US$175 US$175
Programme fees US$39,984 US$23,612 US$93,935
Comments – – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$14,330 – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, grants – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Discretion of admissions director – –
Application details
Full-time Evening International
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline April 25th April 11th 31st May
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Aug start, 36 months Aug start, 20 months
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: international
business, finance,
strategy
First degree; at least
3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 3 essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at
least 7 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; essay;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least
2 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
references; 3 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
154
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 91
Regional rank 47
Background
The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business began in 1912 as the School of Commerce and then
became the College of Business Administration. In 1991 it was named after its benefactors, C Herman
and Mary Virginia Terry. The college has a large undergraduate population but the MBA programme is
relatively small, which encourages co-operation among students and allows easy access to faculty.
Facilities
The university campus is pleasant and MBA students are close to all university amenities. Computer,
library and sports and leisure facilities are all excellent. Faculty and staff offices, including the MBA
admissions office, careers services office, interview rooms and MBA lounge, are in the five-storey
Brooks Hall. Most MBA classes are taught in Sanford Hall, a four-storey building next to Brooks Hall.
Some classes are taught in nearby Caldwell Hall, which also houses the MBA computer lab. There are
plans for a new business school complex near the existing site, with more student study rooms, team
meeting rooms and other student amenities. Most students live off campus where accommodation is
plentiful and reasonably cheap. Athens is a medium-sized university town and the school is close to a
lively café and restaurant area.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (81) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 32 full-time, 2 part-time, 1 visiting
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.7 (17) 0.4 0.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (11) 100 100
Student rating of faculty 4.0 (74) – –
Programme highlights
The Terry MBA is fairly traditional in structure but with a strong emphasis on business leadership. The
second year is largely given over to electives. Students may specialise, but there is no requirement to
do so. Those with approved undergraduate degrees in business (from an institution accredited by AACSB
International) can take an 11-month accelerated track, comprising a summer term and the second year.
The part-time Evening MBA programme is offered at George Gwinnett College in Atlanta and Terry’s
Executive Education Center in Buckhead. It is typically completed in eight semesters although more time is
allowed. Classes meet in the evenings during the 15-week spring and fall semesters and the ten-week sum-
mer semester. There is a required outdoor team-building exercise and an optional overseas study trip.
The 18-month Executive MBA is held at Terry’s executive education centre in Atlanta’s Buckhead
financial district. Two one-week sessions take place at Terry College of Business. At Buckhead the pro-
gramme is divided into seven nine-week modules (three classroom sessions all day Friday and Saturday
per module) with about half the programme delivered by distance learning between classes.
University of Georgia—Terry College of
Business
Address:
335 Brooks Hall
Athens, Georgia
US
30602
Fax:
+1 706 542 1061
E-mail:
[email protected].
edu
Website:
www.terry.uga.edu/mba
Programme director:
Peter Shedd
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 87
Diversity of recruiters 72
Number in jobs three months after graduation 61
Jobs found through the careers service 76
Student assessment of careers service >100
Personal development/educational experience 73
Faculty quality 6
Student quality 84
Student diversity 82
Education experience 95
Increase in salary 91
Increase in salary 25
Post-MBA salary 97
Potential to network 74
Breadth of alumni network 16
Internationalism of alumni >100
Alumni effectiveness 82
155
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Georgia—Terry College of Business
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 3.7 (>100) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 1 (75) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (65) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 45 99 66
Applicants:places 6:1 2:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 31 (32) 30 30
Percentage of foreign students 40 (88) 7 1
Average GMAT score 661 (45) 560 590
Average number of months’ work experience 54 (87) 70 180
Age range of students 22-44 26-39 27-50
Average age 27 31 36.4
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (72) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (72) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 90 (61) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 57 (76) – –
Student rating of careers service 2.9 (>100) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 71,908 (97) – –
Percentage increase in salary 107 (25) –
Principal recruiters of graduates The Home Depot, – –
Bank of America, FedEx
Cost
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$62 US$62 US$75
Programme fees US$27,036 US$650 US$65,000
Comments Per year Per credit Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$6,660 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$8,400 – –
Financial aid available US$1.5m – –
Type of aid available Assistantships, scholarships, fee waivers – –
Criteria on which aid is granted GMAT, GPA – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline May 12th May 30th June 30th
Programme dates Aug start, 22 months Aug start, 33 months Sep start, 18 months
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The programme is solid,
there are leadership
opportunities and the
international study
choices are highly
competitive and change
a student’s global
outlook.”
“Career Services were
weak. Having a small
class size is great for
personal attention from
the school but poor for
attracting a large base of
recruiters.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: leadership
development,
insurance/real estate,
accounting
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least
2 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; essay;
interview; laptop
First degree; at
least 5 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; essay;
interview
First degree; at least
2 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
references; 3 essays
156
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 77
Regional rank 32
Background
Glasgow’s business school is closely integrated with the university, which includes Adam Smith among
its alumni. The school is made up of four departments within the faculty of law, business and social sci-
ences: accounting and finance; management; economic and social history; and economics. The school
has always had an international outlook and aims to build on this, as well as concentrating on research,
an important area for the university as a whole.
Facilities
The school is based in the Gilbert Scott Building on the main university campus, where it has its own
dedicated facilities for teaching and administration, including an IT lab. As postgraduate students,
MBA students have access to all university services, including the extensive library, IT facilities and
accommodation.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (21) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 29 full-time, 3 part-time, 14 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.7 (20) 4.2
Percentage of faculty with PhD 83 (80) 83
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (42) –
Programme highlights
Glasgow’s one-year full-time MBA has been revamped so that the core integrates traditional function-
based courses into three themed modules—Critical Enquiry, Strategy and Organisational Performance,
and Strategic Foresight. This is followed by five electives chosen from around 30 offered. A personal
development course, which includes an in-company project or short overseas exchange, runs through-
out the programme. The programme ends with a research-based project and dissertation
The two-year part-time MBA has the same curriculum as the full-time programme, including elective
summer schools. The project/dissertation is normally carried out within the student’s own organisation.
Classes meet all day Friday and Saturday twice a month. There is considerable contact between the part-
time and full-time programmes.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 3.9 (96) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (50) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (62) –
University of Glasgow Business School
Address:
Gilbert Scott Building
West Quadrangle
Glasgow
UK
G12 8QQ
Tel:
+44 141 330 6924
Fax:
+44 141 330 4939
E-mail:
pgadmissions@gla.
ac.uk
Website:
www.gla.ac.uk/
postgraduate/
Programme director:
Dr Iain Docherty
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 92
Diversity of recruiters 78
Number in jobs three months after graduation n/a
Jobs found through the careers service 91
Student assessment of careers service 81
Personal development/educational experience 49
Faculty quality 21
Student quality 49
Student diversity 65
Education experience 47
Increase in salary 24
Increase in salary 16
Post-MBA salary 37
Potential to network 97
Breadth of alumni network 97
Internationalism of alumni 49
Alumni effectiveness >100
157
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Glasgow Business School
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 46 11
Applicants:places 12:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 18 (98) 33
Percentage of foreign students 96 (3) 2
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (40) 120
Age range of students 25-39 25-39
Average age 31 33
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.6 (98) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (78) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation n/a (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 31 (91) –
Student rating of careers service 3.4 (81) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 99,614 (37) –
Percentage increase in salary 165 (16) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Morgan Stanley, Lloyds TSB, –
Intermedical Technologies
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees £13,000 (US$26,000) £6,500 (US$13,000)
Comments £16,000 (US$32,000) for non-EU students Per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £4,713 (US$9,426) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £5,000 (US$10,000) –
Financial aid available £195,375 (US$390,750) –
Type of aid available Scholarships, grants, bursaries, loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, nationality, need –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline July 31st August 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Sep start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Strong researchers
and excellent outlook
to alternative models
and critical and creative
thinking.”
“Limited opportunities
to network with local
industry and alumni.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategic
change, international
business, accounting
and finance
Weakness: alumni
network
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; IELTS;
references; essay
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; IELTS;
2 references; essay; interview
158
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 42
Background
The Graduate School of Business (GSB) is one of three schools in the Grenoble Ecole de Management
(the others are ESC Grenoble and Ecole de Management des Systèmes d’Information) and is effectively
its global business school. It offers English-language programmes such as an MBA, a Master in Interna-
tional Business and (confusingly) some undergraduate and diploma programmes. The school is highly
international and has expanded rapidly in recent years, by, for example, hiring an increasing number of
international faculty. The GSB has some 400 students from 40 different countries and the école has ten
other campuses in Russia, Moldavia, Georgia, UK, Malta, Morocco, China, Serbia, Iran and Singapore.
Facilities
The modern, well-equipped main campus is in the centre of Grenoble’s business district. A large expan-
sion and refurbishment was completed in 2005 and further expansion, including an eight-storey tower
to house its increased faculty, opened in 2008. All students receive a laptop computer. There is no on-
campus accommodation but the school helps students find housing.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.8 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 23 full-time, 25 part-time
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.4 (n/a) 0.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 65 (n/a) 65
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
Grenoble’s one-year full-time MBA is a fairly traditional European-style programme with a strong
emphasis on internationalism and global management. Students take nine core courses in the first
half and three elective modules grouped into one of seven specialisations in the second half and a one-
week personal development seminar. They must also complete an individual in-company project, which
includes a 25,000-word report, and a foreign-language module (French for non-speakers or another
language for French-speakers). All teaching is in English.
The programme is also taught in an English-language two-year (30 months) part-time version. The
curriculum is the same (including the project). Classes meet for one-week and weekend sessions.
The school also offers the MBA (with restricted specialisation options) in Georgia, Moldova, Russia
and the UK (London).
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 26 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (n/a) –
Grenoble Ecole de Management—Graduate
School of Business

Address:
12 rue Pierre Sémard
BP 127
Cedex 01
Grenoble
France
38003
Tel:
+33 4 7670 6187
Fax:
+33 4 7670 6099
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.ggsb.com
Programme director:
Phil Eyre
Figures in brackets
represent rank
159
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Grenoble Ecole de Management—Graduate School of Business
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 26 143
Applicants:places 3:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 16 (n/a) 35
Percentage of foreign students 69 (n/a) 136
Average GMAT score 650 (n/a) –
Average number of months’ work experience 108 (n/a) 168
Age range of students 25-33 28-51
Average age 31 33
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (n/a) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 92 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 48 (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.0 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 92,810 (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary 55 (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Hewlett-Packard, –
Lexmark International, Alstom
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees €75 (US$103) €75 (US$103)
Programme fees €23,000 (US$31,507) €23,000 (US$31,507)
Comments Numerous scholarships available Self-sponsored. €25,000
if company-sponsored
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – –
Financial aid available €73,400 (US$100,548) –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline June 9th June 9th
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Sep start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Very good teaching
faculty with an
international outlook.”
“The careers service is
not always very well
targeted.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: technology
and innovation,
strategic management,
international business
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL, TOEICS, IELTS,
GGSB or Cambridge English Test;
references; 3 essays; interview
First degree; at least 3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL, TOEICS, IELTS,
GGSB or Cambridge English Test;
2 references; 3 essays; interview;
laptop;
160
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 12
Regional rank 6
Background
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008, Harvard Business School combines academic excellence, the
pick of the brightest students, a commitment to the case method (it provides most of the case studies
used in other business schools), hefty financial assistance and a superbly equipped 35-acre campus.
HBS remains the gold standard of business schools. While some may carp, none has been able to match
its instant global brand recognition.
Facilities
HBS is based on the Boston side of the Charles River, opposite Harvard University, in Cambridge, MA.
The business school campus is large (over 30 buildings) but it is also compact, with a mix of traditional
American academic architecture and more modern buildings. Facilities are excellent. On-campus accom-
modation or university housing is available and more than 80% of students use it.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.7 (4)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 205 full-time, 26 part-time, 6 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (>100)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 92 (45)
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (12)
Programme highlights
HBS only offers a full-time MBA programme and requires students to have an understanding of account-
ing, finance and quantitative methods before joining and some may be asked to take additional courses
before arriving at the school or attend the on-campus Analytics Programme or pre-MBA International
Programme.
The two-year programme proper launches straight into the 11-course required curriculum, or core,
which takes up the first year. In the first term the emphasis is on the internal functioning of an enter-
prise and in the second on its relations with external factors, such as economic, governmental and social
environments. In the second year students take up to ten electives. These do not have to be grouped
into concentrations and some can be taken in other parts of Harvard University. During their second
year, most students also opt to undertake team projects.
HBS has introduced the new “2+2” programme. College (university) students can apply for admis-
sion to the MBA programme in their penultimate undergraduate year. If accepted they are guaranteed
an MBA place but must first complete two years of work experience.
Harvard Business School
Address:
Soldiers Field
Boston, Massachusetts
US
02163
Tel:
+1 617 495 6157
Fax:
+1 617 496 8180
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.hbs.edu/mba/
Programme director:
Joseph Badaracco
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 22
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 23
Jobs found through the careers service n/a
Student assessment of careers service 35
Personal development/educational experience 39
Faculty quality 47
Student quality 38
Student diversity 46
Education experience 35
Increase in salary 12
Increase in salary 20
Post-MBA salary 15
Potential to network 23
Breadth of alumni network 64
Internationalism of alumni 26
Alumni effectiveness 10
161
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Harvard Business School
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (23)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (>100)
Number of languages on offer 6 (65)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 901
Applicants:places 8:1
Percentage of women students 36 (19)
Percentage of foreign students 33 (88)
Average GMAT score 713 (4)
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (89)
Age range of students –
Average age 27
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (13)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 97 (23)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services – (n/a)
Student rating of careers service 3.8 (35)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 115,000 (15)
Percentage increase in salary 111 (20)
Principal recruiters of graduates –
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$235
Programme fees US$43,800
Comments Per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$26,320
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) –
Financial aid available –
Type of aid available Fellowships, federal loans, private loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Needs-based
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline March 11th
Programme dates Sep start, 18 months
Admission requirements First degree; TOEFL; references; 5 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
162
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 53
Background
HEC Montréal, founded in 1907, was Canada’s first management school. It is a big, full-range school
with around 12,000 students, some 250 faculty and 50,000 alumni. Based in Quebec Province, HEC is
strongly French-Canadian, but also highly international. It has exchange partnerships with 76 universi-
ties and major management schools in 29 countries and offers courses and programmes in English and
Spanish as well as French. It also has strong links with local and international business. The school says
its strategic vision is to remain in the international forefront in all management disciplines by combin-
ing tradition and innovation.
Facilities
HEC has several sites and facilities around Montreal, but the main base is the Côte-Sainte-Catherine
Building, built in 1996. This is large and well-equipped, with a comprehensive bilingual business library
and a trading room. Montreal is a cosmopolitan and lively city.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.6 (n/a)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 75 full-time, 23 part-time, 1 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (n/a)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 60 (n/a)
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (n/a)
Programme highlights
HEC refers to the one-year full-time MBA as the MBA Intensive to distinguish it from the part-time ver-
sions (called MBA in Action). The programme begins with optional pre-programme courses in statistics
and mathematics. It is divided into four phases: the role of the manager and business fundamentals;
management of operational and strategic issues; acquiring a distinctive skill (12 elective courses and
including an in-company team project); and corporate social and environmental responsibility (an
opportunity to discuss contemporary issues). Phases 1, 2 and 4 make up the core. The programme can
be studied either entirely in English or entirely in French.
The MBA is also offered in two part-time versions, evenings or weekends, but these are taught only
in French.
From September 2008 HEC Montréal is launching a joint Executive MBA with neighbouring McGill
(see page 202). The programme lasts a short 11 months with classes meeting for long weekends (Thurs-
day through Sunday) once a month, plus some residential weeks. In addition to class meetings, partici-
pants can expect to spend 6-10 hours per week on papers and assignments.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (n/a)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 12 (n/a)
Number of languages on offer 4 (n/a)
HEC Montréal
Address:
3000 chemin de la
Côte Ste-Catherine
Montreal QC
Canada
H3T 3A7
Tel:
+1 514 340 6633
Fax:
+1 514 340 6688
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.hec.ca/en/
programs/mba
Programme director:
Dr Jean Talbot
Figures in brackets
represent rank
163
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
HEC Montréal
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 175
Applicants:places 2:1
Percentage of women students 30 (n/a)
Percentage of foreign students 43 (n/a)
Average GMAT score 600 (n/a)
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (n/a)
Age range of students 26-35
Average age 31
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.2 (n/a)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (n/a)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 74 (n/a)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 28 (n/a)
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (n/a)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 65,047 (n/a)
Percentage increase in salary 32 (n/a)
Principal recruiters of graduates Bombardier, RBC Financial Group, Deloitte
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees C$75 (US$70)
Programme fees C$5,800 (US$5,421)
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) -
Financial aid available –
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline February 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 12 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; references; essay; interview; laptop
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Best bang for the buck.”
“Lack of alumni
networking events or
support.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: general
management,
finance, information
technologies
Weakness: alumni
network
164
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 32
Regional rank 13
Background
HEC School of Management, founded by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1881, is a lead-
ing French business school and a real global player with excellent international contacts and reputa-
tion. Increasing numbers of MBA and grande école students and faculty come from outside France. Even
so, the school wants to maintain its French culture, and the French language, for example, is a key
element of the MBA programme. French employers and students consider the school among the best in
the country and entry is tough.
Facilities
The large, modern, 10-hectare campus is close to Versailles, about 20 km from central Paris. Facilities
are excellent and include a fully-equipped gym, sports fields and a nearby golf course. Most MBA stu-
dents live in a new dedicated building, with 177 individual rooms and 24 apartments reserved for coup-
les and families. Facilities include meeting rooms, lounge, gym and reserved parking. The surrounding
Plateau de Saclay area is a centre for leading scientific research and teaching establishments.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.9 (101) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 39 full-time, 11 part-time, 14 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (80) 13
Percentage of faculty with PhD 69 (94) 69
Student rating of faculty 4.1 (82) –
Programme highlights
HEC’s 16-month full-time MBA is divided into two eight-month phases. During the first “core” phase,
students concentrate on basic management skills and concepts. The second “personalised” phase offers
a choice of electives organised into different tracks such as finance, marketing and consulting or cross-
disciplinary approaches. Personal development and soft-skills courses run throughout the programme.
Students are organised into small work groups. The core is taught in bilingual English/French or Eng-
lish-only classes. Courses in the elective phase may be taught in either language. Non-French-speaking
students must study French.
HEC has recently launched a part-time MBA. This is similar to the full-time curriculum but offers con-
siderable flexibility in content and format. It typically takes 24 months to complete.
HEC has also launched an EMBA offered in various formats and languages in Paris, Nice, Beijing and
St Petersburg. It also participates in the Trium Executive MBA, a joint programme with London School of
Economics and New York University’s Stern School of Business (see page 228).
HEC School of Management, Paris
Address:
3 Square Bugeaud
Le Chesnay
France
78150
Tel:
+33 623 716 311
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mba.hec.edu
Programme director:
Dr Valérie Gauthier
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 79
Diversity of recruiters 53
Number in jobs three months after graduation >100
Jobs found through the careers service 57
Student assessment of careers service 78
Personal development/educational experience 52
Faculty quality 95
Student quality 53
Student diversity 25
Education experience 40
Increase in salary 3
Increase in salary 30
Post-MBA salary 5
Potential to network 5
Breadth of alumni network 3
Internationalism of alumni 27
Alumni effectiveness 24
165
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
HEC School of Management, Paris
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (24) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 82 (44) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (54) –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 190 –
Applicants:places 5:1 –
Percentage of women students 29 (75) –
Percentage of foreign students 87 (26) 3
Average GMAT score 664 (43) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (49) 72
Age range of students 23-38 23-38
Average age 29 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (28) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (53) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 79 (>100) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 68 (57) –
Student rating of careers service 3.2 (78) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 132,940 (5) –
Percentage increase in salary 105 (30) –
Principal recruiters of graduates BNP Paribas, Citi, LVMH –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees €130 (US$178) €130 (US$178)
Programme fees €42,000 (US$57,534) €45,000 (US$61,644)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) €8,800 (US$12,055) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – –
Financial aid available €990,000 (US$1.4m) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline May 26th May 26th
Programme dates Sep start, 16 months Sep start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“I would recommend this
programme because of
the international mix,
the reputation and the
quality of interactions
leading to personal
enrichment.”
“Not as many companies
coming to campus to
interview candidates
as in many other top
business schools.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: leadership,
finance, strategy
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL or
TOEIC; references; 4 essays
First degree; work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references; essays;
interview
166
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 20
Regional rank 9
Background
In early 2008 Henley Management College, the first business school to be established in the UK and
set up by business leaders in 1945, announced plans to merge with the nearby University of Reading.
The merger has been agreed in principle and is likely to take place in late 2008 – early 2009. The main
rationale is Henley’s need for access to additional resources, particularly finance (it is virtually depend-
ent on income from tuition). But Reading also offers a strong research base, particularly in areas such as
agriculture and climate change. Although not that well known, it also has a good business school with
a strong undergraduate element that apparently will become part of the new Henley Business School at
the University of Reading. It seems likely that executive education (Henley’s strong suit) and the EMBA
will stay on the Henley campus but that the full-time MBA may move to the Reading campus, which is
planning to open a new building in 2009, allowing an increase in the size of the intake.
Facilities
The college is on a large estate in a superb setting bordering the River Thames, close to the start of the
famous summer Henley Regatta rowing festival. The facilities, housed in a stately home and a modern build-
ing, are very good and include 112 en-suite study bedrooms, a restaurant and a bar. As mentioned above,
the University of Reading business school is planning a new £30 million building, due to open in 2009.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Global Distance
Learning MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (70) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 20 full-time, 8 part-time
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Global Distance
Learning MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.0 (2) 0.9 9.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 95 (88) 95 95
Student rating of faculty 4.1 (58) – –
Programme highlights
All of Henley’s MBAs follow the same curriculum and structure. This means there is scope for students to
switch from one programme to another if their circumstances change. Part 1 of the programme, Manag-
ing the Organisation, includes management, managing people and performance, managing processes,
systems and projects, and managing financial resources. Part 2, Making Business Choices, covers the
global business environment, strategic marketing, corporate finance and governance, strategic direc-
tion and one elective. Part 3, Making a Difference, covers two required courses—leadership and change
and reputation and relationships, a second elective and a research-based consultancy project. Personal
development courses run throughout the programme. The two-year Executive Modular MBA features a
combination of 18 modules and workshops varying from two to six days in length. Students undertake
a one-week international study trip in the first year and a one-week European study trip in the second
Henley Management College
Address:
Greenlands
Henley-on-Thames
Oxon
United Kingdom
RG9 3AU
Tel:
+44 1491 418 740
Fax:
+44 1491 418 899
E-mail:
kathy.jarvis@henleymc.
ac.uk
Website:
www.henleymc.ac.uk
Programme director:
Marc Day
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities >100
Diversity of recruiters 93
Number in jobs three months after graduation >100
Jobs found through the careers service 65
Student assessment of careers service 86
Personal development/educational experience 1
Faculty quality 1
Student quality 1
Student diversity >100
Education experience >100
Increase in salary 2
Increase in salary >100
Post-MBA salary 2
Potential to network 1
Breadth of alumni network 1
Internationalism of alumni 24
Alumni effectiveness 56
167
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Henley Management College
year. They maintain contact outside residential modules via Henley’s e-learning system. The Distance
Learning MBA typically takes three years to complete. Students attend a residential weekend at Henley
at the start of the programme and a residential module either at Henley or at partner institutions
approximately every six months. Henley has more or less abandoned paper (except for textbooks), and
the programme is delivered by a mixture of CDs and impressive online learning support. The school also
offers company, consortium and specialised MBAs that are not detailed here.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Global Distance
Learning MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (26) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (96) – –
Number of languages on offer 0 (>100) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Global Distance
Learning MBA
Annual intake 24 32 –
Applicants:places 2:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 13 (>100) 29 27
Percentage of foreign students 38 (65) 6 30
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 144 (1) 168 156
Age range of students 26-49 28-50 28-45
Average age 36 37 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (44) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Global Distance
Learning MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (93) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 45 (>100) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 75 (65) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.2 (86) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 156,000 (2) – –
Percentage increase in salary 21 (>100) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates IBM, Deloitte, Standard Chartered – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Global Distance
Learning MBA
Application fees n/a n/a n/a
Programme fees £33,000 (US$66,000) £39,950 (US$79,900) £15,595 (US$31,190)
Comments Total programme Total programme, additional Total programme
£800 for study trips
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £7,200 (US$14,400) – –
Financial aid available £250,000 (US$500,000) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Diversity of applicant, essay-based competition – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Global Distance
Learning MBA
Application deadline December 1st August 11th January 15th
Programme dates Jan start, 12 months Sep start, 24 months Jan start, 36 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“It is a fantastic
environment in which to
learn, physically as well
as high faculty to student
ratio and small learning
group.”
“The careers service make
less use of the alumni
and corporate network
than I expected. A missed
opportunity, easily
corrected I feel.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: reputation
and relationships,
leadership, strategy
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 4 years’
work experience; TOEFL or IELTS;
references; essay; selection day
also involves a group exercise
First degree; at least 5 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or IELTS;
2 references; essay; interview;
laptop; selection day also
includes a group exercise
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references; laptop
168
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 58
Regional rank 5
Background
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) business school was created in 1995 by merging the former depart-
ment of management studies (which mainly taught undergraduate degrees) and the old business school
(master’s degrees and executive education) with the aim of developing Asian business education. It is
part of the university’s Faculty of Business and Economics. The school has strong research expertise in
Asia and Australasia and, through the Poon Kam Kai Institute, its consulting arm, good links with local
and international industry.
Facilities
The school is housed in the K K Leung building on the main university campus on Hong Kong Island, not
far from the main business district. But MBA programmes are taught at the downtown campus at the
Admiralty Centre, opened in 1989, in the heart of the business community.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (42) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 34 full-time, 6 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (40) 0.6
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (25) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.1 (67) –
Programme highlights
The full-time HKU MBA is run in partnership with London Business School (see page 198). The curriculum
includes 12 core courses, four electives taken at LBS, one required capstone course and two executive
workshops. Core courses are taken during the first three terms and then students join the summer term
(April-June) of the LBS full-time MBA programme for electives. They return to Hong Kong for a required
capstone course from July to August, which may involve a business field trip to China in early July. A
similar arrangement exists with Columbia Business School (see page 124).
The part-time MBA lasts a minimum of two academic years and a maximum of four. Students take five
core courses, four theme courses, seven electives, one capstone course and two executive workshops.
Courses are taught in modules of 5–7 weeks followed by examinations. Classes meet two or three week-
day evenings at HKU’s downtown site and on Saturday afternoons on campus.
The MBA is also offered in conjunction with the School of Management of Fudan University in Shang-
hai. Some transfer between programmes is available.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (60) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 100 (1) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
University of Hong Kong—School of Business
Address:
Room 733, Meng Wah
Complex
Faculty of Business and
Economics
The University of Hong
Kong
Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong
Tel:
+852 2859 1082
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mba.hku.hk
Programme director:
Chris Chan
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 47
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 1
Jobs found through the careers service 69
Student assessment of careers service 80
Personal development/educational experience 8
Faculty quality 24
Student quality 62
Student diversity 12
Education experience 2
Increase in salary >100
Increase in salary 23
Post-MBA salary >100
Potential to network 46
Breadth of alumni network 27
Internationalism of alumni 34
Alumni effectiveness 65
169
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Hong Kong—School of Business
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 49 76
Applicants:places 4:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 34 (16) 42
Percentage of foreign students 92 (12) 21
Average GMAT score 670 (44) 579
Average number of months’ work experience 54 (59) 118
Age range of students 25-32 24-46
Average age 28 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.8 (92) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 100 (1) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 41 (69) –
Student rating of careers service 3.4 (80) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 57,727 (>100) –
Percentage increase in salary 102 (23) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees US$39 US$39
Programme fees US$40,385 US$30,510
Comments Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$6,500 –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$8,500 –
Financial aid available US$500,000 –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline May 31st June 30th
Programme dates Jul start, 14 months Sep start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great diversity. It’s
a joint program with
LBS, it’s Asia-focused
and it can offer us real
international knowledge
and vision.”
“The career service is
a little too focused on
finance.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: China-
focused business,
business strategy, and
Asian entrepreneurship
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL;
references; essay; interview
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references; essay;
interview; laptop
170
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 11
Regional rank 1
Background
The School of Business and Management at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
was founded in 1991 with help from the Anderson School at UCLA in the US (the university was founded
at the same time). Although the school stresses its regional expertise, it has always wanted to be seen
as a mainstream international business school, an ambition it is heading towards fulfilling. HKUST is
highly specialised. It has only four schools: Business and Management (which enrols almost 40% of the
university’s undergraduate students and approximately 30% of its postgraduate students); Science;
Engineering; and Humanities and Social Sciences (which largely supports the others by offering, for
example, language courses).
Facilities
HKUST’s campus is spectacularly sited above Clearwater Bay, about 30 minutes’ drive from downtown
Hong Kong. Library and computer facilities are excellent. The technological bias of the university means
that students have access to an impressive range of laboratories and design equipment, including an
operations management simulation laboratory and a behavioural laboratory. On-campus accommoda-
tion is available.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.9 (3) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 51 full-time, 6 part-time, 8 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.7 (25) 0.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (2) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.9 (3) –
Programme highlights
HKUST’s full-time programme can be completed in either 12 or 16 months: the 12-month version
requires summer study and is aimed at students with extensive work experience and international expo-
sure; the 16-month version allows a summer internship and an exchange. The programme consists of
required core courses and electives, which split about 60:40. Concentrations in China business, finan-
cial services, and IT management are available but not required.
Courses for the part-time programme (which is usually completed in two years) are identical to the
full-time version. Classes are mainly held on campus on Saturdays. HKUST also runs the part-time MBA
programme in Shenzhen in mainland China.
The Executive MBA is offered jointly with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management
(see page 232), and half of the courses are taught by Kellogg faculty. The degree is awarded jointly
by both universities. It lasts 16 months and participants meet twice a month (Friday midday–Sunday
evening), staying on the HKUST campus. There are two residential sessions, the first for one week at at
HKUST and the second for two weeks at Kellogg.
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology—
School of Business and Management
Address:
5/F., Annex
Clearwater Bay
Kowloon
Hong Kong, China
Tel:
+852 2358 8487
Fax:
+852 2705 9596
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mba.ust.hk
Programme director:
Steven DeKrey
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 3
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 12
Jobs found through the careers service 4
Student assessment of careers service 7
Personal development/educational experience 6
Faculty quality 4
Student quality 80
Student diversity 7
Education experience 1
Increase in salary 81
Increase in salary 7
Post-MBA salary 92
Potential to network 37
Breadth of alumni network 65
Internationalism of alumni 51
Alumni effectiveness 28
171
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology—School of Business and Management
The school also runs a 15-month International EMBA with sessions in Hong Kong, Beijing, Hainan
and Shenzhen.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.9 (8) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 185 (3) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 75 128
Applicants:places 5:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 28 (18) 45
Percentage of foreign students 84 (27) 12
Average GMAT score 643 (60) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (60) 84
Age range of students 25-32 26-34
Average age 28 30
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.7 (26) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 98 (12) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 79 (4) –
Student rating of careers service 4.6 (7) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 78,307 (92) –
Percentage increase in salary 139 (7) –
Principal recruiters of graduates HSBC, Macquarie, Monitor –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees US$64 US$64
Programme fees US$41,000 US$30,000
Comments Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$4,600 –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$7,700 –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available Scholarship –
Criteria on which aid is granted Financial needs, merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline March 12th March 5th
Programme dates Aug start, 12 or 16 months Aug start, 24 months
Admission requirements

Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“There is a clear
emphasis on Asian
businesses with case
studies and examples
galore.”
“Great in finance, but
can be weak in other
areas.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: China
business, finance,
information technology
management
Weakness: can be very
finance-focused
First degree; at least
1 year’s work experience;
TOEFL; references; essays
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
essays; interview
172
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 31
Regional rank 17
Background
Hult is the successor to the former Arthur D Little School of Management, which began in 1964. The
school is now financially supported by EF Education, a large privately owned education organisation.
(The school was renamed in 2003 after Bertil Hult, EF’s founder, who started the business in 1965 teach-
ing Swedish children to speak English.) However, Hult largely continues with the old ADL approach,
particularly the tradition of educating overseas business leaders (over 90% of students are from outside
the US) and the tight, action-learning curriculum that emphasises practical skills that students can use
immediately after graduation.
In 2008 Hult will begin offering its MBA programme in Dubai Academic City. Hult claims to be the first
international business school to offer a one-year MBA programme to students across the Middle East.
Facilities
Hult is located on the banks of the Charles River close to MIT (see page 212) and within walking distance
of the Boston financial district. Facilities are modern and good. They include amphitheatre classrooms,
18 team rooms, computer lab, conference facilities, gym facilities, a bar and lounge, and a restaurant.
Hult’s Dubai facility is located in Dubai Academic City (DAC), a development exclusively for universities,
colleges and institutions of higher education and learning. The school is equipped with excellent mod-
ern facilities, including wireless Internet access, amphitheatre-style classrooms, a computer centre and
student breakout rooms. Hult’s satellite campus in Shanghai, where some MBA electives are offered, is
based in the centre of the city.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (79)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 23 full-time, 20 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (97)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 57 (>100)
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (43)
Programme highlights
Hult’s one-year full-time MBA starts with a four-week “MBA Toolbox” session, more an introduction to
the rigours of an MBA programme than an induction. The programme proper is modular, based on three
modules that supposedly follow the growth of a business: fundamentals; integration; and global appli-
cation. Teaching methods include case studies, lectures, exercises, simulations and a project. There is
a strong emphasis on action-learning techniques. The core is covered in the first two modules, with the
third given over to four electives, two of which may be chosen from the MBA or MS Finance course at
Boston College’s Carroll School of Management studied at Hult’s Dubai or Shanghai campuses, and a
consulting project. Participants may also elect to design a directed study with a faculty sponsor to focus
on an area of particular interest.
Hult International Business School
Address:
1 Education Street
Cambridge
Massachusetts
US
02141
Tel:
+1 852 2158 2937
Fax:
+1 852 2111 9551
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.hult.edu
Programme director:
Dr Richard Joseph
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 54
Diversity of recruiters 48
Number in jobs three months after graduation 86
Jobs found through the careers service 15
Student assessment of careers service 68
Personal development/educational experience 63
Faculty quality >100
Student quality 87
Student diversity 15
Education experience 18
Increase in salary 9
Increase in salary 1
Post-MBA salary 59
Potential to network 38
Breadth of alumni network 76
Internationalism of alumni 11
Alumni effectiveness 64
173
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Hult International Business School
The full programme is also to be offered at the new Dubai campus.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (33)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 420 (29)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 117
Applicants:places 4:1
Percentage of women students 34 (44)
Percentage of foreign students 92 (9)
Average GMAT score 606 (87)
Average number of months’ work experience 82 (30)
Age range of students 23-45
Average age 30
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (60)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (48)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 85 (86)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 80 (15)
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (68)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 92,073 (59)
Percentage increase in salary 250 (1)
Principal recruiters of graduates EF Education, Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$150
Programme fees US$42,780
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$15,000
Financial aid available US$8.9m
Type of aid available Scholarships, fellowships, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline June 30th
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL or IELTS; references; essay; interview; laptop
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The faculty have
experience in the real
world and bring practical
knowledge. The content
is exceptional and very
international, helping
to understand nuances
of the global business
environment.”
“Due to the change of
the school name, it is not
that well known. Thus
they need to put more
effort in building its
reputation.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: global
management, strategy,
consulting
Weakness: still a
relatively little-known
brand
174
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 10
Regional rank 5
Background
Instituto de Empresa (IE) is a fast-growing private academic institution set up in 1973 by business lead-
ers and academics. It has expanded its faculty rapidly in recent years and continues to do so. As well as
having strong links with Latin America, IE is rapidly expanding its global reach. It also has good links
with industry with a commitment to pragmatic business-relevance research and in-company training.
Like many other schools in Spain, IE is a strong advocate of the case method and group work and the
MBA is a high-pressure programme.
Facilities
The school is based in an urban campus of 17 buildings in the Barrio de Salamanca, where facilities are
extensive and well equipped. The main library is in a recently opened building that operates as the nerve
centre of IE’s electronic information system, an increasingly important part of its operations. The virtual
library is also managed from this building. There is no on-campus accommodation.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA International Executive
MBA/Global MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (25) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 88 full-time, 200 part-time, 41 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA International Executive
MBA/Global MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.7 (48) 1.0 –
Percentage of faculty with PhD 89 (75) 89 89
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (5) – –
Programme highlights
IE’s full-time International MBA lasts 13 months and is offered in English and Spanish versions. The
programme introduces students to entrepreneurial studies, an important element of IE’s approach. The
ACCELERATE programme, a series of workshops and teaching modules on leadership, communication,
team building and career management, runs throughout the core. The final part of the programme con-
sists of electives, projects and/or an exchange programme.
IE’s International Executive MBA also lasts 13 months. There are three intensive two-week residen-
tial periods in Madrid and Shanghai and two six-month online periods. The online sessions take place
between the three planned residential periods. The programme is also offered in a bi-weekly format with
classes held on campus every other weekend.
The school also offers a Spanish-language MBA (part-time and Executive).
IE’s Global MBA is an innovative online programme that mixes online discussion groups, live web-
based lectures and the widespread use of webcams, e-mail, blogs and other Internet-based tools to keep
students and faculty in touch. The programme is offered in both English and Spanish and lasts 18 months.
IE Business School
Address:
María de Molina, 11, 13, 15
Madrid
Spain
28006
Tel:
+34 629 165 306
Fax:
+34 917 452 147
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.ie.edu
Programme director:
Camino de Paz
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 7
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 46
Jobs found through the careers service 7
Student assessment of careers service 13
Personal development/educational experience 34
Faculty quality 36
Student quality 63
Student diversity 4
Education experience 78
Increase in salary 52
Increase in salary 39
Post-MBA salary 51
Potential to network 6
Breadth of alumni network 14
Internationalism of alumni 10
Alumni effectiveness 15
175
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
IE Business School
Full-time MBA Executive MBA International Executive
MBA/Global MBA
Student rating of programme 4.6 (3) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 91 (51) – –
Number of languages on offer 1 (99) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA International Executive
MBA/Global MBA
Annual intake 286 343 50
Applicants:places 4:1 3:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 35 (22) 32 30
Percentage of foreign students 89 (19) 93 70
Average GMAT score 685 (22) 685 685
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (92) 96 18
Age range of students 26-35 33-39 28-40
Average age 29 35 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.5 (23) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Executive International
MBA MBA Executive
MBA/Global MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95 (46) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 85 (7) – –
Student rating of careers service 4.1 (13) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 98,767 (51) – –
Percentage increase in salary 75 (39) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates KPMG, Johnson & Johnson, Landwell – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA International Executive
MBA/Global MBA
Application fees €120 (US$164) €120 (US$164) €120 (US$164)
Programme fees €49,100 (US$67,260) €40,100 (US$54,932)
Comments – – –
Accommodation costs – – –
(on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs £40,000 (US$80,000) – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available €7.2m (US$9.9m) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA International Executive
MBA/Global MBA
Application deadline – – –
Programme dates Nov start, 13 months Oct start, 10 months Sep start, 13/18 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“They stress
entrepreneurship,
but I believe the main
strength is strategic
management.”
“Too many people for the
size of the facilities of
the school.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
entrepreneurship,
strategy, general
management
Weakness: the school is
starting to outgrow its
facilities
€52,100 (US$71,370)
International Executive MBA;
€36,100 (US$49,452)
Global MBA
First degree; at least
3 years’ work
experience; GMAT;
TOEFL; references; essay
First degree; at least
6 years’ work
experience; interview;
laptop
First degree; at least 3-6
years’ work experience;
3 references; essay;
interview; laptop
176
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 2
Regional rank 2
Background
IESE Business School is one of Europe’s oldest management education institutions (founded in 1958).
It has growing alliances in key areas such as Latin America, China and Eastern Europe. IESE is increas-
ingly a two-campus school, with expansion at its campus just outside Madrid, the Spanish capital, and
in Barcelona, where the full-time MBA is based.
IESE, like its parent university, Navarra, is an institution of Opus Dei, a personal prelature of the
Catholic Church founded in 1928. Opus Dei promotes the pursuit of “personal holiness through work,
family and social life”. But there is no proselytising and the atmosphere is the same as at any modern
business school. However, the link does inform a strong commitment to ethics in business.
Facilities
The MBA is taught at the small, attractive Barcelona campus in the leafy, largely residential, Pedralbes
suburb. Library and other facilities are excellent. IESE recently doubled the size of its existing campus in
Barcelona with the acquisition of an adjacent property and has built a large and spectacular six- storey
Executive Education Center, which opened in 2006. The building frees up space for MBA students in the
original complex. There are no sports facilities or on-campus accommodation, but both are readily avail-
able in the city, one of the most attractive of the Mediterranean.
Full-time MBA Global Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.1 (81) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 96 full-time, 45 part-time, 9 visiting
Full-time MBA Global Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (63) 3.6
Percentage of faculty with PhD 99 (13) 99
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (33) –
Programme highlights
IESE’s 19-month full-time MBA is a traditional and rigorous general management programme based
entirely on the case method. Group working is widespread and groups are set up to be as diverse as
possible. Students take 21 core courses in the first year (including business Spanish) and 12 electives
in the second year. The first year is split into English or English/Spanish streams. Second-year students
are expected to take elective classes in both languages. The summer is spent in a company internship.
The Global Executive MBA centres on seven two-week residential learning modules: four at IESE in
Barcelona, one at IESE’s Madrid campus, one in Shanghai and one in Silicon Valley. Each module is sep-
arated by an eight-week period during which participants continue to learn and maintain contact with
each other online. The programme is also offered in a slightly longer 22-month format that involves
six one-week modules. IESE also offers a bilingual two-year Executive MBA at its Madrid and Barcelona
campuses.
IESE Business School—University of Navarra
Address:
Av. Pearson, 21
Barcelona
Spain
08034
Tel:
+34 93 253 4200
Fax:
+34 93 253 4343
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mba.iese.edu
Programme director:
Luis Palencia
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 7
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 46
Jobs found through the careers service 7
Student assessment of careers service 13
Personal development/educational experience 34
Faculty quality 36
Student quality 63
Student diversity 4
Education experience 78
Increase in salary 52
Increase in salary 39
Post-MBA salary 51
Potential to network 6
Breadth of alumni network 14
Internationalism of alumni 10
Alumni effectiveness 15
177
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
IESE Business School—University of Navarra
Full-time MBA Global Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (17) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 87 (43) –
Number of languages on offer 2 (93) –
Students
Full-time MBA Global Executive MBA
Annual intake 210 42
Applicants:places 8:1 –
Percentage of women students 27 (94) 7
Percentage of foreign students 81 (35) 33
Average GMAT score 688 (17) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (60) 144
Age range of students 25-31 31-48
Average age 28 37
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.5 (18) –
Recruiters/career services
Full-time MBA Global Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 99 (5) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 98 (2) –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (45) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 116,438 (12) –
Percentage increase in salary 143 (6) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Santander, –
Boston Consulting Group, Citi
Cost
Full-time MBA Global Executive MBA
Application fees €130 (US$178) €130 (US$178)
Programme fees €64,900 (US$88,904) €89,500 (US$122,603)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) n/a –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €7,600 (US$10,411) –
Financial aid available €583,000 (US$798,630) –
Type of aid available Loans, scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need –
Application details
Full-time MBA Global Executive MBA
Application deadline June 17th Rolling admissions
Programme dates Sep start, 19 months May start, 16 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“General management is
its strength. The school
provides a curriculum
that gives a person a
great view of business
from operations to
finance to strategy.”
