I'm thinking about the MBA from EDHEC and UCD Smurfit. Could anyone tell me if those schools have good reputation outside their countries? For example, I've seen EDHEC's alumni in Belgium and Netherlands. I have also seen alumni from both schools in other countries, but analyzing their profile in LinkedIn, they came back to their countries of origin. I read the Duncan's posts about speaking the language of the country and best schools for international students. UCD does not show up in this last list even tough the percentage of students finding job in a country different of their is higher than EDHEC's percentage.

One thing that concerns me is the post-MBA job opportunities. I'm 38 years old (over average age). I speak Spanish (native), Portuguese (C1), French (A2) and English (IELTS 7.5). I tested 670 in GMAT. I've been working in general management for 13 years and I intend to attend an MBA to get a European certificate in order to find a good job/managerial position in Europe.

Considering EDHEC, the French job market is very diversified with a lot of opportunities, however I'm not fluent in French. I've seen in LinkedIn that some students found job in Belgium and Netherlands. The school announces that (2016 class) 59% work outside of their home country, 70% of those working in France are non-french, and there are a lot of people who got a managerial position when graduated. However, taking a look at the alumni profiles graduated in 2016, it seems that a lot of them came back to their countries of origin, in addition there is the language barrier specially in France. So it seems that the information provided by the school is not clear. Does EDHEC have a good reputation in other countries in order to find a managerial position job, like Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Singapore (there is an EDHEC campus in Singapore)?

About UCD Smurfit, the Irish market is smaller than the French market and concentrated in Consulting, IT and Pharmaceutical companies. Thus, I'm not sure if my experience would allow me to get a managerial position in Ireland. On the other hand, I think that UCD is strong just inside Ireland, so it would not help me finding a managerial position in the European continent.

I think that EDHEC's curriculum is more interesting than Smurfit`s curriculum.

Assuming that I will advance to B2 in French until the conclusion of the MBA if I choose EDHEC, which option (EDHEC or UCD) would be a better option for me in order to find a managerial position after the MBA in Europe (it doesn't matter if it would be in the school's country or another country)?

That's a tough choice. I would say that EDHEC has a slightly more robust reputation across mainland Europe, especially in French-speaking parts. However, UCD is a great school and has a more consistent presence in the FT rankings, and is a relatively good school for placing in Ireland and even the UK more broadly.

However, if you went down the EDHEC route I'd be concerned about your level of French. I would certainly work on that and get it up much higher before starting. If you could exit the MBA with fluent French skills, that would be ideal. If not, I think UCD would be the safer choice.

Why are you looking only at those two schools? And are you considering an EMBA?

Just from your post it doesn't seem like UCD is a very good fit for your goals, even if it is a great school. Have you considered schools like IE and IESE given that you are a native Spanish speaker and the fact that those schools have great networks not only throughout Europe, but also in South America in case you decide at some point you want to go back?

Thank you Razors Edge and mcgr !

I'm considering UCD and EDHEC because they usually have older students. The other in Spain have a lower average age. Another point is the number of students. I prefer small classes.

I'm not considering EMBA. I've spoken with some MBA admission staff and they said I could not attend the EMBA because I'd be unemployed, so I'd not be able to contribute to the program.

Reposition yourself as an independent consultant rather than an unemployed person. Then try better schools.

PS yes there is an EDHEC campus in Singapore. One of the MBA concentrations is taught there.

Thank you, Duncan. Due to my language skills, I should think about attending an EMBA in Spain or in Portugal or at least being an independent consultant in those countries. Do you think an EMBA by an Expat (with no networking) in those countries is worth? I think the economy in those countries is still recovering. So it would be a risky bet, wouldn't it?

Any MBA outside India is low value without networking