Hey Forum-mates,
I'm looking for some new ideas and opinions on some MBA options.
Background/ Constraints
I'm a project manager (Operations) in tech with a total of 7 years (2 years in project
management + 5 years in eng/ specialist) of experience in the Automotive and med-tech
space.
Looking for an MBA to open up further opportunities in Operations/ Strategy or Product/
Program management in Berlin (or Germany). I would consider jobs out of Europe in 5+
years, so international networks would be an added plus.
I'm currently based in Berlin and could attend classes out of Berlin for a maximum of 6
weeks in a calendar year. I'm fluent in German and English so would be open to courses in
these languages.
Budget: Courses around 50,000 Euros
Question
I am confused between the Part-time MBA at ESMT and some online MBAs (IE etc).
ESMT MBA Pros: Based in Berlin, face to face classes, 'Regular' MBA degree (i.e., not an
online degree), larger Germany network (Compared to IE)
Online Global MBA (IE) Pros: Possibly higher quality of education, 'Better ranking', larger
worldwide network
I didn't consider Mannheim or WHU as they require 'regular' on-campus presence which is
not possible for me.
I'm also considering other blended/ online programs such as EDHEC, EADA in addition to
IE.
But the fundamental question remains the same: Does an online/blended program at IE,
EDHEC, or EADA offer higher quality of education and better network in DACH region
compared to the part-time MBA at ESMT

Apologies for the long post! Looking forward to comments from you guys.

I don't see any basis for thinking that education is better at IE than ESMT. Given your location in Berlin, ESMT, ESCP and HHL are the obvious options.

[Edited by Duncan on Jan 15, 2024]

Agree with Duncan, German schools will add way way more value

Looking at the FT Global MBA ranking, it looks like ESMT students are more satisfied and rate their programme more highly. Of course these are very different cohorts. I'd expect IE to be softer and easier.

Thanks everyone! will keep that mind

so after re-evaluating my options, I'm looking at the following programs/ schools:
ESMT: Part time MBA
HHL: Part time MBA
ESCP: Executive masters (EMIB or EMDIE) as they dont have a part time MBA

The alumni networks for all three schools in Germany are comparable (somewhat surprsing), ESCP obviously has a much larger international alumni network. ESCP also ranks above the other two in most FT rankings.
The EM-DIEL at ESCP did look interesting. However, I'm not sure about the reputation and job opportunities that ESCP EM degrees have/ offer.
ESMT MBA seems to be the 'safer' option.

What do you guys think?

[Edited by berliner21 on Jan 18, 2024]

ESMT is the safer choice. If you were committed to entrepreneurship then ESCP makes sense but, honestly, a good MBA will have some entrepreneur electives and a huge range of solid core courses. The EM at ESCP lacks those, and I think they add a lot of value. Also, see the thread on the ESCP EMIB for the status of these "degrees".

Right, I have gone through the EMIB discussions and quickly dropped it, the EM-DIEL though does look more like a "degree".
What you mentioned about an MBA makes sense, especially since the ESMT MBA does have innovation as one of focus topics.
Thanks!