“Job placements outside
of Europe is still a work-
in-progress.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: general
management, strategy
and entrepreneurship
Weakness: careers
services can be too
focused on traditional
markets and sectors
First degree; work experience;
TOEFL; references; 7 essays
First degree; at least 7 years
years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references; essays;
interview
178
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 86
Regional rank 45
Background
The College of Business at the University of Illinois is a big, full-range school with more than 3,000
undergraduates, some 850 MBA, masters’ and doctoral students and over 48,000 alumni. Both the col-
lege and the university are well known for information technology and the college is promoting entre-
preneurship and new ventures.
Facilities
The school is based in two buildings, Commerce West and David Kinley Hall, and facilities are good. It
has a high reputation for computer education and research, and the Office for Information Management
provides exceptional computer facilities. The university offers good sports and recreational amenities
and on-campus accommodation is available. Construction of a new US$65m facility designed by Cesar
Pelli is expected to be completed in autumn 2008. It will provide more private study and recruitment
areas for students along with new classrooms and common spaces.
Full-time MBA The Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.9 (89) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 33 full-time, 4 part-time, 7 visiting
Full-time MBA The Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (67) 0.9
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (2) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (31) –
Programme highlights
In the first year of Illinois’ two-year full-time MBA students take required core courses grouped into:
foundations of business; principles and processes of management; and topics in management. For
one week of each semester students participate in the applied business perspectives seminar, a com-
petitive team simulation. An executive-speaker series runs throughout the first semester. In the second
year students gear course selection to their career objectives. They must take one concentration from
finance, marketing, information technology management, operations management and general man-
agement. In addition students take free electives or a second concentration.
The 30-month part-time Evening MBA for Working Professionals was launched in January 2006. The
curriculum is similar to the full-time programme. Classes are held two evenings a week on campus. There
is a two-month break in July and August each year.
Classes in the 20-month (including a one-month break) Executive MBA programme are held on
alternate weekends (Fridays and Saturdays). There are two one-week residential on-campus sessions
(all other classes are held in downtown Chicago) and a required international study trip.
University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign—College of Business
Address:
1407 West Gregory Drive
415 David Kinley Hall,
MC 706
Urbana, IL
US
61801
Tel:
+1 217 244 8019
Fax:
+1 217 333 1156
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mba.uiuc.edu
Programme director:
Nickolas Petruzzi
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 77
Diversity of recruiters 90
Number in jobs three months after graduation 22
Jobs found through the careers service n/a
Student assessment of careers service 97
Personal development/educational experience 75
Faculty quality 16
Student quality >100
Student diversity 79
Education experience 25
Increase in salary 87
Increase in salary 62
Post-MBA salary 86
Potential to network 90
Breadth of alumni network 40
Internationalism of alumni 100
Alumni effectiveness 89
179
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign—College of Business
Full-time MBA The Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (63) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (29) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA The Executive MBA
Annual intake 103 48
Applicants:places 5:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 30 (46) 26
Percentage of foreign students 45 (58) 2
Average GMAT score 633 (66) –
Average number of months’ work experience 36 (>100) 164
Age range of students 24-33 31-46
Average age 27 37
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.7 (95) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA The Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (90) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 97 (22) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services n/a (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 2.8 (97) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 82,693 (86) –
Percentage increase in salary 76 (62) –
Principal recruiters of graduates AT&T, Ford, General Electric –
Cost
Full-time MBA The Executive MBA
Application fees US$75 US$75
Programme fees US$28,910 US$81,500
Comments US$19,910 for Illinois residents Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$5120 –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$8,400 –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA The Executive MBA
Application deadline – May 15th
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Sep start, 20 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The programme provides
a very realistic view of the
business community and
its integrated nature.”
“Career services are
not very proactive,
but changes are being
made.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
management
Weakness: career
services
First degree; TOEFL; references;
essays; interview; laptop
First degree; at least 7 years’ work
experience; TOEFL; 3 references;
3 essays; interview; laptop
180
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 1
Regional rank 1
Background
IMD was established in 1990 following the merger of two business schools: IMI, founded in Geneva by
Alcan in 1946; and IMEDE, founded in Lausanne in 1957 by Nestlé. IMD believes in an integrated faculty
(that is, without departments) and feels this can only be achieved with modest faculty numbers. The
MBA programme is also small, deliberately kept at 90 participants. (The school puts most of its effort
into executive education.) IMD’s contacts with global business are superb and its numerous corporate
partners are keen supporters of the school, sending their managers there on short courses and recruit-
ing MBA graduates. The school’s renowned dean, Peter Lorange, retired in early 2008. He is replaced by
Dr John R Wells.
Facilities
Facilities at IMD are excellent. The MBA is based in its own building across the road from the main cam-
pus. A new executive education centre is being constructed next to it and should open in 2008. There is
no on-campus accommodation and renting in Lausanne, an attractive but somewhat quiet town on the
shores of Lake Geneva, can be expensive.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (24)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 30 full-time, 10 part-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (81)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 97 (43)
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (39)
Programme highlights
IMD’s one-year full-time MBA is deliberately focused on producing future corporate leaders rather than
administrators or managers. The programme is complex and challenging. Ten core courses, which IMD
calls “building blocks”, are covered at the beginning of the programme, mainly through case studies.
These are followed by work with start-up ventures, courses in managing stakeholders and an inter-
national study trip. An eight-week international consulting project, where different teams work with
senior managers of global companies on strategic issues, follows and then a series of intensive career
services courses. Students then choose four out of eight electives offered.
The Executive MBA combines a modular structure with elements of distance learning, study trips and
close links between the school and sponsoring companies. The first two modules are the highly success-
ful ten-week Programme for Executive Development (PED). EMBA and PED participants share the same
classrooms and lessons, though EMBA students can split the course into two halves. There are also over-
seas study trips, typically at a location in Europe, or overseas in Silicon Valley or in Shanghai. The 16.5
weeks of classroom teaching and study trips can be completed in as little as 16 months or spread over a
IMD—International Institute for
Management Development
Address:
MBA Office
Ch de Bellerive 23,
PO Box 915
Lausanne
Switzerland, 1001
Tel:
+41 21 618 0594
Fax:
+41 21 618 0615
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.imd.ch/mba
Programme director:
Benoît Leleux
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 10
Diversity of recruiters 44
Number in jobs three months after graduation 6
Jobs found through the careers service 46
Student assessment of careers service 4
Personal development/educational experience 19
Faculty quality 68
Student quality 12
Student diversity 26
Education experience 54
Increase in salary 6
Increase in salary 71
Post-MBA salary 4
Potential to network 24
Breadth of alumni network 74
Internationalism of alumni 16
Alumni effectiveness 21
181
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
IMD—International Institute for Management Development
period of three years or more. All participants also undertake projects in their own company. Between
modules participants stay in touch with IMD faculty and fellow students via e-mail and undertake some
online learning courses.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (25)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (96)
Number of languages on offer 6 (65)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 90
Applicants:places 5:1
Percentage of women students 22 (>100)
Percentage of foreign students 97 (2)
Average GMAT score 671 (31)
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (21)
Age range of students 28-33
Average age 31
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (6)
Recruiters/career services
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (44)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 99 (6)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 77 (46)
Student rating of careers service 4.4 (4)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 130,000 (4)
Percentage increase in salary 64 (71)
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, Boston Consulting Group, AstraZeneca
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees SwFr350 (US$292)
Programme fees SwFr58,000 (US$48,333)
Comments Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) SwFr13,000 (US$10,833)
Financial aid available –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application Details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline September 1st
Programme dates Jan start, 11 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience;
references; 11 essays; strong command of English
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The main strength of the
curriculum is the focus on
leadership training which
is very experiential.”
“Because of the extreme
diversity and the short
length of the course, it’s
difficult for the school
to get deep into some
subjects.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: general
management,
leadership
development,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: short
programme means
a limited choice of
electives
182
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 45
Regional rank 17
Background
Imperial College, situated next to London’s Science Museum, is famous for science and engineering.
Its technological heritage is to an extent reflected in Tanaka Business School’s concentration, in both
teaching and research, on the interaction of management, technology and innovation. As well as post-
graduate and doctoral programmes, the school offers undergraduate business courses to other parts of
Imperial College. It also makes good use of Imperial Innovations, the college’s spin-out arm, which has
launched more than 60 successful technology-based companies. It has close links with industry and an
especially strong position in entrepreneurship. A number of practising executives and managers teach
on its programmes.
Facilities
The school is based in a £25m (US$46m) building (completed in 2004) within the main college campus
following a gift from Gary Tanaka, an American technology investment manager and alumnus. The build-
ing contains networked lecture theatres, breakout rooms, a central forum with café and bar, and study
areas in the converted 19th-century vaults. Faculty offices and careers services are in a neighbouring
wing. Imperial College offers all the usual academic and sports facilities. There are excellent libraries
within the college and university, and the school has good computer facilities. On-campus accommoda-
tion is available. Many of London’s cultural highlights are within walking distance of the school.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.6 (16) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 24 full-time, 2 part-time, 8 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (42) 0.4
Percentage of faculty with PhD 71 (92) 71
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (25) –
Programme highlights
The Tanaka one-year full-time MBA consists of six core subjects, six electives (from around 25 offered)
that can be grouped into a concentration, an in-company project and 20,000-word report. The core also
includes a group technology venture project. Core courses are covered in the first and second terms and
electives in the third term. The project must be completed by September. Personal development courses
and a guest speaker series run throughout the programme.
The two-year part-time Executive MBA is similar to the full-time programme, though with eight core
and four electives plus a project. It is run on a day-release basis with classes normally on alternate Fri-
days (9 am to 7pm). The programme starts with a five-day block and there are eight three-days blocks
(Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) in the first year. Electives and the final project are completed in the sec-
ond year, when attendance requirements vary.
Imperial College London—Tanaka Business
School
Address:
Exhibition Road
London
UK
SW7 2AZ
Tel:
+44 20 7594 9213
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.imperial.ac.uk/
tanaka/programmes/
imperial-mba
Programme director:
Simon Stockley
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 56
Diversity of recruiters 76
Number in jobs three months after graduation 27
Jobs found through the careers service 83
Student assessment of careers service 21
Personal development/educational experience 66
Faculty quality 63
Student quality 56
Student diversity 67
Education experience 79
Increase in salary 22
Increase in salary 98
Post-MBA salary 16
Potential to network 57
Breadth of alumni network 38
Internationalism of alumni 71
Alumni effectiveness 47
183
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Imperial College London—Tanaka Business School
Tanaka’s distance learning MBA consists of core courses, a specialisation and a research project. The
minimum duration for the programme is two years. Students have online access to tutors and other stu-
dents but there are no on-campus requirements.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (21) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (96) –
Number of languages on offer 4 (82) –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 48 93
Applicants:places 4:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 38 (88) 31
Percentage of foreign students 67 (47) 27
Average GMAT score 641 (61) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 66 (36) 96
Age range of students 25-33 24-45
Average age 31 32
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (50) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (76) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 100 (27) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 30 (83) –
Student rating of careers service 4.0 (21) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 114,000 (16) –
Percentage increase in salary 33 (98) –
Principal recruiter of graduates HSBC –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees £150 (US$300) £150 (US$300)
Programme fees £28,000 (US$56,000) £34,250 (US$68,500)
Comments – £34,250 for Weekday;
£34,500 for Weekend
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £4,500 (US$9,000) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £6,500 (US$13,000) –
Financial aid available £200,000 (US$400,000) –
Type of aid available Scholarships, graduate assistantships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline September 1st October 31st
Programme dates Oct start, 12 months Dec start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great personal
development while
opening up career
opportunities with
excellent salary
potential.”
“The biggest weakness is
accounting: it needs to
be more practical.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: innovation
and entrepreneurship,
finance, health
management
Weakness: accounting
course
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL;
references
First degree; at least 3 years’ work
experience; 2 references
184
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 90
Regional rank 10
Background
The Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad (IIM-A; there are several other IIMs at various loca-
tions around India) is reckoned to be the leading business school in the subcontinent and also the
toughest in the world to get into (over 600 people apply for every place). It has close links with industry
and with state and national authorities and is increasingly international in attitude. The Indian national
government, the government of the state of Gujarat, and Indian industry and business were key players
in its formation in 1961. The IIM-A has a good research base and an active involvement in management
development in a number of important fields.
Facilities
Facilities are good. The school is based on a 100-acre campus designed by Louis Kahn. It includes
11 classrooms, 18 seminar rooms and 20 syndicate rooms, and offices for faculty and research staff. It
also houses single-room furnished accommodation for every student (only in special circumstances are
they allowed to live off campus). The campus is being expanded to add a convention centre, more stu-
dent accommodation and other facilities.
Full-time MBA One Year Post Graduate
Programme for Executives
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (54) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 86 full-time, 66 visiting
Full-time MBA One Year Post Graduate
Programme for Executives
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (87) 1.9
Percentage of faculty with PhD 97 (35) 97
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (82) –
Programme highlights
IIM-A’s two-year full-time Post-Graduate Programme (PGP) is generally accepted as being equivalent to
an MBA. Most teaching is done by the case method, although other methods are used. There is a strong
project element in most courses. The programme is similar in structure to the American model, with
23 required core courses in the first year (and two more in the second) followed by electives, which can
be grouped into concentrations. There are non-credit classes in communications and writing through-
out the first year. Most students have only limited work experience.
In 2006 IIM-A launched a one-year version of the programme (the PGPX) for older managers with
work experience. The programme is aimed at the international MBA market and includes an interna-
tional project and considerable international input.
Indian Institute of Management—
Ahmedabad
Address:
Vastrapur
Ahmedabad
India
380015
Tel:
+91 79 6632 4947
Fax:
+91 79 2630 6896
E-mail:
admission@iimahd.
ernet.in
Website:
www.iimahd.ernet.in
Programme director:
Ajay Pandey
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 2
Diversity of recruiters 72
Number in jobs three months after graduation 1
Jobs found through the careers service 1
Student assessment of careers service 3
Personal development/educational experience >100
Faculty quality 76
Student quality >100
Student diversity >100
Education experience 71
Increase in salary >100
Increase in salary n/a
Post-MBA salary >100
Potential to network 70
Breadth of alumni network 87
Internationalism of alumni 84
Alumni effectiveness 37
185
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Indian Institute of Management—Ahmedabad
Full-time MBA One Year Post Graduate
Programme for Executives
Student rating of programme 4.4 (35) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 100 (36) –
Number of languages on offer 2 (90) –
Students
Full-time MBA One Year Post Graduate
Programme for Executives
Annual intake 257 78
Applicants:places 665:1 17:1
Percentage of women students 13 (>100) 11
Percentage of foreign students 0 (>100) 3
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) 731
Average number of months’ work experience 24 (>100) 112
Age range of students 20-25 29-38
Average age 23 33.10
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (43) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA One Year Post Graduate
Programme for Executives
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (72) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 100 (1) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 100 (1) –
Student rating of careers service 4.5 (3) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 59,879 (>100) –
Percentage increase in salary – –
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, HSBC, –
Lehman Brothers
Cost
Full-time MBA One Year Post Graduate
Programme for Executives
Application fees R1,100 (US$27) –
Programme fees R450,000 (US$10,883) R1.5m (US$36,276)
Comments US$18,000 for international students –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) R21,850 (US$528) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – –
Financial aid available R4.8m (US$115,715) –
Type of aid available Scholarship –
Criteria on which aid is granted Need –
Application details
Full-time MBA One Year Post Graduate
Programme for Executives
Application deadline September 8th August 11th
Programme dates Jun start, 21 months Apr start, 12 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Absolutely stunning
environment for
study and career
opportunities.”
“Narrow range
of electives—no
specialisations offered.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing, business
policy and strategy
Weakness: limited
elective choice
First degree; GMAT; Common
Admission Test
First degree; work experience;
3 references; 4 essays; interview;
laptop
186
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 42
Regional rank 24
Background
Kelley, which can trace its history teaching business back to 1829, has a strong belief in individual
effort—with an emphasis on experiential learning and leadership—and takes an innovative approach to
management education, emphasising integration, teamwork and co-operation. The school offers value
for money, a readily accessible faculty and a good careers office. It teaches undergraduate and graduate
business and accounting programmes to nearly 5,000 full-time students on its Bloomington campus.
Facilities
The MBA programme is housed in the US$33m Godfrey Center, completed in 2002, which houses all
resources for graduate education on three floors, with executive education on the fourth. There are
classrooms, student lounges, team breakout rooms, conference rooms and a careers service office.
Indiana University’s sports, recreational and on-campus accommodation facilities are all excellent.
However, most students live off campus where housing is easy to find and reasonably priced. Blooming-
ton is a small town in the Midwest, an hour’s drive from Indianapolis.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (20)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 184 full-time, 11 part-time, 20 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (34)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 78 (96)
Student rating of faculty 4.7 (1)
Programme highlights
Kelley’s two-year full-time MBA programme starts with a two-week orientation emphasising leadership.
The core is taught as an integrated unit over 15 weeks in the first semester. The first year also features
extensive careers sessions and, in the second semester, electives and two more required core courses.
Electives continue in the second year and can be formed into majors and minors. Each student joins an
“Academy”, which provides opportunities to focus on a particular industry and/or career path. Second-
year students can continue via the online programme if, for example, they are offered a full-time post
after their internship or sponsored students are required to return to their organisation.
The part-time Evening MBA is taught by the school’s faculty at Kelley’s campuses in Indianapolis
and Carmel. The part-time programme is usually completed in three years with classes held two nights a
week in term.
Kelley’s two-year Online MBA programme centres on web-based courses and a one-week residen-
tial session at the beginning of each year. This programme is also offered in a customised version for a
number of global companies. The school also offers a specialised MBA in Accounting.
Indiana University—Kelley School of
Business
Address:
1275 E Tenth St
Suite 2010
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
US
47405
Tel:
+1 812 855 8006
Fax:
+1 812 855 9039
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.kelley.iu.edu/
mba/
Programme director:
James Wahlen
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 24
Diversity of recruiters 1
Number in jobs three months after graduation 55
Jobs found through the careers service 25
Student assessment of careers service 30
Personal development/educational experience 60
Faculty quality 51
Student quality 52
Student diversity 92
Education experience 22
Increase in salary 70
Increase in salary 41
Post-MBA salary 63
Potential to network 58
Breadth of alumni network 43
Internationalism of alumni 74
Alumni effectiveness 42
187
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Indiana University—Kelley School of Business
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (11)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 35 (63)
Number of languages on offer 6 (1)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 236
Applicants:places 5:1
Percentage of women students 27 (90)
Percentage of foreign students 42 (75)
Average GMAT score 690 (30)
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (69)
Age range of students 22-45
Average age 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (47)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (1)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (55)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 77 (25)
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (30)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 88,644 (63)
Percentage increase in salary 85 (41)
Principal recruiters of graduates Johnson & Johnson, Cummins, General Electric
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$75
Programme fees US$33,414
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$5,850
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$5,850
Financial aid available US$3.6m
Type of aid available Fellowships, scholarships, assistantships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline April 15th
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements First degree; TOEFL; references; 3 essays; interview; laptop
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great teachers, who are
industry advisors and are
up-to-date with recent
happenings and practical
in their approach.”
“Remote location. It
is more difficult for
recruiters to visit campus,
and conversely, it is more
difficult for students
to make it to major job
centres.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: marketing,
management,
entrepreneurship
Weaknesses: location
188
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 19
Regional rank 8
Background
INSEAD is one of the strongest international business schools. It was among the first to open a second
full campus and students can opt to study in Fontainebleau, France, or Singapore. The school has been
steadily increasing its intake and 138 faculty members on both campuses now teach more than 1,000
degree students – MBA, Executive MBA and PhD – and more than 9,500 executives. The school has some
37,000 alumni worldwide from all its programmes. They are active and on-campus class reunions are well
attended. The networking opportunities offered by INSEAD are a major attraction for some students.
Facilities
Facilities on the large, modern campuses in Fontainebleau (about 65 km from Paris) and Singapore
are excellent. Campus life is lively and informal with lots of social activities. The two campuses operate
on the same internal IT network and are linked by videoconference facilities for lectures, classes and
other events, and many students take electives on both campuses. Rented housing, including attractive
farmhouse-style accommodation, near the Fontainebleau campus is popular but can be expensive, as is
the area generally. INSEAD has a (recently renewed) alliance with Wharton (see page 252) and in 2007
opened a Centre for Executive Education and Research in Abu Dhabi.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (57)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 133 full-time, 5 part-time, 110 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (>100)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 99 (25)
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (36)
Programme highlights
INSEAD’s one-year full-time MBA is divided into five eight-week “periods”, each followed by examina-
tions and a short break. Thirteen core courses take up the first three periods, followed by 11 electives.
Although almost all classes are taught in English, gaining proficiency in other languages is encouraged.
The programmes in Fontainebleau and Singapore are identical and students can switch between the
campuses during elective periods and are guaranteed the opportunity of spending at least one eight-
week period on the other campus. Students can also apply to take one elective period at Wharton.
The 15-month Executive MBA programme runs simultaneously on the Fontainebleau and Singa-
pore campuses and the two groups of participants share some classes. The programme is modular, with
eight on-campus modules totalling 12 weeks. Between modules there is a mix of online learning and
assignments.
The Tsinghua–INSEAD Dual Degree EMBA (TIEMBA) is an 18-month part-time modular programme mainly
taught at Tsinghua in Beijing and on INSEAD’s Singapore campus, with one module taught at Fontainebleau.
INSEAD
Address:
Boulevard de Constance
Fontainebleau
France
77305
Tel:
+33 1 6072 9109
Fax:
+33 1 6074 5500
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.insead.edu
Programme director:
Antonio Fatas
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 37
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 61
Jobs found through the careers service 13
Student assessment of careers service 62
Personal development/educational experience 7
Faculty quality 60
Student quality 14
Student diversity 20
Education experience 3
Increase in salary 34
Increase in salary >100
Post-MBA salary 24
Potential to network 13
Breadth of alumni network >100
Internationalism of alumni 7
Alumni effectiveness 12
189
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
INSEAD
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (10)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 989 (9)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 919
Applicants:places –
Percentage of women students 29 (92)
Percentage of foreign students 90 (21)
Average GMAT score 700 (10)
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (43)
Age range of students 26-33
Average age 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (9)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 92 (61)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 83 (13)
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (62)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 108,082 (24)
Percentage increase in salary 29 (>100)
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, Bain & Co, Boston Consulting Group
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees €200 (US$274)
Programme fees €50,000 (US$68,493)
Comments Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €7500 (US$10,274)
Financial aid available €2.4m (US$3.3m)
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline July 16th
Programme dates Sep start, 10 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 2 years’ work experience;
TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC or CPE; references; 5 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Wide range of core and
electives covering all the
important topics; star
professors who can teach
you all there is to know in
a very short time span.”
“Marketing courses can
be weak, although I
heard that this is being
addressed by the school.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: leadership,
global strategy,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: marketing
190
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 75
Regional rank 40
Background
The University of Iowa has offered an MBA for over 30 years and the business school has a highly rated
faculty. MBA programmes are delivered by the Henry B Tippie School of Management, the graduate arm
of the Henry B Tippie College of Business. Both take their name from an alumnus who made a US$30m
donation in 1999. The small scale of the school allows good contact between students and faculty. As at
many schools based in state universities the fees are quite low, but the quality is high and the school’s
strategic plan aims for it to join the top 15 business schools at public research and teaching universities
in the US.
Facilities
The school is based in the John Pappajohn Business Administration Building in the middle of the uni-
versity campus. Facilities, including a business library and computer lab, are good. The full-time and
executive MBA programmes are housed in the recently constructed Pomerantz Center. The fourth-floor
Tippie MBA Suite, specifically designed for MBA students, has tiered classrooms with advanced class-
room technology, careers services, student services, a library and conference rooms. There are dedi-
cated interview suites for on-campus recruiters, MBA study rooms and student organisation offices on
the third floor.
Full-time MBA PM Executive International
MBA Program MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.8 (14) – – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 39 full-time, 2 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA PM Executive International
MBA Program MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (23) 0.2 1.1 2.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 90 (69) 90 90 90
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (27) – – –
Programme highlights
Tippie’s two-year full-time MBA has an integrated core that lasts into the autumn semester of the sec-
ond year and has a strong emphasis on leadership development and career preparation. Students take a
concentration in a specific area. They can then add electives to extend their concentration, take a sec-
ond concentration or follow their own interests, drawing on other graduate schools of the university.
Optional overseas study tours are offered throughout the programme.
The part-time MBA for Professionals and Managers is a strong, traditional US programme. Classes
generally meet one evening a week. The programme, which includes nine core courses and six electives,
is offered on campus and at Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Quad Cities. The programme can be completed
in 2–10 years.
The 21-month EMBA has a five-day residency week at the beginning of each year. Classes meet one
University of Iowa—Henry B Tippie School
of Management
Address:
108 John Pappajohn
Business Building
Suite W160
21 East Market Street
Iowa City, IA
US
52242
Tel:
+1 319 335 1040
Fax:
+1 319 335 3422
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.biz.uiowa.edu/
fulltimemba
Programme director:
Colleen Downie
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 63
Diversity of recruiters 95
Number in jobs three months after graduation 68
Jobs found through the careers service 43
Student assessment of careers service 29
Personal development/educational experience 90
Faculty quality 13
Student quality 95
Student diversity >100
Education experience 48
Increase in salary 80
Increase in salary 10
Post-MBA salary 94
Potential to network 67
Breadth of alumni network 19
Internationalism of alumni >100
Alumni effectiveness 59
191
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Iowa—Henry B Tippie School of Management
day a week on alternate Fridays and Saturdays during term time. The second year includes an inten-
sive in-residence business simulation, electives, an international seminar (7–10 days) and a capstone
course in strategic management. The EMBA is also offered in an international version in Hong Kong.
Full-time MBA PM Executive International
MBA Program MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (80) – – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 1 (94) – – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – – –
Students
Full-time MBA PM Executive International
MBA Program MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 65 258 38 19
Applicants:places 2:1 1:1 2:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 25 (82) 32 35 40
Percentage of foreign students 31 (79) 90 1 19
Average GMAT score 652 (48) 579 554 –
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (>100) 96 192 96
Age range of students 23-31 22-54 29-49 27-38
Average age 26 31 40 31
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (84) – – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA PM Executive International
MBA Program MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (95) – – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 90 (68) – – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 65 (43) – – –
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (29) – – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 73,702 (94) – – –
Percentage increase in salary 128 (10) – – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Best Buy, Northwest Airlines, – – –
HNI Corporation
Cost
Full-time MBA PM Executive International
MBA Program MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$85 US$85 – US$85
Programme fees US$25,717 US$510 US$51,000 US$32,000
Comments Out of state; $14,387 in state Per credit hour – –
Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$5826 – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$7800 – – –
Financial aid available US$728,873 – – –
Type of aid available Graduate assistantships, scholarships – – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – – –
Application details
Full-time MBA PM Executive MBA International
MBA Program MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline July 15th June 30th June 15th July 15th
Programme dates Aug start, Aug start, Aug start, Sep start,
21 months 36 months 21 months 18 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“This programme is
perfectly balanced—a
well-rounded experience
with the best professors,
best industry contact,
and fastest payback.”
“Small student
population leads to fewer
electives being offered.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: corporate
finance, investments,
marketing
Weakness: limited
electives
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; 2 essays
First degree; at least
2 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
3 references; 2 essays
First degree; at least
10 years’ work experience;
2 references;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least 3
years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
essays; interview
192
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 81
Regional rank 8
Background
The Graduate School of International Management (GSIM) is one of the two graduate schools (the uni-
versity only offers masters’ degrees) at the private International University of Japan (IUJ). The other is
the Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR). Both schools teach entirely in English.
The GSIM was originally developed in 1988 in collaboration with Dartmouth College’s Tuck School
of Business (see page 132), although it now has its own curriculum. The IUJ was created by business
leaders, so the school’s connections with Japanese and international businesses are excellent. There is
a good range of guest speakers.
Facilities
The school is about 230 km north-west of Tokyo in quiet rural surroundings with hot summers and snowy
winters. Facilities on campus are good and most students stay in on-campus housing.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (74)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 10 full-time, 20 part-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (83)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (21)
Student rating of faculty 3.7 (>100)
Programme highlights
The GSIM’s two-year full-time MBA is based on the traditional US model (although it is taken over six
terms rather than four semesters). The first year consists of core courses, which also follow the tradi-
tional model, and some electives, which start in the spring term. The second year is given over to ten
or more electives, which can be grouped (specialisations are offered in finance, IT, management and
marketing) or taken from a variety of areas to form a general degree. There is also a required project
and report. Elective courses can be chosen from the E-Business Management Program and from some
courses offered by the GSIR. Soft skills courses and language training in English and Japanese (which
for non-Japanese speakers can count as an elective) are also offered.
The E-Business Management Program is a one-year master’s programme, incorporating some ele-
ments of the MBA, designed for young managers wanting to enter the e-commerce area.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 3.6 (>100)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 50 (6)
Number of languages on offer 2 (94)
International University of Japan—Graduate
School of International Management
Address:
777 Kokusai-cho
Minami Uonuma-shi
Niigata
Japan
949-7277
Tel:
+81 25 779 1116
Fax:
+81 25 779 1180
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
ibs.iuj.ac.jp
Programme director:
Yasuma Sugihara
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 51
Diversity of recruiters 96
Number in jobs three months after graduation 20
Jobs found through the careers service 6
Student assessment of careers service 59
Personal development/educational experience 98
Faculty quality 88
Student quality >100
Student diversity 60
Education experience 65
Increase in salary 100
Increase in salary 19
Post-MBA salary >100
Potential to network 51
Breadth of alumni network >100
Internationalism of alumni 15
Alumni effectiveness 63
193
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
International University of Japan—Graduate School of International Management
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 52
Applicants:places 3:1
Percentage of women students 31 (70)
Percentage of foreign students 79 (32)
Average GMAT score 591 (87)
Average number of months’ work experience 58 (80)
Age range of students 24-35
Average age 30
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.7 (>100)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (96)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 93 (20)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 90 (6)
Student rating of careers service 3.4 (59)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 59,443 (>100)
Percentage increase in salary 179 (19)
Principal recruiters of graduates Citi, Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees ¥5,000 (US$42)
Programme fees ¥1.9m (US$16,135)
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) ¥384,000 (US$3,261)
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) ¥840,000 (US$7,133)
Financial aid available ¥119.5m (US$1m)
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline March 28th
Programme dates Sep start, 21 months
Admission requirements First degree; TOEFL; references; essay
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“A life-oriented
curriculum and
international experience
like nowhere else.”
“Small number of
students means the
university can only
provide a small number
of electives.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: information
communication
technology, finance,
environmental
management
Weakness: limited
number of electives
194
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 51
Regional rank 21
Background
Lancaster University Management School is a full-range school covering undergraduate programmes,
MBA, specialist masters’ programmes, doctoral programmes and short executive courses. It is large,
with nearly 140 faculty and 2,000 undergraduate students and some 1,500 postgraduates. The school
has a strong reputation for research. It has good international and regional industry links and was a
pioneer of company-specific and consortium MBA programmes in the UK.
Facilities
The school occupies modern buildings on the sprawling, low-rise university campus. The MBA and other
taught masters’ programmes are housed in the Management School. Students have 24-hour access to
a number of university computer laboratories and there is a well-equipped sports centre next to the
school. An airy extension houses extra lecture, breakout and executive education rooms and a social
meeting area. Accommodation with en-suite bedrooms and social areas is available in a graduate col-
lege, which is part of a recently completed complex.
Lancaster is a small city with good transport links. It is close to the sea and the picturesque Lake
District.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.6 (18) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 45 full-time, 4 part-time, 44 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (46) 3.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 84 (83) 84
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (42) –
Programme highlights
Lancaster’s one-year full-time MBA is one of a wide range of general and specialist masters’ programmes
offered by the school. The programme is divided into four modules (including the summer project).
Students study six foundation courses and a project in the first module, five further courses (business
economics, human resource management, strategic management, global society and responsible man-
agement, and leading change) and an in-company consultancy project in the second module, and three
electives in the third module (they can take additional non-assessed electives). The fourth module is
the main summer project. A career management course runs throughout the programme.
The two-year part-time Executive MBA has a similar curriculum to the full-time version. Students
attend eight five-day (Monday–Friday) intensive residential modules based at the school’s hotel and
training centre on the edge of the campus. The programme starts with an introductory workshop/induc-
tion and concludes with a project and dissertation, usually within participants’ own organisations.
Lancaster University Management School
Address:
Bailrigg
Lancaster
UK
LA1 4YX
Tel:
+44 1524 594 708
Fax:
+44 1524 592 417
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/
mba
Programme director:
Oliver Westall
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 48
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 40
Jobs found through the careers service 81
Student assessment of careers service 44
Personal development/educational experience 31
Faculty quality 79
Student quality 40
Student diversity 27
Education experience 19
Increase in salary 48
Increase in salary 57
Post-MBA salary 43
Potential to network 91
Breadth of alumni network 99
Internationalism of alumni 56
Alumni effectiveness 82
195
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Lancaster University Management School
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (41) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 31 (42) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (54) –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 76 28
Applicants:places 8:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 26 (74) 32
Percentage of foreign students 92 (23) 2
Average GMAT score 650 (54) –
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (28) 132
Age range of students 25-33 28-43
Average age 29 34
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (46) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 93 (40) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 51 (81) –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (44) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 100,000 (43) –
Percentage increase in salary 67 (57) –
Principal recruiters of graduates A.T. Kearney, Detica, IMS Consulting –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees £18,500 (US$37,000) £17,500 (US$35,000)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £4,160 (US$8,320) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £3,640 (US$7,280) –
Financial aid available £90,000 (US$180,000) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline May 31st July 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Oct start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“It is experience-based
learning. You are taught
as you put the learning to
practice.”
“Weak alumni network.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: accounting
and finance, leadership,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: alumni
network
First degree; at least 5 years’ work
experience; TOEFL; references;
interview
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL;
references
196
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 76
Regional rank 31
Background
Leeds University Business School is among the leading UK university-based business schools and has
grown in size and reputation during recent years. The school is full-range, teaching more than 1,500
undergraduate and 500 postgraduate students from over 50 countries, and is closely linked to the univer-
sity. It has its own faculty (over 80) and a high reputation for research. It has good links with industry.
Facilities
The school is based in an imaginatively refurbished building, close to the university campus, which once
housed Leeds grammar school. Facilities—including lecture theatres, syndicate rooms, café and com-
mon rooms—are excellent. MBA students have access to all university libraries and sports facilities.
Leeds is a lively cosmopolitan city in the UK’s northern hilly region.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (35) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 26 full-time, 3 part-time, 23 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (55) 2.9
Percentage of faculty with PhD 81 (92) 81
Student rating of faculty 4.1 (84) –
Programme highlights
The Leeds MBA programme is in the mainstream UK and European tradition of a one-year programme
consisting of taught core courses and electives followed by an individual project. It starts with a ten-
subject core. Students then choose three option modules (effectively electives) from 12 offered and
complete their project. Careers and personal development workshops run throughout the programme.
The two and a half year part-time Executive MBA is made up of 11 core modules (including an execu-
tive skills course) and three elective modules (from five offered) and a project and dissertation, usually
in a student’s own organisation. Each module involves open learning preceding a three- or four-day
workshop, followed by further study or a work-based assignment. EMBA classes meet at Weetwood Hall,
the school’s conference centre, a short drive from the business school.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 3.9 (97) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (97) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Leeds University Business School
Address:
Maurice Keyworth
Building
University of Leeds
Leeds
UK
LS2 9JT
Tel:
+44 113 343 4884
Fax:
+44 113 343 4885
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.leeds.ac.uk/lubs
Programme director:
Dr Mae Baker Collins
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 82
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 45
Jobs found through the careers service 89
Student assessment of careers service >100
Personal development/educational experience 59
Faculty quality 97
Student quality 48
Student diversity 30
Education experience 74
Increase in salary 38
Increase in salary 18
Post-MBA salary 52
Potential to network >100
Breadth of alumni network 96
Internationalism of alumni 39
Alumni effectiveness >100
197
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Leeds University Business School
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 54 18
Applicants:places 10:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 33 (29) 36
Percentage of foreign students 89 (29) 2
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (37) 144
Age range of students 24-34 33-43
Average age 28 38
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.5 (>100) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 93 (45) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 29 (89) –
Student rating of careers service 2.6 (>100) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 96,210 (52) –
Percentage increase in salary 99 (18) –
Principal recruiters of graduates BUPA, RM (Research Machines), BT –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees £17,000 (US$34,000) £17,000 (US$34,000)
Comments £19,000 for non-EU students £19,000 for international applicants
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £5,200 (US$10,400) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £5,400 (US$10,800) –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline July 31st August 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Oct start, 24-36 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Very comprehensive and
intensive programme,
helped me to change
my mindset and
gain international
experience.”
“The careers service
could have been much
better than what was
provided, as there were
high expectations in this
particular department.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: international
business, finance,
decision making
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; work experience;
TOEFL or IELTS; 2 references;
3 essays; interview
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL or IELTS;
references; 3 essays
198
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 9
Regional rank 4
Background
London Business School (LBS) is probably the best-known of all the UK business schools and is indeed
one of the world’s truly global schools. It maintains its position through a series of strategic initiatives
including fostering world-class research and making the most of its location in London.
As one of only a handful of European schools that follow the North American two-year MBA model
(although it does offer shortened versions of its programme), LBS combines many of the best aspects
of the North American and European traditions. Like other leading European schools, it prides itself on
attracting a diverse mix of nationalities. It has a strong strategic alliance with Columbia Business School
in New York through the EMBA–Global programme and in late 2006 opened the Dubai–London Centre to
provide short executive courses and an Executive MBA.
In 2007 a new dean, Robin Buchanan, took over from Laura Tyson. Buchanan was formerly a senior
partner at Bain & Co, a global business consultancy, in the UK.
Facilities
LBS benefits greatly from its location in the centre of London (although it is closer to the West End,
London’s entertainment centre, than the City, the financial centre). Facilities are good, but the main
building, designed in the 1820s by John Nash, is much smaller and less “high-tech” in appearance
(both inside and out) than some of its US competitors. Its advantage is that the scenic Regent’s Park is
just across the road. A separate building nearby provides excellent IT and sports facilities.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Dubai-London Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.1 (84) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 66 full-time, 14 part-time, 7 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Dubai-London Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (>100) 1.1 1.1
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (15) 98 98
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (56) – –
Programme highlights
In the first year of London’s full-time MBA students take 16 required courses and a number of soft skills,
careers and language workshops. In the second year they take 9–12 electives, from around 70 on offer,
which can be grouped into a concentration. Students also complete an in-company consultancy project
(usually in a two-person team) on which they must write a management report. The programme is flex-
ible and can be completed in 15–21 months.
The 20-month Executive MBA leads to the same degree as the full-time version and the programme
details are similar. There are two start dates, January and September. Classes meet all day Friday and
Saturday on alternate weeks. Students take 16 core courses, including soft skills courses, during the
first year and choose 6–8 electives in the second year. There is an international field trip and a graded
project and report carried out in students’ own organisations.
London Business School
Address:
Regent’s Park
London
UK
NW1 4SA
Tel:
+44 20 7000 7000
Fax:
+44 20 7000 7001
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.london.edu
Programme director:
Sabine Vinck
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 21
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 13
Jobs found through the careers service 37
Student assessment of careers service 37
Personal development/educational experience 27
Faculty quality 61
Student quality 31
Student diversity 41
Education experience 20
Increase in salary 10
Increase in salary 38
Post-MBA salary 9
Potential to network 18
Breadth of alumni network 88
Internationalism of alumni 3
Alumni effectiveness 36
199
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
London Business School
The EMBA–Global is a 20-month joint programme between LBS and Columbia Business School in New
York that mixes campus-based classes, projects, teamwork, field trips and online learning. Students
alternate each month between London and New York for the core courses and take elective courses in
New York, London or both cities. The second year also includes a week-long international seminar.
In 2007 LBS launched the Dubai–London EMBA, a modular programme with 11 four-day modules in
Dubai in the first year and electives and soft-skills modules in London in the second year. Students also
complete an in-company project.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Dubai-London Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (29) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 191 (31) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Dubai-London Executive MBA
Annual intake 315 76 78
Applicants:places 7:1 3:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 23 (98) 21 15
Percentage of foreign students 90 (17) 51 71
Average GMAT score 690 (21) 650 n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 66 (51) 120 120
Age range of students 26-30 28-38 27-40
Average age 28 33 33
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (31) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Executive Dubai-London
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 97 (13) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 69 (37) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (37) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 119,964 (9) – –
Percentage increase in salary 76 (38) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Barclays, Booz Allen Hamilton, McKinsey & Co – –
Cost
Full-time Executive Dubai-London
MBA MBA Executive MBA
Application fees £145 (US$290) £120 (US$240) £120 (US$240)
Programme fees £44,490 (US$88,980) £45,900 (US$91,800) £79,950 (US$159,900)
Comments Total programme Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £8,532 (US$17,064) – –
Financial aid available £857,000 (US$1.7m) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Dubai-London Executive MBA
Application deadline May 1st April 30th May 31st
Programme dates Aug start, 15 to 21 months Sep start, 20 months Sep start, 17 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Very international
student body with a wide
range of experiences
adds to a fantastic
experience.”
“Teaching quality ranges
from excellent to weak in
a few circumstances.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategic
and international
management, finance,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: some weak
faculty
First degree usually
required; at least
3 years’ work experience;
references; 5 essays;
interview
First degree usually
required; at least
5 years’ work experience;
2 references; 5 essays;
interview
First degree; at least
5 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
5 essays; interview
200
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 73
Regional rank 30
Background
E.M. Lyon, founded in 1872 by the local Lyon business community (the Lyon Chamber of Commerce is a main
stakeholder), is a grande école with a distinctive French flavour, though its MBA is strongly international.
It has a commitment to entrepreneurship which permeates the MBA and other programmes. Since
1984 it has hosted the Entrepreneurship Centre, a joint initiative with Lyonnaise de Banque, to develop
research programmes and training dedicated to setting up companies and entrepreneurial management.
In September 2008 E.M. Lyon opened a new campus in Geneva, Switzerland, to be known as ELK
Geneva. Initially, it will offer three masters’ programmes specialising in private banking, international
organisations and the luxury goods industry.
Facilities
The modern campus is located just outside Lyon and has excellent facilities including a major library,
a computer centre, restaurants and cafeterias, and an audio-visual and language laboratory. There are
two residential complexes close by housing 350 students and good sports facilities. MBA students share
most resources with other students, but they have a separate area with two lecture rooms and nine
classrooms; the MBA area is open 24 hours a day for MBA participants. The centre of Lyon is attractive
and full of character. It is an important transport hub with good rail and air links and easy access to the
Alps, the Mediterranean and other European countries.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (98) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 43 full-time, 3 part-time, 5 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.2 (8) 1.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 93 (56) 93
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (>100) –
Programme highlights
E.M. Lyon’s one-year International MBA programme (which was revamped for the 2006 intake) starts
with each student being assessed as a potential entrepreneurial leader, which serves as a benchmark for
progress throughout the year. It is also used as a guide to the Entrepreneurial Leadership Project (ELP),
career goals and elective courses in the third trimester. The ELP, a team project aimed at developing key
leadership skills, runs throughout the programme and is a key part of it.
