The Classic Question: UK or France MBA for me??


Hi all,

First of all, I really want to say thank you to everyone on this board for making choosing an MBA (an incredibly important decision) more manageable.

A little relevant background for my decision: I'm asian Canadian (Canadian nationality). I got a huge scholarship offer from EDHEC (high GMAT), and just managed to squeeze in Imperial (low GPA).

My goal is to hopefully work in internationally well known companies in Europe for 2 years after my MBA and then see if I can leverage that exp for a good job in Canada or Asia. The area of my post MBA career focus is consulting or marketing.

My french level is basic right now, and maybe I'm too opportunistic here but thanks to the Canadian government, I'm eligible for working holiday visas for both France and UK, so I'm less worried the non-EU work visa restrictions in the short term at least.

1. Given my goals for the industry and geographical areas of interests, is Imperial the clear choice here despite its massively higher cost than EDHEC? or EDHEC is about the same?

2. Also given my goals for the industry and geographical areas of interests, would I be better off with Cass, Warwick, or Manchester? (Oxford and Cam are out of my league, unlike GMAT, there's no easy fix for a very low GPA)

Thank you guys

Hi all,

First of all, I really want to say thank you to everyone on this board for making choosing an MBA (an incredibly important decision) more manageable.

A little relevant background for my decision: I'm asian Canadian (Canadian nationality). I got a huge scholarship offer from EDHEC (high GMAT), and just managed to squeeze in Imperial (low GPA).

My goal is to hopefully work in internationally well known companies in Europe for 2 years after my MBA and then see if I can leverage that exp for a good job in Canada or Asia. The area of my post MBA career focus is consulting or marketing.

My french level is basic right now, and maybe I'm too opportunistic here but thanks to the Canadian government, I'm eligible for working holiday visas for both France and UK, so I'm less worried the non-EU work visa restrictions in the short term at least.

1. Given my goals for the industry and geographical areas of interests, is Imperial the clear choice here despite its massively higher cost than EDHEC? or EDHEC is about the same?

2. Also given my goals for the industry and geographical areas of interests, would I be better off with Cass, Warwick, or Manchester? (Oxford and Cam are out of my league, unlike GMAT, there's no easy fix for a very low GPA)

Thank you guys
quote
Duncan

Imperial is the best choice if you have relevant work experience. Otherwise Manchester or Cranfield. Working holiday visas cannot be used for MBA type roles.

Imperial is the best choice if you have relevant work experience. Otherwise Manchester or Cranfield. Working holiday visas cannot be used for MBA type roles.
quote

Hi Duncan,

Thank you for your reply as always. I was wondering why you mentioned that working holiday visas cannot be used for MBA type roles.

According to gov.uk, MBA type roles are not excluded and fall into the most jobs category.

http://www.visabureau.com/uk/youth-mobility.aspx

https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-youth-mobility

"There are no restrictions on the kind of work that visa holders can undertake, except that they cannot set up their own business, work in professional sports, or work as a trainee doctor."

[Edited by AsianMBASeeker on Dec 29, 2016]

Hi Duncan,

Thank you for your reply as always. I was wondering why you mentioned that working holiday visas cannot be used for MBA type roles.

According to gov.uk, MBA type roles are not excluded and fall into the most jobs category.

http://www.visabureau.com/uk/youth-mobility.aspx

https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-youth-mobility

"There are no restrictions on the kind of work that visa holders can undertake, except that they cannot set up their own business, work in professional sports, or work as a trainee doctor."

quote
Duncan

Thanks for the link. I was unaware of that tier 5 visa. Previously the working holiday visa restricted the holder to work outside their principal line of work.

Thanks for the link. I was unaware of that tier 5 visa. Previously the working holiday visa restricted the holder to work outside their principal line of work.
quote

With that being said, should I be concerned about Imperial's below average placement success rank? (75) But it seems that most non-American schools are all pretty bad with that placement success...

How much should I read into it regarding my situation?

Thanks

With that being said, should I be concerned about Imperial's below average placement success rank? (75) But it seems that most non-American schools are all pretty bad with that placement success...

How much should I read into it regarding my situation?

Thanks
quote
Duncan

I think that percentage difference is really about the higher percentage of domestic students at US schools. Use the 'International Mobility' score to compare the full-time MBAs' ability to find work in a new country.

I think that percentage difference is really about the higher percentage of domestic students at US schools. Use the 'International Mobility' score to compare the full-time MBAs' ability to find work in a new country.
quote

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