Hello everyone,

I?m aiming at starting my MBA this winter either in International Business (Consulting) or Aviation Management. Can any body help me analyze my situation and tell me if the investment in MBA is worthy in my case?

Profile:
25 years old,female from India
Trained Commercial Pilot
IATA-UFTAA Foundation Course
Bachelor of Business Administration (B+,in my final semester now, finishing July 2013)

2 years work experience in a German company in India which is into international business and legal consulting.
English, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, German A1 level (starting with A2 next month)
I have an average score of 550 in GMAT with 5.5/6.0 in AWA.
I am unable to decide whether I should opt for an MBA in International Business or Aviation Management. I am slightly apprehensive of going in for a niche programme considering the fluctuating market conditions.
1. Could somebody please help me decide and also tell me about the job prospects after the respective programme?
2. How different are MBA, PGDM and Masters in Management and how would each degree affect the placements?
3. Is a one year/ 18 months MBA as good as the 2 year programme?
4. I am pursuing my Bachelors via distance learning from a recognized university and I was working while studying. Will this be a hindrance in my application?

Thanks a lot for your advice in advance!

Sorry about the lengthy post.
Regards,

Anjana

1 and 2. Outcomes are different from different business schools; that's more important than the name of the degree or the specialisation.
3. Generally, two year programmes are good if you want a lot of change, and one year programmes are good if you don't. If you want to change country, function and industry then you'll a two year degree will be better. However a one year MBA from a ranked, accredited school is better than a two-year MBA from a no-name school.
4. Distance learning is great. It requires more motivation. Expect the school be be curious about your team working skills.

Dear Duncan,

Thank you for the reply.

I have shortlisted a few universities which I believe would accept my GMAT score and also fit in my low budget. They are mostly in Germany as I have my work experience and language to back up my application.

1. ESB- Reutlingen- MBA International Business
2. University of Applied Sciences- Offenburg- MBA IBC
3. Pforzheim- MBA IM
4. HFU Business School- MBA IB
5. Chambery Graduate School of Business MBA IB
6.Weller - MBA
7. Copenhagen Business School
8. University of Pisa- IMBA

As you can see, these are all 12-18 months programmes as I have my budget as a constraint, and exactly why I haven't been able to find an Aviation Management degree either.

I was under the idea that a Masters in Management would not have as much weightage as an MBA and therefore I restricted myself to MBAs during my search. I will look for more unis now. Could you please suggest some more Universities according to my profile?

Thanks a ton!

Regards

Anjana

Focus on Reutlingen if your German is good enough. A bilingual programme will be a huge advantage. Pforzheim is next best. Copenhagen's MBA must be well over your budget.

Chambery, Furtwangen and Offenburg are interesting programmes.

Weller is a joke. Pisa's programme is very odd; I don't have a great feeling about it.

Maybe also look at Turkish schools?

Thank you Duncan.

Yes, I just realised I miscalculated the tuition fee for Copenhagen. Under bilingual programmes, there is another option- Nuertingen Geislingen University. They offer an MBA IM as well which has a few lessons taught in German. However, I haven't heard much about this uni and therefore have my doubts. What do you suggest?

I will try looking at Turkish schools as well. Your opinion about the schools helped a lot.

Regards

Anjana

Nuertingen Geislingen University isn't well known. It's a lovely town though.

Yes it seems like a nice little town (I saw the pics) :)

Now that you have a fair idea of what I am looking for, could you please suggest a few masters in mgmt programmes too? So far I have only 5 unis shortlisted and I would like to apply to a few more so I have more chances of getting in. If masters in mgmt is almost the same as an mba I'd like to apply for that too.

Thanks & best regards

Anjana

A masters in management isn't the same as an MBA. The MSc is typically for pre-experience students, and the MBA is for those with work experience.

The best masters in management are: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-management-2012 For many of these you will need to work on your GMAT. A score over 600 would be a big help.

Also take a look at http://www.best-masters.com/ranking-master-in-germany.html#.UR35S1rfzA8

Thank you for the links. I am considering retaking the GMAT; however I am not sure if I have enough time. I believe I will have to begin with my applications soon.

Also, is it okay to get both of my recommendation letters from the same company (I have only worked with them)?

Can I start my applications before taking the IELTS?

Ask the schools. They might have their own preferences.

Ok. Thanks Duncan.

Is it true that universities abroad (especially in Europe) do not accept students from distance learning from further education? I have come across many people who said this and I don't know if I am being unrealistic in applying for MBA. Please advise.

No, I don't think that's true. By "further education" I assume you mean education that is not at the higher education (university) level. What matters is the quality of the qualification, not the mode of study.

However, to apply to an MBA you will need a higher education qualification, most commonly an honours degree from a state-accredited university.

Thank you Duncan. I am pursuing Bachelor of Business Administration (3 year course) degree. I am in fact in my final semester now. I am studying at the The Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok which is incorporated under the State Legislative Act (Act IX of 1995) of the Government of Sikkim.
Sikkim India.
Sikkim Manipal University Directorate of Distance Education is recognised by
University Grants Commission(UGC)
Ministry of HRD
Member of Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
SMU had been granted an Approval by the Distance Education Council of India.

Would my work experience not count towards the application at all? It is quite disappointing how unconventional choices such as Distance learning at the Undergrad level are looked down upon.

I think your degree will be looked at similarly to other three-year degrees from most other Indian universities by most MBA programmes. The sort of work experience most people have after graduating is diferent from what they have while studying. That's why schools look for post-graduation work experience.

Hit me back if you still have HS Pforzheim on your list and you are actively pursuing it. I could help you out with the details.

Hello!! I happened to go through all the posts.. Would be great if you could help me with two questions. Before that a small background about me.. I've finished my engineering in 2007, 4+ years exp in consumer products industry .. Now associated with a US based food manufacturer in their consumer insights division. I find two programmes suitable for me. 1.ibc at offenburg and 2.pforzheim.. Ielts 7.5, no GMAT. How is the ibc programme in offenburg? What is the possibility of landing in to a job after? 2. Can I apply in pforzheim without GMAT. Appreciate every bit of your help

Pforzheim requires GMAT http://www.hs-pforzheim.de/De-de/Wirtschaft-und-Recht/Master/mba-im/Admissions/Seiten/Inhaltseite.aspx

Job prospects will differ in line with your German language skills.

Unfortunately, the Pforzheim app is not complete without the GMAT score.

IBC Offenburg is good btw.