Core courses are essentially traditional, though interspersed with a series of seminars focusing on
major issues in entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, followed by one of three mini specialisations
(managing market-driven companies, international business strategy, corporate finance), each made
up of three courses, and then a range of general electives. During the third trimester or summer stu-
dents may opt for an exchange placement. The programme has a strong careers emphasis, especially the
E.M. Lyon
Address:
23, av. Guy de Collongue
Ecully (Lyon)
France
69134
Tel:
+33 4 7833 7707
Fax:
+33 4 7833 7788
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.em-lyon.com/imba
Programme director:
Frederic Martel
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 100
Diversity of recruiters >100
Number in jobs three months after graduation >100
Jobs found through the careers service 57
Student assessment of careers service 77
Personal development/educational experience 13
Faculty quality 9
Student quality 51
Student diversity 35
Education experience 13
Increase in salary 65
Increase in salary 66
Post-MBA salary 53
Potential to network 9
Breadth of alumni network 2
Internationalism of alumni 41
Alumni effectiveness 51
201
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
E.M. Lyon
“Career Power” programme which, combined with one-to-one mentoring and personal coaching, allows
students to identify, design and implement their career objectives.
The school offers a two-year part-time Executive MBA mainly in French.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (83) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 50 (7) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 37 40
Applicants:places 3:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 35 (27) 10
Percentage of foreign students 70 (49) 3
Average GMAT score 627 (77) 585
Average number of months’ work experience 88 (16) 132
Age range of students 26-38 30-42
Average age 31 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.4 (62) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 5 (>100) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 88 (>100) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 80 (57) –
Student rating of careers service 3.4 (77) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 89,041 (53) –
Percentage increase in salary 86 (66) –
Principal recruiters of graduates TOTAL, Louis Dreyfuss Commodities, –
Schneider Electric
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees €110 (US$151) €110 (US$151)
Programme fees €29,500 (US$40,411) €30,000 (US$41,096)
Comments – Per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) €5,000 (US$6,849) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €6,500 (US$8,904) –
Financial aid available €150,000 (US$205,479) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline July 31st July 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Sep start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The shape of the
class: 40 participants
with strong, diverse
backgrounds and
international exposure,
huge cohesion among
us.”
“The administration of
the school needs to be
more ordered and more
managed.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
entrepreneurship,
finance, marketing
Weakness:
administration
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
references; essays
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; TOEFL or TOEIC;
reference; interview; laptop
202
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 100
Regional rank 50
Background
McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management, which is closely integrated with the university, has a strong
international bias and good links with local and international business. The campus is in Montreal’s
business district and many senior executives visit the faculty.
The Faculty of Management was renamed in 2005 following a C$22m gift from Marcel Desautels,
president and CEO of Canadian Credit Management Foundation. The money is likely to have a significant
impact and has been earmarked for areas such as endowed chairs, scholars’ awards, visiting scholars,
research, scholarships and fellowships, and enhancing the facilities.
Like most Canadian schools, McGill offers extremely good value for money for in-state and other
Canadian residents, although for others tuition fees are generally in line with those at most North
American schools.
Facilities
The Bronfman building, which houses the Desautels Faculty of Management, is on the border of McGill’s
sprawling campus. It is shared with undergraduate students so space is limited, but MBA students have
their own lounge and computer lab. The ground floor of the building was refurbished in 2004. The fac-
ulty has its own computer centre and management library, but some subjects, such as economics and
social science, may be housed in one of the other 17 libraries on campus. Students have access to the
excellent university sports and cultural amenities. There is some on-campus accommodation for gradu-
ates but most MBA students rent local housing, which is plentiful and reasonably priced. Montreal is a
pleasant city with a European atmosphere, and local transport is good.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (>100)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 47 full-time, 18 part-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.0 (40)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 83 (88)
Student rating of faculty 4.0 (>100)
Programme highlights
McGill’s two-year full-time MBA mixes a highly integrative core and intensive specialisation. There are
five core modules followed by a case competition in the first semester. In the second semester and sec-
ond year students must choose one of four tailored concentrations. They also select additional free elec-
tives. Students with an undergraduate business degree (from a recognised North American university)
can take an accelerated 15-month track.
The part-time MBA is identical to the full-time version. Students can complete the core requirements
in about two years. After that they can either join the full-time programme to complete their degree
McGill University—Desautels Faculty of
Management
Address:
1001, rue Sherbrooke
Ouest, bur. 300
Montreal, QC
Canada
H3A 1G5
Tel:
+1 514 398 4000 ext
089682
Fax:
+1 514 398 2499
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mcgill.ca/mba
Programme director:
Francesca Carrieri
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 88
Diversity of recruiters 71
Number in jobs three months after graduation 82
Jobs found through the careers service 67
Student assessment of careers service >100
Personal development/educational experience 95
Faculty quality >100
Student quality 86
Student diversity 49
Education experience 97
Increase in salary 98
Increase in salary 87
Post-MBA salary 92
Potential to network 44
Breadth of alumni network 15
Internationalism of alumni 28
Alumni effectiveness 93
203
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
McGill University—Desautels Faculty of Management
at an accelerated pace or continue part-time, with up to five years to complete the programme. Stu-
dents with an undergraduate business degree (from a recognised North American university) can take
an accelerated 36-month track.
The MBA Japan is a two-year part-time programme (identical to the Montreal version) taught in
downtown Tokyo, leading to an MBA with a major in international management, general management
or finance. Classes are held two weekends a month (Saturday and Sunday) throughout the year.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (>100)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 43 (24)
Number of languages on offer 6 (77)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 57
Applicants:places 7:1
Percentage of women students 42 (10)
Percentage of foreign students 46 (58)
Average GMAT score 645 (54)
Average number of months’ work experience 54 (78)
Age range of students 25-30
Average age 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.0 (87)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (71)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 86 (82)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 70 (67)
Student rating of careers service 3.0 (106)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 81,963 (92)
Percentage increase in salary 56 (87)
Principal recruiters of graduates RBC Capital Markets, Imperial Oil, Johnson & Johnson
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Significant value
for money. Strong
international brand.
Collegiate atmosphere.”
“The facilities—
classrooms, group study
spaces—are poor.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
strategy, marketing
Weakness: facilities
204
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 57
Regional rank 4
Background
Established as part of Macquarie University in 1969, Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM)
is the oldest continuously operating graduate school of business in New South Wales. An innovative
school, it has a strong social science and psychology orientation linked with a pragmatic and practical
approach. MGSM has satellite campuses in the Sydney business area, Hong Kong and Singapore. The
school has excellent links with local, national and international business. Around 1,800 students are
enrolled in postgraduate programmes supported by over 100 permanent and adjunct faculty. Like many
Australian schools, MGSM prides itself on the flexibility of its delivery of programmes.
Facilities
The modern, well-equipped school is housed in a group of seven low-rise buildings separated by gar-
dens on the edge of the university’s park-like campus in North Ryde, about 30 minutes’ drive north of
downtown Sydney. Students use the main university library, where they have their own librarian. They
have access to the university sports and recreational amenities.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (79) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 36 full-time, 18 part-time, 18 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.7 (46) 0.1
Percentage of faculty with PhD 94 (59) 94
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (92) –
Programme highlights
The Macquarie MBA is offered in one-year full-time or two- or three-year part-time variations. The dif-
ference between the various options is the number of courses taken in each term. In the full-time pro-
gramme, students take four courses per term. Core courses are taught during the day, but electives are
usually offered in block format (over one week, for example) and may be scheduled in the evenings. In
the two-year version students take two or three courses per term, and in the three-year version they
take one or two courses per term. It is a generalised programme with a good range of electives. There
are ten fairly traditional core courses and six electives. Students can follow a particular stream, or con-
centration, or take electives across a wide range of subjects.
The Macquarie MBA is also offered in downtown Sydney as well as Singapore and Hong Kong.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (66) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 71 (19) –
Number of languages on offer 1 (100) –
Macquarie Graduate School of Management
Address:
99 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park
North Ryde, Sydney
Australia
2113
Tel:
+61 2 8274 8328
Fax:
+61 2 8274 8370
E-mail:
mgsminfo@mgsm.
edu.au
Website:
www.mgsm.edu.au
Programme director:
Elizabeth More
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 71
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation >100
Jobs found through the careers service 8
Student assessment of careers service 99
Personal development/educational experience 18
Faculty quality 77
Student quality 4
Student diversity 81
Education experience 82
Increase in salary 32
Increase in salary >100
Post-MBA salary 19
Potential to network 83
Breadth of alumni network 29
Internationalism of alumni 85
Alumni effectiveness 85
205
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Macquarie Graduate School of Management
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 71 823
Applicants:places 1:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 24 (>100) 41
Percentage of foreign students 77 (36) 243
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 95 (8) 144
Age range of students 28-38 28-44
Average age 32 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (69) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 92 (>100) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 89 (8) –
Student rating of careers service 3.1 (99) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 121,719 (19) –
Percentage increase in salary 39 (>100) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, Capgemini –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees A$110 (US$92) –
Programme fees A$3,000 (US$2,500) A$3,000 (US$2,500)
Comments Per unit Per unit
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) A$14,000 (US$11,667) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) A$14,600 (US$12,167) –
Financial aid available A$48,000 (US$40,000) –
Type of aid available Scholarship –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline May 2nd May 2nd
Programme dates Jun start, 12 months Jun start
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“There are some
exceptional professors
that teach core.”
“There needs to be
more career and job
opportunities for the full-
time cohort.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
internationalism
Weakness: recruitment
opportunities
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
references; interview; laptop
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
3 references; laptop
206
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 60
Regional rank 23
Background
As a part of the creation in 2004 of a new university in Manchester, formed by the merger of the Uni-
versity of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST),
the “old” Manchester Business School merged with the Institute of Innovation Research, the Victoria
University of Manchester’s School of Accounting and Finance, and UMIST’s (mainly undergraduate)
Manchester School of Management. As a result the “new” Manchester Business School is the biggest
full-range business school in the UK. There are 2,000 students and over 200 faculty, allowing greater
choice and variety on the MBA, more specialised masters’ programmes, and expanded research and
executive education activity.
Facilities
MBA programmes are taught in the pre-merger business school, which is housed in a modern building
near the city-centre university campus. Facilities at the school are good. MBA students have their own
lecture rooms, group rooms, bar and restaurants, library and IT facilities. MBS’s 35,000-volume man-
agement library is considered to be one of the best in Europe. There are plenty of PCs and the school has
its own language centre. There is no on-campus accommodation (except for some incoming exchange
students), but reasonably priced accommodation within commuting distance is available.
Full-time MBA Worldwide MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (100) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 42 full-time, 2 part-time, 4 visiting
Full-time MBA Worldwide MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (76) 24
Percentage of faculty with PhD 86 (83) 86
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (>100) –
Programme highlights
The MBS 18-month full-time MBA programme is based on a diploma/MBA system and is preceded by a
mandatory (unassessed) four-week introductory module. The first two terms, effectively the core, make
up the diploma stage and consist of 13 courses, a range of personal and career development workshops
and two projects; three further terms, including the summer, make up the MBA stage, which offers a var-
ied menu of assessed internship, study tours to Europe and Asia, electives and an international project.
Only the ten-week international business project is mandatory. Students choose from the other options
to make up the required credits. The programme reflects MBS’s heavy emphasis on project work—the so-
called “Manchester method”.
A new part-time programme, the Worldwide MBA, started in September 2007. It is a flexible pro-
gramme that can be completed in six trimesters over 24 months though students can take up to five
years. It consists of eight core modules, four elective modules and three projects. Modules are delivered
Manchester Business School
Address:
Booth Street West
Manchester
UK
M15 6PB
Tel:
+44 161 275 6529
Fax:
+44 161 275 5862
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mbs.ac.uk
Programme director:
Andrew Stark
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 79
Diversity of recruiters 79
Number in jobs three months after graduation 55
Jobs found through the careers service 80
Student assessment of careers service 84
Personal development/educational experience 80
Faculty quality >100
Student quality 76
Student diversity 77
Education experience 29
Increase in salary 16
Increase in salary 27
Post-MBA salary 17
Potential to network 56
Breadth of alumni network 28
Internationalism of alumni 29
Alumni effectiveness 80
207
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Manchester Business School
using a blend of self-study, online learning, collaborative working and face-to-face workshops at MBS
over a three-day period.
Manchester also offers a range of specialised MBA programmes using a similar mix of online learning
and face-to-face workshops.
Full-time MBA Worldwide MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (89) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 69 (21) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Worldwide MBA
Annual intake 104 –
Applicants:places 5:1 –
Percentage of women students 19 (>100) 33
Percentage of foreign students 88 (22) 86
Average GMAT score 623 (71) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (42) 120
Age range of students 25-34 28-41
Average age 29 33
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (77) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Worldwide MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (79) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95 (55) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 37 (80) –
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (84) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 110,000 (17) –
Percentage increase in salary 129 (27) –
Principal recruiters of graduates SITA UK, KPMG, Johnson & Johnson –
Cost
Full-time MBA Worldwide MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees £31,260 (US$62,520) £16,400 (US$32,800)
Comments Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £4,000 (US$8,000) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £4,650 (US$9,300) –
Financial aid available £290,000 (US$580,000) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Worldwide MBA
Application deadline June 30th October 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 18 months Jan start, 36-60 months
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The practical approach
followed is really
effective in developing
skills and teaching the
course contents.”
“The facilities are ok but
nothing more.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: international
business, marketing,
entrepreneurship and
innovation
Weakness: facilties
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
references; essays
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; 2 references;
laptop
208
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 52
Regional rank 20
Background
Mannheim Business School is generally reckoned to be Germany’s leading business school. It says its goal
is to strengthen its position among the top 40 business schools internationally and the top ten in Europe
by 2010. Although the school was created only in 2005 (the MBA dates from 2002), it is closely connected
to the School of Business Administration at the University of Mannheim, both of which were founded in
1907. The school has an excellent record in research and teaching and good links with business.
Facilities
The Mannheim University campus, where the school is based, is located in one of Europe’s largest
baroque castles in the centre of Mannheim. Facilities are good and up-to-date, although the school is
investing heavily in renovation work.
Full-time MBA ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (50) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 61 full-time, 10 part-time, 5 visiting
Full-time MBA ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.9 (24) 1.9
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (17) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (19) –
Programme highlights
Mannheim’s one-year full-time MBA is taught over four terms. Core courses are taught in the first and
second terms and electives in the third (with some in the second term), and the fourth term consists of
a team project. There is an emphasis on case studies and intercultural group working. Careers services
workshops run throughout the programme. The programme is offered in four tracks, or variations, which
involve spending up to two terms at business schools in Europe, North America or Asia or remaining for
a full year on the Mannheim campus.
An Executive MBA is offered in collaboration with ESSEC in Paris. The programme can be studied
either in a weekend format (Fridays and Saturdays twice a month) on the ESSEC or Mannheim campuses
over 19 months or in an 18-month modular format, with four six-day modules in Paris and four six-day
modules in Mannheim. Both formats include residencies and international study trips.
Full-time MBA ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (34) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 36 (55) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (97) –
Mannheim Business School
Address:
L 5,6
Mannheim
Germany
D-68131
Tel:
+49 621 181 1476
Fax:
+49 621 181 1278
E-mail:
info@mba-mannheim.
com
Website:
www.mannheim-
business-school.com
Programme director:
Dr Sabine Kuester
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 35
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 28
Jobs found through the careers service 34
Student assessment of careers service 57
Personal development/educational experience 68
Faculty quality 6
Student quality 67
Student diversity 73
Education experience 95
Increase in salary 65
Increase in salary 31
Post-MBA salary 65
Potential to network 80
Breadth of alumni network 39
Internationalism of alumni 98
Alumni effectiveness 71
209
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Mannheim Business School
Students
Full-time MBA ESSEC & Mannheim
Executive MBA
Annual intake 36 41
Applicants:places 12:1 4:1
Percentage of women students 37 (54) 37
Percentage of foreign students 72 (70) 22
Average GMAT score 650 (52) –
Average number of months’ work experience 54 (58) 132
Age range of students 26-34 31-44
Average age 29 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (48) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA ESSEC & Mannheim
Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 100 (28) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 65 (34) –
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (57) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 97,945 (65) –
Percentage increase in salary 70 (31) –
Principal recruiters of graduates BASF, McKinsey & Co, A.T. Kearney –
Cost
Full-time MBA ESSEC & Mannheim
Executive MBA
Application fees – €150 (US$205)
Programme fees €29,000 (US$39,726) €44,000 (US$60,274)
Comments Total programme –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) €400 (US$548) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €400 (US$548) –
Financial aid available €150,000 (US$205,479) –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need, gender –
Application details
Full-time MBA ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA
Application deadline May 31st –
Programme dates Sep start, 2008 months Oct start, 18 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The three country track
is extremely valuable, no
other school allows us to
have experiences in three
different places. This is a
unique programme.”
“There is not really a
coherent curriculum.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: marketing,
finance, economics
Weakness: programme
structure
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL;
references; 4 essays
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 4 essays; interview
210
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 53
Regional rank 29
Background
The University of Maryland’s Robert H Smith School of Business focuses on management information
systems and managing in a technological age. As well as teaching undergraduate and graduate business
programmes, the school is closely involved with the Maryland–Washington DC–Northern Virginia cor-
porate and government nexus through consulting, research and executive education. The Smith School
is one of 14 colleges and schools of the University of Maryland and has an ambitious plan for global
recognition over the next few years. It is named after Robert H Smith, an alumnus and president of the
Charles E Smith companies, following a US$15m endowment.
Facilities
The school is based in Van Munching Hall on the university’s large suburban campus. An extension to
the building in 2002 doubled the size of the business school and brought most of the undergraduate
and graduate classes under one roof. It contains classrooms, a café, a computer lab and interview rooms
for recruiters. In 2007 a further US$21m expansion added more classrooms and offices. Some on-cam-
pus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (50) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 121 full-time, 19 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.0 (25) 0.4 4.6
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (18) 98 98
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (19) – –
Programme highlights
Smith’s two-year full-time MBA is a fairly traditional programme. The first year consists of 12 required
courses, a choice of “selective” courses in globalisation or technology and optional courses during a
three-week winter semester. Also included are soft skills and a strong emphasis on group in-company
projects. The second year consists of electives, which can be grouped into functional disciplines or taken
across a wider area. Second-year students also have the opportunity to take part in the MBA consulting
project, a team-based in-company consultancy exercise.
The Evening MBA and Weekend MBA share the same curriculum as the full-time programme. The
Evening MBA is offered at three locations in the Greater Baltimore/Washington DC area. Classes are
held Monday–Thursday in the evening and elective classes usually once a week. The programme takes
30–36 months to complete. The Weekend MBA is offered at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington
DC. An accelerated 15-month version of the part-time MBA is available.
Classes in the 18-month Executive MBA are held all day Friday and Saturday every other weekend.
The programme is also offered in Beijing and Shanghai.
University of Maryland—Robert H Smith
School of Business
Address:
2308 Van Munching Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
US
20742
Tel:
+1 301 405 9466
Fax:
+1 301 314 7973
E-mail:
mba_info@rhsmith.
umd.edu
Website:
www.rhsmith.umd.edu
Programme director:
Christine La Cola
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 35
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 29
Jobs found through the careers service 34
Student assessment of careers service 57
Personal development/educational experience 69
Faculty quality 7
Student quality 67
Student diversity 74
Education experience 96
Increase in salary 66
Increase in salary 31
Post-MBA salary 66
Potential to network 80
Breadth of alumni network 39
Internationalism of alumni 99
Alumni effectiveness 71
211
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Maryland—Robert H Smith School of Business
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (34) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 36 (56) – –
Number of languages on offer 2 (98) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 126 351 31
Applicants:places 8:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 33 (55) 30 39
Percentage of foreign students 41 (71) 69 2
Average GMAT score 650 (52) 608 –
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (58) 60 192
Age range of students 24-34 25-34 35-45
Average age 28 29 41
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.2 (48) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (29) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 75 (34) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (57) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 88,629 (66) – –
Percentage increase in salary 104 (31) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Campbell Soup Co, – –
Deloitte, IBM
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$60 US$60 US$60
Programme fees US$27,910 US$803 US$94,000
Comments Per year Per credit Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – – –
Financial aid available US$2.8m – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, fellowships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline April 30th June 1st October 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Aug start, 33 months Nov start, 18 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Smith’s collaborative
environment and
dedicated professors
make it a great
programme for students
who are looking for
a strong business
foundation as well as
for students looking to
further their career.”
“Need to bring in top
tier career recruitment
programmes.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
global business,
entrepreneurship,
finance
Weakness: careers
services
First degree; at least
8 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references;
3 essays; interview;
laptop; letter of
employer sponsorship
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references;
3 essays
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; references;
3 essays
212
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 18
Regional rank 10
Background
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) started to offer business training for engineers in 1914. In
1931, with the support of Alfred P Sloan Jr, chairman of General Motors and an alumnus, MIT created
the Sloan Fellows Program, becoming the world’s first provider of university-based executive education.
In 1952, Sloan established the MIT School of Industrial Management and in 1964 the school was named
in his honour.
The Sloan School is fairly small, with just over 1,000 students. Although MIT’s technological back-
ground is reflected in the school’s programmes, they are not just for technical engineering under-
graduates (though there are plenty of them). Sloan has always had a strong organisational and human
resources department and aims to use the innovative techniques and creative thinking that come natu-
rally to scientists and engineers to give managers a competitive edge. Sloan regards itself as a global
school with a good international intake and wide-ranging contacts, notably in China.
Facilities
MIT sits on the Cambridge side of the Charles River, just north of the historic city of Boston and within
easy walking distance of downtown. The Sloan School is sited on the eastern edge of the campus, flank-
ing the river, in a network of eight buildings. The whole of the MIT campus, including the Sloan School,
is being refurbished and new buildings have been and will be added. Some on-campus accommodation
is available.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (72)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 102 full-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (>100)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (2)
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (10)
Programme highlights
Beginning with an intensive two-week orientation, Sloan’s two-year full-time MBA packs a six-course
core (including a communications course), a project, a finance or a marketing elective and a one-week
“Sloan Innovation Period” (basically soft skills and leadership training) into the first semester. The rest
of the programme is given over to electives, which students can structure as they wish.
MIT has merged its long-standing one-year full-time programme for experienced executives, the
Sloan Fellows Program, with its Management of Technology Program to create the Sloan Fellows Pro-
gram in Innovation and Global Leadership, a flexible one-year full-time or two-year part-time pro-
gramme. Whichever option students take, they all spend the first 12 weeks of the programme together
on a full-time basis.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology—MIT
Sloan School of Management
Address:
50 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA
US
02142
Tel:
+1 617 253 7750
Fax:
+1 617 253 5875
E-mail:
mbaadmissions@sloan.
mit.edu
Website:
mitsloan.mit.edu/mba/
admissions/
Programme director:
Deborah Berechman
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 13
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 8
Jobs found through the careers service n/a
Student assessment of careers service 25
Personal development/educational experience 30
Faculty quality 25
Student quality 27
Student diversity 44
Education experience 38
Increase in salary 27
Increase in salary 84
Post-MBA salary 25
Potential to network 39
Breadth of alumni network 82
Internationalism of alumni 55
Alumni effectiveness 19
213
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Massachusetts Institute of Technology—MIT Sloan School of Management
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (6)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 4 (94)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 383
Applicants:places 8:1
Percentage of women students 31 (59)
Percentage of foreign students 65 (56)
Average GMAT score 710 (5)
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (78)
Age range of students 25-32
Average age 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (10)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 98.7 (8)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services n/a
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (25)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 107,990 (25)
Percentage increase in salary 58 (84)
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, Bain & Co, Boston Consulting Group
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$230
Programme fees US$44,556
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$10,000
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$10,000
Financial aid available US$27m
Type of aid available Scholarship, fellowship, loans, federal work study, teaching assistantships
Criteria on which aid is granted –
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline January 15th
Programme dates Sep start, 18 months
Admission requirements First degree; references; 5 essays; interview by invitation
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“MIT Sloan has a
great combination of
intellectual rigour,
international and diverse
students, and a strong
entrepreneurial spirit
with ties to the MIT as a
whole.”
“Facilities are not the
best, but a new building
is being built.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
entrepreneurship/
technology, finance,
operations/general
management
Weakness: facilities
214
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 26
Regional rank 2
Background
Melbourne Business School dates back to 1955 and started its MBA programme in 1963. The school is
a private limited company (jointly owned by the University of Melbourne and Australian businesses)
and has excellent links with business (many executives sit on its board of directors), which has largely
financed its growth in recent years. The school controls all academic matters. In 2004 MBS merged
with Mt Eliza Business School (now Melbourne’s executive education centre) to make it the biggest
school in Australia.
Facilities
The school’s building in Melbourne is spacious and impressive with good facilities. It is a ten-minute
walk from the downtown business area and borders the southern edge of the university’s extensive
campus. There are plenty of cafés and shops in the surrounding district of Carlton, which has a strong
Italian influence. Accommodation in Carlton is plentiful and reasonably cheap. Facilities for executive
education are based both in downtown Melbourne and at Mt Eliza’s facilities in Victoria. The school also
has facilities in Sydney and Beijing.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.6 (29) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 37 full-time, 14 part-time, 11 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.1 (29) 0.7
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (30) 98
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (45) –
Programme highlights
Melbourne’s full-time MBA can be completed in 16 or 20 months. The 20-month version can be taken
with or without an internship (the latter is slightly less intensive). The 16-month programme has no
internship and starts in January or September; the 20-month programme starts in September. Classes
are taught over a 13-week, three-term year. The programme is split equally between ten core courses
and ten electives, which can be taken across a broad range or grouped into specialisations. About one-
third of students can go on exchange visits, which take place in the September term.
The part-time MBA is similar to the full-time version. Students generally complete the programme in
three years and study two courses per term, but this is flexible. Part-time students can apply to convert
to full-time study in January or September if they have completed the core courses.
The 14-month Executive MBA consists of four one-month fully residential taught modules, the sec-
ond of which is held in America, Europe and China.
Melbourne Business School–University
of Melbourne
Address:
200 Leicester St.
Carlton
Australia
3053
Tel:
+ 61 3 9349 8283
Fax:
+ 61 3 9349 8377
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.mbs.edu
Programme director:
Jennifer George
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 20
Diversity of recruiters 1
Number in jobs three months after graduation 51
Jobs found through the careers service 16
Student assessment of careers service 43
Personal development/educational experience 51
Faculty quality 38
Student quality 100
Student diversity 28
Education experience 7
Increase in salary 45
Increase in salary 24
Post-MBA salary 59
Potential to network 27
Breadth of alumni network n/a
Internationalism of alumni 25
Alumni effectiveness 40
215
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Melbourne Business School–University of Melbourne
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (67) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 86 (16) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (1) –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 43 87
Applicants:places 6:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 37 (33) 36%
Percentage of foreign students 70 (44) 45%
Average GMAT score 640 (98) –
Average number of months’ work experience 96 (12) 108
Age range of students 25-38 26-39
Average age 30 32
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (58) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (1) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (51) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 93 (16) –
Student rating of careers service 4.0 (43) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 98,424 (59) –
Percentage increase in salary 139 (24) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Booz Allen Hamilton, –
IBM, Johnson & Johnson
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees A$50,000 (US$41,667) A$50,000 (US$41,667)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) A$8,000 (US$6,667) –
Financial aid available A$1.2m(US$1m) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, diversity –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline September 30th November 30th
Programme dates Jan start, 16 months Jan start, 36 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The knowledge of the
lecturers is fantastic, and
they have a lot of real
world knowledge to bring
to the classroom.”
“The number of students
limits the number
of electives on offer
compared to European
and American business
schools.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
strategy, marketing
Weaknesses: limited
number of electives
First degree; at least 2 years’
work experience; GMAT;
TOEFL or IELTS; references;
3 essays; interview
First degree; at least 2 years’ work
experience; 2 references;
3 essays; laptop; interview
216
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 22
Regional rank 12
Background
The University of Michigan Business School was founded in 1924 and is a world leader in business edu-
cation at all levels: undergraduate, graduate and executive (a particularly strong area). The school has
a keen interest in action learning techniques and this is apparent in degree and executive courses.
Through its executive education arm, the school has unusually good links with industry, especially the
automobile industry. This is not surprising given its location near Detroit. It does not, however, special-
ise in the motor industry.
In 2004 Stephen M Ross, a New York real-estate developer and undergraduate alumnus, donated
US$100m to the school. In recognition it was renamed the Stephen M Ross School of Business.
Facilities
The business school campus currently comprises seven interconnected buildings surrounding the Alessi
Courtyard and the Executive Residence Patio. The entire complex occupies a city block on the south-
ern tip of the university campus. The school is well equipped with large classrooms, study rooms, com-
puter labs and a 211,000-volume library (one of the biggest business libraries in the country). A new
US$145m 270,000 sq ft building is scheduled to open in autumn 2008. Some on-campus accommoda-
tion is available, but most students prefer to live in the university town of Ann Arbor, even though hous-
ing there can be expensive.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (28) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 83 full-time, 37 part-time, 3 visiting
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (98) 0.6 1.2
Percentage of faculty with PhD 92 (69) 92 92
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (14) – –
Programme highlights
Ross’s two-year full-time MBA consists of nine core courses and one optional elective in the first year
and elective courses in the second year. Students also participate in a required seven-week Multidis-
ciplinary Action Program (MAP), a real-life team case study within a company that rounds off the first
year. Electives can be drawn from a variety of areas or grouped into concentrations. All students must
fulfil requirements in ethics, law, writing and internationalism. Executive skills workshops run through-
out the programme.
The structure of the part-time Evening MBA programme varies slightly from the full-time version,
although the degree awarded is exactly the same. The main difference is that there is no MAP. The pro-
gramme is generally completed in four years. Classes are held in three locations: at the main campus in
Ann Arbor; and at two satellite campuses at Dearborn and Southfield.
The 20-month Executive MBA starts with a ten-day residency in Ann Arbor at the beginning of each
University of Michigan—Stephen M Ross
School of Business
Address:
701 Tappan
Ann Arbor, MI
US
48109
Tel:
+1 734 936 2150
Fax:
+1 734 647 2401
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.bus.umich.edu
Programme director:
Soojin Kwon Koh
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 11
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 47
Jobs found through the careers service 39
Student assessment of careers service 5
Personal development/educational experience 45
Faculty quality 67
Student quality 29
Student diversity 40
Education experience 77
Increase in salary 42
Increase in salary 67
Post-MBA salary 38
Potential to network 26
Breadth of alumni network 49
Internationalism of alumni 42
Alumni effectiveness 6
217
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Michigan—Stephen M Ross School of Business
year. Students then take courses on campus for two-day weekends (Friday and Saturday) approximately
every four weeks. Between residencies there is Internet-based learning and team collaboration. A typi-
cal workload requires participants to study for 15–20 hours a week.
Ross also offers a corporate Global MBA, similar to its regular MBA but not for open enrolment.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (5) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 15 (83) – –
Number of languages on offer 2 (88) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 427 193 103
Applicants:places 7:1 – –
Percentage of women students 34 (40) 19 16
Percentage of foreign students 32 (80) 77 31
Average GMAT score 700 (12) 660 –
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (60) 78 173
Age range of students 25-32 25-37 31-50
Average age 28 31 39
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (8) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95 (47) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 73 (39) – –
Student rating of careers service 4.3 (5) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 99,265 (38) – –
Percentage increase in salary 64 (67) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Microsoft, McKinsey & Co, – –
Boston Consulting Group
Cost
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$200 US$200 US$125
Programme fees US$43,100 US$15,500 US$125,000
Comments Per year – Total programme.
US$120,000
for in-state students
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$11,320 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$11,320 – –
Financial aid available US$54,175,700 – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline March 1st May 15th May 1st
Programme dates Sep start, 20 months Sep start Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great alumni network
and alumni support,
rigorous curriculum,
enthusiastic students.”
“There could be more of
a focus on global issues
in the core classes. That
said, there are tons of
opportunities to explore
international issues once
you are taking electives.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing, general
management
Weakness: lack of
international content
in core
First degree;
references; 4 essays;
interview by invitation
First degree;
2 references; 4 essays;
interview by invitation
First degree; at least 10-15
years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 3 references;
4 essays; interview; laptop
218
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 63
Regional rank 34
Background
Founded in 1919, Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota is a big, full-range
traditional US school with more than 3,500 students and over 100 faculty. It has strong links with the
vibrant local business community, which is closely involved with the school and a keen recruiter. The
school has ambitions to promote its global coverage (it has alumni in nearly 70 countries, for example)
and is building international links.
Facilities
The school is based in a 243,000 sq ft building (opened in 1998) with excellent facilities, including
33 classrooms, 35 meeting rooms, a 180-seat lecture hall and a 250-seat auditorium. The Wilson Library
is next to the business school, providing access to 500,000 publications as well as online databases and
publications. The construction of a new undergraduate centre is scheduled to be completed in 2008.
On-campus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.1 (74) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 135 full-time, 122 part-time
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 2.1 (4) – 4.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 86 (74) 86 86
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (59) – –
Programme highlights
Carlson’s two-year full-time MBA begins with an integrated core and personal development workshops.
Semesters are divided into two seven-week terms. In the second semester students start work on elec-
tives, which can be grouped into career-based specialisations called Professional Portfolios. The second
year consists of further electives, including the Enterprise Program, a chance for selected students to
run their own businesses. Carlson is closely involved with the local business community and students
meet executives throughout the programme.
The part-time MBA programme has a similar core, elective structure and content to the full-time
version. Classes are held once a week (Monday to Thursday evenings and Saturday) and students are
allowed seven years to complete the programme, but most finish in about half that time.
The 21-month Executive MBA has a traditional structure. Classes meet on campus on Friday and Sat-
urday every two weeks during term time. There are residential sessions at the beginning of each year
and an overseas study trip at the end of the programme.
Carlson offers versions of the EMBA, The Global Executive MBA, in co-operation with local partners in
Guangzhou, China, Vienna and Warsaw.
University of Minnesota—Carlson School of
Management
Address:
321 19th Ave S
Suite 4-300
Minneapolis, MN
US
55455
Tel:
+1 612 625 1587
Fax:
+1 612 624 6374
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.carlsonmba.umn.
edu
Programme director:
Kathryn J Carlson
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 61
Diversity of recruiters >100
Number in jobs three months after graduation 14
Jobs found through the careers service 40
Student assessment of careers service 46
Personal development/educational experience 65
Faculty quality 14
Student quality 74
Student diversity 69
Education experience 74
Increase in salary 75
Increase in salary 48
Post-MBA salary 67
Potential to network 36
Breadth of alumni network 8
Internationalism of alumni 80
Alumni effectiveness 53
219
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Minnesota—Carlson School of Management
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (91) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (68) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (1) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 92 308 57
Applicants:places 5:1 – –
Percentage of women students 32 (72) 38 54
Percentage of foreign students 79 (48) 95 2
Average GMAT score 665 (40) 616 n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 54 (82) 72 180
Age range of students – – 31-46
Average age 28 29 39
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.0 (72) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 5 (>100) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (14) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 64 (40) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (46) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 87,188 (67) – –
Percentage increase in salary 82 (48) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Medtronic, – –
Cummins, General Mills
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$60 US$60 US$60
Programme fees US$56,144 US$945 US$78,500
Comments Total programme Per unit Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available – – –
Criteria on which aid is granted – – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline April 15th May 1st April 1st
Programme dates Sep start, Sep start, 43 months Sep start,
22 months (on average) 18 months
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Small class size, high
quality education, great
ties to local businesses
and community.”
“There is a lack of
presence outside of
Minneapolis.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: consulting
and strategy, finance,
marketing
Weakness: regional
focus
First degree;
work experience;
TOEFL; references;
essays
First degree;
work experience;
TOEFL; references;
essays; laptop
Work experience;
TOEFL
220
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 37
Regional rank 15
Background
The International University of Monaco (IUM) is small and international with a commitment to practical
business: many classes are taught by practising executives and many of the small in-house faculty have
extensive business experience. IUM is a full-range (undergraduate and masters) business university but
will probably remain small, in common with its location in the tiny principality of Monaco, which is seen
as a niche strength. Though undoubtedly exotic, the surrounding area of the Côte d’Azur has become
a leading centre for international business, and the IUM exploits this through specialisations in areas
such as luxury goods and hedge funds.
Facilities
The IUM occupies three floors of the office complex of the Louis II sports stadium in central Monaco,
which is not as odd as it sounds. Facilities are good and include a real-time stock trading room. There is
also a new complex for MBA students across the road that includes an auditorium, breakout rooms and a
lounge area. There is no on-campus accommodation but help is available for students seeking housing.
Monaco and the surrounding area are not as expensive as you might think.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.8 (>100)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 23 full-time, 10 part-time, 5 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.0 (32)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (46)
Student rating of faculty 4.1 (98)
Programme highlights
The IUM’s ten-month MBA is firmly in the European tradition, being a short, intensive programme with
a limited range of specialisations. It starts with three weeks of pre-programme training in financial
accounting, economics and mathematics for students who need it. The programme proper begins with
foundation courses and a supervised field study leading into the core. The specialisations offered (which
involve a minimum of four elective courses) are wealth and asset management, luxury goods and serv-
ices, international marketing and entrepreneurship. Students may substitute focused study for elective
courses. These seminars concentrate on contemporary issues such as women in business, the business
environment in microstates, especially Monaco, and developments in consulting skills and practice. A
series of workshops and forums runs throughout the programme.
The 18-month Executive MBA is based on six five-day residential sessions in Monaco. Between ses-
sions students stay in touch with the school and each other via the Internet. The programme starts in
October and ends in March.
International University of Monaco
Address:
2, avenue Albert II
MC 98000 Monte-Carlo
Principality of Monaco
Tel:
+377 97 985 726
Fax:
+377 92 052 830
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.monaco.edu
Programme director:
Dr Mark Ingham
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 41
Diversity of recruiters 78
Number in jobs three months after graduation 1
Jobs found through the careers service 23
Student assessment of careers service 60
Personal development/educational experience 37
Faculty quality 80
Student quality 95
Student diversity 2
Education experience 28
Increase in salary 17
Increase in salary 26
Post-MBA salary 23
Potential to network >100
Breadth of alumni network >100
Internationalism of alumni 64
Alumni effectiveness >100
221
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
International University of Monaco
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (86)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 45 (18)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 30
Applicants:places 3:1
Percentage of women students 46 (2)
Percentage of foreign students 97 (1)
Average GMAT score 528 (89)
Average number of months’ work experience 78 (33)
Age range of students 24-35
Average age 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.8 (99)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (78)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 100 (1)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 85 (23)
Student rating of careers service 3.4 (60)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 108,219 (23)
Percentage increase in salary 108 (26)
Principal recruiters of graduates HSBC Investment Banking, Merrill Lynch, Ogilvy & Mather
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees €100 (US$137)
Programme fees €19,900 (US$27,260)
Comments Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) –
Financial aid available €160,000 (US$219,178)
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, industry/career specific and gender-based
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline July 1st
Programme dates Sep start, 10 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least three years’ work experience;
GMAT; TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS; references; 10 essays;
international experience desirable
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great international
networking experience,
high quality of
education, friendly
school environment.”
“There is a lack of
space for students
in classrooms and
insufficient space for
students to study and
conduct group work.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
international finance
and banking, luxury
goods and services,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: lack of space
222
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 47
Regional rank 3
Background
The Graduate School of Business was created in November 2004 as part of Monash University’s Faculty
of Business and Economics. It brings together all the faculty’s MBA, specialised masters’ and doctoral
programmes as well as executive education. Being part of a large business and economics faculty means
that the school can draw on research strengths in the core areas of business, such as accounting and
finance, economics, econometrics, marketing management, and business law and taxation. It also
draws on other parts of the university to offer a diverse range of professional tracks as part of the MBA
elective programme.
Facilities
Monash has six campuses in Australia and a number of overseas centres. The MBA is based at the
Caulfield campus, near Melbourne. It hosts a range of visual arts, educational and sporting events and
has well-established links with industry, government and the local community. The MBA building on
the Caulfield campus has good facilities with five lecture theatres for the exclusive use of MBA students,
student lounges, seminar rooms and computer labs.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.7 (11) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 48 full-time, 2 part-time, 8 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.1 (18) 0.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 96 (41) 96
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (53) –
Programme highlights
The Monash MBA consists of 16 semester-length subjects based on six themes: strategy, personal devel-
opment, innovation, relevance, internationalisation and technology. It starts with a personal skills
development module, part of an extensive leadership programme, and there is an emphasis on person-
al and professional development throughout the programme. There are ten foundation core subjects
and six elective subjects. Electives can be taken across a range of subjects or grouped into professional
tracks of four courses. Classes are held during the day and in the evenings. Full-time students can com-
plete the programme in two years. Part-time students generally study two subjects per semester. Both
versions can be accelerated by taking elective courses in summer and/or winter schools.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.7 (12) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 12 (56) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (86) –
Monash University—Graduate School of
Business
Address:
MBA Programs
27 Sir John Monash
Drive
Caulfield East, Victoria
Australia
3145
Tel:
+61 3 9903 1807
Fax:
+61 3 9903 1168
E-mail:
[email protected].
edu.au
Website:
www.monash.edu.au
Programme director:
Peter Reed
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 84
Diversity of recruiters 71
Number in jobs three months after graduation 62
Jobs found through the careers service n/a
Student assessment of careers service 77
Personal development/educational experience 3
Faculty quality 29
Student quality 3
Student diversity 3
Education experience 44
Increase in salary 36
Increase in salary 72
Post-MBA salary 34
Potential to network 72
Breadth of alumni network 24
Internationalism of alumni 79
Alumni effectiveness 73
223
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Monash University—Graduate School of Business
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 45 115
Applicants:places 7:1 1.7:1
Percentage of women students 34 (37) 34
Percentage of foreign students – –
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) –
Average number of months’ work experience 96 (7) 156
Age range of students 26-36 28-43
Average age 31 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.5 (40) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (71) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 90 (62) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services n/a (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.6 (77) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 95,833 (34) –
Percentage increase in salary 40 (72) –
Principal recruiters of graduates ANZ Bank, Telstra, National Bank –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees A$100 (US$83) n/a
Programme fees A$43,840 (US$36,533) A$43,840 (US$36,533)
Comments Total programme Total program tuition fees
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) A$12,000 (US$10,000) –
Financial aid available A$160,000 (US$133,333) –
Type of aid available Scholarships, Dean awards, AusAid –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline November 27th November 27th
Programme dates Feb start, 24 months Feb start, 48 months
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“High quality
teaching, well rounded
core programme,
international experts
brought in for interesting
specialist electives.”
“A lot of work is needed
to get the Alumni running
formally.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: leadership
and personal
development,
marketing, finance
Weakness: alumni
network
First degree; at least 4 years’
work experience; TOEFL or IELTS;
references; interview; laptop;
minimum 2 years managerial or
professional work experience
First degree; at least 4 years’
work experience; TOEFL or IELTS;
2 references
224
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 80
Regional rank 7
Background
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was formed in 1955 when Singapore was still a British colony.
