MBA Guide

How do I choose a UK business school?

When choosing a business school for your MBA, think about the following factors:

1. Faculty - are they engaging and inspiring?
2. Students - how many are they? Do they seem like an engaging, welcoming group when you visit them on an open day?
3. Choices - is there a range of topics and/or specialisms to choose from?
4. Flexibility - can you fit it around other commitments and responsibilities?
5. Freedom - does the school have the creativity, innovation and research you are looking for?
6. Leaders - are there prominent figures at the school who are leaders in their field?
7. Student support services - does the school provide a good system to support its students throughout their studies?
8. Rankings - look at their reputation and see where they sit in the UK league tables.

For more in-depth advice, please see our Choosing A Business School guide.

How do I choose an MBA program?

To help you choose the right MBA program for you, think about:

1. Decide what is essential - what is important in terms of the content, and does it cover the material you want to learn more about?
2. Do your homework - investigate different business schools and what they have to offer. Try to draw up a shortlist of no more than 10 that meet your needs, and rank them in order of preference.
3. Ask questions and find out more - talk to current students and alumni and ask for their feedback on the school. Do they like it? Are there any drawbacks?
4. Go to an open day - it's always best to try and visit the business school(s) you are interested in attending to get a real flavour of what it's like studying there. This should help narrow down your shortlist even further.

For more comprehensive advice, please see our Choosing An MBA guide.

Is an MBA worth it?

An MBA is only worth the expense, time, and effort when the graduate plans to work in a business-related field, in management, or as a company founder.

For those working in other industries, unless they are in management or leadership roles, an MBA may not be useful. Moreover, not all MBA degrees are created equal.

An MBA program will help you challenge yourself, learn about the latest issues and apply business techniques at work. Continuous personal developmentand improvement is the key to success in any career.

How do I write an MBA personal statement?

To write a successful MBA personal statement, you need to:

1. Talk about internships, work placements/part-time jobs or any other professional experience
2. Try to tell a story about yourself in a professional setting that will help convey your business acumen, and shows you in a positive light
3. Explain why you want to pursue an MBA and share your career ambitions. For example, you might mention you want to specialise in international management to work in the hospitality sector.
4. Write about why you are a good fit for the program and what you can bring to the business school.

For more help and advice, please see our Writing Your MBA Personal Statement guide.