The university is big, with well over 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The business school
(formally the School of Accountancy and Business) was created in 1990, and the MBA programme was
launched in 1991 with help from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. The school is well connected with
industry and business, both locally and internationally. There are lots of opportunities to meet business
leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs via a good guest-speaker series.
Facilities
The school’s base is on NTU’s landscaped campus in Jurong, about 25 km from the city centre. The 200-
hectare site contains more than 50 buildings. The campus is very well equipped, with wireless technolo-
gy, an impressive library and good sports facilities. School facilities are excellent and include a financial
trading room and an e-commerce laboratory for teaching and research. MBA students have their own
wing. There is on-campus accommodation for more than 8,500 students. The school also has a down-
town executive centre where some MBA teaching takes place.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (15) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 94 full-time, 11 part-time, 21 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.9 (32) 1.9
Percentage of faculty with PhD 94 (48) 94
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (87) –
Programme highlights
Nanyang’s MBA programme is flexible and can be taken full-time or part-time. The full-time version is
normally completed in four trimesters (trimesters last around 13 weeks and there are three a year) and
the part-time version in 6–8 trimesters. Full-time students normally take four courses per trimester and
part-time students take two. Students can switch between full-time and part-time or vice versa at any
point in the programme.
The programme is divided into nine core courses and seven electives. Electives can be grouped into
specialisations or taken across a wide field as a General MBA. (Specialisations involve taking four func-
tional subjects within that specialisation and up to two subjects from any area.) Students must also
complete an individual or group dissertation, or an overseas business study mission (BSM, a short group
overseas study tour), or two further electives.
Nanyang offers joint programmes with the University of St Gallen in Switzerland, ESSEC Business
School in France and Waseda University in Japan.
The 18-month part-time Executive MBA is offered in Chinese or English versions. The English version
requires attendance at six two-week sessions.
Nanyang Technological University—
Nanyang Business School
Address:
Blk S3, Level B3,
Nanyang Avenue
Singapore
639798
Tel:
+65 6790 5681
Fax:
+65 6791 3561
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.nanyangmba.ntu.
edu.sg
Programme director:
Ooi Lee Lee
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 48
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 65
Jobs found through the careers service 42
Student assessment of careers service 73
Personal development/educational experience 15
Faculty quality 54
Student quality 45
Student diversity 52
Education experience 5
Increase in salary >100
Increase in salary 49
Post-MBA salary >100
Potential to network 96
Breadth of alumni network 98
Internationalism of alumni 65
Alumni effectiveness 87
225
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Nanyang Technological University—Nanyang Business School
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (46) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 106 (15) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (52) –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 113 67
Applicants:places 6:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 28 (68) 30
Percentage of foreign students 81 (31) 16
Average GMAT score 653 (49) 647
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (34) 84
Age range of students 25-37 27-39
Average age 30 32
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.0 (82) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 91 (65) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 76 (42) –
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (73) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 52,892 (>100) –
Percentage increase in salary 66 (49) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Cisco, PricewaterhouseCoopers, OCBC Bank –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees S$50 (US$33) S$50 (US$33)
Programme fees S$29,000 (US$19,205) S$33,000 (US$21,854)
Comments Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) S$4,800 (US$3,179) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) S$8,400 (US$5,563) –
Financial aid available S$382,000 (US$252,980) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline March 31st March 31st
Programme dates Jul start, 16 months Jul start, 28 months
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Very structured and
practical courses in
finance and strategy,
very good diversity, very
good value for money.”
“It tends to favour
more of finance
and accounting
specialisation, without
putting equal focus on
other specialisations like
International Business or
marketing.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: accounting
and finance, strategy
and organisational
behaviour, technology
management
Weakness: marketing
courses
First degree; at least 2 years’ work
experience; GMAT; TOEFL; references;
4 essays
First degree; at least 2 years’
work experience; 2 references;
4 essays; interview
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
226
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 78
Regional rank 33
Background
Newcastle University Business School was formed in 2002 following a university restructuring. It has
nearly 100 faculty and staff, over 1,000 undergraduates and over 150 postgraduate students studying
ten taught masters’ and research programmes. The university has been teaching management subjects
since the 1920s and the MBA started in the 1980s. Newcastle has ambitions to become one of the top
ten business schools in the UK.
Facilities
The school is housed in the 19th-century Armstrong Building. However, the main administrative head-
quarters of the school and the MBA and other “flagship” masters’ programmes are now located in the
new Citywall building off the main campus. Some of the school’s staff have moved into three floors of
the complex but it has also retained its existing campus offices and teaching facilities. The university
has a large, well-equipped library. Accommodation, in both the private rental sector and the university,
is reasonably priced. Newcastle is a lively city with plenty of nightlife.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (34) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 22 full-time, 5 part-time, 6 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.9 (36) 1.3
Percentage of faculty with PhD 86 (90) 86
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (98) –
Programme highlights
Newcastle’s one-year full-time MBA is a typical European programme with a strong core, a range of
electives and a final dissertation. The structure is modular, with ten core modules (including careers
management and personal development) and three elective modules chosen from a varying list. After
the taught sections, students undertake a research dissertation. Case studies and group work are used
extensively and there is a good list of visiting speakers.
The part-time Executive MBA is taught in three-day blocks spread over 24–30 months. There is an
international study trip at the end of each year. The programme ends with a dissertation. Managers are
encouraged to bring work-based projects to the programme to assist the transfer of learning from the
classroom to the workplace.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 3.7 (99) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 2 (90) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Newcastle University Business School
Address:
City Wall
City Gate
St James Boulevard
Newcastle upon Tyne
UK
NE1 4JH
Tel:
+44 191 243 0843
Fax:
+44 191 243 0875
E-mail:
[email protected]
Programme director:
Dr Lucy Lu
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 83
Diversity of recruiters 62
Number in jobs three months after graduation 98
Jobs found through the careers service >100
Student assessment of careers service 27
Personal development/educational experience 47
Faculty quality 99
Student quality 6
Student diversity 78
Education experience 66
Increase in salary 55
Increase in salary 44
Post-MBA salary 50
Potential to network >100
Breadth of alumni network >100
Internationalism of alumni 75
Alumni effectiveness 84
227
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Newcastle University Business School
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 30 25
Applicants:places 12:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 23 (>100) 28
Percentage of foreign students 93 (11) 3
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) –
Average number of months’ work experience 96 (15) 168
Age range of students 25-35 27-48
Average age 29 34
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.6 (93) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (62) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 100 (98) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 24 (>100) –
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (27) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 94,070 (50) –
Percentage increase in salary 82 (44) –
Principal recruiters of graduates GE Capital, PricewaterhouseCoopers, –
Procter & Gamble
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees – –
Programme fees £15,950 (US$31,900) £15,950 (US$31,900)
Comments – Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £3,000 (US$6,000) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £3,000 (US$6,000) –
Financial aid available £31,500 (US$63,000) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline August 31st August 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Oct start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The curriculum offers
a broad, coherent and
comprehensive portfolio
of modules.”
“Needs a better
application of
quantitative skills in real
life situations.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: innovation,
human resources,
finance and banking
Weakness: can be overly
theoretical
First degree; at least 3 years’ work
experience; IELTS; references;
essay; interview; laptop
First degree; at least 5 years’ work
experience; IELTS; 2 references;
pre-application interview
preferred
228
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 8
Regional rank 5
Background
The Stern school is based in a large building in New York City’s Greenwich Village and has close links with
the New York financial community. It is a full-range school with some 2,300 undergraduates, around
800 full-time MBA students and over 2,000 part-time MBA students. The school makes full use of its
New York location and its guest-speaker series attracts some of the world’s leading executives. Finance
is one of the main reasons people are attracted to Stern. The finance department is exceptional and is
frequently at the forefront of knowledge of the latest techniques and concepts. However, the school
also has strengths in other areas.
Facilities
Facilities are excellent. The school occupies two buildings, the Henry Kaufman Management Center and
Tisch Hall, which it shares with the undergraduate business programme. It also owns a number of apart-
ments in the surrounding area for students to rent, including the nearby Palladium Residence Hall, which
has studio and two-bedroom apartments, meeting and study areas, a sports centre and computer facil-
ities for 120 Stern graduate students. Both Kaufman and Tisch have recently been extensively renovated.
Full-time MBA Langone Program for
Working Professionals
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (26) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 168 full-time
Full-time MBA Langone Program for
Working Professionals
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (68) 0.4
Percentage of faculty with PhD 60 (99) 60
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (17) –
Programme highlights
Stern’s two-year full-time MBA starts with eight required core courses (one taken in the second year),
five of them chosen from a menu of seven offered. In the second year students can (but need not) follow
up to three specialisations and complete the capstone core course, Professional Responsibility. A career
development programme runs throughout the two years.
The part-time Langone Program is broadly similar to the full-time MBA. It can be completed in two
years but most students take three years (the maximum allowed is six years). There are various options
for class meetings and all take advantage of the flexibility of the Internet.
The two-year Executive MBA has two start dates: August and January. Classes are held on alternating Fri-
days and Saturdays and the programme includes four one-week residencies: two in New York and two overseas.
The 16-month TRIUM Executive MBA is a joint programme with the London School of Economics
(LSE) and HEC Paris (see page 164) and has five international learning locations. The programme
New York University—Leonard N Stern
School of Business
Address:
44 West 4th Street
New York, NY
US
10012
Tel:
+1 212 998 0917
E-mail:
[email protected].
edu
Website:
www.stern.nyu.edu/
admissions
Programme director:
Kim Corfman
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 5
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation n/a
Jobs found through the careers service 14
Student assessment of careers service 6
Personal development/educational experience 49
Faculty quality 78
Student quality 33
Student diversity 75
Education experience 31
Increase in salary 43
Increase in salary 75
Post-MBA salary 36
Potential to network 4
Breadth of alumni network 12
Internationalism of alumni 6
Alumni effectiveness 23
229
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
New York University—Leonard N Stern School of Business
includes ten residential weeks, divided into six one- or two-week modules held over a 16-month period.
Modules are hosted at Stern (two modules), LSE and HEC Paris, as well as two other international busi-
ness schools (chosen annually).
Full-time MBA Langone Program for
Working Professionals
Student rating of programme 4.5 (13) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (87) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Langone Program for
Working Professionals
Annual intake 370 455
Applicants:places 9:1 –
Percentage of women students 27 (66) 0
Percentage of foreign students 32 (86) –
Average GMAT score 700 (11) 676
Average number of months’ work experience 59 (72) 66
Age range of students – –
Average age – 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.5 (19) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Langone Program for
Working Professionals
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation n/a (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 79 (14) –
Student rating of careers service 4.2 (6) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 100,376 (36) –
Percentage increase in salary 65 (75) –
Principal recruiters of graduates – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Langone Program for
Working Professionals
Application fees US$200 US$200
Programme fees US$39,800 US$1,440
Comments Per year Per credit
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – –
Financial aid available US$4.7m –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit- or credit-based –
Application details
Full-time MBA Langone Program for
Working Professionals
Application deadline March 15th March 15th
Programme dates Sep start, 21 months Sep start
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Finance is amazing.
Riveting professors. I’d
sit in for fun.”
“Should offer more
strategy courses.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
entertainment
Weakness: strategy
courses
First degree; work experience;
TOEFL; references; essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; work
experience; references;
essays; laptop
230
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 49
Regional rank 28
Background
Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill began in 1919 as the
Department of Commerce of the College of Arts and is one of the oldest accredited business schools in the
US. It was renamed in 1991 following a gift from Frank Hawkins Kenan in honour of Mary Lily Kenan-Fla-
gler, a philanthropist, and her husband, Henry Morrison Flagler. The school is medium-sized with nearly
700 undergraduate students, around 1,000 masters’ and doctoral students, and over 3,000 executive edu-
cation participants. It has strong emphasis on general management, leadership and communications.
Facilities
Facilities in the McColl building, where the school is based, are very good. All undergraduate and mas-
ters’ programmes as well as students, faculty and staff are housed in the building, which is on the edge
of the university campus. On-campus accommodation is available but most students live off campus in
Chapel Hill. The university is in the middle of the booming Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill Triangle area,
a part of North Carolina that has attracted many leading US companies. Executive education is based at
the Paul J Rizzo Conference Center.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (43)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 102 full-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (89)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 95 (44)
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (16)
Programme highlights
The first-year core of Kenan-Flagler’s two-year full-time MBA comprises four modules in two semesters.
First-year courses are made up of 14 core, including teamworking, communications and other exercis-
es, three electives and required integrative exercises. Three “custom” core courses are chosen from six
offered. Leadership Initiative, a portfolio of courses, runs throughout the programme. In the second
year students can follow career concentrations (not mandatory) and/or enrichment concentrations,
which cut across different career paths.
The Executive MBA is similar to the full-time programme and is offered in two versions, evening
and weekend. Weekend MBA classes meet twice a month, all day Friday and Saturday. The 20-month
programme begins in January. There are two mandatory residential Immersion Weeks and an optional
international study tour. Evening MBA classes start in August and are held on campus on Monday and
Thursday evenings over 24 months with two Immersion Weekends.
The school also offers OneMBA, a joint global programme designed for executives with at least seven
years’ experience (see Rotterdam School of Management, page 264).
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—
Kenan-Flagler Business School
Address:
CB 3490, McColl
Building
Chapel Hill, North
Carolina
US
27599-3490
Tel:
+1 919 962 7235
Fax:
+1 919 962 7732
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.kenan-flagler.unc.
edu/Programs/MBA/
Apply/criteria.cfm
Programme director:
David Hofmann
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 43
Diversity of recruiters 51
Number in jobs three months after graduation 70
Jobs found through the careers service 31
Student assessment of careers service 38
Personal development/educational experience 62
Faculty quality 44
Student quality 44
Student diversity 87
Education experience 48
Increase in salary 60
Increase in salary 55
Post-MBA salary 54
Potential to network 59
Breadth of alumni network 85
Internationalism of alumni 87
Alumni effectiveness 26
231
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—Kenan-Flagler Business School
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (20)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 119 (47)
Number of languages on offer 3 (78)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 283
Applicants:places 6:1
Percentage of women students 28 (82)
Percentage of foreign students 33 (79)
Average GMAT score 685 (28)
Average number of months’ work experience 65 (55)
Age range of students 26-34
Average age 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.4 (27)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (51)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 93 (70)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 80 (31)
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (38)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 92,505 (54)
Percentage increase in salary 75 (55)
Principal recruiters of graduates Bank of America, Citi, Deloitte
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$135
Programme fees US$41,900
Comments Per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$9,355
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$9,355
Financial aid available US$63,232
Type of aid available Scholarships, grants, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline March 28th
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 2 years’ work experience; TOEFL; references; 2 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Excellent faculty,
especially in finance and
accounting.”
“Needs a broader array of
electives.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: marketing,
finance, sustainable
enterprise and
entrepreneurship
Weakness: limited
number of electives
232
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 16
Regional rank 9
Background
Starting as Northwestern University’s School of Commerce in 1908, Kellogg School of Management
began in 1966 to focus exclusively on graduate studies. A commitment to student needs in every pro-
gramme from the full-time MBA to executive courses, coupled with top-notch faculty and high-pow-
ered staff, have created a unique and engaging culture at Kellogg and stimulated a lot of loyalty. MBA
students and alumni are involved in interviewing every applicant and make a big contribution to run-
ning the school just to make sure it stays that way. The school has a deserved reputation as a marketing
powerhouse, but finance and general management are also popular majors.
Facilities
Facilities at Kellogg are superb. MBA courses are based in the three-building Donald P Jacobs Center
and executive courses in the James L Allen Center. All classrooms were renovated in 2004, and there
were further renovations in the lobby in 2006. Some MBA student residences are available in the nearby
McManus Living-Learning Center, but most students find apartments easily enough in Evanston, a pleas-
ant city bordering Lake Michigan about 30 minutes’ drive north of downtown Chicago.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (53) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 163 full-time, 67 part-time, 24 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (92) 0.7 1.2
Percentage of faculty with PhD 96 (31) 96 96
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (23) – –
Programme highlights
Kellogg’s two-year (“the 2Y”) full-time MBA curriculum is taught over six quarters with the first two
quarters largely taken up by nine traditional core courses (students also take a half-credit course during
orientation). Courses can be waived and replaced by electives. Group work pervades every aspect of the
curriculum, and most students spend all their time in small groups.
Students take 15 electives (at least one of which must be in the international area) and are encour-
aged to take several majors (95% take at least two). As well as the major business disciplines, Kellogg
offers eight career-related professional fields of study.
Students with undergraduate business degrees (or those who have completed a set of specified busi-
ness courses) can complete the programme in one year (“the 1Y”). During the summer quarter, they
take catch-up courses and then join the second year to take at least 11 additional courses.
The part-time Manager’s Program (PMP) is largely similar in content and teaching to the full-time
MBA. Classes meet at Northwestern’s downtown Chicago campus either one evening a week or on Satur-
days. The programme, which can start in any quarter, can be completed in two and a half to five years.
The two-year Kellogg EMBA comes in a number of formats. The Regional Program for students living
Northwestern University—Kellogg School
of Management
Address:
Donald P. Jacobs Center
2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL
US
60208
Tel:
+1 847 491 5446
Fax:
+1 847 467 3140
E-mail:
MBAAdmissions@
kellogg.northwestern.
edu
Website:
www.kellogg.
northwestern.edu
Programme director:
Dipak C Jain
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 17
Diversity of recruiters 48
Number in jobs three months after graduation 18
Jobs found through the careers service 55
Student assessment of careers service 10
Personal development/educational experience 36
Faculty quality 38
Student quality 25
Student diversity 63
Education experience 32
Increase in salary 37
Increase in salary 94
Post-MBA salary 30
Potential to network 10
Breadth of alumni network 36
Internationalism of alumni 12
Alumni effectiveness 11
233
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Northwestern University—Kellogg School of Management
in the Chicago area meets on campus one day a week, alternating Fridays and Saturdays, throughout the
academic year and students participate in a one-week Live-In session at the beginning of each academic
year. The North American Program (NAP) for long-distance students has two start dates in September
and January. Classes meet on alternate weekends (Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday morn-
ing). All classes are held at Kellogg’s executive education facility, the James L Allen Center, where NAP
students are accommodated. Each year begins with a six-day residential block at Kellogg.
Kellogg also offers an EMBA in downtown Miami and a Global EMBA in co-operation with schools in
Israel, Germany, Hong Kong and Canada.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (7) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 84 (75) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 636 355 219
Applicants:places – – –
Percentage of women students 33 (48) 28 20
Percentage of foreign students 35 (94) 85 0
Average GMAT score 708 (9) 695 n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (60) 84 168
Age range of students 26-31 – 31-45
Average age 28 29 38
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.7 (5) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (48) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 97 (18) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 70 (55) – –
Student rating of careers service 4.2 (10) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 104,100 (30) – –
Percentage increase in salary 55 (94) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, Bain & Co, – –
Boston Consulting Group
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$225 US$185 US$150
Programme fees US$46,791 US$4,679 US$71,000
Comments Per year for two-year Per credit Per year, North American
students. US$62,388 and Miami programmes.
for one-year students Regional programme is
US$67,500 per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$14,475 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$14,475 – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline March July 18th –
Programme dates Sep start, 22 months Sep start, 36 months Sep start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The esprit de corps
of Kellogg is one of its
main selling points,
but I was impressed to
discover that it exceeded
even my already high
expectations.”
“Some of the faculty are
stellar, but often you
will get a grad student
just out of their PhD
programme teaching a
core course. As a result,
there is a lot of variability
in quality.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: general
management, finance,
marketing
Weakness: some
inexperienced
professors
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; 4 essays;
interview may be required
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays;
interview
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays;
interview; laptop
234
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 44
Background
The Norwegian School of Management BI (NSM) is a private, non-commercial foundation set up 1943.
It is Norway’s third largest educational institution and the largest provider of education in economics,
business administration and management in Europe. It has more than 18,000 students, over half of
whom are part-time, involved in undergraduate, specialist masters’, MBA and doctoral programmes. Most
are Norwegians and other Scandinavians but a growing number come from other parts of the world. The
NSM has good links with business.
Facilities
In 2005 the NSM moved into a new building, designed by Nils Torp, one of Norway’s most famous archi-
tects. The glass-walled building is divided into three blocks: undergraduate, graduate and executive. It
contains 20 lecture theatres, 28 classrooms and 1,200 assigned spaces for individual study. The total
available area is 50,000 sq m over six floors, housing 8,000 students and 600 employees.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.6 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 18 full-time, 5 part-time
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.2 (n/a) 0.9
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (n/a) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
The NSM’s one-year full-time MBA has an emphasis on emerging markets, particularly China, and strat-
egic leadership. Students take 14 core courses, four of which— Doing Business in China, Chinese Politi-
cal Economy, Strategic Marketing in China, Supply Chain Management—are taught during the module at
Fudan. The programme also includes elective courses and an in-company team-consulting experience
where students study and report on an issue of major importance to an organisation.
The Executive MBA is run in co-operation with ESCP–EAP in France. The programme consists of
15 short modules (Wednesday afternoon to Saturday lunchtime) over 18 months, four of them at a
different ESCP European campus, with distance-learning elements between modules and five one-week
international seminars.
The NSM is involved in a part-time English-language MBA programme in China in co-operation with
Fudan University.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 0 (n/a) –
Norwegian School of Management BI
Address:
Nydalsveien 37
Oslo
Norway
0484
Tel:
+47 46 41 00 83
Fax:
+47 46 41 00 89
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.bi.no/mba
Programme director:
Pål E Korsvold
Figures in brackets
represent rank
235
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Norwegian School of Management BI
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 17 27
Applicants:places 3:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 35 (n/a) 19
Percentage of foreign students 53 (n/a) 5
Average GMAT score 580 (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (n/a) 168
Age range of students 25-46 32-48
Average age 30 39
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.4 (n/a) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 5 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 85 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 15 (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.4 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 94,027 (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary 49 (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees n/a n/a
Programme fees NKr225,000 (US$38,396) NKr285,000 (US$48,635)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) NKr47,000 (US$8,020) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) NKr66,000 (US$11,263) –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline May 1st November 15th
Programme dates Sep start, 11 months Jan start
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“You profit from
extremely intense
learning in a small group
where people support and
learn from each other in
a practical way.”
“Not enough effort to
build strong alumni
network.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategy,
finance, marketing
Weakness: alumni
network
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT;
references; essay
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; 2 references;
essay; interview; laptop
236
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 34
Regional rank 18
Background
Established in 1921, with antecedents going back to 1913, Mendoza is a full-range school with over 2,000
students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. It offers undergraduate degrees in accountancy,
finance, management, management information systems and marketing, graduate degrees in business
administration (MBA), accountancy and non-profit management, and executive education programmes.
Like its parent university, Mendoza is a Catholic institution (although there are no restrictions on
entry) with a strong ethical foundation. In this way it is similar to Spanish schools such as IESE and
offers an added dimension for many students. The college is named after undergraduate alumnus Tom
Mendoza and his wife Kathy, who in 2000 donated US$35m.
Facilities
The college occupies a modern, four-building complex that includes a multimedia amphitheatre, a com-
puter lab, a two-story MBA lounge and team rooms equipped with networked computers. On-campus
accommodation is available. Although executive programmes and undergraduate business majors also
use the complex, there is a separate wing for the MBA programme’s classrooms and administration.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (31)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 112 full-time, 27 part-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.0 (29)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 90 (64)
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (30)
Programme highlights
Mendoza’s two-year full-time MBA is taught over four semesters, each divided into two and separated
by week-long “interterm intensive” classes that permit students either to concentrate full-time on a
particu lar topic or problem, or, when coupled with a break week, to opt for two-week study sessions in
Europe and China. Students take 13 core courses (including ethics) and three electives in the first year.
The second year is given over to electives (including communications and ethics electives) and concen-
trations.
A one-year MBA programme allows students who hold undergraduate degrees from accredited North
American business programmes to earn the degree in 11 months. They take an intensive ten-week sum-
mer semester in core disciplines and then move directly into the second year of the two-year programme.
Mendoza’s main 21-month Executive MBA is delivered on campus and in Cincinnati. Classes are held
once a month, Wednesday–Saturday, for four semesters. There are three one-week residencies on cam-
pus and a one-week international study tour.
The EMBA is also offered as a 17-month classroom-based programme in downtown Chicago. Classes
University of Notre Dame—Mendoza College
of Business
Address:
204 Mendoza College of
Business
University of Notre
Dame
Notre Dame, IN
US
46556
Tel:
+1 574 631 9590
Fax:
+1 574 631 4825
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
mba.nd.edu
Programme director:
Dr Edward J Conlon
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 33
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 9
Jobs found through the careers service 33
Student assessment of careers service 61
Personal development/educational experience 81
Faculty quality 35
Student quality 64
Student diversity >100
Education experience 45
Increase in salary 51
Increase in salary 9
Post-MBA salary 76
Potential to network 7
Breadth of alumni network 70
Internationalism of alumni 4
Alumni effectiveness 5
237
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Notre Dame—Mendoza College of Business
are held all day Friday and Saturday on alternating weekends. The programme lasts from January to May
of the following year and includes four one-week residencies at Notre Dame’s campus and an optional
one-week international study tour.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (47)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 1 (95)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 129
Applicants:places 5:1
Percentage of women students 21 (99)
Percentage of foreign students 27 (99)
Average GMAT score 673 (35)
Average number of months’ work experience 53 (85)
Age range of students 20-38
Average age 27
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.5 (36)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 99 (9)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 75 (33)
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (61)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 85,746 (76)
Percentage increase in salary 95 (9)
Principal recruiters of graduates IBM, United Airlines, Huron Consulting Group
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$100
Programme fees US$36,015
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$7,650
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$8,400
Financial aid available US$11.6m
Type of aid available Fellowships, loans, TA/GA positions
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline May 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 2 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; references; 3 essays; interview; laptop
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The alumni network is
always willing to go well
beyond the call of duty to
help out the ND family.”
“Notre Dame is quite
far from large centres,
unlike most other ranked
schools.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing, consulting
Weakness: location
238
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 92
Regional rank 36
Background
Nottingham University Business School is a full-range school teaching a variety of undergraduate, post-
graduate and doctoral programmes. It has excellent ratings for both teaching and research, and there
are a number of specialist research institutes, notably in entrepreneurship. As well as its own faculty,
it draws academics and expertise from the rest of the university, offering students a good choice. The
school has good links with industry through research, consulting work and sponsored chairs.
Facilities
MBA classes moved to a new building in 2004 on the university’s modern Jubilee campus. It includes
well-equipped computer labs, video-conferencing and audio-visual provision, wireless networking,
a business library, lecture theatres, MBA breakout and seminar rooms, an MBA common room and
resource room, and a café opposite the library. On-campus accommodation is available. The university
campus is close to the centre of Nottingham, a thriving commercial and cultural city and capital of the
East Midlands region.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (71) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 99 full-time, 2 part-time, 3 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.8 (9) 6.5 3.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 77 (96) 77 77
Student rating of faculty 4.0 (90) – –
Programme highlights
The Nottingham MBA is a strong, UK-style programme. The school has gone further than most in the pro-
vision of specialised MBAs, offering several different programmes through a variety of delivery routes.
The one-year full-time General MBA programme is divided into three terms. Students take eight
traditional core courses and a series of electives. They then complete either group or individual
in-company projects, culminating in written reports and oral presentations to the companies, or an
individual dissertation.
The part-time programmes are identical to the full-time versions and to an extent are taught along-
side them. Students can take 2–4 years to complete their degree. They must attend the school when core
and elective courses are being held. Core subjects are normally offered twice during an academic year,
once during the day and once in the evening. Most elective subjects are taught in the evening at least
every two years. Students must complete group and individual projects or an individual dissertation.
The Executive MBA consists of 12 one-week block modules, seven core modules and five electives,
followed by a dissertation. A public-sector variant involves nine core modules, including two public
services modules and three elective modules. The programme is open to sponsored and self-sponsored
students and can be tailored as a company programme.
Nottingham University Business School
Address:
Jubilee Campus
Nottingham
United Kingdom
NG8 1BB
Tel:
+44 115 846 6974
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.nottingham.ac.uk/
business
Programme director:
Bob Berry
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 99
Diversity of recruiters >100
Number in jobs three months after graduation 67
Jobs found through the careers service n/a
Student assessment of careers service 94
Personal development/educational experience 43
Faculty quality 66
Student quality 35
Student diversity 17
Education experience 94
Increase in salary 50
Increase in salary 55
Post-MBA salary 45
Potential to network >100
Breadth of alumni network 79
Internationalism of alumni 90
Alumni effectiveness >100
239
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Nottingham University Business School
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 3.9 (100) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 5 (77) – –
Number of languages on offer 4 (73) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 57 16 30
Applicants:places 6:1 3:1 5:1
Percentage of women students 40 (11) 18 19
Percentage of foreign students 91 (24) 2 8
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (32) 72 60
Age range of students 24-42 31-39 31-43
Average age 30 32 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.3 (>100) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 4 (>100) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 92 (67) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services n/a (n/a) – –
Student rating of careers service 2.9 (94) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 89,485 (45) – –
Percentage increase in salary 90 (55) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates KPMG, Carillion, EDS – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees – – –
Programme fees £17,500 (US$35,000) £17,500 (US$35,000) £17,500 (US$35,000)
Comments
Accommodation costs £5,107 (US$10,215) – –
(on campus, per year)
Accommodation costs £3,000 (US$6,000) – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available £48,960 (US$97,920) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline – – –
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Jan start, 24-48 months Jan start, 24-48 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“It is a good programme
with the right mix of
globalisation and a
strong focus on ethics
and CSR.”
“Expected careers
services to be more
personalised and cutting
edge.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
corporate social
responsibility,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: careers
service
Total programme; £18,500
(US$37,000) for overseas
students
Total programme;
£18,500 (US$37,000)
for overseas students
Total programme;
£18,500 (US$37,000)
for overseas students
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; references; essay
First degree; at least
3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references;
essay; interview
First degree; at
least 5 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references;
interview
240
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 96
Regional rank 37
Background
Nyenrode is the only private university in the Netherlands and one of the first to be financed by the
business community (it was founded in 1946 by Shell, Unilever and Philips among others). The school
retains excellent links with industry and prides itself on close student–faculty relations.
Facilities
The large wooded campus on the Nyenrode estate is in Breukelen on the River Vecht. It consists of sev-
eral modern buildings and a 13th-century moated castle, which is used mainly for administration. There
are extensive facilities for MBA students, with lecture rooms, good group workrooms and first-class
computer facilities. Students live on campus to strengthen the community atmosphere. On-campus
sports and restaurant facilities are good and there is a well-equipped library.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (78) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 21 full-time, 8 part-time, 14 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.9 (7) 1.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 62 (>100) 62
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (75) –
Programme highlights
Nyenrode’s 13-month full-time International MBA programme is divided into eight blocks. These include
core subjects and electives as well as personal development issues, a two-week module at Northwestern
University’s Kellogg School of Management in the US (see page 232) shared with part-time students,
and a two-month in-company team project and dissertation.
The 21-month part-time programme is broadly similar to the full-time version, with assignments and
projects carried out in students’ own workplaces. The two-year programme is divided into six two-week
full-time modules. Of these, four take place at Nyenrode, one at Kellogg and one at the University of
Stellenbosch in South Africa.
Nyenrode also offers a number of specialised company MBA programmes in English and Dutch.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (65) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (62) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Universiteit Nyenrode—The Netherlands
Business School
Address:
Straatweg 25
Breukelen
The Netherlands
3621BG
Tel:
+31 346 291 681
Fax:
+31 346 291 450
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.nyenrode.nl
Programme director:
Dr Lorraine Uhlaner
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities >100
Diversity of recruiters >100
Number in jobs three months after graduation 72
Jobs found through the careers service >100
Student assessment of careers service 90
Personal development/educational experience 74
Faculty quality 10
Student quality >100
Student diversity 43
Education experience 54
Increase in salary 58
Increase in salary 15
Post-MBA salary 76
Potential to network 31
Breadth of alumni network 77
Internationalism of alumni 38
Alumni effectiveness 18
241
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Universiteit Nyenrode—The Netherlands Business School
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 31 28
Applicants:places 3:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 26 (74) 29
Percentage of foreign students 94 (25) 4
Average GMAT score 570 (94) 603
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (50) 96
Age range of students 26-35 29-36
Average age 29 32
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (78) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 5 (>100) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 100 (72) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 9 (>100) –
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (90) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 98,173 (76) –
Percentage increase in salary 146 (15) –
Principal recruiters of graduates ING, Philips Medical Systems, Accenture –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees €80 (US$110) €80 (US$110)
Programme fees €30,500 (US$41,781) €48,300 (US$66,164)
Comments Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) €6,180 (US$8,466) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – –
Financial aid available €313,000 (US$428,767) –
Type of aid available Scholarships, fee waivers –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline July 1st March 15th
Programme dates Oct start, 13 months Mar start, 21 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“I would recommend
Nyenrode for its diversity
in terms of students,
excellent exchange
programme, and
entrepreneurial spirit.”
“Career Service for
international students
has to be vastly improved
if the institute intends to
be a top ranking one.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
entrepreneurship,
corporate governance,
sustainable business/
ethics
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; references; 5 essays
First degree; at least 4 years’
work experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references; 5 essays;
interview
242
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 43
Regional rank 25
Background
Fisher College of Business dates back to 1916 and expanded dramatically during the 1990s following a
major financial gift from industrialist Max M Fisher in 1993 (when the school adopted its present name).
It is recognised in the US as being excellent value for money. It is a full-range school but is small by US
standards, with 4,700 undergraduate students and an intake of around 140 full-time MBA students. It
has good links with industry and plenty of executives visit the campus. The college is two miles from the
downtown area of Columbus, which is home to many regional and national corporate headquarters and
notable for some of the high-tech companies based there.
Facilities
The Fisher campus is made up of five academic buildings and a separately funded hotel. Fisher Hall con-
tains offices for faculty, graduate associates, administration and academic departments, as well as the
college’s research groups. MBA students attend classes in Gerlach Hall, which includes classrooms, com-
puter labs, seminar and breakout rooms, an investment management laboratory, a student lounge and
the careers services centre. On-campus accommodation is available but most students live in Columbus,
where housing is plentiful and reasonably priced.
Full-time MBA for Working Executive
MBA Professionals MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (27) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 71 full-time, 21 part-time, 1 visiting
Full-time MBA for Working Executive
MBA Professionals MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (57) 0.6 1.7
Percentage of faculty with PhD 94 (50) 94 94
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (46) – –
Programme highlights
Fisher’s two-year full-time MBA consists of 12 core courses (including a professional development
course) and two electives in the first year and electives in the second year. These are grouped into com-
pulsory majors of five or six elective courses. Students can opt for a customised or a general manage-
ment approach via an interdisciplinary major. There are additional optional minors, career tracks or a
series of free electives including courses in the wider university. There is a strong emphasis on group
work and team skills workshops run throughout the first year.
The part-time MBA for Working Professionals is similar to the full-time version. The programme is
taught over eight quarters (two years, though it can be extended to five), with two core courses cov-
ered in each of the first five quarters and electives in the remaining three. There is no requirement for
a major. Students can attend core courses two evenings (6–10 pm) a week, but this can be varied to
extend the time taken to complete the degree. Elective courses are taught at varying times, including
during the day.
Ohio State University—Fisher College of
Business
Address:
Graduate Programs
Office
100 Gerlach Hall
2108 Neil Avenue
Columbus, Ohio
US
43210-1144
Tel:
+1 614 292 6684
Fax:
+1 614 292 1313
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
fishermba.osu.edu
Programme director:
Karen Wruck
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 27
Diversity of recruiters 53
Number in jobs three months after graduation 11
Jobs found through the careers service 26
Student assessment of careers service 32
Personal development/educational experience 71
Faculty quality 59
Student quality 73
Student diversity >100
Education experience 17
Increase in salary 46
Increase in salary 12
Post-MBA salary 66
Potential to network 77
Breadth of alumni network 45
Internationalism of alumni 81
Alumni effectiveness 70
243
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ohio State University—Fisher College of Business
The Executive MBA can be completed in 18 months with three days of classes each month (Thursday,
Friday, Saturday). The programme starts in January. Between classes participants can access lecture
notes, course content exercises and tests, and contact colleagues and professors through the pro-
gramme’s website. The programme includes a required international study trip.
Full-time MBA for Working Executive
MBA Professionals MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (54) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 65 (34) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time MBA for Working Executive
MBA Professionals MBA
Annual intake 141 145 55
Applicants:places 5:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 26 (86) 28 25
Percentage of foreign students 30 (90) 14 7
Average GMAT score 661 (37) 614 0
Average number of months’ work experience 50 (84) 92 168
Age range of students 23-32 25-37 30-48
Average age 27 30 38
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.0 (70) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA for Working Executive
MBA Professionals MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (53) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 98.3 (11) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 73 (26) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.8 (32) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 87,446 (66) – –
Percentage increase in salary 114 (12) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Nationwide, Abbott, Limited Brands – –
Cost
Full-time MBA for Working Executive
MBA Professionals MBA
Application fees US$60 US$60 US$200
Programme fees US$22,989 US$22,353 US$72,500
Comments Per year Per year Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$4,464 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$4,464 – –
Financial aid available US$6,405,299 – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, fellowships, – –
assistantships, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, diversity – –
Application details
Full-time MBA for Working Executive
MBA Professionals MBA
Application deadline August 31st Rolling admissions September 21st
Programme dates Sep start, 21 months Sep start, 24 months Dec start, 18 months
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Poor brand recognition
of what is an excellent
programme.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
supply chain/operations
and logistics, marketing
Weakness: brand
perception
First degree; TOEFL; 3
references; essay
First degree; at least 7 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
references; 1 essay; interview;
laptop; GMAT may be required
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 3 essays
244
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank n/a
Background
The Open University Business School (OUBS), founded in 1983 and now 25 years old, has over 17,000 MBA
graduates. The OUBS is a faculty of the Open University (OU), a UK government initiative of the late
1960s to allow anyone, irrespective of qualifications or lack of them, to study for a degree through a
mixture of distance learning, summer-school residential modules, BBC radio and TV programmes, and
now, increasingly, the Internet. The OUBS, Europe’s largest business school, offers a mix of modular,
multimedia distance learning, local tutorials, local student self-help groups and electronic conferenc-
ing. It also has a large base of corporate clients who have sponsored students on courses or use OUBS
material in their own in-house training. It has a strong student base in Europe, Africa and Asia.
Facilities
The school has no student facilities of its own. It uses public and private management schools, hotels
and conference centres to provide meeting places for tutorials and residential schools. Students need
regular and ready access to a computer, modem and CD player.
Distance-learning MBA
Student assessment of facilities n/a
Faculty
Number of faculty: 84 full-time, 350 part-time, 20 visiting
Distance-learning MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.04 (n/a)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 42 (n/a)
Student rating of faculty n/a (n/a)
Programme highlights
Open-access students must first attain the OUBS Professional Certificate and Professional Diploma
in Management, which count as Stage I of the open-access MBA. Graduates join with a single course,
Fundamentals of Senior Management, which covers the main functional areas of business and is the
Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration; those with a business first degree take Manag-
ing Performance and Change, the Professional Diploma in Management. Stage II of the MBA focuses
on strategy. Students take a required strategy course and Making a Difference (which covers personal
effectiveness as a manager and leader), as well as two electives. They usually study two courses a year.
Most courses involve project work in students’ own organisations.
The certificate–diploma–MBA route (the open-access route) may take five years to complete. Other-
wise the MBA can be completed in 18 months, two years, two and a half years or longer.
There are also specialised MBA programmes in technology management and life sciences.
Distance-learning MBA
Student rating of programme n/a (n/a)
Number of overseas exchange programmes n/a (n/a)
Number of languages on offer n/a (n/a)
Open University Business School
Address:
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
UK
MK7 6AA
Tel:
+44 8700 100 311
Fax:
+44 1908 654 806
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
oubs.open.ac.uk
Programme director:
Richard Wheatcroft
Figures in brackets
represent rank
245
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Open University Business School
Students
Distance-learning MBA
Annual intake 6,438
Applicants:places 1:1
Percentage of women students 39
Percentage of foreign students – (n/a)
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a)
Average number of months’ work experience 180 (n/a)
Age range of students 25-52
Average age 38
Student rating of culture and classmates n/a (n/a)
Recruiters/careers service
Distance-learning MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates n/a (n/a)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation n/a (n/a)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services n/a (n/a)
Student rating of careers service n/a (n/a)
Post-MBA salary, US$ n/a (n/a)
Percentage increase in salary n/a (n/a)
Principal recruiters of graduates n/a (n/a)
Cost
Distance-learning MBA
Application fees n/a
Programme fees £13,960 (US$27,920)
Comments Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) n/a
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) n/a
Financial aid available –
Type of aid available –
Criteria on which aid is granted –
Application details
Distance-learning MBA
Application deadline September 30th
Programme dates Nov start, 36 months
Admission requirements Minimum 3 years’ work experience; IELTS; laptop
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: HRM, public
and voluntary sector,
creative and knowledge
management
246
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 14
Background
Otago University dates back to 1869 and business education started in 1912. Originally restricted
to accounting, the School of Business now teaches business law, economics, finance, information
science, management, marketing management, quantitative methods and tourism. It is a full-range
school, teaching undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education programmes. There is a strong
em phasis on experiential learning and group work.
Facilities
The business school is housed in a modern building on the largely 19th-century university campus.
Facilities are good and the full-time MBA programme has its own dedicated space including two pur-
pose-built, fully equipped and networked lecture theatres, several small-group teaching rooms/student
group-study rooms and computer labs. The campus is close to the business district of Dunedin, a small
university town set up by Scottish settlers in the middle of the 19th century, in attractive countryside
close to the Southern Alps and lakes. On-campus accommodation is not recommended for graduate stu-
dents as it is geared to undergraduates, but rented housing close to the campus in Dunedin is easy to
find and reasonably priced.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (n/a)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 12 full-time, 6 part-time, 3 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.2 (n/a)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 67 (n/a)
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (n/a)
Programme highlights
Otago’s full-time MBA programme lasts 16 months: 12 months of taught courses followed by a consult-
ing project and research essay. It is divided into five modules (including the project) and emphasises
the process and experience of learning, using small groups. There are no electives as such, but there
are plenty of integrative courses. Business leaders are involved throughout the programme as both
teachers and mentors. The small intake is divided into assigned study groups or syndicates, designed
to reflect diversity, which are rotated each term. There is a lot of case work, but teaching is not done
exclusively by this method. The one-week induction is followed by optional pre-programme courses in
maths and accounting.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (n/a)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 5 (n/a)
Number of languages on offer 0 (n/a)
University of Otago—School of Business
Address:
P O Box 56
Dunedin
New Zealand
9016
Tel:
+64 3 479 8640
Fax:
+64 3 479 8045
E-mail:
mbainfo@business.
otago.ac.nz
Website:
www.otagomba.co.nz
Programme director:
Ralph Adler
Figures in brackets
represent rank
247
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Otago—School of Business
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 13
Applicants:places 2:1
Percentage of women students 31 (n/a)
Percentage of foreign students 46 (n/a)
Average GMAT score 566 (n/a)
Average number of months’ work experience 79 (n/a)
Age range of students 26-45
Average age 33
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.0 (n/a)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 5 (n/a)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 73 (n/a)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services n/a (n/a)
Student rating of careers service 3.2 (n/a)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 112,464 (n/a)
Percentage increase in salary 64 (n/a)
Principal recruiters of graduates Telecom, BCS Group, Otago District Health Board
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees NZ$100 (US$74)
Programme fees NZ$27,844 (US$20,474)
Comments Domestic students. NZ$36,000 for international students.
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) –
Financial aid available NZ$24,000 (US$17,471)
Type of aid available Exchange scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline October 1st
Programme dates Jan start, 16 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience;
GMAT; IELTS; references; 5 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Short but tough
programme, innovative
and applicable teaching
content.”
“No electives, but
understandable
considering the size of
the class.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: economics,
marketing, tourism
Weakness: lack of
electives
248
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 27
Regional rank 12
Background
Saïd Business School (named after Wafic Saïd, who donated £20m (US$40m) to fund a building to house
the school) was established in 1996 and has rapidly established itself as a leading full-range school
offering MBA, undergraduate and doctoral programmes. The Oxford “brand” is a huge attraction, par-
ticularly in North America. The school is closely integrated with the University of Oxford and draws on its
resources, but it also has its own faculty. The MBA programme is highly international, in terms of both
the students and the content. MBA students become members of one of Oxford’s many colleges, which
provide accommodation, meals, sports and social facilities.
Facilities
Facilities at the school’s £25m (US$50m) home near Oxford railway station are lavish, with four “case”
lecture theatres, a 300-seat lecture theatre, a 300-seat open-air amphitheatre, seminar and project
rooms, a two-floor library, careers management centre, common room, bar, restaurant, and faculty and
administration offices. In the Oxford tradition, there are lots of open spaces, cloistered walkways and a
large internal courtyard designed to foster informal interaction. Work on a £25m (US$50m) extension,
largely to host short executive programmes, is expected to start in 2008 and be completed in 2010.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (86) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 42 full-time, 6 part-time, 3 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (>100) 1.0
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (26) 98
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (68) –
Programme highlights
Although Oxford has strong name recognition in North America and the majority of students come from
outside Europe, Saïd’s one-year full-time MBA is very much in the European tradition, mixing eight core
courses, an entrepreneurial new business development project and nine electives. The fairly typical core
is covered in the first two ten-week terms. Electives are taken in the second and third terms. After the
third term students can choose one of four options: a strategic consulting project; two additional elec-
tives; a summer internship; a thesis.
Personal and group development, careers and computer workshops and a guest-speaker series run
throughout the first two terms. The school follows the Oxford tradition of small group tutorials and
there is a good deal of other group working.
The two-year part-time Executive MBA consists of 16 one-week residential modules over 21 months
and is virtually identical to the full-time programme, with nine core courses, six electives, and an entre-
preneurial and a consultancy style project (each carried out within participants’ own organisations).
University of Oxford—Saïd Business School
Address:
Park End Street
Oxford
UK
OX1 1HP
Tel:
+44 1865 278 803
Fax:
+44 1865 288 850
E-mail:
mba-enquiries@sbs.
ox.ac.uk
Website:
www.sbs.oxford.edu/
mba
Programme director:
Stephan Chambers
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 59
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 62
Jobs found through the careers service 54
Student assessment of careers service 91
Personal development/educational experience 14
Faculty quality 74
Student quality 24
Student diversity 5
Education experience 71
Increase in salary 7
Increase in salary 83
Post-MBA salary 3
Potential to network 78
Breadth of alumni network >100
Internationalism of alumni 54
Alumni effectiveness 57
249
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Oxford—Saïd Business School
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (44) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (96) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 220 49
Applicants:places – –
Percentage of women students – –
Percentage of foreign students 95 (6) 38
Average GMAT score 680 (25) 630
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (39) 144
Age range of students 25-34 30-46
Average age 29 35
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.4 (29) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 90 (62) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 65 (54) –
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (91) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 130,000 (3) –
Percentage increase in salary 58 (83) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Deloitte, Johnson & Johnson, Google –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees £100 (US$200) £100 (US$200)
Programme fees £30,000 (US$60,000) £46,000 (US$92,000)
Comments £3,200 for college membership Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £5,400 (US$10,800) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £5,400 (US$10,800) –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available – –
Criteria on which aid is granted – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline June September 1st
Programme dates Oct start, 12 months Jan start, 21 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Oxford is a great brand
and the people who come
here are different - they
are people who will make
a difference.”
“Operations
management class was
too ambitious, skipped
some detail.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
entrepreneurship,
strategy
Weakness: operations
management
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
GMAT; TOEFL; references;
2 essays
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 3 essays;
interview; laptop
250
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 62
Regional rank 33
Background
Smeal College of Business, which is over 50 years old, is a strong, well-respected institution. It is a full-
range college with more than 5,500 students on undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, PhD and exec-
utive education programmes and is among the ten largest business schools in the US. It also houses
major research centres in areas such as supply chain management, business-to-business marketing,
corporate innovation and entrepreneurship, and other disciplines. It has excellent links with business
and good faculty.
Facilities
In 2005 Smeal College moved into a new building, more than doubling the available space. As well as
separate undergraduate facilities, it includes six MBA case study classrooms, 14 MBA team meeting
rooms, and an MBA common area and courtyard. There are special laboratories for e-auctioning and
supply chain, and a trading room.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (23) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 44 full-time
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (72) 0.8
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (15) 98
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (20) –
Programme highlights
Smeal’s two-year full-time MBA begins with a traditional core curriculum in the first year focusing on
four areas: leadership, functional expertise, total business focus and global perspective. Students then
follow concentrations in the second year. Each semester is divided into three periods of seven weeks,
one week and seven weeks, with different courses offered in each seven-week module. The first set of
courses is taught in the first seven-week session; then there is a one-week immersion course; and the
second set of courses is taught in the next seven weeks.
The 21-month part-time Executive MBA focuses on three areas—strategic analysis, leadership and
financial management—and includes a project and soft skills training. The second year also has an
emphasis on leadership as well as electives and an international study trip. Classes are held on alternat-
ing weekends (Friday overnight to Saturday) at the Ace Conference Center in Lafayette Hill, PA.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (56) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 2 (92) –
Number of languages on offer 0 (>100) –
Pennsylvania State University—Smeal
College of Business
Address:
220 Business Building
University Park, PA
US
16802
Tel:
+1 814 863 0448
Fax:
+1 814 865 7064
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.smeal.psu.edu/
mba
Programme director:
Dennis P Sheehan
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 38
Diversity of recruiters 65
Number in jobs three months after graduation 57
Jobs found through the careers service 12
Student assessment of careers service 36
Personal development/educational experience 100
Faculty quality 22
Student quality 82
Student diversity 94
Education experience >100
Increase in salary 83
Increase in salary 70
Post-MBA salary 80
Potential to network 43
Breadth of alumni network 57
Internationalism of alumni >100
Alumni effectiveness 9
251
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Pennsylvania State University—Smeal College of Business
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 86 52
Applicants:places 6:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 30 (77) 20
Percentage of foreign students 38 (82) 4
Average GMAT score 654(47) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 51 (84) 204
Age range of students 23-35 31-58
Average age 28 39
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.2 (64) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (65) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 90 (57) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 85 (12) –
Student rating of careers service 3.6 (36) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 83,098 (80) –
Percentage increase in salary 62 (70) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Dell, DuPont, Pfizer –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$75 US$60
Programme fees US$28,712 US$89,000
Comments Per year Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$8,850 –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$8,000 –
Financial aid available US$4.2m –
Type of aid available Graduate assistantships, scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline April 15th June 30th
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Small class size,
amazing students
and faculty. An
excellent Supply Chain
Management course.”
“Location makes it very
hard for large companies
to come here.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: corporate
finance, supply
chain management,
product and marketing
development
Weakness: location
First degree; references;
3 essays
First degree; at least 8 years’
work experience; 2 references;
3 essays; interview; laptop
252
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 17
Regional rank 8
Background
Founded in 1881 as one of the graduate schools of the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton was the first
collegiate school of business in the world. Although it has a reputation as a financial powerhouse, the
school offers a wide range of subject areas and has a highly international approach. It has a campus
in San Francisco, “Wharton West”, and a strategic alliance with INSEAD in France and Singapore (see
page 188). Wharton is a big full-range school with over 250 faculty in 11 academic departments and
24 research centres and initiatives teaching business to students ranging from undergraduates and
MBAs to PhDs and executives. The large intake means there are over 82,000 alumni in 148 countries.
Facilities
Facilities are generally good and the 269-acre, tree-lined, urban university campus is pleasant. The
MBA programme is housed in a complex of buildings. Some facilities are shared with undergraduate
and PhD programmes as well as executive education and the Executive MBA programme. Huntsman Hall
provides classrooms and academic support services for undergraduates and MBA students. It contains
48 classrooms, 57 group-study rooms, four teaching labs, faculty offices, two study lounges and two
social lounges. On-campus housing is available. Students have access to the full resources of an Ivy
League university, including libraries, museums, galleries, athletic facilities and performance halls.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (51)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 224 full-time, 174 part-time, 14 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (87)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (9)
Student rating of faculty 4.1 (80)
Programme highlights
Wharton’s two-year full-time MBA begins with a required on-campus four-week pre-programme session
and orientation designed to bring students to an equal level. The main programme is divided into a first
year of straightforward core courses (including soft skills training) and a second year of electives. With-
in the core, students are allocated to cohorts of around 60, who take classes together, and into smaller
teams for group work. In the second year students choose at least one major from those on offer. They
can take dual majors or design their own.
The Wharton Executive MBA has more or less the same curriculum, the same faculty and confers the
same degree as the full-time programme. Classes meet on campus on alternating weekends (Friday and
Saturday) for the two years of the programme. There are some three-day sessions and a one-week inter-
national study tour in the second year. The first year is essentially the core, and most of the second
year is devoted to electives. Leadership and personal skills development are covered through a course
that emphasises effective teamwork and self-learning. The programme is also offered at Wharton’s San
Francisco campus.
University of Pennsylvania—
Wharton School
Address:
420 Jon M. Huntman
Hall
3720 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
USA
19104
Tel:
+1 215 898 2690
Fax:
+1 215 573 5001
E-mail:
mba.admissions@
wharton.upenn.edu
Website:
mba.wharton.upenn.
edu
Programme director:
Thomas R Caleel
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 28
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 30
Jobs found through the careers service 29
Student assessment of careers service 47
Personal development/educational experience 28
Faculty quality 64
Student quality 11
Student diversity 39
Education experience 62
Increase in salary 20
Increase in salary 74
Post-MBA salary 18
Potential to network 12
Breadth of alumni network 21
Internationalism of alumni 13
Alumni effectiveness 32
253
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Pennsylvania—Wharton School
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (68)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (96)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 802
Applicants:places 8:1
Percentage of women students 37 (24)
Percentage of foreign students 45 (63)
Average GMAT score 712 (3)
Average number of months’ work experience 66 (45)
Age range of students 27-33
Average age 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.5 (24)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (30)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 75 (29)
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (47)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 110,550 (18)
Percentage increase in salary 62 (74)
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Co
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$225
Programme fees US$99,444
Comments Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$12,000
Financial aid available –
Type of aid available Scholarships, assistantships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application Details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline February 28th
Programme dates Sep start, 18 months
Admission requirements First degree; TOEFL ; references; 4 essays; interview by invitation
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
entrepreneurship
254
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 71
Regional rank 38
Background
Katz Graduate School of Business is one of the oldest business schools in the world, and its MBA pro-
gramme began nearly 50 years ago. It is a relatively small school with around 250 full-time MBA stu-
dents (though it also has a larger undergraduate college) and student life is informal and friendly. It
has close contact with local business (Pittsburgh is a popular location for corporate headquarters) and
organises an extensive series of events for students to meet executives. Business leaders from all over
the US come to the school for lectures, lunches and off-the-record chats. Katz has good international
connections (some elective courses involve overseas trips) and good links with industry.
Facilities
Katz is based in Mervis Hall and three other buildings on the University of Pittsburgh campus: Alumni Hall,
which houses executive education offices; Posvar Hall, which houses Katz’s Institute for Entrepreneurial
Excellence and alumni and development offices; and Sennott Square, home of Katz’s undergraduate arm,
the College of Business Administration. There is no on-campus accommodation but plenty of student hous-
ing is available close by. Pittsburgh is a lively city and social life both on and off campus is good.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA EMBA Worldwide
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (77) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 37 full-time, 3 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA EMBA Worldwide
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (86) 0.3 0.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 96 (37) 96 96
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (56) – –
Programme highlights
Katz says its one-year programme is primarily aimed at students with a strong economics or business
background and plenty of work experience. Students can declare a traditional MBA concentration or
“major” or choose elective courses to fit a self-designed goal. For many years Katz offered only the one-
year programme, but it has now added a more traditional two-year full-time option. This has a similar
academic core but offers more electives and a traditional (optional) summer internship.
The part-time MBA is virtually identical to the full-time version. There are three start dates in Janu-
ary, April and September. Generally, students take two courses per term to complete the programme
within three years. Classes are held on weekday evenings and some are available on Saturday.
The Executive MBA Worldwide is offered in three locations: Pittsburgh, Prague (Czech Republic) and
São Paulo (Brazil). The curriculum is the same at all locations though class schedules and the total time
taken to complete the programme vary. All classes get together six times during the programme.
University of Pittsburgh—Joseph M Katz
Graduate School of Business
Address:
372 Mervis Hall
Pittsburgh, PA
US
15260
Tel:
+1 412 648 1566
Fax:
+1 412 648 1552
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.business.pitt.edu
Programme director:
William Valenta
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 64
Diversity of recruiters 53
Number in jobs three months after graduation 34
Jobs found through the careers service 59
Student assessment of careers service 96
Personal development/educational experience 93
Faculty quality 59
Student quality >100
Student diversity 42
Education experience 67
Increase in salary 68
Increase in salary 3
Post-MBA salary 99
Potential to network 71
Breadth of alumni network 13
Internationalism of alumni 76
Alumni effectiveness 95
255
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Pittsburgh—Joseph M Katz Graduate School of Business
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA EMBA Worldwide
Student rating of programme 4.1 (77) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (74) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA EMBA Worldwide
Annual intake 129 155 90
Applicants:places 4:1 2:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 38 (17) 39 16
Percentage of foreign students 89 (46) 5 34
Average GMAT score 616 (73) 566 564
Average number of months’ work experience 36 (>100) 58 144
Age range of students 22-36 24-39 30-44
Average age 26 29 37
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.5 (>100) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA EMBA Worldwide
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (53) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95 (34) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 70 (59) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.0 (96) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 72,000 (99) – –
Percentage increase in salary 221 (3) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Deloitte, Del Monte, Ford – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA EMBA Worldwide
Application fees US$50 US$50 –
Programme fees US$44,416 US$853 US$60,500
Comments Total programme Per credit €35,000 in Europe;
US$65,000 in US;
US$48,000 in Brazil
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$7,200 – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available – – –
Criteria on which aid is granted – – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA EMBA Worldwide
Application deadline March 1st March 1st September 20th
Programme dates Aug start, 20 months Aug start, 36 months Jan start, 18 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing, IS
Weakness: careers
service
Student/alumni quotes
“Great value for money—
pleasant learning
environment amongst
students and teachers.”
“The biggest weakness is
definitely recruiting. The
vast majority of recruiters
are from Pittsburgh and
the surrounding areas.”
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; 2 essays
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL; 2
references; 2 essays;
interview
First degree; at least 10
years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
essay; interview; laptop
256
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 74
Regional rank 39
Background
Krannert Graduate School of Management teaches undergraduate, masters’ and doctoral programmes.
It has a strong emphasis on the management of technological companies. The school is small by North
American standards, which fosters a good team spirit and a close relationship between students and
faculty. The school’s size, supportive atmosphere and low fees make it good value for money and the
international content is well up to the North American average.
Facilities
The school is based in Rawls Hall, which opened in 2003. It houses 13 classrooms, a careers centre, a
multimedia-based auditorium, a reception area, student club offices and 25 breakout rooms, distance-
learning facilities and a computer lab. The university has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis
courts and a range of sports facilities, including an 18-hole golf course. Accommodation is available
both on and off campus. Off-campus rents are reasonable in the local area of Lafayette/West Lafayette,
between Chicago and Indianapolis.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (55) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 107 full-time
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (44) –
Percentage of faculty with PhD 97 (29) 97
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (66) –
Programme highlights
Krannert’s two-year full-time MBA has a largely functional core which is covered in the first year in four
half-semester modules (with one elective offered in the fourth module). The second year consists of
two required courses and 12 electives, which can be grouped into up to two concentrations, or “option
areas”. A management development series, a set of Friday courses aimed at introducing students to
leading-edge practices and emerging topics, runs throughout the first year.
The school also offers a one-year Master of Science in Industrial Administration (MSIA). This has the
same required core as the MBA but fewer electives. The MSIA is completed in two semesters and a sum-
mer session and includes the option of an eight-week exchange allowing study in Hannover, Germany.
The Weekend MBA is similar to the full-time version but takes three years to complete, with classes
on Saturdays during Purdue’s fall and spring semesters. Over the three years, there are 78 days of class-
es, each consisting of six hours of instruction.
The Executive MBA comprises six two-week residencies over two years, coupled with Internet-sup-
ported off-campus assignments between residencies (allowing a wide geographical range of partici-
pants). The programme begins each July with an orientation session. The final residency session is an
Purdue University—Krannert Graduate
School of Management
Address:
Rawls Hall, Suite 2020
100 S. Grant Street
West Lafayette, Indiana
US
47907-2076
Tel:
+1 765 496 3668
Fax:
+1 765 494 9841
E-mail:
masters@krannert.
purdue.edu
Website:
www.krannert.purdue.
edu/programs/masters
Programme director:
Gerald J Lynch
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 50
Diversity of recruiters 53
Number in jobs three months after graduation 25
Jobs found through the careers service 49
Student assessment of careers service 70
Personal development/educational experience 99
Faculty quality 33
Student quality 85
Student diversity >100
Education experience 51
Increase in salary 78
Increase in salary 46
Post-MBA salary 74
Potential to network 99
Breadth of alumni network 51
Internationalism of alumni >100
Alumni effectiveness 94
257
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Purdue University—Krannert Graduate School of Management
international study trip.
The International Master’s in Management (IMM) is a co-operation between Krannert and Tias-
Nimbas Business School (see page 292), Tilburg University, in the Netherlands, CEU Business School
in Budapest, Hungary, and GISMA Business School in Hannover, Germany. It is modelled on the EMBA,
following the same format of two-week residencies combined with off-campus work.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (76) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 30 (65) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 140 –
Applicants:places 7:1 –
Percentage of women students 23 (>100) –
Percentage of foreign students – –
Average GMAT score 666 (36) –
Average number of months’ work experience 49 (98) 156
Age range of students 24-31 –
Average age 28 –
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.7 (99) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (53) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95.1 (25) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 72.6 (49) –
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (70) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 84,506 (74) –
Percentage increase in salary 77 (46) –
Principal recruiters of graduates General Motors, Procter & Gamble, Emerson –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$55 US$55
Programme fees US$34,940 US$25,000
Comments Per year Per module
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$3,720 –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$4,800 –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline May 1st June 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Jul start, 22 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“I would recommend
our school if you are
looking for a quantitative
programme and have
a strong interest in
operations or finance.”
“Many students do
not have enough work
experience and lack
the professionalism of
students who have been
in the workforce.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: operations,
supply chain
management, corporate
finance
Weakness: some
students have limited
work experience
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 3 essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 2 essays; laptop
258
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 13
Background
The University of Queensland (UQ) Business School is a full-range business school closely linked to the
university. Founded in 1909, UQ is the largest and oldest university in Queensland. The school has good
research rankings and says its mission is to achieve national and international recognition as one of the
best research-intensive business schools in the Asia Pacific region.
Facilities
UQ Business School is based on the university’s St Lucia and Ipswich campuses (both relatively close to
Brisbane) and also has learning and conference facilities in Brisbane’s central business district.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 23 full-time
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (n/a) 0.7
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (n/a) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.0 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
Queensland’s full-time 12-month MBA incorporates 12 compulsory courses, three integrative courses,
seven functional courses and two leadership courses. A parallel “informal” programme runs alongside
involving industry practitioners partnering senior academic staff. According to the school, this pro-
gramme aims to provide students with additional skills that will be directly applicable to work situations
and will enhance the classroom experience.
The programme is also taught part-time at Queensland’s downtown facility. It is not open to over-
seas students.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 3.8 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 1 (n/a) –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 29 33
Applicants:places 4:1 4:1
Percentage of women students 24 (n/a) 30
Percentage of foreign students 83 (n/a) 9
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (24) 84
Age range of students 23-35 26-42
Average age 27 32
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.7 (n/a) –
University of Queensland—Business School
Address:
St Lucia
Brisbane
Australia
4072
Tel:
+61 7 3365 4349
Fax:
+61 7 3365 7582
E-mail:
postgrad_enquiries@
business.uq.edu.au
Website:
www.business.uq.edu.
au
Programme director:
Dr Polly Parker
Figures in brackets
represent rank
259
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Queensland—Business School
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 94 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 8 (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.2 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 71,983 (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary 79 (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Suncorp, PricewaterhouseCoopers –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees A$100 (US$83) A$100 (US$83)
Programme fees A$36,000 (US$30,000) A$36,000 (US$30,000)
Comments Per year for domestic students Per year for domestic students
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) A$11,800 (US$9,833) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) A$9,000 (US$7,500) –
Financial aid available A$146,000 (US$121,667) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Application and interview –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline November 15th November 15th
Programme dates Jan start, 12 months Jan start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Very reputable school,
comprehensive content
and high quality
teaching.”
“The downtown campus
has limited student
facilities; no library
borrowing service for
example.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
corporate strategy,
general management
Weakness: facilities
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
GMAT; TOEFL; references;
essays; interview; laptop
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; references;
essays
260
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 44
Regional rank 26
Background
The Jones Graduate School of Management, founded in 1974, is young by US standards. It is also quite
small, enrolling about 120 full-time MBA students a year. The school is named after the late Jesse Hol-
man Jones, a Houston business and civic leader, and is one of seven academic units of Rice University,
which has around 4,000 students. It is one of the few US schools to be a devotee of action learning and
experiential learning techniques. It has close links with local Houston and Texan industry and uses a
number of practising managers and executives to teach on the programme.
Facilities
Jones is based in Janice and Robert McNair Hall, opened in 2002, which includes innovative classrooms,
a high-tech trading room, breakout rooms, a “cyber-commons” (where students and faculty can meet,
with refreshments and ports for computer and network connectivity), a careers centre and a business
information centre. Students also have access to the resources and facilities of Rice University. On-cam-
pus accommodation is available but nearby housing is fairly plentiful and reasonably priced.
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.8 (13) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 50 full-time, 24 part-time
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (73) 0.7 1.2
Percentage of faculty with PhD 94 (53) 94 94
Student rating of faculty 4.7 (22) – –
Programme highlights
Jones’s two-year full-time MBA covers core courses, an action learning project and one elective in the
first year and electives in the second year. There is an emphasis on career management throughout the
programme. The second year offers an optional international study tour. Concentrations are offered but
are not required.
The 22-month part-time MBA for Professionals is virtually identical to the full-time programme.
Classes meet twice a week on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
The part-time MBA for Executives also shares a similar curriculum. The programme lasts 22 months
with Christmas and summer breaks. Classes are held every other weekend (Friday and Saturday). Stu-
dents can also participate in an optional international trip in the second year. Each semester is divided
into two terms, with an “Intensive Learning Weekend” between each term.
Rice University—Jesse H Jones Graduate
School of Management
Address:
P.O. Box 2932 - MS 531
Jones Graduate School
Houston, Texas
US
77252-2932
Tel:
+1 713 348 6364
Fax:
+1 713 348 6228
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.jonesgsm.
rice.edu/jonesgsm/
Admission.asp
Programme director:
Sean Burnett
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 19
Diversity of recruiters 63
Number in jobs three months after graduation 38
Jobs found through the careers service 44
Student assessment of careers service 14
Personal development/educational experience 81
Faculty quality 55
Student quality 97
Student diversity 80
Education experience 34
Increase in salary 60
Increase in salary 28
Post-MBA salary 63
Potential to network 69
Breadth of alumni network 91
Internationalism of alumni 97
Alumni effectiveness 33
261
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Rice University—Jesse H Jones Graduate School of Management
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (27) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (>100) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (1) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 124 111 61
Applicants:places 5:1 2:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 32 (52) 35 22
Percentage of foreign students 32 (93) 16 18
Average GMAT score 644 (64) 609 –
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (99) 72 168
Age range of students 23-32 25-34 30-45
Average age 27 29 38
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (33) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (63) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95 (38) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 70 (44) – –
Student rating of careers service 4.5 (14) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 89,006 (63) – –
Percentage increase in salary 105 (28) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Chevron, ExxonMobil, – –
Deutsche Bank
Cost
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$100 US$100 US$100
Programme fees US$36,000 US$81,500 US$86,750
Comments Per year Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$12,000 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$15,500 – –
Financial aid available Varies – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline April 7th April 7th June 2nd
Programme dates Aug start, 22 months Aug start, 22 months Jul start, 22 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
finance, energy,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: limited
alumni network
Student/alumni quotes
“Well-rounded
curriculum; great faculty
with extensive published
research.”
“It’s a relatively new
programme and the
alumni base is small but
growing quickly.”
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 2 essays;
résumé
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 2 essays;
interview; laptop
262
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 87
Regional rank 46
Background
The Simon Graduate School of Business was founded in 1958 as the School of Business Administration
at the University of Rochester. It awarded its first MBA in 1962. In 1986 it was renamed after the late
William E Simon, a financial entrepreneur and former US Treasury Secretary. The school believes that
students need to learn to analyse management problems in a coherent, scientific way and that econom-
ics is the principal discipline governing business and human behaviour. This makes the MBA intensive,
quantitative and academic. The school is small by US standards with around 165 MBA students.
Facilities
The school is on the University of Rochester’s River campus, three miles from downtown Rochester, NY.
Facilities are first-class, with a group of buildings providing 14 classrooms, 21 group-study rooms, a
large computer lab, 16 study rooms, a careers services suite with eight interview rooms, and adminis-
tration and faculty offices. Students have access to all university sports and cultural amenities and on-
campus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA Part-Time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (69) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 48 full-time, 12 part-time, 1 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-Time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (91) 0.9 1.7
Percentage of faculty with PhD 81 (91) 81 81
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (21) – –
Programme highlights
Simon’s two-year full-time MBA consists of nine core courses, two electives and a required sequence
of communication courses in the first year and nine electives in the second year, as well as a course on
communicating business decisions. There is no requirement to specialise in a concentration (although
15 are offered and most students do so). Entry in January (rather than the previous September) allows
students to take an accelerated 18-month track.
The 3-2 programme allows University of Rochester undergraduates to earn both a first degree and
an MBA in five years. Applications are considered in a pool with all applicants who have no work experi-
ence. Candidates typically have an above-average academic profile and several business-related intern-
ships. The first year of the MBA programme is substituted for the senior undergraduate year.
The part-time programme is virtually identical to the full-time version. There are nine core and
11 elective courses. Courses are taught one evening a week. Some electives are shared with full-time
students. Students generally take one or two courses per quarter and can start in any quarter. Up to four
courses, which count towards graduation requirements, can be taken before joining the programme
(and if your GPA is 3.5 you can waive the GMAT). The programme can be completed in 30 months but
most students take just over three years. The maximum time allowed is seven years.
Classes for the two-year Executive MBA are held all day Friday and Saturday on alternate weeks.
University of Rochester—William E Simon
Graduate School of Business
Address:
305 Schlegel Hall
Rochester, NY
US
14627
Tel:
+1 585 275 3735
Fax:
+1 585 275 9331
E-mail:
admissions@simon.
rochester.edu
Website:
www.simon.rochester.
edu
Programme director:
Rajiv M Dewan
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 66
Diversity of recruiters 100
Number in jobs three months after graduation 59
Jobs found through the careers service 35
Student assessment of careers service 51
Personal development/educational experience >100
Faculty quality 92
Student quality 71
Student diversity >100
Education experience >100
Increase in salary 95
Increase in salary 94
Post-MBA salary 89
Potential to network 61
Breadth of alumni network 35
Internationalism of alumni 68
Alumni effectiveness 55
263
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Rochester—William E Simon Graduate School of Business
By taking classes in the evenings or in the summer the 22-month programme can be completed in 19
months. During the last quarter of the programme participants can specialise in a particular area of
study, and after meeting their graduation requirements they can take two additional courses tuition-
free to complete their specialisation.
Full-time MBA Part-Time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (49) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 9 (82) – –
Number of languages on offer 0 (>100) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-Time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 165 66 36
Applicants:places – – –
Percentage of women students 27 (71) 23 28
Percentage of foreign students 10 (>100) 9 4
Average GMAT score 676 (34) 580 –
Average number of months’ work experience 49 (91) 80 144
Age range of students – – 26-49
Average age 26 29 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (90) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-Time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (100) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 92 (59) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 77 (35) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.6 (51) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 84,137 (89) – –
Percentage increase in salary 64 (94) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Citi, Deloitte, Johnson & Johnson – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-Time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$125 US$125 –
Programme fees US$39,030 US$1,301 US$77,500
Comments Per year Per credit Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$6,210 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$6,210 – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-Time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline June 1st August 1st May 15th
Programme dates Sep start, 22 months Sep start Sep start
Admission requirements
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
accounting, marketing
Weakness: integration
of international
students
Student/alumni quotes
“It has a small and
personal quality that
encourages learning.”
“Social groups tend to
form around country of
origin. Our school could
and should do more to
foster inclusion across
cultures.”
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 3 essays
First degree; at least
1 year’s work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
3 essays; interview
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
2 references; 3 essays;
interview; laptop;
résumé; organisational
chart; sponsorship form;
payment agreement
264
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 50
Regional rank 19
Background
Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) can trace its history back to 1966 when Royal Dutch Shell and
a number of other companies set up the Foundation for Business Administration to provide post-experi-
ence management education. An MBA was established in the 1970s and in 1985, when RSM moved to
the Erasmus campus, the programme was transformed into the present English-language International
MBA. The school is now called RSM Erasmus University. It is resolutely international, with a significant
international mix of students, yet with a Dutch atmosphere and friendly and youthful faculty and staff.
George Yip, formerly a professor at London Business School, took over as dean in January 2008.
Facilities
RSM Erasmus is based in a new building that fits in well with Erasmus’s functional campus but inside is
spacious and well appointed. There is no on-campus accommodation but rented housing is available, sub-
sidised by the government for students. Rotterdam is a lively, sophisticated city with lots of attractions.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.8 (>100)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 106 full-time, 33 part-time, 27 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.2 (23)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 99 (18)
Student rating of faculty 4.0 (92)
Programme highlights
RSM Erasmus’s 15-month full-time International MBA starts with a series of short, optional pre-pro-
gramme refresher courses in quantitative areas. The first two semesters cover mandatory core cours-
es. The third and fourth semesters cover concentration courses and free electives (or an international
exchange). During the summer, all students undertake an internship culminating in an assessed com-
pany analysis. Career and personal development workshops run throughout the programme.
The two-year part-time Executive MBA consists of four terms and a one-month in-company project.
Classes are held on Friday evening and all day Saturday, generally every two weeks. Each year there is a
one-week residential block in January and a one-week overseas trip in June or July.
The 21-month Global Executive OneMBA is a joint global programme designed for executives with at
least seven years’ experience. It is run by a partnership of five business schools on four continents. Co-
ordinated courses comprise the core and occur concurrently on all OneMBA campuses. Participants get
together for four week-long global residencies in the US, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The partner
schools are: The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Fundação Getulio Vargas, Escola de Administração de
Empresas de São Paulo (FGV-EAESP), Brazil; Monterrey Tech Graduate School of Business Administration
and Leadership (EGADE-ITESM), Mexico; RSM Erasmus University, Netherlands; and Kenan-Flagler Busi-
ness School, University of North Carolina, US.
Rotterdam School of Management—
Erasmus University
Address:
Burg. Oudlaan 50
J-building
Rotterdam
The Netherlands
3062PA
Tel:
+31 10 408 2877
Fax:
+31 10 408 9020
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.rsm.nl/mba
Programme director:
Luis Umana-Timms
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 66
Diversity of recruiters 64
Number in jobs three months after graduation 31
Jobs found through the careers service 76
Student assessment of careers service 66
Personal development/educational experience 53
Faculty quality 42
Student quality 66
Student diversity 29
Education experience 55
Increase in salary 19
Increase in salary 22
Post-MBA salary 32
Potential to network 60
Breadth of alumni network 67
Internationalism of alumni 33
Alumni effectiveness 60
265
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Rotterdam School of Management—Erasmus University
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (67)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 43 (41)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 104
Applicants:places 5:1
Percentage of women students 28 (84)
Percentage of foreign students 94 (5)
Average GMAT score 640 (62)
Average number of months’ work experience 66 (52)
Age range of students 26-34
Average age 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.2 (58)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (64)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 98 (31)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 51 (76)
Student rating of careers service 3.4 (66)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 99,934 (32)
Percentage increase in salary 88 (22)
Principal recruiters of graduates Fortis, A.T. Kearney, Exxon
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees €100 (US$137)
Programme fees €36,000 (US$49,315)
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €5,400 (US$7,397)
Financial aid available €1m (US$1.4m)
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline July 15th
Programme dates Oct start, 15 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 2 years’ work experience; references; 3 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
strategy and
innovation, marketing
Weakness: careers
service
Student/alumni quotes
“Innovative and
contemporary, with focus
on key issues such as
sustainability.”
“The career office
(recruitment
programme) needs to be
radically revamped.“
266
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank n/a
Background
Royal Holloway College was opened by Queen Victoria in 1886 and became part of the University of Lon-
don, which also includes London Business School (see page 198) and the London School of Economics,
at the end of the 19th century. The college has some 7,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students
on its striking neo-gothic campus outside London, not far from Heathrow Airport.
The School of Management was established in 1990 and is one of the largest academic departments
at Royal Holloway.
Facilities
Facilities are good, and the school has expanded rapidly in recent years with a new extension opened in
May 2007 and a new £8m, 400-seat lecture theatre complex. On-campus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA MBA in International Management
Student assessment of facilities 3.6 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 22 full-time, 2 part-time, 4 visiting
Full-time MBA MBA in International Management
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (n/a) –
Percentage of faculty with PhD 86 (n/a) 86
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
The Royal Holloway MBA International Management is offered full-time, part-time or by distance learn-
ing. However it is delivered, the programme consists of 12 core courses and four elective courses. Both
core and elective courses are taught in a modular fashion over two and a half weeks. Two courses will
run every week. A Graduate Diploma is awarded to those students who complete the core and elective
courses but do not pass their Dissertation.
Full-time MBA MBA in International Management
Student rating of programme 3.9 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 2 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (n/a) –
Students
Full-time MBA MBA in International Management
Annual intake 54 2
Applicants:places 7:1 –
Percentage of women students 45 (n/a) 46%
Percentage of foreign students 93 (n/a) 485
Average GMAT score 550 (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (n/a) –
Age range of students 25-40 26-43
Average age 29 33
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.4 (n/a) –
Royal Holloway School of Management—
University of London
Address:
Egham
Surrey
UK
TW20 0EX
Tel:
+44 1784 414 479
Fax:
+44 1784 276 100
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.rhul.ac.uk
Programme director:
David Faulkner
Figures in brackets
represent rank
267
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Royal Holloway School of Management—University of London
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA MBA in International
Management
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 4 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation – (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services – (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ – (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary – (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Johnson & Johnson, –
United Nations, R Twining & Co
Cost
Full-time MBA MBA in International
Management
Application fees n/a n/a
Programme fees £12,600 (US$25,200) £10,150 (US$20,300)
Comments £15,375 for non-EU students Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – –
Financial aid available – –
Type of aid available – –
Criteria on which aid is granted – –
Application details
Full-time MBA MBA in International
Management
Application deadline May 31st July 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Oct start, 24-60 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: public sector,
marketing, finance
Weakness:
administration
Student/alumni quotes
“It’s a prestigious
degree, well reputed
institution and will cost
you less.”
“Administrative
efficiency is a weakness.”
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT;
TOEFL or IELTS; references
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; references;
laptop
268
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 98
Regional rank 38
Background
Sheffield University Management School, set up in 1970, teaches management and business at the
undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels and has about 50 full-time faculty. The school has a
good research base and attracts large numbers of international students.
Facilities
The school has its own purpose-built building on the edge of the university campus, close to the city
centre and there are dedicated facilities for MBA students, including lecture and seminar rooms, an IT
laboratory, and a social and reading room. A comprehensive range of computing services is available,
including library catalogues and CD-ROM databases. There is a specialised management library opposite
the school.
Accommodation, careers, sports and social facilities are provided by the university. There is plenty of
reasonably priced on-campus and off-campus accommodation. Sheffield is a pleasant city set in attrac-
tive countryside. The Peak District National Park is easily accessible and cultural and social amenities
are good.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (57)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 17 full-time, 5 part-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (80)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 88 (77)
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (71)
Programme highlights
Sheffield’s one-year (September to September) full-time MBA is a general management programme with
some specialisation available in the second semester. In the first semester students take six mandatory
core courses (called modules) plus soft skills courses. In the second semester students take four fur-
ther core courses plus three electives. A final project and dissertation must be submitted by the begin-
ning of September after the second semester. Guest speakers, company visits and other workshops run
throughout the programme.
The part-time Executive MBA last two and a half years. It is taught on a modular basis, with classes
meeting for three-day blocks (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) every five weeks. Each module is sup-
ported by websites, online group work, online learning materials and handouts covering the lecture
ma terials. Students are expected to spend 79 hours on this structured learning for each module.
Sheffield University Management School
Address:
9 Mappin Street
Sheffield
UK
S1 4DT
Tel:
+44 114 222 3483
Fax:
+44 114 222 3480
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/
management
Programme director:
Geoff Wood
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 69
Diversity of recruiters 76
Number in jobs three months after graduation 100
Jobs found through the careers service 19
Student assessment of careers service 58
Personal development/educational experience 84
Faculty quality 87
Student quality 76
Student diversity 50
Education experience >100
Increase in salary >100
Increase in salary 93
Post-MBA salary 98
Potential to network >100
Breadth of alumni network >100
Internationalism of alumni >100
Alumni effectiveness >100
269
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Sheffield University Management School
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 3.9 (93)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (>100)
Number of languages on offer 1 (87)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 64
Applicants:places 8:1
Percentage of women students 20 (84)
Percentage of foreign students 95 (8)
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a)
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (46)
Age range of students 27-33
Average age 27
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.7 (88)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (76)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 67 (100)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 80 (19)
Student rating of careers service 3.6 (58)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 81,857 (98)
Percentage increase in salary 81 (93)
Principal recruiters of graduates Coca-Cola, 3M, Eskom
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees n/a
Programme fees £15,800 (US$31,600)
Comments £10,600 for EU students
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) –
Financial aid available –
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Sheffield University alumni
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline July 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience; references; interview; laptop
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: enterprise,
accounting, HRM
Weakness: alumni
network
Student/alumni quotes
“Friendly, approachable
department, great city
and university to study
in.”
“Not enough diversity in
terms of UK students.”
270
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 88
Regional rank 9
Background
Business teaching started at the National University of Singapore in 1961 and the NUS Business School
(part of the Faculty of Business Administration) has ambitions to be the best in Asia. It has over 100 fac-
ulty and also draws teachers from the university. Senior executives from the public and private sectors
are used to add variety to teaching and to deliver guest lectures. It is a full-range school, teaching an
undergraduate BBA, an MBA, doctoral programmes and executive development courses. There are good
exchange agreements with leading schools in the US, Canada and Europe.
Facilities
The school is housed within the Faculty of Business Administration and uses most of its facilities (large-
ly shared with business undergraduates). There is an excellent computerised 60,000-volume business
library next door (which also serves undergraduates), as well as four computer labs and a mainframe
terminal room. The school has three lecture theatres, 12 conference rooms, 13 seminar rooms and
16 tutorial rooms, as well as two behavioural laboratories used for role-play and lessons on group
dynamics. On-campus accommodation is available.
In 2009 the school will move to the new 160,000 sq ft Mochtar Riady Building, named after
Dr Mochtar Riady, founder and chairman of the Lippo Group, in recognition of the group’s substantial
gift to the school.
Full-time Part-time Asia Pacific UCLA–NUS
MBA MBA Executive MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (32) – – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 53 full-time, 15 part-time, 12 visiting
Full-time Part-time Asia Pacific UCLA–NUS
MBA MBA Executive MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (50) 1.0 0.9 1.8
Percentage of faculty with PhD 92 (41) 92 92 92
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (77) – – –
Programme highlights
The NUS full-time MBA lasts 17 months over three semesters. Core courses cover the main manage-
ment disciplines in the first semester; students undertake exchange visits in the second semester and
internships after the first year. (It is possible to complete the programme in 12 months with a shorter
exchange visit and internship.) Specialisations are not required but are offered in finance, marketing,
strategy and organisation, real estate and healthcare management.
The part-time programme has exactly the same curriculum as the full-time version. Students can
complete the programme in as little as 24 months or a maximum of six years; most take three years.
Classes are held on campus during the evenings.
In the 17-month Asia-Pacific Executive MBA (APEX MBA), classes meet for six two-week sessions
(nine hours a day, six days a week) about once a quarter in locations in Singapore, China, India and
National University of Singapore—The NUS
Business School
Address:
BIZ 2 Building
1 Business Link, Level 5
Singapore
117592
Tel:
+65 6516 8655
Fax:
+65 6778 2681
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
mba.nus.edu
Programme director:
Nitin Pangarkar
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 78
Diversity of recruiters 98
Number in jobs three months after graduation 49
Jobs found through the careers service 53
Student assessment of careers service 85
Personal development/educational experience 33
Faculty quality 41
Student quality 80
Student diversity 16
Education experience 12
Increase in salary >100
Increase in salary 5
Post-MBA salary >100
Potential to network 93
Breadth of alumni network 90
Internationalism of alumni 40
Alumni effectiveness 99
271
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
National University of Singapore—The NUS Business School
elsewhere in South-east Asia. The programme is offered in English and Chinese.
The two-year full-time International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) is a joint programme
between the NUS and Peking University in Beijing. It offers modules in English and Chinese, although
the programme can be completed entirely in English. Students spend semesters two and three in Singa-
pore and one and four in Beijing. There is also a part-time version with a similar format.
The 15-month UCLA–NUS EMBA leads to two MBA degrees, one awarded by UCLA and one by the NUS.
Students attend six two-week segments conducted in residence at the NUS, UCLA, Shanghai and Bangalore.
Full-time Part-time Asia Pacific UCLA–NUS
MBA MBA Executive MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (88) – – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 103 (17) – – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (61) – – –
Students
Full-time Part-time Asia Pacific UCLA–NUS
MBA MBA Executive MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 126 84 87 45
Applicants:places 32:1 14:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 39 (25) 15 18 16
Percentage of foreign students 90 (14) 50 62 40
Average GMAT score 657 (46) 610 – –
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (81) 84 192 156
Age range of students 26-34 28-36 32-49 32-46
Average age 29 31 39 37
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.0 (96) – – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Part-time Asia Pacific UCLA–NUS
MBA MBA Executive MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 5 (98) – – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 92 (49) – – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 85 (53) – – –
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (85) – – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 54,002 (>100) – – –
Percentage increase in salary 163 (5) – – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Adventity, Hong Leong, Citi – – –
Cost
Full-time Part-time Asia Pacific UCLA–NUS
MBA MBA Executive MBA Executive MBA
Application fees – – S$200 (US$132) S$200 (US$132)
Programme fees S$40,000 S$34,000 S$80,000 S$74,800)
(US$26,490) (US$22,517) (US$52,980) (US$49,536
Comments – – S$70,000 for the –
programme in Chinese
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) S$7,000 (US$4,636) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) S$8,400 (US$5,563) – – –
Financial aid available S$760,000 (US$503,311) – – –
Type of aid available Study aid – – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – – –
Application details
Full-time Part-time Asia Pacific UCLA–NUS
MBA MBA Executive MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline March 31st May 15th April 30th December 31st
Programme dates Aug start, 12-17 months Aug start, 24-30 months Jul start, 17 months May start, 15 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: business
in Asia, finance and
banking, marketing
Weakness: alumni
network
Student/alumni quotes
“The infrastructure of
the school, coupled
with the key locational
advantage, makes it an
ideal choice to leverage
on the Asian growth
story.”
“Not the greatest alumni
network, but it’s building
very fast.”
First degree; at least
2 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; references; 3 essays
First degree; at least
2 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
3 essays; interview; laptop
First degree; at least 8
years’ work experience;
TOEFL (English
programme only);
3 references; 2 essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at
least 10 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
3 references; 3 essays;
interview; laptop
272
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank 43
Background
Solvay Business School, founded in 1903 by Ernest Solvay of the eponymous chemicals company, is one
of the oldest business schools in Europe. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate pro-
grammes (mostly taught in French) and is part of the Université Libre de Bruxelles. Its English-language
MBA programme was introduced in the 1990s. The school is closely integrated with its parent university
and MBA students use most of its facilities. Faculty members are drawn from the university and from
other business schools in Europe and the US.
Facilities
The MBA is taught in one of the older buildings on the large Solbosch campus, which is a short drive
from the centre of Brussels. Students are expected to have their own computers. For students who do
not live in Brussels or the surrounding area, the university’s accommodation office offers rooms on its
three campuses (Solbosch, Plaine and Erasme). Private accommodation is also available in houses on
the Plaine and Erasme campuses.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.3 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 8 full-time, 16 part-time, 16 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (n/a) 1.1
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (n/a) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.0 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
Solvay’s 10-month full-time MBA consists of 11 core courses including a leadership and communica-
tions course and a number of electives (depending on the concentration chosen but usually about
eight). Teaching takes place over five six-week periods, each followed by a week of exams and a one-
week break. Specialisations are offered in finance, control and accounting, and strategy and mar-
keting. Students must also complete either a business field project or an entrepreneurship project.
Electives are offered during the day but also in the evenings and on Saturdays and are shared with
part-time students
The two-year part-time MBA is virtually identical to the full-time version and runs in parallel with it
(allowing electives to be shared). Classes meet on weekday evenings and Saturday morning. Part-time
students must have a full-time job.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 7 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 0 (n/a) –
Solvay Business School—Université Libre
de Bruxelles
Address:
Avenue FD Roosevelt 21
Brussels
Belgium
1050
Tel:
+32 2 650 4167
Fax:
+32 2 650 4199
E-mail:
mba.admissions@
solvay.edu
Website:
www.solvay.edu/EN/
Programmes/mba/
index.php
Programme director:
Daniel Traca
Figures in brackets
represent rank
273
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Solvay Business School—Université Libre de Bruxelles
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 33 36
Applicants:places 2:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 61 (n/a) 26
Percentage of foreign students 76 (n/a) 24
Average GMAT score 580 (n/a) 580
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (n/a) 108
Age range of students 24-41 28-45
Average age 31 34
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.7 (n/a) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 63 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 26 (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.6 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 79,781 (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary 27 (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates UCB, Fortis, Distrigas –
Cost
Full-time MBA MBA Solvay
Programme, Part-Time
Application fees – –
Programme fees €16,000 (US$21,918) €20,000 (US$27,397)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) €4,000 (US$5,479) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €5,000 (US$6,849) –
Financial aid available €32,000 (US$43,836) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need –
Application details
Full-time MBA MBA Solvay
Programme, Part-Time
Application deadline August 22nd August 22nd
Programme dates Sep start, 10 months Sep start, 20 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Excellent programme
and teachers. Highly
diversified environment.”
“Building facilities and
meeting rooms are poor.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
European business,
corporate social
responsibility
Weakness: facilities
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL,
IELTS or Cambridge Test;
references; essay
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; TOEFL,
IELTS or Cambridge Test;
references; essay
274
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank n/a
Background
Southampton School of Management is a typical UK university-based business school with good teach-
ing and research and consulting links with industry and government. As well as the MBA, it offers
undergraduate degrees in accounting, finance and management science, postgraduate degrees in
accounting, banking, finance, information systems, risk management and management science, and
doctoral programmes.
Facilities
The school occupies a refurbished building on the university campus. Facilities include dedicated post-
graduate study and computer rooms, a lecture room, a meeting room and a suite of rooms for small-
group work and seminars. On-campus accommodation is available. Southampton is a pleasant and lively
city, reasonably close to London, in an attractive rural area.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 14 full-time, 1 part-time, 7 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (n/a) 0.8
Percentage of faculty with PhD 86 (n/a) 86
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
Southampton’s one-year full-time MBA is a typical European programme consisting of core courses,
electives and a dissertation. Six core courses and six electives are taught during the first two semesters
(September–June). Classes are taught for three full days and two evenings a week. The rest of the time
is taken up with group work and private study. The programme ends with a dissertation based on an
individual piece of research, chosen by the student, which is submitted in mid-September.
The part-time Executive MBA has the same curriculum as the full-time programme and takes 2–3
years to complete. During each academic year, half the core units are scheduled during the day, nor-
mally Fridays, and the remainder on weekday evenings, Monday–Thursday. Core units delivered during
the day in one year are normally delivered in the evening in the following year, and vice versa.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 3.8 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (n/a) –
University of Southampton—School of
Management
Address:
Building 2
University Road
Southampton
UK
SO17 1BJ
Tel:
+44 23 8059 8612
Fax:
+44 23 8059 2695
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.management.
soton.ac.uk
Programme director:
Helene Glasspool
Figures in brackets
represent rank
275
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Southampton—School of Management
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 41 27
Applicants:places 8:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 39 (n/a) 29
Percentage of foreign students 73 (n/a) 6
Average GMAT score n/a (n/a) n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 79 (n/a) 153
Age range of students 24-43 27-52
Average age 30 37
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.8 (n/a) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates – (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation – (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services – (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.2 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ – (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary – (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application fees n/a n/a
Programme fees £16,500 (US$33,000) £17,330 (US$34,660)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – –
Financial aid available £40,000 (US$80,000) –
Type of aid available Bursaries –
Criteria on which aid is granted By application –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Application deadline July 31st July 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Sep start, 24-36 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The programme and
reputation of the school
is very good for the
price.“
“Careers service isn’t very
proactive.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: risk, supply
chain management,
higher education
management
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL; references;
interview; laptop
First degree (or professional
equivalent); at least at least
3 years’ work experience; TOEFL;
2 references
276
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 82
Regional rank 41
Background
The University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business was founded in 1919 as the School of Com-
merce, and in 1998 became the first major business school to be named after a woman in recognition
of a US$25m gift from Darla Moore, a business woman and former alumna. The school has nearly 4,000
undergraduate and graduate students and regards itself as one of the pre-eminent business schools in
the world, specialising in international business education as well as being a leader in distance learning.
Hildy Teegen, formerly director of the Center for International Business Education and Research and
professor of international business and international affairs at George Washington University, took over
as dean in September 2007, replacing Joel Smith.
Facilities
The school is based in a nine-storey, 330,000 sq ft building with its own library, placement centre and
executive education centre. Graduate students have their own designated facilities. Students also have
access to the university’s 2,500-seat main library as well as all other university facilities. The building
is currently being renovated and the school is fund-raising for a new US$45–50m graduate centre to
house the MBA programmes.
Full-time MBA Professional MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.6 (>100) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 94 full-time
Full-time MBA Professional MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.9 (31) 0.6
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (49) 100
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (65) –
Programme highlights
Moore’s two-year full-time International MBA (IMBA) has a common core of 13 courses and a series of
communications workshops followed by two specialised international tracks: the Language Track and
the Global Track. Both tracks include a five-month international internship.
The Language Track combines business education with intensive language training in one of eight
major languages. The Global Track involves additional course work that focuses on the political, eco-
nomic and business factors affecting the investment climate of various regions. After their internships,
students on both tracks return to the Moore school. The second year of the programme is designed to
allow students to gain depth in their areas of interest.
Classes for the part-time Professional MBA, which can be completed in just over two years, are held
on campus in the evenings and some Saturdays. Students take ten core courses and six electives, at
least one of which must in international business or international economics. Classes are available in
more than 20 locations via live video link and are also broadcast via delayed video streaming.
University of South Carolina—Moore School
of Business
Address:
1705 College St.
Columbia, SC
US
29208
Tel:
+1 803 777 5035
Fax:
+1 803 777 6876
E-mail:
gradadmit@moore.
sc.edu
Website:
mooreschool.sc.edu
Programme director:
Dr Martin S Roth
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 54
Diversity of recruiters 65
Number in jobs three months after graduation 93
Jobs found through the careers service 24
Student assessment of careers service 39
Personal development/educational experience >100
Faculty quality 46
Student quality 98
Student diversity >100
Education experience 43
Increase in salary 93
Increase in salary 50
Post-MBA salary 91
Potential to network 75
Breadth of alumni network 26
Internationalism of alumni 43
Alumni effectiveness 98
277
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of South Carolina—Moore School of Business
The 22-month part-time International Executive MBA is offered in partnership with Tec de Monterrey
EGADE (see page 144) and is aimed at senior Mexican managers in their 30s and 40s. Classes meet on the
Tec de Monterrey campus Guadalajara every third weekend.
Full-time MBA Professional MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (62) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 79 (27) –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) –
Students
Full-time MBA Professional MBA
Annual intake 107 158
Applicants:places 3:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 34 (61) 28
Percentage of foreign students 25 (>100) 13
Average GMAT score 638 (67) 606
Average number of months’ work experience 39 (>100) 74
Age range of students 23-31 25-40
Average age 27 30
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.7 (91) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Professional MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (65) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 77 (93) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 78 (24) –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (39) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 75,402 (91) –
Percentage increase in salary 69 (50) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Bank of America, Federal Express, Exxon Mobil –
Cost
Full-time MBA Professional MBA
Application fees US$40 US$40
Programme fees US$35,000 US$10,500
Comments Non-Resident US$52,000 For 21 hours
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$7,200 –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$9,600 –
Financial aid available US$1.5m –
Type of aid available Work grants, fellowships, fee reductions –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Professional MBA
Application deadline May 1st July 1st
Programme dates Jul start, 22 months Sep start, 28 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Excellent international
exposure, rigorous
class work, real-world
application.”
“Needs higher quality,
more experienced
students.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: international
business, operations
and supply chain
management,
marketing
Weakness: some
students have limited
experience
First degree; at least 2 years’
work experience; GMAT;
TOEFL; references; 6 essays
First degree; at least 2 years’
work experience; 2 references;
essay; laptop
278
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 38
Regional rank 21
Background
Marshall School of Business began as the College of Commerce and Business Administration in 1920. The
Graduate School of Business Administration was established in 1960. In 1997 the school was renamed
following a US$35m donation from Gordon S Marshall, an alumnus. It has particular faculty strength
in Pacific Rim economies and, given its location a few miles south of Los Angeles, the entertainment
industry. It has a strong international approach that permeates most of its programmes. The school has
announced plans to increase the faculty, both tenured and junior, over the next five years.
Facilities
The school occupies four well-equipped multi-storey buildings—Hoffman Hall, Bridge Hall, the School
of Accounting and Popovich Hall, the MBA building—on the University of Southern California (USC)
campus. Popovich contains state-of-the-art technology and eight case-study rooms with audio-video
teleconferencing facilities. Students have access to all USC facilities. Most students live off campus and
a car is a necessity.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Marshall MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.8 (92) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 134 full-time, 14 part-time
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Marshall MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (60) 0.5 0.5
Percentage of faculty with PhD 87 (84) 87 87
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (88) – –
Programme highlights
Marshall’s two-year full-time MBA comprises a straightforward intensive core and two electives deliv-
ered in the four-term first year followed by a wide range of electives and concentrations in the second
year. The core concludes with PRIME, a required research trip to Pacific Rim countries to visit selected
companies, both domestic and multinational, and governmental institutions. Students can choose elec-
tive subjects from concentrations or design their own.
The 33-month (it can be taken over five years) part-time MBA for Professionals and Managers
(MBA.PM) programme consists of 12 months of core classes followed by electives. After the core all stu-
dents take PM Globe, a semester-long macroeconomics course that includes a one-week overseas trip
to a Pacific Rim country. The core can be taken at either the USC University Park campus in Los Angeles
or the USC Orange County Center in Irvine. All elective courses are taught at the main campus. Students
attend classes two evenings a week.
The curriculum of the 21-month Executive MBA focuses on ten integrated themes rather than func-
tional disciplines. Classes are held on Fridays and Saturdays on alternating weekends and there are
three off-campus residential sessions, two domestic and one international, and an in-company consult-
ing project. The EMBA is also offered in San Diego.
University of Southern California—Marshall
School of Business
Address:
611 Exposition Blvd
Popovich Hall Room 308
Los Angeles, CA
US
90089
Tel:
+1 213 740 6420
Fax:
+1 213 947 1991
E-mail:
marshallmba@marshall.
usc.edu
Website:
marshall.usc.edu
Programme director:
Cherie Scricca
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 23
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 53
Jobs found through the careers service 51
Student assessment of careers service 20
Personal development/educational experience 70
Faculty quality 93
Student quality 41
Student diversity 83
Education experience 75
Increase in salary 76
Increase in salary 77
Post-MBA salary 60
Potential to network 15
Breadth of alumni network 23
Internationalism of alumni 45
Alumni effectiveness 3
279
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Southern California—Marshall School of Business
Marshall offers a Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) in Shanghai in collaboration with Jiaotong University.
The IBEAR (International Business Education and Research) MBA is a 12-month full-time programme in
international management aimed at mid-career managers.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (69) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 35 (70) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 227 293 293
Applicants:places 7:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 34 (42) 29 29
Percentage of foreign students 26 (>100) 22 22
Average GMAT score 689 (19) 624 624
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (60) 72 72
Age range of students 25-32 25-34 25-34
Average age 28 28 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.2 (45) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (53) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 73 (51) – –
Student rating of careers service 4.1 (20) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 88,841 (60) – –
Percentage increase in salary 61 (77) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Amgen, General Electric, Mattel – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$150 US$150 US$150
Programme fees US$78,500 US$1,217 US$1,217
Comments Total programme Per unit Per unit
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$16,300 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$16,300 – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available – – –
Criteria on which aid is granted – – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline April 1st May 1st May 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Aug start, 36 months Aug start, 36 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The focus on
globalisation and
international business is
a real strength.”
“The majority of the
faculty fail to teach and
relate the materials
covered in class to the
‘real world’.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: programme
can lack practical
relevance
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 3 essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least
2 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
2 essays
First degree; at
least 2 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 2 essays
280
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 85
Regional rank 44
Background
The Cox School of Business began as the Department of Commerce of Southern Methodist University (SMU)
in 1920. It was established as a school of business in 1941 and the graduate programme began in 1949.
Practising executives are closely involved in the tuition and support of MBA students (the school was
renamed in 1978 in honour of a Dallas businessman, Edwin L Cox). The full-time MBA class size is small by
American standards and there is a lot of interaction among students and between students and faculty.
Facilities
The school is housed in a four-building complex and the facilities are excellent, with up-to-date equip-
ment including classrooms, breakout and conference rooms, auditorium and dining room. The James
M Collins Executive Education Center houses the school’s Executive MBA and executive education pro-
grammes. Cox also has a four-building complex in Plano, Texas.
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (41) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 73 full-time, 36 part-time, 1 visiting
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.1 (21) 0.9 1.2
Percentage of faculty with PhD 92 (58) 92 92
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (36) – –
Programme highlights
The first year of Cox’s two-year full-time MBA programme consists of a mix of compulsory core courses
and four electives. Core courses can be waived by exam and replaced with electives. A summer intern-
ship is required and credited. The second year is devoted to electives. Students may declare up to two
concentrations or opt for the general management concentration, which allows a wide variety of study
options.
The two-year part-time Professional MBA (PMBA) is notable for its emphasis on specialisation. In
the second half of the programme at least 14 electives are available. These can be grouped into a con-
centration or taken more widely. Classes are held on weekday evenings and, on the Dallas campus only,
Saturday mornings. The SMU campus in Plano offers core classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
The 21-month Executive MBA programme has classes on alternating weekends (Friday and Satur-
day). Participants meet in small assigned study groups outside the classroom. International study trips
to Latin America and Asia are an important part of the final semester.
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (28) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 19 (58) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (62) – –
Southern Methodist University—Cox School
of Business
Address:
P.O. Box 750333
Dallas, TX
US
75275
Tel:
+1 214 768 4474
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.coxmba.com
Programme director:
Marci Armstrong
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 84
Diversity of recruiters 82
Number in jobs three months after graduation 91
Jobs found through the careers service 71
Student assessment of careers service 71
Personal development/educational experience 87
Faculty quality 20
Student quality 93
Student diversity 100
Education experience 39
Increase in salary 92
Increase in salary >100
Post-MBA salary 81
Potential to network 19
Breadth of alumni network 10
Internationalism of alumni 36
Alumni effectiveness 30
281
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Southern Methodist University—Cox School of Business
Students
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 81 123 93
Applicants:places 5:1 2:1 3:1
Percentage of women students 28 (72) 27 22
Percentage of foreign students 17 (>100) 21 14
Average GMAT score 640 (58) 599 n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 45 (97) 72 168
Age range of students 24-30 25-33 31-42
Average age 27 29 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (65) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Professional Executive
MBA MBA MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (82) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 81 (91) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 52 (71) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (71) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 83,978 (81) – –
Percentage increase in salary 54 (>100) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Frito-Lay, JPMorgan Chase, American Airlines – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$75 US$75 US$100
Programme fees US$40,692 US$78,860 US$84,135
Comments Per year – Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, graduate assistantships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline April 15th May 17th June 30th
Programme dates Aug start, 22 months Jan start, 24 months Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“It is a small class size
with good access to
a great faculty, in a
large city with a lot of
opportunities.”
“It’s a regional superstar
but not known well
nationally.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing, strategy and
entrepreneurship
Weakness: career
placement outside of
Texas
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays;
interview; laptop
At least 8 years’ work
experience;
2 references;
2 essays; interview;
laptop
282
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 4
Regional rank 2
Background
Stanford Graduate School of Business was founded in 1925 by a group of Californian business leaders
organised by Herbert Hoover, an alumnus of Stanford University and 31st president of the US. Hoover
wanted to stem the tide of students going east to get a business education, and Stanford was the first
graduate school of business west of the Mississippi. The school’s long-standing expertise in public-sec-
tor management attracts students from diverse backgrounds. It actively collaborates through multidis-
ciplinary courses and research with other parts of Stanford University. Contacts with industry, notably
in Silicon Valley but also internationally, are excellent and executives regularly visit the campus.
Facilities
The campus is built in a low-rise Spanish style and includes four buildings dedicated to the use of busi-
ness school students and faculty. San Francisco and the Bay Area offer many opportunities for sports,
arts and leisure, but the campus is some distance from the city. Nevertheless, on-campus sports facili-
ties are superb. There is also an impressive on-campus block of student apartments, the Schwab Resi-
dential Center.
Philip H Knight, an MBA alumnus and founder and chairman of Nike, is to donate US$105m to the
school, US$100m of which will be used to construct a new US$350m campus to be called the Knight
Management Center. After raising the balance of funds required, the school planned to break ground on
the new management centre in 2008 with occupation scheduled for 2010–11. The remaining US$5m will
be used to match other donors’ gifts for faculty endowment.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (40)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 96 full-time, 60 part-time, 3 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (91)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 97 (27)
Student rating of faculty 4.6 (11)
Programme highlights
The Stanford MBA is offered only as a two-year full-time programme. Students study over six academic
quarters beginning in the fall. The school introduced a new MBA curriculum in fall 2007. After a com-
mon required seven-course programme, General Management Perspectives, in the first quarter, there
are no specific required courses but rather a set of courses under the General Management Foundations
label aimed at giving students a breadth of knowledge and chosen with the help of a faculty member. In
the second year students study an average of 14 electives. Enhancements to the school’s global man-
agement curriculum mean that each student is given opportunities for a global study trip, an overseas
service-learning trip, an international internship or a student exchange. There are also leadership and
communications courses.
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Address:
Stanford Graduate
School of Business
518 Memorial Way
Stanford, CA
US
94305-5015
Tel:
+1 650 723 1771
Fax:
+1 650 725 6750
E-mail:
www.gsb.stanford.
edu/mba/contact/ask_
question.html
Website:
www.gsb.stanford.edu
Programme director:
Sharon Hoffman
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 12
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 15
Jobs found through the careers service 67
Student assessment of careers service 9
Personal development/educational experience 25
Faculty quality 28
Student quality 36
Student diversity 31
Education experience 36
Increase in salary 13
Increase in salary 52
Post-MBA salary 10
Potential to network 16
Breadth of alumni network 63
Internationalism of alumni 32
Alumni effectiveness 2
283
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Stanford Graduate School of Business
The Stanford Sloan Program is a ten-month, full-time academic programme leading to a Master of
Science in Management degree. It is designed for mid-career executives, who are generally sponsored
by their companies. Participants take six electives alongside full-time MBA students.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (15)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (96)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 362
Applicants:places 16:1
Percentage of women students 35 (34)
Percentage of foreign students 42 (71)
Average GMAT score 721 (1)
Average number of months’ work experience 47 (>100)
Age range of students –
Average age –
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.9 (1)
Recruiters/career services
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 97 (15)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 58 (67)
Student rating of careers service 4.4 (9)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 117,681 (10)
Percentage increase in salary 58 (52)
Principal recruiters of graduates –
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$250
Programme fees US$48,921
Comments Per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$13,113
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$13,113
Financial aid available US$57m
Type of aid available Fellowships, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline –
Programme dates Sep start, 22 months
Admission requirements TOEFL; references; 2 essays; interview by invitation only. GRE accepted.
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The size of the class
enables creation of a
close-knit community
located at the heart
of Silicon Valley with
great access to all of the
industries represented
here.”
“The small class size
made it difficult to get
some of the most desired
classes.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: general
management, finance
and economics,
organisational
behaviour
Weakness: some
electives—particularly
finance—can be over-
subscribed
284
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 70
Regional rank 29
Background
The University of Strathclyde Business School’s Department of Management (previously known as
Strathclyde Graduate Business School) has good links with industry and good international connec-
tions. It claims a number of firsts, including being the first in the UK to offer a full-time one-year MBA
(in 1966), the first UK provider of a part-time MBA, the first to offer a distance-learning programme and
the first to offer a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration).
Facilities
The department has excellent facilities at its purpose-built city-centre site, which includes teaching and
administration blocks, two computer laboratories and business information and audio-visual centres.
MBA students have access to the main university library (with 350,000 volumes and 1,250 seats) and
good on-campus sports facilities. The department also has a fully equipped two-star Campus Conference
and Hotel Centre with 108 bedrooms. Plenty of on-campus accommodation is available.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (61)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 29 full-time, 1 part-time, 9 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (71)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 90 (66)
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (88)
Programme highlights
The Strathclyde MBA can be earned full-time or part-time, and through open-learning, in-company
and consortium programmes. There is considerable flexibility in moving between the various delivery
options but all have an emphasis on strategic management.
The one-year full-time programme consists of three academic terms and an in-company project
(July–September). It is divided into five modules, from a compulsory grounding in basic business to
specialised or generalist elective courses and then the final project in module 5.
The part-time evening programme lasts for three years and classes are held on two evenings a week;
there are also some weekend sessions.
The flexible-learning (open-learning) programme takes three years on average. Course materials
consist of study guides, audiocassettes, videotapes and computer disks. There are also some required
face-to-face classes in Glasgow.
The MBA is also offered part-time at a number of international centres: Abu Dhabi, Athens, Bahrain,
Dubai, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore and Zurich.
University of Strathclyde—Graduate School
of Business
Address:
199 Cathedral Street
Glasgow
UK
G61 4BQ
Tel:
+44 141 553 6104
E-mail:
[email protected].
ac.uk
Website:
www.strathclydemba.
com
Programme director:
Dr George Burt
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 86
Diversity of recruiters 96
Number in jobs three months after graduation 21
Jobs found through the careers service 83
Student assessment of careers service 75
Personal development/educational experience 96
Faculty quality 83
Student quality 70
Student diversity 92
Education experience 87
Increase in salary 15
Increase in salary 71
Post-MBA salary 8
Potential to network 79
Breadth of alumni network 11
Internationalism of alumni 69
Alumni effectiveness >100
285
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Strathclyde—Graduate School of Business
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (74)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 0 (97)
Number of languages on offer 5 (70)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 68
Applicants:places 5:1
Percentage of women students 19 (>100)
Percentage of foreign students 96 (15)
Average GMAT score 590 (91)
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (21)
Age range of students 26-38
Average age 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.7 (>100)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 6 (96)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (21)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 45 (83)
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (75)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 120,000 (8)
Percentage increase in salary 33 (71)
Principal recruiters of graduates Deloitte, Lloyds TSB, BSkyB
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees –
Programme fees £19,000 (US$38,000)
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £4,800 (US$9,600)
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £5,400 (US$10,800)
Financial aid available £50,000 (US$100,000)
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Various
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline –
Programme dates Oct start, 12 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience; TOEFL; references; 3 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“It is a value-for-money
MBA programme if you
compare the quality of
education to the cost.“
“Poor access to alumni
network for current
students.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategy and
strategic management,
entrepreneurship,
international business
Weakness: alumni
network
286
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 95
Regional rank 48
Background
Fox School of Business in Philadelphia is a large full-range business school with more than
5,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students and more than 145 full-time faculty. Established in
1918, it was named after a benefactor, Richard J Fox, in 1999. The MBA programme started in 1942.
With over 42,000 graduates, two-thirds of whom live and work in the Philadelphia metropolitan area,
Fox is a major source of management talent in the region and has close relations with business. Business
executives are involved in mentoring and advising students, speaking at events, introducing employers
to the school and providing financial support.
Facilities
Fox is currently based in Speakman Hall on Temple University’s urban campus. The building was con-
structed in 1965 and a new, much bigger building, Alter Hall, should be completed by late 2008 and the
two-building complex (Speakman Hall is to be refurbished) will provide up-to-date facilities.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.7 (97)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 53 full-time, 23 part-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.9 (26)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 92 (63)
Student rating of faculty 3.5 (>100)
Programme highlights
Fox’s two-year full-time MBA is a typical US programme (though it pushes the core into the second year)
consisting of 11 core courses (including a communications course), an enterprise management consult-
ing programme and a required internship between the first and second years. Students take 5 courses in
a concentration (beginning in the first year).
The part-time Professional MBA has the same curriculum as the full-time version. Most students
complete the programme in 3–4 years but the allowed range is 2–6 years. Most classes are held at Fox,
with some at the suburban Fort Washington campus.
Fox’s 22-month Executive MBA has an unusual three days a month schedule (one Friday and two Sat-
urdays), which means there is no overnight stay. There is a seven-day international study trip during the
programme and an interesting and somewhat unusual emphasis on career planning and management.
The international MBA is a 12-month full-time programme rotating between Fox and partner institu-
tions in Paris, Mumbai and Tokyo, each of which teaches a portion of the programme. There is also an
entrepreneurship consulting project during the Philadelphia part of the programme.
Temple University—Fox School of Business
Address:
Speakman Hall
1810 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA
US
19122
Tel:
+1 215 204 8732
Fax:
+1 215 204 1632
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.fox.temple.edu/
grad/
Programme director:
Jason Bozzone
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 74
Diversity of recruiters 50
Number in jobs three months after graduation 75
Jobs found through the careers service 61
Student assessment of careers service >100
Personal development/educational experience >100
Faculty quality 73
Student quality 91
Student diversity 90
Education experience >100
Increase in salary 94
Increase in salary 97
Post-MBA salary 87
Potential to network 64
Breadth of alumni network 6
Internationalism of alumni 83
Alumni effectiveness 92
287
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Temple University—Fox School of Business
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 3.4 (>100)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 40 (25)
Number of languages on offer 1 (>100)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 68
Applicants:places 4:1
Percentage of women students 37 (44)
Percentage of foreign students 38 (67)
Average GMAT score 637 (65)
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (89)
Age range of students 23-36
Average age 27
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.5 (>100)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (50)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 89 (75)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 53 (61)
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (>100)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 80,964 (87)
Percentage increase in salary 59 (97)
Principal recruiters of graduates Advanta, KPMG, Ernst & Young
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$50
Programme fees US$34,020
Comments Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) –
Financial aid available US$600,000
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“For those wanting
to learn international
business, I would
highly recommend this
programme.”
“Few recruiters came,
and most were local.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
international business,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: careers
service
288
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 48
Regional rank 27
Background
McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the oldest and most distin-
guished business schools in the burgeoning US south-west. In 2000 Texan entrepreneur Red McCombs
invested US$50m in the school, allowing it to launch an aggressive expansion plan. It is a full-range
school with over 6,000 students and 2,000 executive education participants each year and more than
75,000 alumni. Prominent alumni include national and international leaders. Links with local business
are strong and fully utilised.
Facilities
The school is housed in three interconnected buildings in the heart of the university campus with
26 classrooms, over 500 offices, 13 research centres and 5 computer laboratories with 300 computers
and over 1,000 network ports as well as wireless network access. The new MBA Carpenter Center Lounge
offers private study space for students as well as work and conference rooms for student organisations
and ten private meeting rooms. The Ford Career Interview Center has 43 private interviewing suites for
on-campus recruiting.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (85)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 77 full-time, 14 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (94)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 95 (38)
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (52)
Programme highlights
In the McCombs two-year full-time MBA, core courses and electives overlap. The ten-course core is taken
during the two-semester first year and the first semester of the second, and electives start in the second
semester of the first year. The Plus Program is a series of optional team-oriented, non-graded seminars
covering such things as sales and negotiation, careers, business ethics and global trade. There is no
requirement to group electives into a concentration although several are offered.
The three-year part-time Texas Evening MBA has the same curriculum as the full-time version. Stu-
dents attend classes in the fall, spring and summer semesters. Classes meet on Monday and Tuesday
evenings, with three one-week residential “intensive experiences”.
The two-year Texas MBA is a variation on an executive MBA. Students attend classes in the fall,
spring and summer semesters. Classes are held on Friday evenings and all day Saturday, with two one-
week residential courses. The programme is held in two locations, Houston and Dallas.
The two-year Executive MBA is a traditional programme for mid-career professionals with classes
scheduled on campus on alternate weekends (Friday and Saturday). The programme is also held at Tec
University of Texas at Austin—McCombs
School of Business
Address:
1 University Station,
B6000
Austin, TX
US
78712
Tel:
+1 512 232 6723
Fax:
+1 512 232 9167
E-mail:
TexasMBA@mccombs.
utexas.edu
Website:
mba.mccombs.utexas.
edu
Programme director:
Dr Eric Hirst
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 32
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 41
Jobs found through the careers service 50
Student assessment of careers service 31
Personal development/educational experience 78
Faculty quality 69
Student quality 54
Student diversity 96
Education experience 61
Increase in salary 69
Increase in salary 80
Post-MBA salary 57
Potential to network 45
Breadth of alumni network 48
Internationalism of alumni 63
Alumni effectiveness 35
289
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Texas at Austin—McCombs School of Business
de Monterrey, Campus Santa Fe, offering an MBA from McCombs and a Master’s of Administration from
Tec de Monterrey.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (63)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 35 (69)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 264
Applicants:places 6:1
Percentage of women students 28 (91)
Percentage of foreign students 29 (98)
Average GMAT score 672 (33)
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (60)
Age range of students 25-32
Average age 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (34)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 94 (41)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 75 (50)
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (31)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 93,649 (57)
Percentage increase in salary 68 (80)
Principal recruiters of graduates Dell, Citi, Deloitte
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$125
Programme fees US$37,222
Comments US$20,418 for Texas residents
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$13,500
Financial aid available US$9m
Type of aid available Scholarships, federal loans, private loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline April 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 2 years’ work experience; TOEFL; references; 3 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Excellent mix of rigorous
academics, diverse
recruiting opportunities,
friendly/collegial
atmosphere, and access
to local firms.”
“Facilities are getting a
bit old.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
management
Weakness: facilities
290
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 95
Regional rank 49
Background
Thunderbird was the first (and for a long time only) international business school in the US (it was
formed in 1946 on a second world war pilot training base outside Phoenix, hence the odd name). In
recent years many other schools around the world have moved into its niche market. However, Thunder-
bird’s international reputation, strong corporate links, opportunities to study abroad and large alumni
network (more than 36,000 managers in over 140 countries) continue to make it highly attractive for
students and recruiters.
Facilities
Thunderbird has excellent facilities. The school is mainly residential so social activity is strongly focused
on the school. Sports facilities are superb. The lifestyle is relaxed and Phoenix offers good cultural,
sports and leisure amenities. Arizona is extremely hot in summer and comfortably balmy in winter.
Full-time Executive Global MBA (On
MBA MBA – Arizona Demand/Latin
American Managers)
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (84) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 45 full-time, 3 part-time, 10 visiting
Full-time Executive Global MBA (On
MBA MBA – Arizona Demand/Latin
American Managers)
Number of faculty per student 0.1 (>100) 1.1 –
Percentage of faculty with PhD 91 (43) 91 91
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (70) – –
Programme highlights
Thunderbird’s MBA in Global Management is offered as a Traditional or an Accelerated programme. In
both an internship is optional, meaning that the Traditional programme can be completed in 15 or 20
months and the Accelerated programme in 11 or 16 months. The Accelerated programme requires a
major or minor in business, or the completion of specific quantitative courses, or a minimum of five
years’ work experience including one year managing a budget and staff. Both options share the same
core followed by the same focus options. Each focus consists of a mix of required and elective courses.
To graduate, students must have second-language proficiency, undertake a “global experience” such
as an overseas study trip, complete a global enterprise course and complete three non-credit courses
focusing on leadership development.
The 16-month Executive MBA has classes all day Friday and Saturday on alternate weekends. The
programme includes two one-week residential sessions and an international study tour. Students must
be proficient in a second language before graduation. The school also runs a 14-month modular EMBA
in Prague, Czech Republic; a distance-learning Global MBA for Latin American Managers, offered with
Tec de Monterrey at various sites; and a 19-month distance-learning Global On Demand programme.
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Address:
15249 N. 59th Ave
Glendale, AZ
US
85306
Tel:
+1 602 978 7249
Fax:
+1 602 439 5432
E-mail:
admissions@
thunderbird.edu
Website:
t-bird.edu
Programme director:
Dr Kay Keck
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities >100
Diversity of recruiters 84
Number in jobs three months after graduation >100
Jobs found through the careers service 72
Student assessment of careers service 76
Personal development/educational experience >100
Faculty quality 78
Student quality >100
Student diversity 85
Education experience 84
Increase in salary 88
Increase in salary 57
Post-MBA salary 88
Potential to network 2
Breadth of alumni network 25
Internationalism of alumni 2
Alumni effectiveness 29
291
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Full-time Executive Global MBA (On
MBA MBA – Arizona Demand/Latin
American Managers)
Student rating of programme 4.1 (72) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 15 (91) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (58) – –
Students
Full-time Executive Global MBA (On
MBA MBA – Arizona Demand/Latin
American Managers)
Annual intake 351 51 2
Applicants:places 2:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 31 (62) 24 24
Percentage of foreign students 44 (63) 13 171
Average GMAT score 598 (86) n/a n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (77) 144 84
Age range of students 25-30 31-44 25-47
Average age 27 36 30
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (75) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Executive Global MBA (On
MBA MBA – Arizona Demand/Latin
American Managers)
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (84) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 69 (>100) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 65 (72) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.2 (76) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 81,000 (88) – –
Percentage increase in salary 84 (57) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates American Express, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cisco – –
Cost
Full-time Executive Global MBA (On
MBA MBA – Arizona Demand/Latin
American Managers)
Application fees US$125 US$125 US$125
Programme fees US$1,258 US$77,000 US$61,650 and
US$41,000
Comments Per credit Total programme On-Demand and Latin
American Managers,
respectively
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$1,100/trimester – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$2,400/trimester – –
Financial aid available US$4.2m – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, grants, loans,
campus employment – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time Executive Global MBA (On
MBA MBA – Arizona Demand/Latin
American Managers)
Application deadline June 30th May 15th June 30th
Programme dates Aug start, 20 months Aug start, 16 months Aug start, 19 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Thunderbird has the
most amazing student
body and ambiance; the
international/global
aspects of business are
always present during
class and on campus.”
“It’s in the middle of the
desert, which reduces
recruiters and strategic
alignments with tech
companies/research
institutions.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
international
development
Weakness: location
First degree; at least 2 years’
work experience; GMAT;
TOEFL; references; essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least 8
years’ work experience;
2 references; 2 essays;
laptop
First degree; at
least 3 years’ work
experience;
2 references; 2 essays
292
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 89
Regional rank 35
Background
TiasNimbas Business School is the result of the merger in October 2006 of Tias Business School (the
business school of Tilburg University and Eindhoven University of Technology) and Universiteit NIMBAS.
The rationale behind the merger (effectively Tias took over NIMBAS) was to develop a business school
with the size and reach to compete in the increasingly competitive and global business school market.
Although there has been some rationalisation, the school has retained the original NIMBAS suite of
MBA programmes (most of them validated by Bradford School of Management and leading to the Brad-
ford MBA) and added them to Tilburg’s executive education offerings.
Facilities
TiasNimbas has modern, well-equipped campuses in Tilburg and Eindhoven. It also has facilities in Berlin,
Bonn, Utrecht and Taipei.
Full-time MBA Two-year Part-time MBA International
(Tilburg, Utrecht or Bonn) Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.7 (>100) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 3 full-time, 5 part-time, 11 visiting
Full-time MBA Two-year Part-time MBA International
(Tilburg, Utrecht or Bonn) Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.2 (62) 0.3 0.4
Percentage of faculty with PhD 67 (94) 67 67
Student rating of faculty 4.1 (78) – –
Programme highlights
The various MBA programmes offered by TiasNimbas are validated by Bradford School of Management
and students are awarded the Bradford MBA (including specialisations).
The one-year full-time MBA, taught in Utrecht, consists of an introductory session, ten core mod-
ules, three elective modules and a project. Each module is taught over four days and there are exams at
the end of each one. The programme places considerable emphasis on pre-course reading, tutorials and
small study groups.
The MBA is also offered part-time in Utrecht and in Bonn, Germany, in English, and in Tilburg in Dutch.
The Executive MBA involves six two-week modules or residencies over two years. The modules rotate
among the campuses of the four collaborating institutions (Purdue University in West Lafayette, US;
Tilburg University; Central European University, Budapest, Hungary; and GISMA Business School in Han-
nover, Germany). One of the residencies takes place in Asia.
TiasNimbas Business School
Address:
TiasNimbas Business
School, Campus Utrecht
Kromme Nieuwegracht
39
Utrecht
The Netherlands
3512 HD
Tel:
+31 13 466 8612
Fax:
+31 13 466 8619
E-mail:
admissions@
tiasnimbas.edu
Website:
www.tiasnimbas.edu
Programme director:
Maggie ONeill
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 96
Diversity of recruiters 64
Number in jobs three months after graduation 83
Jobs found through the careers service 92
Student assessment of careers service >100
Personal development/educational experience 62
Faculty quality 86
Student quality 65
Student diversity 14
Education experience 90
Increase in salary 53
Increase in salary 43
Post-MBA salary 48
Potential to network 89
Breadth of alumni network 44
Internationalism of alumni 73
Alumni effectiveness 96
293
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
TiasNimbas Business School
Full-time MBA Two-year Part-time MBA International
(Tilburg, Utrecht or Bonn) Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 3.9 (82) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 36 (10) – –
Number of languages on offer 1 (>100) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Two-year Part-time MBA International
(Tilburg, Utrecht or Bonn) Executive MBA
Annual intake 35 61 43
Applicants:places 3:1 – –
Percentage of women students 34 (12) 16 19
Percentage of foreign students 91 (28) 19 31
Average GMAT score 600 (83) 590 600
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (24) 96 120
Age range of students 26-39 26-44 26-50
Average age 32 33 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.1 (85) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Two-year Part-time MBA International
(Tilburg, Utrecht or Bonn) Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (64) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 90 (83) – –
3 months after graduation
Percentage of graduates finding jobs 33 (92) – –
through careers services
Student rating of careers service 2.5 (>100) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 85,418 (48) – –
Percentage increase in salary 75 (43) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Philips, ING, Konami Gaming – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Two-year Part-time MBA International
(Tilburg, Utrecht or Bonn) Executive MBA
Application fees €100 (US$137) €100 (US$137) €0 (US$0)
Programme fees €29,000 (US$39,726) €35,600 (US$48,767) €52,500 (US$71,918)
Comments Total programme Total programme Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs €6,000 (US$8,219) – –
(off campus, per year)
Financial aid available €200,000 (US$273,973) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, essay – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Two-year Part-time MBA International
(Tilburg, Utrecht or Bonn) Executive MBA
Application deadline July 15th July 31st December 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 13 months Sep start, 24 months Feb start, 24 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great development
of internationalism
with excellent mix of
nationalities.”
“The career services
were not well organised
and mainly focused on
students who had no or
little work experience.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: strategy,
finance, marketing
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; at least 3 years’
work experience; GMAT; TOEFL
or IELTS; references; 5 essays
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
TOEFL or IELTS;
2 references; interview;
laptop
First degree; at least
5 years’ work
experience;
2 references; interview;
laptop
294
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 40
Regional rank 16
Background
The Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business (founded in 1908 as the then Faculty of Commerce)
was named after an Irish businessman, Michael Smurfit, following his gift of an endowment in the late
1980s. Its original part-time MBA programme started in 1964 and the full-time programme was added in
1990. University College Dublin (UCD), the national university of Ireland, was founded in 1851 by Car-
dinal John Henry Newman. It has produced some of Ireland’s most influential cultural, commercial and
political figures including James Joyce. The school has good business links and a strong research base.
Facilities
The school is based in a beautifully refurbished former convent at Blackrock, south of the main univer-
sity campus at Belfield (a bus service connects them). It provides some of the best facilities of any Euro-
pean school. A new library opened in January 2006, following conversion of the old convent church. Set
in 25 acres of parkland overlooking Dublin Bay, it has up-to-date IT facilities, syndicate and seminar
rooms, a large student common room and computer labs. The school is undertaking a €70m (US$96m)
campaign to further expand the campus. As well as academic facilities, there is accommodation for
180 students in single rooms with shared bathroom and self-catering dining facilities. Postgraduate
accommodation is also available on the Belfield campus and MBA students can use all its amenities. The
school campus is within walking distance of the shops, bars and restaurants of Blackrock and Dublin can
be reached by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) or bus.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.0 (89)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 18 full-time, 6 part-time, 5 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (44)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 89 (72)
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (100)
Programme highlights
Smurfit’s one-year full-time MBA is in the European general management tradition with an emphasis on
group work, the case method and project work. Each class is divided into learning teams of five or six
students who work together on projects and assignments. The programme is based on five terms and
begins with a non-credit one-week introductory session. Students then take a mix of required core and
elective courses and an overseas study tour. The programme ends with the option of a research project,
a company placement, an international exchange or more electives.
The two-year Executive MBA can be studied either two evenings a week or on Friday afternoon and
Saturday morning at the Blackrock campus, or two evenings a week at the Institute of Bankers in central
Dublin. The curriculum is similar to the full-time programme. Specialist EMBA programmes are also offered.
University College Dublin—Michael Smurfit
Graduate School of Business
Address:
Carysfort Avenue
Blackrock
Co. Dublin
Ireland
Tel:
+353 1 716 4306
Fax:
+353 1 716 8991
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.ucd.ie/
smurfitschool
Programme director:
Nick Barniville
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 52
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 42
Jobs found through the careers service 22
Student assessment of careers service >100
Personal development/educational experience 56
Faculty quality 81
Student quality 19
Student diversity 72
Education experience 69
Increase in salary 18
Increase in salary 99
Post-MBA salary 13
Potential to network 47
Breadth of alumni network 17
Internationalism of alumni 58
Alumni effectiveness 62
295
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University College Dublin—Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (89)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 20 (45)
Number of languages on offer 6 (62)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 36
Applicants:places 4:1
Percentage of women students 30 (80)
Percentage of foreign students 56 (59)
Average GMAT score 630 (67)
Average number of months’ work experience 96 (9)
Age range of students 27-35
Average age 31
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (25)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 93 (42)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 75 (22)
Student rating of careers service 3.2 (>100)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 123,288 (13)
Percentage increase in salary 48 (99)
Principal recruiters of graduates McKinsey & Co, Dell, Quality Hotels
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees €35 (US$48)
Programme fees €29,500 (US$40,411)
Comments Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) €5,000 (US$6,849)
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €6,000 (US$8,219)
Financial aid available €162,250 (US$222,260)
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Regional, creativity, ideas, merit, GMAT
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline July 11th
Programme dates Sep start, 11 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience;
GMAT; TOEFL or IELTS; references; 3 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The best networking
contacts in Ireland, great
mixtures of classmates
and a well focused
curriculum.”
“One of the weakest
aspects of the
programme is that the
careers services is not
dependable, especially
for foreign students.
In addition, there are
few links to non-Irish
companies.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
entrepreneurship,
strategy
Weakness: careers
service
296
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 41
Regional rank 23
Background
The Anderson School began in 1935 as the university’s College of Commerce with just seven faculty
(transferred from the accounting and economics departments) to teach business fundamentals and
basics skills such as typing, shorthand and penmanship to high-school graduates (the aim was for them
to become teachers themselves) in the Los Angeles and southern California area. Now it teaches some
1,600 students in full-time MBA, part-time MBA, executive MBA and doctoral programmes and a large
executive education portfolio. The school is strong on globalisation, entrepreneurship and technology
and says its mission is to be a global leader in management education, research and service.
Facilities
The school is based in a purpose-built, red-brick, six-building academic village on the UCLA campus,
close to Santa Monica, Malibu, Bel Air and Beverly Hills, opened in 1995. The complex provides excel-
lent teaching, library and technology facilities. Information technology is pervasive and students must
have an approved laptop computer. Students have access to all the university facilities, including a full
range of sports and leisure amenities. Limited on-campus accommodation is available in the graduate
residence hall and in married-student apartments.
Full-time MBA Fully Employed MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.1 (60) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 79 full-time, 34 part-time
Full-time MBA Fully Employed MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (>100) 0.4 1.6
Percentage of faculty with PhD 100 (1) 100 100
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (29) – –
Programme highlights
The Anderson full-time MBA starts with the five-day, two-unit Leadership Foundations course, which
also acts as an orientation week and prepares students for the MBA programme. This is followed by the
ten-course core, which is studied over three quarters with students working in assigned sections of 72.
They then take 12 electives, which allow them to concentrate on one or more areas of study (though this
is not required). Three of these are designated as “free electives”, which can be taken as advanced man-
agement courses or in other departments at UCLA. The programme concludes with a two-quarter team
project. This can be a management field study (a consultancy-like project), developing a business plan
(business creation), or a special project such as building a model to prove a financial theory or conduct-
ing an industry-wide study.
The 33-month part-time MBA (known as the Fully Employed MBA, FEMBA) has a similar curriculum to
the full-time version, though with slightly fewer electives. Students generally take two classes a quarter
and one in the summer, although this can be accelerated. Some electives can be taken during the day
UCLA—Anderson School of Management
Address:
110 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, California
US
90095-1481
Tel:
+1 310 206 7537
E-mail:
mba.admissions@
anderson.ucla.edu
Website:
www.anderson.ucla.edu
Programme director:
Kevin McCardle
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 31
Diversity of recruiters 1
Number in jobs three months after graduation 44
Jobs found through the careers service 47
Student assessment of careers service 34
Personal development/educational experience 58
Faculty quality 27
Student quality 34
Student diversity 67
Education experience 93
Increase in salary 64
Increase in salary 91
Post-MBA salary 46
Potential to network 54
Breadth of alumni network 62
Internationalism of alumni 57
Alumni effectiveness 38
297
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
UCLA—Anderson School of Management
with full-time students. There is an international study trip in the third year.
The 22-month Executive MBA is fairly traditional in structure with classes on Fridays and Saturdays
on alternate weekends. It has the same core curriculum as the other MBA programmes. There are resi-
dential sessions at the beginning of the programme, an in-company team project and an international
study trip at the end of the programme.
Anderson also runs an Executive MBA programme (the UCLA-NUS EMBA) jointly with the National
University of Singapore (see page 270).
Full-time MBA Fully Employed MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.1 (37) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 60 (67) – –
Number of languages on offer 0 (91) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Fully Employed MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 360 253 72
Applicants:places – – –
Percentage of women students 34 (47) 31 20
Percentage of foreign students 33 (90) n/a n/a
Average GMAT score 704 (14) 677 655
Average number of months’ work experience 60 (71) 72 156
Age range of students 22-38 24-44 29-53
Average age 28 30 37
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.4 (17) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Fully Employed Executive
MBA MBA MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (1) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 93 (44) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 72 (47) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.6 (34) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 95,000 (46) – –
Percentage increase in salary 46 (91) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Yahoo, Deloitte, Google – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Fully Employed MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$175 US$175 US$175
Programme fees US$36,860 US$30,000 US$50,000
Comments In-state, per year Per year Per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans, – –
assistantships, fellowships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Fully Employed MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline April 23rd April 2nd April 1st
Programme dates Sep start, 21 months Sep start, 33 months Sep start, 22 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The finance department
is loaded with academic
heavyweights who have
performed excellent
research.”
“Need for more staff
internally to support
larger student body.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
entrepreneurship,
marketing
Weakness:
administration
First degree; TOEFL;
references; essays
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
references; essays;
interview; laptop
298
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 66
Regional rank 35
Background
Vanderbilt University’s Graduate School of Management was founded in 1969 by local Tennessee busi-
nesses to be a regional centre of excellence. It began with just ten students and ten faculty and has
remained determinedly small. In 1977 the business school was named after Ralph (a former chairman of
American Express) and Lulu Owen in recognition of their contributions to the school’s development.
Facilities
The school is based in Management Hall, an attractive modern block that also incorporates the 19th-
century exterior of one of the university’s oldest buildings, Mechanical Engineering Hall, built in 1888.
Library and computer facilities are excellent and students have access to all the university sports and
recreational amenities. On-campus housing is available, but most MBA students stay off campus where
housing is plentiful and reasonably priced.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.7 (7) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 48 full-time, 37 part-time, 4 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (94) 1.7
Percentage of faculty with PhD 85 (78) 85
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (49) –
Programme highlights
Owen’s two-year full-time MBA is based on a solid core of 12 courses including leadership courses and
an in-company project (mostly in the first year) and elective concentrations or career-focused special-
isations. Concentrations are typically six courses in a particular field and students can choose to follow
more than one. Each semester is divided into two seven-week modules. Concentrations can be comple-
mented with an “emphasis” (additional approved course work) and students can also take “free” elec-
tives, often in other schools of the university. The programme is rigorous and quantitative.
The programme is also offered as a specialist MBA in healthcare.
The 21-month Executive MBA is traditional in style and content. Participants meet on campus on
alternate weekends (Friday and Saturday). The programme begins in August with a full week of inten-
sive instruction at an off-campus site to allow students and faculty to get to know each other. There is a
group strategy project and an international study trip in the second year.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (54) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 15 (78) –
Number of languages on offer 2 (75) –
Vanderbilt University—Owen Graduate
School of Management
Address:
401 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN
US
37203
Tel:
+1 615 343 7570
Fax:
+1 615 322 2667
E-mail:
admissions@owen.
vanderbilt.edu
Website:
www.owen.vanderbilt.
edu
Programme director:
Jon Lehman
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 52
Diversity of recruiters 53
Number in jobs three months after graduation 78
Jobs found through the careers service 54
Student assessment of careers service 42
Personal development/educational experience 97
Faculty quality 90
Student quality 87
Student diversity 98
Education experience 61
Increase in salary 69
Increase in salary 45
Post-MBA salary 62
Potential to network 62
Breadth of alumni network 80
Internationalism of alumni >100
Alumni effectiveness 22
299
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Vanderbilt University—Owen Graduate School of Management
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 214 52
Applicants:places 4:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 28 (90) 10
Percentage of foreign students 26 (98) 7
Average GMAT score 644 (59) 603
Average number of months’ work experience 55 (73) 144
Age range of students 24-32 29-44
Average age 28 37
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.4 (41) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (53) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 87 (78) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 66 (54) –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (42) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 89,268 (62) –
Percentage increase in salary 77 (45) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Bank of America, Citi, Deloitte –
Cost
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$100 US$100
Programme fees US$39,992 US$22,850
Comments Per year Per term
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$8,894 –
Financial aid available US$3.9m –
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline March 1st June 30th
Programme dates Aug start, 18 months Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Owen is growing and
maturing. This is a very
exciting time to be here.”
“It needs to build a
better core marketing
programme.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
human resources,
strategy
Weakness: marketing
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 2 essays
First degree; at least 5 years’
work experience; 2 references;
essay; interview; laptop
300
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 25
Regional rank 13
Background
Darden Graduate School of Business Administration has a strong general management approach and
is well known for its commitment to the case method and its high workload in the early stages of the
full-time MBA. It fosters a close community spirit, with supportive faculty and close links with local and
international business. Darden is on the campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
Facilities
Facilities at Darden have been continuously upgraded and stunning buildings are packed with high-tech
features. The school is closely integrated with the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson
in 1819. The university dominates the historic university town of Charlottesville and Jefferson’s origi-
nal and beautiful “academical village”, known as The Lawn and one of the most important architectural
sites in the US, still exists and is used as a residence for favoured faculty and students. Housing is avail-
able both on and off campus but can be expensive. There are plenty of leisure activities in the state of
Virginia, which is close to the power centres of Washington and New York.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.6 (8)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 68 full-time, 24 part-time
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.3 (>100)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 96 (56)
Student rating of faculty 4.7 (6)
Programme highlights
The integrated first-year curriculum of Darden’s 21-month full-time MBA consists of ten functional core
courses and is particularly intensive. Students also take three elective courses in the fourth quarter.
Virtually all teaching is done by the case method and students prepare up to 14 cases a week. First-year
students are divided into sections of around 60 (rotated after the first semester) and are also assigned
to five- or six-person learning teams, which analyse cases before and after class. No majors are required
in the second year, though students generally group electives into areas of career-based interest.
Students can also opt for an in-company or entrepreneurial project.
The 22-month Executive MBA holds classes once a month, either Friday and Saturday or Thursday,
Friday and Saturday. Additionally, students attend four intensive seven-day residencies, including an
international study trip. Between sessions, classes continue via distance learning.
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.6 (2)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 25 (82)
Number of languages on offer 0 (>100)
University of Virginia—Darden Graduate
School of Business Administration
Address:
100 Darden Blvd.
Charlottesville, VA
US
22903
Tel:
+1 434 924 4575
Fax:
+1 434 924 4724
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.darden.virginia.
edu/html/area.
aspx?styleid=4
Programme director:
Robert Carraway
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 12
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 15
Jobs found through the careers service 67
Student assessment of careers service 9
Personal development/educational experience 25
Faculty quality 28
Student quality 36
Student diversity 31
Education experience 36
Increase in salary 13
Increase in salary 52
Post-MBA salary 10
Potential to network 16
Breadth of alumni network 63
Internationalism of alumni 32
Alumni effectiveness 2
301
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Virginia—Darden Graduate School of Business Administration
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 318
Applicants:places 8:1
Percentage of women students 31 (85)
Percentage of foreign students 34 (95)
Average GMAT score 688 (24)
Average number of months’ work experience 54 (87)
Age range of students 26-30
Average age 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.7 (4)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 97 (16)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 78 (11)
Student rating of careers service 4.0 (16)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 100,575 (35)
Percentage increase in salary 55 (81)
Principal recruiters of graduates Bank of America, Danaher, Goldman Sachs
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$190
Programme fees US$45,500
Comments In-state residents receive a US$5,000 discount
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$6,500
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$7,200
Financial aid available US$50m
Type of aid available Scholarships, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline February 28th
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements Work experience; TOEFL; references; 3 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Very integrated
curriculum in core
classes. Case study
method is an amazing
way to learn.”
“Marketing electives are
not as strong as general
management ones.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: ethics,
general management,
functional excellence
with an enterprise
perspective
Weakness: marketing
302
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 14
Regional rank 7
Background
Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School was created by the 1999 merger of Vlerick School of Manage-
ment (at Gent University) and the management education elements of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
With autonomous university status, the school is the biggest in Belgium with strong links to industry.
The constituent parts of the school have a long history of MBA education. Vlerick, for example, was
founded in 1953 and when it was converted into a business school in 1988 it became Belgium’s leading
school. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven started its MBA in 1968. The student body is diverse and, with
low tuition fees, the school is generally reckoned to be excellent value for money.
Facilities
The school’s two main campuses are in Leuven and Gent; in 2006 it opened a third campus in St Peters-
burg. The full-time MBA is taught at Leuven, an ancient university town. The university was founded in
1425 and counts Erasmus and Mercator among its alumni. The management school is based in a refur-
bished building in the centre of Leuven. It is self-contained and dedicated to postgraduate manage-
ment students, with three lecture theatres and private workrooms, all equipped with projection and
com puter technology. There is no on-campus accommodation but housing is fairly readily available. The
Gent campus has recently been refurbished.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.2 (90)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 35 full-time, 6 part-time, 15 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (33)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 97 (32)
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (95)
Programme highlights
Vlerick’s full-time International MBA has a strong European focus and is only offered at the Leuven cam-
pus. The 11-month programme consists of an introductory module; a main module (the core) that covers
all the functional domains necessary for the professional management of a company; and a final phase
that includes a management simulation, an international exchange at partner universities or business
schools and an eight-week in-company consultancy project.
The two-year part-time MBA is offered at the Gent and Leuven campuses in English (a Dutch-lan-
guage version is also offered in Gent). The programme is virtually identical to the full-time version.
Classes are held twice a week. The programme is also available in English in St Petersburg.
The school also offers a specialised MBA in Financial Services and Insurance and an Executive MBA in
co-operation with Amsterdam Business School.
Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School
Address:
Vlamingenstraat 83
Leuven
Belgium
3000
Tel:
+32 16 24 88 87
Fax:
+32 16 24 88 00
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.Vlerick.com/MBA
Programme director:
Peter Rafferty
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 42
Diversity of recruiters 68
Number in jobs three months after graduation 4
Jobs found through the careers service n/a
Student assessment of careers service 63
Personal development/educational experience 10
Faculty quality 56
Student quality 37
Student diversity 13
Education experience 10
Increase in salary 26
Increase in salary 68
Post-MBA salary 26
Potential to network 3
Breadth of alumni network 4
Internationalism of alumni 5
Alumni effectiveness 41
303
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 3.8 (>100)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 300 (2)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 50
Applicants:places 12:1
Percentage of women students 40 (52)
Percentage of foreign students 96 (13)
Average GMAT score 640 (55)
Average number of months’ work experience 84 (26)
Age range of students 27-39
Average age 32
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (35)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (68)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 100 (4)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services – (n/a)
Student rating of careers service 3.5 (63)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 117,440 (26)
Percentage increase in salary 65 (68)
Principal recruiters of graduates GSK, KBC, KPMG
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees €50 (US$68)
Programme fees €17,000 (US$23,288)
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) €3,500 (US$4,795)
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) €3,500 (US$4,795)
Financial aid available €150,000 (US$205,479)
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline June 30th
Programme dates Aug start, 11 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 3 years’ work experience; GMAT; TOEFL; references; essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“International, small
class, good teachers,
good job opportunities
after graduation.”
“There is a lack of
electives.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths:
entrepreneurship,
cross-cultural
management, corporate
social responsibility
Weakness: limited
elective choice
304
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 84
Regional rank 43
Background
Wake Forest University’s Babcock Graduate School of Management is relatively new, founded in 1969, and
small by US standards. It teaches only graduate-level and non-degree executive education programmes.
Its location on two campuses in Charlotte and Winston-Salem in North Carolina puts it close to the Uni-
versity of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler) and Duke University (Fuqua) in a vibrant area of the US. The
school is named after Charles Babcock, a businessman and philanthropist, who made an initial donation
to found the school. It has a strong entrepreneurial and international emphasis and good guest-speaker
series. Steve Reinemund, former CEO and chairman of PepsiCo, took over as dean in summer 2008.
Facilities
Babcock is based in the Worrell Professional Center for Law and Management on Wake Forest University’s
Winston-Salem campus. Facilities, which include 30 private study rooms open 24 hours a day, library, com-
puter lab, student lounge, cafés and a bookstore, are good. Evening and Saturday MBAs and executive
education programmes are based at the school’s One Morrocroft Center in Charlotte’s South Park area.
The Morrocroft Center, which is networked to the Worrell Center, includes classrooms, seminar and study
rooms and is accessible by students 24 hours a day. The school plans to move its Charlotte operations into
new offices which will be part of an urban park and 48-story office tower currently being developed.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.5 (52)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 33 full-time, 11 part-time, 1 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (77)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 97 (40)
Student rating of faculty 4.2 (72)
Programme highlights
Babcock’s two-year full-time MBA has a focus on entrepreneurship (which the school defines widely)
but is traditional in design with a first year of mainly core courses, which are closely integrated, and
two mini-electives. The case method is used extensively. The second year is largely devoted to electives,
which must be grouped into “career” concentrations. Students can take two primary concentrations or
major and minor concentrations. They also take two further core courses and, if they have less than
three years’ work experience, an in-company project.
The MBA is also taught part-time over six semesters (two years) as an evening programme at Win-
ston-Salem and Charlotte. Students take 14 core courses and three elective courses. There is a two-day
residential session in the fourth and final semesters and an optional international study tour. Charlotte
hosts the Saturday MBA, a similar programme with classes on 39 Saturdays a year over two years.
The Executive MBA is a 17-month programme and classes are held on alternating Fridays and Satur-
days. There are two short residence sessions, and an international study trip is included in the tuition fees.
Wake Forest University—Babcock Graduate
School of Management
Address:
Worrell Professional
Center, Room 2119
1834 Wake Forest Road
Winston-Salem, North
Carolina
US
27106
Tel:
+1 336 758 3559
Fax:
+1 336 758 5830
E-mail:
[email protected].
edu
Website:
www.mba.wfu.edu
Programme director:
Charles Iacovou
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 68
Diversity of recruiters 90
Number in jobs three months after graduation 88
Jobs found through the careers service 48
Student assessment of careers service 28
Personal development/educational experience >100
Faculty quality 74
Student quality 99
Student diversity 99
Education experience 60
Increase in salary 86
Increase in salary 63
Post-MBA salary 85
Potential to network 65
Breadth of alumni network 33
Internationalism of alumni 98
Alumni effectiveness 43
305
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Wake Forest University—Babcock Graduate School of Management
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (86)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 9 (72)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 81
Applicants:places 4:1
Percentage of women students 33 (57)
Percentage of foreign students 21 (>100)
Average GMAT score 639 (60)
Average number of months’ work experience 42 (>100)
Age range of students 24-32
Average age 27
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.8 (83)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (90)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 78 (88)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 67 (48)
Student rating of careers service 4.0 (28)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 81,012 (85)
Percentage increase in salary 64 (63)
Principal recruiters of graduates Bank of America, Scotia Capital, Alltel
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$75
Programme fees US$33,400
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$5,000
Financial aid available US$1.7m
Type of aid available Scholarships, stipends, loans
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline May 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 18 months
Admission requirements First degree; TOEFL; references; 2 essays; interview
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The small class size, and
the team approach is a
solid one. Additionally we
have one on one access
to the faculty.”
“Needs more diversity.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: student
diversity
306
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 23
Regional rank 10
Background
Warwick Business School is a full-range school, teaching undergraduates, postgraduates and doc-
toral students, and has close links to its parent university. In European terms it is large, with around
315 staff and 8,000 students, of whom only about 1,300 are undergraduates. It has a strong reputation
in the UK for research and excellent links with industry. The school is notable for the variety of MBA
delivery modes, including full-time, modular and distance learning, all with considerable flexibility and
the opportunity to switch between them.
Facilities
The school occupies a large modern building on the University of Warwick campus, just outside Coventry
and facilities, including lecture rooms, seminar and syndicate rooms, computer lab, library and offices,
are good. The third phase of a £30m (US$60m) building project opened in 2007, doubling postgradu-
ate teaching resources and providing an IT resource centre and 100 offices. The final £12m (US$24m)
phase will include more social space for staff and students as well as teaching and study facilities. MBA
students have access to the university library business section. The university has good sports and
cultural facilities. On-campus accommodation is available in postgraduate residences and flats.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Distance learning MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.4 (47) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 38 full-time, 2 part-time, 8 visiting
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Distance learning MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.6 (14) 0.5 24.0
Percentage of faculty with PhD 87 (71) 87 87
Student rating of faculty 4.3 (51) – –
Programme highlights
Warwick’s one-year full-time MBA consists of three university terms (nine months) of class teaching and
an individual in-company project and dissertation during the summer term (three months) which can
be undertaken outside the UK. Students take seven core courses and six electives. As with the other
programmes, electives can be taken in any mode (full-time, modular or distance learning). Careers and
personal development are well covered in a series of workshops. An additional required course, The
Practice of Management, covers soft skills throughout the programme. Students are also expected to
learn a second language. An exchange can be undertaken within the 12-month programme or used to
extend it to 15 months.
The part-time MBA for Executives has exactly the same curriculum and structure as the full-time ver-
sion and is taught via week-long modules. Again, electives may be studied via a variety of modes. There
are two entry dates, March and October. Most students complete the programme in three years but it is
possible to accelerate this.
Warwick Business School
Address:
Warwick Business School
University of Warwick
Coventry
UK
CV4 7AL
Tel:
+44 24 7652 8225
Fax:
+44 23 7657 4400
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.warwickmba.com
Programme director:
Thomas Ahrens
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 58
Diversity of recruiters 80
Number in jobs three months after graduation 32
Jobs found through the careers service 5
Student assessment of careers service 100
Personal development/educational experience 17
Faculty quality 10
Student quality 42
Student diversity 36
Education experience 30
Increase in salary 5
Increase in salary 34
Post-MBA salary 6
Potential to network 21
Breadth of alumni network 9
Internationalism of alumni 9
Alumni effectiveness 69
307
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Warwick Business School
The distance-learning MBA also has the same curriculum. The programme can be completed in 3–8
years. All students are required to attend an eight-day seminar on campus at Warwick each year.
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Distance learning MBA
Student rating of programme 4.3 (42) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 18 (52) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Distance learning MBA
Annual intake 72 97 –
Applicants:places 3:1 2:1 2:1
Percentage of women students 32 (63) 25 24
Percentage of foreign students 81 (33) 29 172
Average GMAT score 610 (79) n/a n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 96 (11) 132 120
Age range of students 26-38 30-45 31-45
Average age 31 36 36
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.2 (56) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time Executive Distance
MBA MBA learning MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (80) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (32) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 89 (5) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.0 (100) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 134,200 (6) – –
Percentage increase in salary 109 (34) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Johnson & Johnson, Capgemini, Celtel – –
Cost
Full-time Executive Distance
MBA MBA learning MBA
Application fees £80 (US$160) – –
Programme fees £20,400 (US$40,800) £7,600 (US$15,200) £4,800 (US$9,600)
Comments Total programme Per year Per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) £5,450 (US$10,900) – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) £5,450 (US$10,900) – –
Financial aid available £100,000 (US$200,000) – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Executive MBA Distance learning MBA
Application deadline July 31st August 15th October 31st
Programme dates Sep start, 12 months Oct start, 36 months Jan start, 36 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Excellent student
cohort; accessible
faculty; good research
faculty; overall a good
strong programme.”
“The careers service is
something they need to
work on.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: marketing
and strategy, operations
management, finance
Weakness: careers
service
First degree;
at least 3 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 3 essays
First degree;
at least 4 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references;
2 essays; interview
First degree;
at least 4 years’ work
experience; TOEFL or
IELTS; 2 references;
2 essays
308
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 36
Regional rank 20
Background
The University of Washington (UW) Business School was founded in 1917 and is the second-oldest
management education institution on the US west coast. It is a full-range school with about 2,500 stu-
dents enrolled on its undergraduate and graduate programmes each year and over 1,000 participants
in executive education. The school makes the most of its location in Seattle, a world centre of IT and
entrepreneurialism and the headquarters of Microsoft, Starbucks, Boeing and Amazon. It has close con-
nections with business as well as a large alumni base in the Seattle business community. In September
2007 the school was named the Michael G Foster School of Business following a US$50m gift from the
Foster Foundation, set up by the Foster family, notable local financial services business leaders.
Facilities
The school is based in a group of four buildings on the university campus. The five MBA classrooms were
refurbished in 2004. Students have a large lounge on the first floor with a computer centre and business
library next door. The Executive MBA programme is housed in the Bank of America Executive Education
Center, which includes tiered classrooms, administration offices, a large meeting room and the 125-
seat Boeing auditorium. Plans are under way to build new facilities, with construction scheduled to start
during 2008.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (63) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 47 full-time, 6 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (65) 0.5 0.6
Percentage of faculty with PhD 91 (66) 91 91
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (32) – –
Programme highlights
UW’s two-year full-time MBA is taught over three quarters each year. The first year includes an integrat-
ed six-course core, a leadership development course and two electives. The second year is given over to
nine electives, which can be specialised or taken broadly, and a required ethics course. As well as course
work, students are required to complete two “international perspective activities” and three “practical
experience activities” during the programme.
The part-time Evening MBA is taught over ten consecutive ten-week quarters (three years). The
curriculum and structure are essentially the same as the full-time version. The first seven quarters are
dedicated to the core and the remaining three to electives. Classes generally meet on Monday and
Wednesday evenings during core courses and assigned study groups of 5–6 people usually meet once
a week on another evening. Elective courses are offered once a week, Monday–Thursday, and students
usually take two electives in each quarter.
University of Washington—Business School
Address:
Box 353200, Mackenzie
Hall 110
Seattle, Washington
US
98195-3200
Tel:
+1 206 685 8395
Fax:
+1 206 616 7351
E-mail:
[email protected].
edu
Website:
foster.washington.
edu/mba/
Programme director:
Dan Poston
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 29
Diversity of recruiters 44
Number in jobs three months after graduation 91
Jobs found through the careers service 9
Student assessment of careers service 17
Personal development/educational experience 32
Faculty quality 49
Student quality 46
Student diversity 32
Education experience 26
Increase in salary 66
Increase in salary 21
Post-MBA salary 77
Potential to network 55
Breadth of alumni network 30
Internationalism of alumni 78
Alumni effectiveness 44
309
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Washington—Business School
The 21-month Executive MBA is fairly traditional in content and structure and is offered in two formats.
The Regional EMBA is aimed at managers in the Seattle area and classes meet one day a week, alternating
Fridays and Saturdays. The North American MBA is aimed at a wider geographical market and classes meet
for one three- or four-day (Wednesday or Thursday through Saturday) session once a month.
The Global Executive MBA is an 18-month programme in South Korea offered through a partnership
between UW and Yonsei University Graduate School of Business Administration.
UW also offers an 18-month specialised Technology Management MBA.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (57) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 48 (39) – –
Number of languages on offer 6 (5) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 117 105 89
Applicants:places 6:1 2:1 –
Percentage of women students 39 (7) 30 20
Percentage of foreign students 27 (83) 17 17
Average GMAT score 679 (27) 663 560
Average number of months’ work experience 67 (57) 79 168
Age range of students 24-34 26-36 31-48
Average age 29 30 39
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.4 (32) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (44) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 67.1 (91) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 91.1 (9) – –
Student rating of careers service 4.2 (17) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 84,992 (77) – –
Percentage increase in salary 111 (21) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Microsoft, Amazon.com, Wells Fargo Bank – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$75 US$75 US$150
Programme fees US$30,450 US$16,536 US$71,500
Comments Per year Per year Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$4,508 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$7,450 – –
Financial aid available US$1,350 – –
Type of aid available Scholarships – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline February 15th April 15th May 1st
Programme dates Sep start, 21 months Sep start, 33 months Sep start, 21 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✓ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great, supportive faculty
interested in growing
the knowledge and
experience of students.”
“UW is very much a
Pacific Northwest/
Northern California
school. While the
teaching is excellent,
those looking to
work elsewhere upon
graduation may have
to do some serious work
on their own to find the
right job.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing,
entrepreneurship
Weakness: location
limits recruiter diversity
First degree; TOEFL;
references; 3 essays;
interviews by invitation
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
2 references; 3 essays;
interview; laptop;
evaluation day
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
3 references; 1 essay;
interview; letter of
endorsement
310
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 56
Regional rank 31
Background
Washington University in St Louis dates back to 1853 and the business school was founded in 1917,
mainly as an undergraduate school. It added an MBA in 1950. The John M Olin School of Business,
named in 1988 in honour of the chairman of the Olin Corporation, a major benefactor of Washington
University, has a strong research base and good contacts with industry. St Louis is a centre for large US
corporations, and the school has good range of visiting speakers. Olin is a full-range school, teaching
business subjects from undergraduate to doctorate level. It is quite small, with just under 800 under-
graduate students and around 850 masters’ and doctoral students.
Facilities
The school is based in John E Simon Hall, an 80,000 sq ft building containing student lounges, class-
rooms, seminar rooms, faculty offices, a library, a computer lab, rooms for small-group study, and
offices for student organisations and clubs. It also makes uses the Charles F Knight Executive Education
Center, a five-storey, 135,000 sq ft building with conference rooms, classrooms and breakout rooms.
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.3 (38) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 61 full-time, 35 part-time, 6 visiting
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.5 (68) 0.7 1.1
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (13) 98 98
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (18) – –
Programme highlights
Olin’s two-year full-time MBA is in the mainstream American tradition but offers considerable flexibility.
The four semesters are each divided into two mini-terms. The first semester concentrates on business
fundamentals and includes a required careers management course; electives begin in the second semes-
ter. There is no requirement to nominate a major but concentration tracks are offered. Some electives
can be taken in other schools of the university. Extra-curricular workshops, self-development courses,
guest-speaker programmes and careers activities run throughout the programme.
The Professional MBA (PMBA) is a part-time programme generally taught over nine consecutive
semesters (fall, spring and summer each year) in three years. Each semester is divided into two mini-
terms covering two subjects. Most of the core courses are taught in the first year. Over half of the pro-
gramme consists of elective courses. Classes are held two evenings a week.
The 20-month Executive MBA is taught at the Charles F Knight Executive Education Center. There are two
formats, monthly and weekend. The monthly programme begins in September, with classes once a month
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The weekend programme begins in January, with classes on alternate
weekends (Friday and Saturday). Both programmes include on-campus and international residencies.
Washington University in St Louis—Olin
School of Business
Address:
Campus Box 1133
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO
US
63130-6309
Tel:
+1 314 935 6322
Fax:
+1 314 935 4464
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.olin.wustl.edu
Programme director:
Joseph Fox
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 45
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 52
Jobs found through the careers service 38
Student assessment of careers service 74
Personal development/educational experience 78
Faculty quality 17
Student quality 83
Student diversity 95
Education experience 57
Increase in salary 81
Increase in salary 74
Post-MBA salary 72
Potential to network 29
Breadth of alumni network 47
Internationalism of alumni 14
Alumni effectiveness 52
311
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Washington University in St Louis—Olin School of Business
The 18-month Shanghai Executive MBA is a partnership between Washington University and Fudan
University in Shanghai. Students attend classes on four consecutive days a month, Friday–Monday, in
Shanghai. The programme ends with a two-week study session at Olin. Students receive a full MBA from
Olin and an Education Certificate from Fudan University.
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (40) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 8 (87) – –
Number of languages on offer 5 (60) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 149 141 97
Applicants:places 7:1 2:1 –
Percentage of women students 26 (79) 28 21
Percentage of foreign students 34 (86) 9 14
Average GMAT score 674 (38) 603 n/a
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (92) 57 180
Age range of students 22-33 25-37 27-50
Average age 27 29 40
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (55) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (52) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 75 (38) – –
Student rating of careers service 3.3 (74) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 85,583 (72) – –
Percentage increase in salary 65 (74) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates Citi, Emerson, Johnson & Johnson – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$100 US$100 US$100
Programme fees US$40,500 US$1,220 US$89,600
Comments – Per credit –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) – – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) – – –
Financial aid available – – –
Type of aid available Fellowships, scholarships, loans – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Professional MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline May 1st August 1st September 21st
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Aug start, 36 months Sep start, 20 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“It has great faculty
who genuinely care
about their students and
because of the smaller
size, the students are
really able to have a
relationship with the
professors and deep
relationships with their
classmates.”
“Small school size makes
it difficult [for the
careers service] because
not as many employers
come to campus.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
marketing, strategy/
consulting
Weakness: careers
service
First degree; TOEFL;
2 essays; interview;
laptop
First degree; work
experience; TOEFL;
essays
First degree; work
experience;
2 references;
4 essays; interview
312
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 54
Regional rank 30
Background
The School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the oldest business schools in
the US, offering its first business programme in 1900. The school is full range, teaching from under-
graduate to doctoral level, and the MBA is just one of a number of graduate degrees that offer a compre-
hensive coverage of the business scene. The teaching faculty have a good reputation for research and
scholarly publishing, but the school also puts a strong emphasis on teaching skills, with student evalua-
tions, teaching skills classes and promotion based partly on classroom performance.
In autumn 2007 the school received a gift of US$85m from a small group of alumni, the “Wisconsin
Naming Partnership”. Ironically, the point of the partnership and the gift is to prevent the school being
named after a single benefactor for the next 20 years.
Facilities
The school is based in Grainger Hall, which houses 30 classrooms, three auditoriums, eight computer
labs, videoconference facilities and a library. A US$40.5m extension, scheduled to open in autumn 2008,
will provide room for each of the career specialisations that make up the full-time Wisconsin MBA. The
Fluno Center for Executive Education has meeting rooms and classrooms, an auditorium, dining and ban-
quet facilities, 100 residence rooms, a fitness centre and a study pub with views of downtown Madison.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.6 (19) – –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 66 full-time, 13 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.7 (51) 1.4 1.7
Percentage of faculty with PhD 89 (71) 89 89
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (35) – –
Programme highlights
Wisconsin-Madison’s two-year full-time MBA provides a high level of career specialisation for students.
Electives are grouped into 13 career-linked specialisations rather than majors and start as early as the
first semester. There are also nine core courses in the first year. In the second year, as well as specialisa-
tion courses, there is a required strategy course.
The three-year part-time Evening MBA is a general management programme without majors or spe-
cialisations. Students study core courses and then advanced functional courses. Classes are held on
Monday and Thursday evenings including summer semesters. There is a one-week international study
tour in the second year.
The two-year Executive MBA is fairly typical in content and structure. Classes are held on campus on
Friday and Saturday on alternate weeks during the academic year, and there is a residential week at the
beginning of the programme. In the second year there is an international study trip. The first year con-
University of Wisconsin-Madison—Graduate
School of Business
Address:
975 University Avenue
Grainger Hall
Madison, WI
US
53704
Tel:
+1 608 263 9634
Fax:
+1 608 265 4192
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.bus.wisc.edu/mba
Programme director:
Ken Kavajecz
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 25
Diversity of recruiters 72
Number in jobs three months after graduation 27
Jobs found through the careers service 27
Student assessment of careers service 15
Personal development/educational experience 89
Faculty quality 58
Student quality 89
Student diversity 69
Education experience >100
Increase in salary 84
Increase in salary 67
Post-MBA salary 82
Potential to network 35
Breadth of alumni network 37
Internationalism of alumni >100
Alumni effectiveness 14
313
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of Wisconsin-Madison—Graduate School of Business
sists largely of MBA core-type courses and the second year is concerned with wider themes, particularly
financial management, business strategy and global business issues.
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Student rating of programme 4.2 (59) – –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 7 (86) – –
Number of languages on offer 0 (99) – –
Students
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Annual intake 106 58 47
Applicants:places 4:1 1:1 1:1
Percentage of women students 29 (58) 25 23
Percentage of foreign students 54 (62) 7 2
Average GMAT score 662 (39) 595 –
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (>100) 60 192
Age range of students 25-34 24-38 33-50
Average age 29 29 40
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (39) – –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 7 (72) – –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 96 (27) – –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 73.3 (27) – –
Student rating of careers service 4.1 (15) – –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 82,000 (82) – –
Percentage increase in salary 65 (67) – –
Principal recruiters of graduates GE, General Mills, Abbott Vascular – –
Cost
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application fees US$45 US$45 US$45
Programme fees US$26,536 US$15,906 US$34,500
Comments Per year Per year Per year
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$7,560 – –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$7,800 – –
Financial aid available US$2.6m – –
Type of aid available Assistantships, scholarship, fellowship – –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit – –
Application details
Full-time MBA Evening MBA Executive MBA
Application deadline – April 15th May 1st
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months Sep start, 36 months Aug start, 20 months
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Great bang for
the buck. Focused
approach prepares
you exceptionally
well for future career
responsibilities.”
“Limited exposure to
international cases/
business practices.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: marketing,
finance, real estate
Weakness:
internationalism
First degree; at least
2 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
references; 4 essays;
interview; laptop
First degree; at least
2 years’ work
experience; TOEFL;
3 references; 2 essays
First degree; at
least 8 years’ work
experience;
3 references;
2 essays; current
résumé and employer
endorsement form
314
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank n/a
Regional rank n/a
Background
The Graduate School of Business Administration, or Wits Business School as it is universally known, was
founded in 1968, making it 40 years old this year. The school is part of the University of the Witwa-
tersrand’s Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management. Within the business school there are a number
of associate centres, including the Management Development Unit and the South African Management
Project. Wits has excellent links with national and international business and is also closely integrated
with its parent university.
Facilities
The school is based in Parktown in Johannesburg, within easy reach of much of the South African busi-
ness community. Facilities include a 230-seat auditorium, a 140-seat auditorium, three 75-seat lecture
rooms and 30 syndicate rooms. The school also has executive education facilities in Cape Town.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 3.5 (n/a) –
Faculty
Number of faculty: 23 full-time, 60 part-time, 6 visiting
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 1.8 (n/a) 0.8
Percentage of faculty with PhD 52 (n/a) 52
Student rating of faculty 3.9 (n/a) –
Programme highlights
The Wits MBA is taught full-time, part-time or as a combination of the two. The full-time programme
lasts 14 months, although the school says this is equivalent to a two-year programme (classes are
held six days a week and some evenings and there is no long summer vacation). The first half of the
programme is taken up with fundamental and core courses (both are essentially traditional core
courses) and the second half with a research report and five electives. Electives can be grouped into
specialist streams.
The three-year part-time programme is identical to the full-time version and classes are normally
held two evenings a week, though occasional Saturday morning classes may be scheduled. Students
must also attend at least one week of full-time study at the school during the programme. There are two
entry dates in January and April.
The MBA is also taught as a combined full-time and part-time programme over 20 months with stu-
dents attending full-time for the first eight months and then switching to the part-time programme for
a further year.
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.0 (n/a) –
Number of overseas exchange programmes 40 (n/a) –
Number of languages on offer 2 (n/a) –
University of the Witwatersrand—Wits
Business School
Address:
2 St Davids Place
Parktown
Johannesburg
South Africa
2193
Tel:
+27 11 717 3624
Fax:
+27 11 717 3538
E-mail:
jennifer.mgolodela@
wits.ac.za
Website:
www.wbs.ac.za
Programme director:
Zimasa Koyana
Figures in brackets
represent rank
315
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
University of the Witwatersrand—Wits Business School
Students
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Annual intake 31 113
Applicants:places 123:1 299:1
Percentage of women students 39 (n/a) 27
Percentage of foreign students 42 (n/a) 42
Average GMAT score 630 (n/a) 580
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (n/a) 108
Age range of students 24-40 26-40
Average age 31 32
Student rating of culture and classmates 3.9 (n/a) –
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA Part-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 5 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 80 (n/a) –
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 50 (n/a) –
Student rating of careers service 3.7 (n/a) –
Post-MBA salary, US$ 63,830 (n/a) –
Percentage increase in salary 50 (n/a) –
Principal recruiters of graduates Accenture, Ericsson, Barclays –
Cost
Full-time MBA MBA Part Time
Application fees R300 (US$43) –
Programme fees R105,000 (US$14,894) R105,000 (US$14,894)
Comments – –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) R35,000 (US$4,965) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) R45,000 (US$6,383) –
Financial aid available R105,000 (US$14,894) –
Type of aid available Scholarships –
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need –
Application details
Full-time MBA MBA Part Time
Application deadline December 15th December 15th
Programme dates Apr start, 14 months Jan start, 3 years
Admission requirements
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✓ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The school has a great
history and a quality
faculty. It is making
an effort to improve
customer service.”
“The administration
at the school could be
greatly improved.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
strategy, marketing
Weakness:
administration
First degree; at least
3 years’ work experience;
GMAT; TOEFL; references
First degree; at least
4 years’ work experience;
TOEFL; 2 references;
interview
316
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 30
Regional rank 16
Background
Yale University was founded by a group of Connecticut clergy in 1701 and its name has an unusual
provenance. In 1717 Elihu Yale, a Welsh merchant, donated nine bales of “goods” valued at £562 12s
(shillings), including books and a portrait of King George. Although he apparently never saw the uni-
versity, this makes it possibly the first instance of an American academic institution naming itself after
a benefactor.
Yale School of Management has traditionally taught the benefits of best-practice management in the
public and non-profit sectors as well as the commercial world (its MBA used to be an MPPM or Masters in
Public and Private Management). Although this emphasis has eased a little in recent years, it remains a
central tenet of the school
Facilities
The school is closely integrated with the university and students have access to all libraries and sports
and recreational facilities. It is housed in four historic mansions at the top of Hillhouse Avenue, linked
through a contemporary addition. Three of them contain classrooms, faculty offices and study halls and
the fourth is the base for Yale’s International Center for Finance. New Haven offers a range of intellec-
tual, cultural and artistic activities, and is just one hour from New York City and two hours from Boston.
Some on-campus accommodation is available but most students rent apartments.
The school intends to build an entirely new campus, more than twice its current size (poor facilities
is a recurring student gripe). A 4.5-acre site at the northern “entrance” to the Yale campus has been
selected. Ground-breaking is expected in autumn 2009.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.1 (64)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 58 full-time, 36 part-time, 2 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.4 (84)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (23)
Student rating of faculty 4.5 (13)
Programme highlights
Yale’s full-time two-year MBA has an integrated core curriculum focusing on the interdisciplinary basis
of a manager’s work rather than specific functional disciplines. It begins with Orientation to Manage-
ment, a series of introductory courses lasting about six weeks. These cover basic management concepts
and tools and the development of techniques to improve interpersonal effectiveness and teamwork.
Career development is also covered. This is followed by Organisational Perspectives, a series of eight
multidisciplinary courses lasting 12 weeks. These are structured around the organisational roles in
which a manager must engage, motivate and lead. They cover the main management disciplines as well
Yale School of Management
Address:
135 Prospect Street
P O Box 208200
New Haven, CT
US
06520-8200
Tel:
+1 203 432 5949
Fax:
+1 203 432 9992
E-mail:
mba.admissions@yale.
edu
Website:
mba.yale.edu
Programme director:
Stanley J Garstka
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 30
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 52
Jobs found through the careers service 59
Student assessment of careers service 26
Personal development/educational experience 26
Faculty quality 24
Student quality 22
Student diversity 45
Education experience 41
Increase in salary 54
Increase in salary 87
Post-MBA salary 40
Potential to network 49
Breadth of alumni network 86
Internationalism of alumni 85
Alumni effectiveness 13
317
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Yale School of Management
as values-based and ethical issues. The final part is the six-week Integrated Leadership Perspective, a
series of interdisciplinary cases that describe challenges faced by organisational leaders.
The second year is devoted to elective courses (one or two may be taken in the first year) and is
largely traditional. Students can take a three-course concentration and courses can be taken in other
schools of the university. Yale’s non-competitive grading system of distinction, proficient, pass or fail
supposedly encourages students to take risks and collaborate more effectively.
Yale also offers a part-time Leadership in Healthcare MBA for Executives, designed for professional
managers in public, private and non-profit healthcare organisations. The programme mixes a core of tra-
ditional courses, such as accounting, economics, finance, marketing and operations, with parallel health-
care-specific courses. There is a two-week residency at the start of the first year and a one-week residency
at the start of the second year. Classes are held on alternating weekends (Friday and Saturday).
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.4 (19)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 12 (88)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 178
Applicants:places 16:1
Percentage of women students 36 (20)
Percentage of foreign students 35 (93)
Average GMAT score 700 (13)
Average number of months’ work experience 48 (98)
Age range of students 25-32
Average age 28
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.6 (7)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 94 (52)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 66 (59)
Student rating of careers service 4.0 (26)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 99,307 (40)
Percentage increase in salary 53 (87)
Principal recruiters of graduates Citi, Standard & Poor’s, JPMorgan
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$200
Programme fees US$42,000
Comments –
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) –
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$6,300
Financial aid available –
Type of aid available Scholarships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline –
Programme dates Aug start, 21 months
Admission requirements First degree; TOEFL; references; 3 essays
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✓ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“Integrated approach to
teaching management,
that truly emphasises
applying skills cross-
functionally. The
international experience
is also unique.”
“The administration
is still ironing out the
new curriculum, so
there is still room for
improvement.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: finance,
strategy/economics,
non-profit management
Weakness: new
curriculum still bedding
in
318
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
Ranking Rank (out of 100) Full-time
Overall rank 15
Regional rank 7
Background
York University’s Schulich School of Business was formerly the Faculty of Administrative Studies
(founded in 1966). In 1995 Seymour Schulich donated C$15m to the university for the business school,
which was named in his honour. It is highly international and has strategic alliances in more than
45 countries.
Facilities
Schulich moved into a new building on the main campus of York University in Toronto in 2003. It
houses 1,500 graduate and 1,250 undergraduate business students as well as participants on executive
education programmes and the facilities are impressive. The school also has a downtown campus, the
Miles S Nadal Management Center, in the city’s financial district.
Full-time MBA
Student assessment of facilities 4.6 (44)
Faculty
Number of faculty: 109 full-time, 138 part-time, 25 visiting
Full-time MBA
Number of faculty per student 0.8 (47)
Percentage of faculty with PhD 98 (19)
Student rating of faculty 4.4 (40)
Programme highlights
Schulich’s full-time MBA consists of a first year of core courses and a second year that includes a strat-
egy capstone course, electives and a team project (the Strategy Field Study). Students can join the pro-
gramme in September or January, but January admission usually means attending a summer term. The
programme can be completed in a minimum of 16 months over four consecutive terms; the average is
20 months with a summer break. The maximum time allowed is 24 months over six terms. Students with
an undergraduate business degree can reduce the programme length by about half.
The part-time MBA has the same curriculum as the full-time version and it is possible to switch
between the two. Students with a business degree can take an accelerated track and there are also
opportunities for exchanges. It can be studied at the main campus or at the school’s downtown campus
in central Toronto. A weekend version of the part-time programme has classes on alternate weekends
(Saturdays and Sundays).
The International MBA (IMBA) builds on the general MBA but includes specialist areas such as
regional studies, languages and an overseas internship.
Schulich also runs a joint Executive MBA with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Manage-
ment (see page 232). This is an 18-month part-time sponsored programme with classes on alternate
weekends. Graduates receive a Kellogg–Schulich EMBA degree and become alumni of both Northwest-
ern and York universities.
York University—Schulich School
of Business
Address:
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M3J 1P3
Tel:
+1 416 736 5546
Fax:
+1 416 736 5763
E-mail:
intladmissions@
schulich.yorku.ca
Website:
www.schulich.yorku.ca
Programme director:
David Dimick
Figures in brackets
represent rank
Open new career opportunities 26
Diversity of recruiters 4
Number in jobs three months after graduation 49
Jobs found through the careers service 20
Student assessment of careers service 53
Personal development/educational experience 9
Faculty quality 30
Student quality 30
Student diversity 23
Education experience 9
Increase in salary 28
Increase in salary 4
Post-MBA salary 69
Potential to network 20
Breadth of alumni network 42
Internationalism of alumni 8
Alumni effectiveness 39
319
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Part 2
The directory
York University—Schulich School of Business
Full-time MBA
Student rating of programme 4.5 (16)
Number of overseas exchange programmes 161 (23)
Number of languages on offer 6 (5)
Students
Full-time MBA
Annual intake 239
Applicants:places 4:1
Percentage of women students 32 (39)
Percentage of foreign students 73 (41)
Average GMAT score 661 (41)
Average number of months’ work experience 72 (31)
Age range of students 26-35
Average age 29
Student rating of culture and classmates 4.3 (49)
Recruiters/careers service
Full-time MBA
Number of industry sectors that recruited graduates 8 (4)
Percentage of graduates in jobs 3 months after graduation 95 (49)
Percentage of graduates finding jobs through careers services 81 (20)
Student rating of careers service 3.9 (53)
Post-MBA salary, US$ 90,000 (69)
Percentage increase in salary 161 (4)
Principal recruiters of graduates CIBC, TD Bank, RBC
Cost
Full-time MBA
Application fees US$125
Programme fees US$60,000
Comments Total programme
Accommodation costs (on campus, per year) US$9,000
Accommodation costs (off campus, per year) US$11,000
Financial aid available US$4.8m
Type of aid available Scholarships, bursaries, awards,
research assistantships, teaching assistantships
Criteria on which aid is granted Merit, need
Application details
Full-time MBA
Application deadline May 1st
Programme dates Sep start, 8-16 months
Admission requirements First degree; at least 2 years’ work experience;
TOEFL or IELTS; references; 5 essays; résumé
Student profile
(full-time)
Africa/Middle East
Americas
Asia/Australasia
Europe
Accreditation
✕ AMBA
✕ EQUIS
✕ AACSB International
Student/alumni quotes
“The culture at the school
is very important. The
faculty, students and
administration all work
together to build the
spirit of the school.”
“Sculich is still in the
process of building an
alumni network.”
Strengths and
weaknesses
Strengths: international
strategy, finance,
marketing
Weakness: alumni
network
321
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix
Comparative
tables
322
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
American (Kogod) 42 570 74,714 – 3 520
Arizona (Eller) 36 603 75,003 93 2 –
Ashridge 144 565 148,000 60 5 550
Aston 78 620 97,040 95 4 –
Audencia (Nantes) 120 620 127,500 100 3 550
Bath 108 n/a 112,062 98 3 600
Birmingham 84 n/a 87,000 85 5 –
Bocconi 60 640 96,055 88 0 –
Boston 57 668 85,277 92 0 –
Bradford 96 n/a 80,000 72 3 –

Brandeis 48 585 83,787 81 2 500
British Columbia (Sauder) 67 617 74,766 86 2 –
California at Berkeley (Haas) 60 710 101,859 100 0 –
California at Davis 48 672 85,555 100 0 –
Cambridge (Judge) 84 690 110,000 100 3 –
Cape Town 84 545 64,539 65 3 550
Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) 48 698 97,394 97 0 –
Case Western (Weatherhead) 37 611 72,949 92 0 –
Chicago 58 710 103,219 99 0 –
China Europe Int Business School 68 686 41,165 90 2 600
Chinese University of Hong Kong 66 610 52,538 91 3 550
City (Cass) 84 646 127,290 92 3 600
Columbia 60 709 107,265 98 0 –
Cornell (Johnson) 60 686 98,000 92 0 –
Cranfield 96 660 116,904 76 3 600
Curtin 144 n/a 95,167 100 3 –
Dartmouth (Tuck) 60 715 107,406 100 0 –
Dublin (Trinity) 144 571 118,297 85 3 550
Duke (Fuqua) 66 690 98,510 97 – –
Durham 120 600 85,832 89 3 600
EADA 48 620 100,000 38 3 600
Edinburgh 72 n/a 105,714 88 3 –
EGADE 26 n/a – 93 3 –
Emory (Goizueta) 58 685 93,059 89 0 –
ESADE 64 650 95,263 78 2 580
Florida (Hough) 40 682 66,669 96 2 –
Georgetown (McDonough) 28 677 90,082 91 60 –
Georgia (Terry) 54 661 71,908 100 2 –
Glasgow 84 n/a 99,614 83 3 –
Grenoble 108 650 92,810 65 3 –
Harvard 48 713 115,000 92 0 –
HEC Montréal 84 600 65,047 60 3 –
HEC Paris 72 664 132,940 69 3 –
Comparative data, full-time programmes
Key data Admission requirements
School Average number Average Post MBA Percentage Number of Minimum
of months’ work GMAT salary of faculty years’ work GMAT score
experience score (US$) with a PhD experience required
required
323
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
7:1 42 27 24–29 43 US$28,226
3:1 64 25 22–30 20 US$28,469 Per year for non-Arizona residents
3:1 26 35 29–45 38 £29,500 (US$59,000)
6:1 67 28 25–41 48 £19,950 (US$39,900)
3:1 20 32 26–39 40 €19,000 (US$26,027)
6:1 30 32 25–40 43 £18,500 (US$37,000)
10:1 91 31 26–40 27 £16,600 (US$33,200)
3:1 109 29 25–32 40 €36,000 (US$49,315)
37:1 158 29 25–32 38 US$36,540
7:1 121 29 25–39 24 £17,950 (US$35,900) For EU students. £18,950 (US$37,900)
for non-EU students
3:1 60 28 28–32 40 US$36,122
3:1 126 29 25–35 33 C$38,967 (US$36,418)
14:1 239 29 26–32 33 US$40,737 For non-California residents
6:1 56 27 23–36 43 US$38,747
6:1 150 30 27–35 33 £30,500 (US$61,000)
150:1 78 34 32–36 26 R73,790 (US$10,467)
7:1 182 27 24–32 25 US$47,800
3:1 92 26 23–31 31 US$35,333 Per year
– 555 28 25–31 33 US$47,260 Per year
3:1 191 29 25–33 35 US$35,000
5:1 52 29 26–32 36 HK$270,000 (US$34,615) Total programme
5:1 80 30 26–36 37 £28,000 (US$56,000) Total programme
8:1 711 28 25–31 34 US$43,436 Total programme
7:1 310 28 24–32 25 US$44,950
3:1 129 31 26–36 23 £26,500 (US$53,000)
3:1 59 31 25–39 39 A$29,100 (US$24,250) Total programme
10:1 255 28 25–32 34 US$42,990 Per year
11:1 30 34 27–44 27 €28,500 (US$39,041)
7:1 429 29 26–34 36 US$44,100 Per year
7:1 54 31 26–40 24 £20,500 (US$41,000)
3:1 89 29 25–40 38 €25,500 (US$34,932)
5:1 66 31 27–37 27 £22,800 (US$45,600)
1:1 52 26 22-39 60 US$29,919 Total programme
6:1 180 28 25–32 31 US$37,200 Per year
3:1 150 29 26–33 31 US$67,244 Total programme
4:1 96 26 24–29 27 US$45,706 2-year, out-of-state
7:1 264 28 23-38 32 US$39,984
6:1 45 27 22–44 31 US$27,036 Per year
12:1 46 31 25–39 18 £13,000 (US$26,000) £16,000 (US$32,000) for non-EU students
3:1 26 31 25–33 16 €23,000 (US$31,507)
8:1 901 27 – 36 US$43,800 Per year
2:1 175 31 26–35 30 C$5,800 (US$5,421)
5:1 190 29 23–38 29 €42,000 (US$57,534)
Class characteristics Programme fees
Ratio of Student Average Age Percentage Programme fees Comments
applicants intake age range of women
to places students
324
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
Henley 144 n/a 156,000 95 4 –
Hong Kong SB 54 670 57,727 100 3 600
Hong Kong UST 60 643 78,307 100 1 –
Hult 82 606 92,073 57 3 –
IE 48 685 98,767 89 3 640
IESE 60 688 116,438 99 0 –
Illinois 36 633 82,693 100 0 –
IMD 84 671 130,000 97 3 –
Imperial (Tanaka) 66 641 114,000 71 3 600
Indian Institute (Ahmedabad) 24 n/a 59,879 97 0 650
Indiana (Kelley) 60 690 88,644 78 0 –
INSEAD 72 700 108,082 99 2 –
International University of Japan 58 591 59,443 100 0 –
Iowa (Tippie) 48 652 73,702 90 0 –
Lancaster 84 650 100,000 84 3 600
Leeds 60 n/a 96,210 81 3 –
London 66 690 119,964 98 3 –
E.M. Lyon 88 627 89,041 93 3 –
McGill 54 645 81,963 83 2 –
Macquarie 95 n/a 121,719 94 5 –
Manchester 72 623 110,000 86 3 –
Mannheim 54 650 97,945 100 3 –
Maryland (Smith) 60 650 88,629 98 0 –
MIT (Sloan) 60 710 107,990 100 0 –
Melbourne 96 640 98,424 98 2 570
Michigan (Ross) 60 700 99,265 92 0 –
Minnesota (Carlson) 54 665 87,188 86 0 –
Monaco 78 528 108,219 100 0 –
Monash 96 n/a 95,833 96 4 –
Nanyang 72 653 52,892 94 2 600
New York (Stern) 59 700 100,376 60 0 –
Newcastle 96 n/a 94,070 86 3 –
North Carolina (Kenan–Flagler) 65 685 92,505 95 2 –
Northwestern (Kellogg) 60 708 104,100 96 0 –

Norwegian BI 84 580 94,027 100 3 500
Notre Dame (Mendoza) 53 673 85,746 90 2 –
Nottingham 72 n/a 89,485 77 3 –

Nyenrode 72 570 98,173 62 3 –
Ohio (Fisher) 50 661 87,446 94 0 –
Otago 79 566 112,464 67 3 550
Oxford (Saïd) 72 680 130,000 98 3 600
Penn State (Smeal) 51 654 83,098 98 0 –
Comparative data, full-time programmes continued
Key data Admission requirements
School Average number Average Post MBA Percentage Number of Minimum
of months’ work GMAT salary of faculty years’ work GMAT score
experience score (US$) with a PhD experience required
required
325
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
2:1 24 36 26–49 13 £33,000 (US$66,000) Total programme
4:1 49 28 25–32 34 US$40,385 Total programme
5:1 75 28 25–32 28 US$41,000 Total programme
4:1 117 30 23–45 34 US$42,780
4:1 286 29 26–35 35 €49,100 (US$67,260)
8:1 210 28 25–31 27 €64,900 (US$88,904)
5:1 103 27 24–33 30 US$28,910 US$19,910 for Illinois residents
5:1 90 31 28–33 22 SwFr58,000 (US$48,333) Total programme
4:1 48 31 25–33 38 £28,000 (US$56,000)
665:1 257 23 20–25 13 Rs450,000 (US$10,883) US$18,000 for overseas students
5:1 236 28 22–45 27 US$33,414
– 919 29 26–33 29 €50,000 (US$68,493) Total programme
3:1 52 30 24–35 31 ¥1.9m (US$16,135)
2:1 65 26 23–31 25 US$25,717 Out-of-state; US$14,387 in-state
8:1 76 29 25–33 26 £18,500 (US$37,000)
10:1 54 28 24–34 33 £17,000 (US$34,000) £19,000 (US$38,000) for non-EU students
7:1 315 28 26–30 23 £44,490 (US$88,980) Total programme
3:1 37 31 26–38 35 €29,500 (US$40,411)
7:1 57 28 25–30 42 C$20,000 (US$18,692) Per year
1:1 71 32 28–38 24 A$3,000 (US$2,500) Per unit
5:1 104 29 25–34 19 £31,260 (US$62,520) Total programme
3:1 36 31 26–38 37 €29,000 (US$39,726) Total programme
8:1 126 28 24–34 33 US$27,910 Per year
10:1 383 28 25–32 31 US$44,556
6:1 43 30 25–38 37 A$50,000 (US$41,667)
7:1 427 28 25–32 34 US$43,100 Per year
5:1 92 28 – 32 US$56,144 Total programme
5:1 30 30 24–35 46 €19,900 (US$27,260) Total programme
7:1 45 31 26–36 34 A$43,840 (US$36,533) Total programme
6:1 113 30 25–37 28 S$29,000 (US$19,205) Total programme
9:1 370 0 0–0 27 US$39,800 Per year
12:1 30 29 25–35 23 £15,950 (US$31,900)
6:1 283 29 26–34 28 US$41,900
– 636 28 26–31 33 US$46,791 Per year for two-year students. US$62,388
for one-year students
3:1 17 31 25–46 35 NKr225,000 (US$38,396)
5:1 129 27 20–38 21 US$36,015
6:1 57 30 24–42 40 £17,500 (US$35,000) Total programme; £18,500 (US$37,000)
for overseas students
3:1 31 29 26–35 26 €30,500 (US$41,781) Total programme
5:1 141 27 23–32 26 US$22,989 Per year
2:1 13 33 26–45 31 NZ$27,844 (US$20,474) NZ$36,000 (US$26,471) for overseas students
– 220 29 25–34 – £30,000 (US$60,000) £3,200 (US$6,400) for college membership
6:1 86 28 23–34.6 30 US$28,712 Per year
Class characteristics Programme fees
Ratio of Student Average Age Percentage Programme fees Comments
applicants intake age range of women
to places students
326
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
Pennsylvania (Wharton) 66 712 110,550 100 0 –
Pittsburgh (Katz) 36 616 72,000 96 0 –
Purdue (Krannert) 49 666 84,506 97 0 –
Queensland 84 n/a 71,983 100 3 550
Rice (Jones) 48 644 89,006 94 0 –
Rochester (Simon) 49 676 84,137 81 0 –
Royal Holloway 60 550 – – 36 –
Rotterdam (Erasmus) 66 640 99,934 99 2 –
Sheffield 72 n/a 81,857 88 3 –
Singapore 48 657 54,002 92 2 –
Solvay 72 580 79,781 100 3 –
South Carolina (Moore) 39 638 75,402 100 2 600
Southampton 79 n/a – – 36 –
Southern California (Marshall) 60 689 88,841 87 0 –
Southern Methodist (Cox) 45 640 83,978 92 0 –
Stanford 47 721 117,681 97 0 –
Strathclyde 84 590 120,000 90 3 –
Temple (Fox) 48 637 80,964 92 3 –
Texas (McCombs) 60 672 93,649 95 2 –
Thunderbird 60 598 81,000 91 2 550
TiasNimbas 72 600 85,418 67 3 550
UCLA (Anderson) 60 704 95,000 100 0 –
UC Dublin (Smurfit) 96 630 123,288 89 3 550
Vanderbilt (Owen) 55 644 89,268 85 0 –
Virginia (Darden) 54 688 100,575 96 0 –
Vlerick Leuven Gent 84 640 117,440 97 3 550
Wake Forest (Babcock) 42 639 81,012 97 0 –
Warwick 96 610 134,200 87 3 –
Washington BS 67 679 84,992 91 0 –
Washington St Louis (Olin) 48 674 85,583 98 3 600
Wisconsin–Madison 48 662 82,000 89 2 –
Wits 72 630 63,830 52 3 550
Yale 48 700 99,307 98 3 600
York (Schulich) 72 661 90,000 98 3 600
Comparative data, full-time programmes continued
Key data Admission requirements
School Average number Average Post MBA Percentage Number of Minimum
of months’ work GMAT salary of faculty years’ work GMAT score
experience score (US$) with a PhD experience required
required
327
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
8:1 802 28 26.5–32.9 37 US$99,444 Total programme
4:1 129 26 22–36 38 US$44,416 Total programme
7:1 140 28 24–31 23 US$34,940 Per year
4:1 29 27 23–35 24 A$36,000 (US$30,000) Per year for domestic students
5:1 124 27 23–32 32 US$36,000 Per year
– 165 26 – 27 US$39,030 Per year
7:1 54 29 25-40 45 £12,600 (US$25,200) £15,375 for non-EU students
5:1 104 29 26–34 28 €36,000 (US$49,315)
8:1 64 27 27–33 20 £15,800 (US$31,600) £10,600 (US$21,200) for EU students
32:1 126 29 26–34 39 S$40,000 (US$26,490)
2:1 33 31 24–41 61 €16,000 (US$21,918)
3:1 107 27 23–31 34 US$35,000 Non-resident US$52,000
8:1 41 30 24-43 39 £16,500 (US$33,000)
7:1 227 28 25–32 34 US$78,500 Total programme
5:1 81 27 24–30 28 US$40,692 Per year
16:1 362 – – 35 US$48,921 Per year
5:1 68 29 26–38 19 £19,000 (US$38,000)
8:1 68 30 24–43 37 US$34,020 Total programme
6:1 264 28 25–32 28 US$37,222 US$20,418 for Texas residents
2:1 351 27 25–30 31 US$1,258 Per credit
3:1 35 32 26–39 34 €29,000 (US$39,726) Total programme
– 360 28 22–38 34 US$36,860 In-state, per year
4:1 36 31 27–35 30 €29,500 (US$40,411) Total programme
4:1 214 28 24–32 28 US$39,992 Per year
8:1 318 28 26–30 31 US$45,500 In-state residents receive a US$5,000 discount
12:1 50 32 27–39 40 €17,000 (US$23,288)
4:1 81 27 24–32 33 US$33,400
3:1 72 31 26–38 32 £20,400 (US$40,800) Total programme
6:1 117 29 24–34 39 US$30,450 Per year
12:1 149 29 26–34 26 US$40,500
4:1 106 29 25–34 29 US$26,536 Per year
123:1 31 31 24–40 39 R105,000 (US$14,894)
12:1 178 29 26–34 36 US$42,000
12:1 239 29 26–34 32 US$60,000 Total programme
Class characteristics Programme fees
Ratio of Student Average Age Percentage Programme fees Comments
applicants intake age range of women
to places students
328
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
Comparative data, part-time programmes
Key data Admission
requirements
School Programme Average number Average Number of
of months’ work GMAT months’ work
experience score experience
required
American (Kogod) Part-time MBA 60 550 2
Arizona (Eller) Evening MBA 54 604 3
Ashridge Part-time Executive MBA 168 570 5
Aston Part-time MBA 108 620 4
Boston Part-time MBA 66 590 2
Bradford Executive Part-time MBA 96 – 3
British Columbia (Sauder) 28-Month Part-time MBA 72 615 0
California at Berkeley (Haas) Evening & Weekend MBA 96 697 0
California at Davis Professional MBA 96 611 1
Cape Town Modular MBA 84 545 3
Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) FlexTime MBA 60 629 0
Case Western (Weatherhead) Part-time MBA 70 548 0
Chicago Evening MBA 62 – 0
Chicago Weekend MBA 77 – 0
China Europe Int Business School MBA for Executives 168 – 8
Chinese University of Hong Kong Part-time MBA 96 570 3
Cranfield Executive MBA 132 660 –
Curtin Part-time MBA 144 – 3
EADA Part-time MBA 66 620 3
Edinburgh Part-time MBA 132 – 3
EGADE Part-time MBA 72 593 3
Emory (Goizueta) Evening MBA 72 640 2
Florida (Hough) Professional MBA 56 599 2
Georgia (Terry) Evening MBA 70 560 2
Georgetown (McDonough) Evening MBA 60 665 3
Glasgow Part-time MBA 120 – 3
Grenoble Part-time MBA 168 – 3
HEC Paris Part-time MBA 72 – 0
Hong Kong SB Part-time MBA 118 579 3
Hong Kong UST Part-time MBA 84 – 3
Iowa (Tippie) PM MBA 96 579 2
Macquarie Part-time MBA 144 – 5
Maryland (Smith) Part-time MBA 60 608 0
Melbourne Part-time MBA 108 – 2
Michigan (Ross) Evening MBA 78 660 0
Minnesota (Carlson) Part-time MBA 72 616 0
Monash Part-time MBA 156 – 4
Nanyang Part-time MBA 84 647 2
New York (Stern) Langone Program for Working Professionals 66 676 0
Newcastle Executive MBA 168 – 5
Northwestern (Kellogg) Part-time MBA 84 695 0
Nottingham Part-time MBA 72 – 3
329
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
Class characteristics Programme fees
Minimum Ratio of Student Average Age Percentage Programme fees Comments
GMAT score applicants intake age range of women
required to places students
520 5:1 25 29 24–35 52 US$1,079 Per credit
– 2:1 52 29 24–35 40 US$38,500
– 3:1 29 35 29–43 24 £28,850 (US$57,700)
– 3:1 65 32 26–46 34 £14,550 (US$29,100)
– 2:1 222 28 22–47 38 US$1,412 Per credit
– 2:1 42 34 29–46 29 £14,950 (US$29,900)
– 2:1 51 32 27–37 44 C$38,967 (US$36,418)
– 4:1 240 32 24–53 21 US$28,686 Per year
– 2:1 143 31 26–39 31 US$2,550 Per course
550 201:1 79 33 30–35 22 R92,700 (US$13,149)
– 2:1 71 29 24–35 31 US$25,104
– 1:1 74 29 24–37 46 US$1,434 Per credit hour
– – 426 29 25–34 24 US$4,655 Per course
– – 102 30 26–36 16 US$4,655 Per course
– 3:1 710 38 33–43 20 Rmb338,000 (US$44,474) Total programme
– 3:1 108 30 26–34 47 HK$230,400 (US$29,538)
600 2:1 68 34 28–43 24 £28,000 (US$56,000)
– 2:1 164 34 26–45 39 A$29,100 (US$24,250) Total programme
600 2:1 26 29 23–36 31 €22,000 (US$30,137)
– 2:1 30 35 30–44 23 £16,450 (US$32,900) Total programme
– 2:1 269 29 22-55 28 US$32,056-US$38,468 Total programme
– 2:1 116 30 – 24 US$7,500 Per semester
– 1:1 255 28 25–31 30 –
– 2:1 99 31 26–39 30 US$650 Per credit
– 3:1 105 26 23-27 30 US$23,612
– 2:1 11 33 25–39 33 £6,500 (US$13,000) Per year
– 3:1 143 33 28–51 35 €23,000 (US$31,507) €25,000 (US$34,274) if company-sponsored
– – 5 29 23–38 – €45,000 (US$61,644)
– 3:1 76 35 24–46 42 US$30,510 Total programme
– 3:1 128 30 26–34 45 US$30,000 Total programme
– 1:1 258 31 22–54 32 US$510 Per credit hour
– 1:1 823 35 28–44 41 A$3,000 (US$2,500) Per unit
– 2:1 351 29 25–34 30 US$803 Per credit
– 3:1 87 32 26–39 36 A$50,000 (US$41,667)
– – 193 31 25–37 19 US$15,500
– – 308 29 – 38 US$945 Per unit
– 2:1 115 35 28–43 34 A$43,840 (US$36,533) Total programme
600 3:1 67 32 27–39 30 S$33,000 (US$21,854) Total programme
– – 455 28 – 0 US$1,440 Per credit
– 3:1 25 34 27–48 28 £15,950 (US$31,900) Total programme
– – 355 29 – 28 US$4,679 Per credit
– 3:1 16 32 31–39 18 £17,500 (US$35,000) Total programme; £18,500 (US$37,000)
330
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables

Ohio (Fisher) MBA for Working Professionals 92 614 0
Pittsburgh (Katz) Part-time MBA 58 566 0
Queensland Part-time MBA 84 – 3
Rice (Jones) Professional MBA 72 609 0
Rochester (Simon) Part-time MBA 80 580 1
Singapore Part-time MBA 84 610 2
Solvay Part-time MBA 108 580 3
South Carolina (Moore) Professional MBA 74 606 2
Southampton Part-time MBA 153 n/a 36
Southern California (Marshall) Part-time MBA 72 624 2
Southern Methodist (Cox) Professional MBA 72 599 0
TiasNimbas Part-time MBA (Tilburg, Utrecht or Bonn) 96 590 3
UCLA (Anderson) Fully-employed MBA 72 677 0
Washington BS Evening MBA 79 663 0
Washington St Louis (Olin) Professional MBA 57 603 0
Wisconsin-Madison Evening MBA 60 595 2
Wits Part-time MBA 108 580 4
Comparative data, part-time programmes continued
Key data Admission
requirements
School Programme Average number Average Number of
of months’ work GMAT months’ work
experience score experience
required
Comparative data, distance-learning programmes
Key data Admission
requirements
School Programme Average number Average Number of
of months’ work GMAT months’ work
experience score experience
required
Aston MBA (Distance Learning) 84 620 4
Audencia (Nantes) Euro*MBA 120 – 5
Bradford Distance-learning MBA 96 – 3
Cornell (Johnson) Cornell–Queen MBA 144 625 7
Florida (Hough) Internet MBA 67 596 2
Henley Global Distance Learning MBA 156 – 3
IE International Executive MBA/Global MBA 138 685 3
Manchester Worldwide MBA 120 – 3
Open University Distance-learning MBA 180 – 3
Royal Holloway MBA in International Management – n/a 36
Thunderbird Global MBA (On Demand and 84 – 3
Latin American Managers)
Warwick MBA by distance learning 120 – 4
331
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
for overseas students
– 2:1 145 30 25–37 28 US$22,353 Per year
– 2:1 155 29 24–39 39 US$853 Per credit
550 4:1 33 32 26–42 30 A$36,000 (US$30,000) Per year for domestic students
– 2:1 111 29 25–34 35 US$81,500 Total programme
– – 66 29 – 23 US$1,301 Per credit
– 14:1 84 31 28–36 15 S$34,000 (US$22,517)
– 1:1 36 34 28–45 26 €20,000 (US$27,397)
– 2:1 158 30 25–40 28 US$10,500 For 21 hours
– 1:1 27 37 27-52 29 £17,330 (US$34,660)
– 2:1 293 28 25–34 29 US$1,217 Per unit
– 2:1 123 29 25–33 27 US$78,860
550 – 61 33 26–44 16 €35,600 (US$48,767) Total programme
– – 253 30 24–44 31 US$30,000 Per year
– 2:1 105 30 26–36 30 US$16,536 Per year
– 2:1 141 29 25–37 28 US$1,220 Per credit
– 1:1 58 29 24–38 25 US$15,906 Per year
550 299:1 113 32 26–40 27 R105,000 (US$14,894)
Class characteristics Programme fees
Minimum Ratio of Student Average Age Percentage Programme fees Comments
GMAT score applicants intake age range of women
required to places students
Class characteristics Programme fees
Minimum Ratio of Student Average Age Percentage Programme fees Comments
GMAT score applicants intake age range of women
required to places students
– 3:1 20 31 25–49 42 £14,550 (US$29,100)
– – 10 36 30–40 26 €25,500 (US$34,932)
– 2:1 45 34 28–43 21 £10,450 (US$20,900)
– 2:1 95 36 28–50 19 US$98,000
– 2:1 58 28 25–31 30 –
– 2:1 60 36 28–45 27 £15,595 (US$31,190) Total programme
640 3:1 50 35 28–40 30 €52,100 (US$71,370) €36,100 (US$49,452) Global MBA
– – 364 33 28–41 33 £16,400 (US$32,800) Total programme
– 1:1 – 38 25–52 39 £13,960 (US$27,920) Total programme
– – – 33 26-43 46 £10,150 (US$20,300) Total programme
– 2:1 119 30 25–47 24 US$61,650US$41,000 On-Demand
Latin American Managers
– 2:1 150 36 31–45 24 £4,800 (US$9,600) Per year
332
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
Comparative data, executive MBA programmes
Key data Admission
requirements
School Programme Average number Average Number of
of months’ work GMAT months’ work
experience score experience
required
Arizona (Eller) Executive MBA 156 – 7
Audencia (Nantes) Executive MBA 180 – 7
Bath Executive MBA 120 – 3
Birmingham Executive MBA 180 – 5
Boston Executive MBA 168 – 10
British Columbia (Sauder) Executive MBA in Healthcare 144 – 8
California at Berkeley (Haas) Berkeley–Columbia Executive MBA 144 – 0
Case Western (Weatherhead) Executive MBA 180 – 10
Chicago Executive MBA – North America 168 – 0
Chicago Executive MBA – Europe 144 – 0
Chicago Executive MBA – Asia 168 – 10
Chinese University of Hong Kong Executive MBA 168 – 7
City (Cass) Executive MBA 120 – 3
Columbia New York Executive MBA 108 – 5
Columbia EMBA–Global 120 – 5
Cornell (Johnson) Executive MBA 144 – 0
Duke (Fuqua) MBA – Global Executive 180 – 10
Duke (Fuqua) MBA – Cross Continent 77 652 3
Duke (Fuqua) MBA – Weekend Executive 120 648 5
Durham Executive MBA 180 – 3
EGADE OneMBA 156 589 7
EADA Executive MBA 120 – 5
Florida (Hough) Executive MBA 144 603 2
Georgetown (McDonough) International Executive MBA 164 620 7
Georgia (Terry) Executive MBA 180 590 5
Henley Executive MBA 168 – 5

IE Executive MBA 96 685 6
IESE Global Executive MBA 144 – 7
Illinois Executive MBA 164 – 7
Imperial (Tanaka) Executive MBA 96 – 3
Indian Institute (Ahmedabad) One Year Post Graduate Programme for Executives 112 731 0
Iowa (Tippie) Executive MBA 192 554 10
Iowa (Tippie) International Executive MBA 96 – 3
Lancaster Executive MBA 132 – 5
Leeds MBA (Executive) 144 – 0
London Executive MBA 120 650 5
London Dubai–London Executive MBA 120 – 5
E.M. Lyon Executive MBA 132 585 5
Mannheim ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA 132 – 5
Maryland (Smith) Executive MBA 192 – 8
Michigan (Ross) Executive MBA 173 – 10

333
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
Class characteristics Programme fees
Minimum Ratio of Student Average Age Percentage Programme fees Comments
GMAT score applicants intake age range of women
required to places students
– 1:1 76 36 28–46 41 US$50,000
– 3:1 21 38 31–48 33 €19,000 (US$26,027)
600 2:1 36 34 28–40 33 £19,500 (US$39,000)
– 3:1 41 35 26–51 18 £16,600 (US$33,200)
– 2:1 31 38 31–45 21 US$78,000 Total programme
– 1:1 23 38 32–54 76 C$50,000 (US$46,729)
– – 66 37 29–55 26 US$140,000 Total programme
– 1:1 27 38 30–44 17 US$86,000 Total programme
– – 88 37 31–46 28 US$127,000 Total programme
– – 89 35 30–40 20 US$63,000 Total programme
– – 92 36 30–41 24 US$164,000 Total programme
– – 50 38 34–47 20 HK$308,000 (US$39,487) Total programme
– 3:1 71 32 28–39 20 £37,000 (US$74,000)
– – 115 32 28–39 26 US$133,200 Total programme
– – 72 33 28–40 22 US$132,840 Total programme
– 2:1 65 34 26–62 32 US$127,800
– – 85 39 34–45 19 US$135,500 Total programme
– – 118 30 26–34 21 US$101,900 Total programme
– – 109 34 29–41 16 US$102,900 Total programme
– 2:1 20 36 29–46 20 £16,500 (US$33,000)
– 1:1 10 35 26-48 – US$45,000 Total programme
– 2:1 84 35 31–40 15 €29,750 (US$40,753)
– 1:1 40 37 33–41 25 US$40,000 Total programme
– 2:1 51 37 30-47 19 US$93,935
– 1:1 66 36 27–50 30 US$65,000 Total programme
– 2:1 32 37 28–50 29 £39,950 (US$79,900) Total programme; additional £800 (US$1,600)
for study trips
640 3:1 343 35 33–39 32 €40,100 (US$54,932)
– – 42 37 31–48 7 €89,500 (US$122,603)
– 2:1 48 37 31–46 26 US$81,500 Total programme
– 2:1 93 32 24–45 31 £34,250 (US$68,500) £34,500 (US$69,000) for weekend track
– 17:1 78 33 29–38 11 R1.5m (US$36,276)
– 2:1 38 40 29–49 35 US$51,000 Total programme
– 1:1 19 31 27–38 40 US$32,000 Total programme
– 2:1 28 34 28–43 32 £17,500 (US$35,000)
– 1:1 18 38 33–43 36 £17,000 (US$34,000) £19,000 (US$38,000) for overseas applicants
600 3:1 76 33 28–38 21 £45,900 (US$91,800) Total programme
– 3:1 78 33 27–40 15 £79,950 (US$159,900) Total programme
– 2:1 40 36 30–42 10 €30,000 (US$41,096) Per year
– 4:1 41 36 31–44 37 €44,000 (US$60,274)
– 2:1 31 41 35–45 39 US$94,000 Total programme
– – 103 39 31–50 16 US$125,000 Total programme. US$120,000
for in-state applicants
334
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
Minnesota (Carlson) Executive MBA 180 – 0
Northwestern (Kellogg) Executive MBA 168 – 0


Norwegian BI Executive MBA 168 – 5
Nottingham Executive MBA 60 – 5

Nyenrode Part-time MBA 96 603 4
Ohio (Fisher) Executive MBA 168 – 7
Oxford (Saïd) Executive MBA 144 630 5
Penn State (Smeal) Executive MBA 204 – 8
Pittsburgh (Katz) MBA Worldwide 144 564 10

Rice (Jones) Executive MBA 168 – 0
Rochester (Simon) Executive MBA 144 – 3
Singapore Asia Pacific Executive MBA 192 – 8

Singapore Executive MBA 156 – 10
Southern California (Marshall) Executive MBA 168 – 8
Southern Methodist (Cox) Executive MBA 168 – 8
Thunderbird Executive MBA – Arizona 144 – 8
TiasNimbas International Executive MBA 120 600 5
UCLA (Anderson) Executive MBA 156 655 0
Vanderbilt (Owen) Executive MBA 144 603 5
Warwick Executive MBA 132 – 4
Washington BS Executive MBA 168 560 0
Washington St Louis (Olin) EMBA Program – St. Louis 180 – 0
Wisconsin-Madison Executive MBA 192 – 8
Comparative data, executive MBA programmes continued
Key data Admission
requirements
School Programme Average number Average Number of
of months’ work GMAT months’ work
experience score experience
required
335
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
– – 57 39 31–46 54 US$78,500 Total programme
– – 219 38 31–45 20 US$71,000 Per year, North American and Miami
programmes Regional programme:
US$67,500 per year
– 3:1 27 39 32–48 19 NKr285,000 (US$48,635)
– 5:1 30 35 31–43 19 £17,500 (US$35,000) Total programme; £18,500 (US$37,000)
for overseas students
– 1:1 28 32 29–36 29 €48,300 (US$66,164) Total programme
– 2:1 55 38 30–48 25 US$72,500 Total programme
– – 49 35 30–46 – £46,000 (US$92,000) Total programme
– 3:1 52 39 31–58 20 US$89,000 Total programme
– 1:1 90 37 30–44 16 US$60,500 €35,000 in Europe; US$65,000 in US;
US$48,000 in Brazil
– 1:1 61 38 30–45 22 US$86,750 Total programme
– – 36 36 26–49 28 US$77,500 Total programme
– 2:1 87 39 32–49 18 S$80,000 (US$52,980) S$70,000 (US$46,358)
for programme in Chinese
– 2:1 45 37 32–46 16 S$74,800 (US$49,536)
– 2:1 124 38 31–45 18 US$1,217 Per unit
– 3:1 93 36 31–42 22 US$84,135
– 2:1 51 36 31–44 24 US$77,000 Total programme
550 – 43 36 26–50 19 €52,500 (US$71,918) Total programme
– – 72 37 29–53 20 US$50,000 Per year
– 2:1 52 37 29–44 10 US$22,850 Per term
– 2:1 97 36 30–45 25 £7,600 (US$15,200) Per year
– 1:1 89 39 31–48 20 US$71,500
– – 97 40 27–50 21 US$89,600
– 1:1 47 40 33–50 23 US$34,500 Per year
Class characteristics Programme fees
Minimum Ratio of Student Average Age Percentage Programme fees Comments
GMAT score applicants intake age range of women
required to places students
336
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Appendix: comparative tables
Country Currency Exchange Rate (US$)
Australia A$ 1.20
Canada C$ 1.07
China Rmb 7.60
Euro zone € 0.73
Hong Kong HK$ 7.80
India Rs 41.35
Japan ¥ 117.76
New Zealand NZ$ 1.36
Norway NKr 5.86
Singapore S$ 1.51
South Africa R 7.05
Switzerland SwFr 1.20
UK £ 0.50
a
Average 2007.
Exchange rates
a
337
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Ashridge ix
Audencia School of Management Nantes xiv
University of Bath School of Management x
Brandeis International Business School x
City University—Cass Business School xii
University of Edinburgh Management School Insert
EGADE ix
IE—Instituto de Empresa 56
IMD—International Institute for Management Development Inside front cover
International University of Japan 2
E.M. Lyon iii
Maastricht School of Management 2
Mannheim Business School 12
Temple University—Fox School of Business xiv
Warwick Business School iv
List of advertisers
338
Which MBA? © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2008
Notes