Hi

I have been researching various MBAs and settled on the EMBA as right for me.

My goals - accelerate senior leadership position within global real estate firm working with retailers (already in a senior role) or switch to management consultancy. An MBA will (I hope) give me the skills and network to succeed in the former and later together with the badge that demonstrates skill set. Professional Interests/side projects include environmental & digital strategy & transformation.

I’m London based with young family. Therefore preference for London based.

That narrows it down to

Imperial - great looking programme and STEM/environmental electives are an attraction. Internationally recognised and business school alumni increasing. Hybrid teaching makes sense in modern economy.

Cass - great looking programme and electives. But brand is having identity crises and feel no affinity for the university. Ranks very well. Alumni perhaps less relevant to me.

Warwick - well rated and probably the safest bet but I find the programme uninspiring and electives really limited. Strong alumni and reputation.

I’ve also looked at ie (too Spanish bias alumni to maximise value) and ESCP (really like programme but too much travel for my preference).

I’d really appreciate any perspectives or opinions on these.

In which country do you most likely want to work? Is the MBA the best qualification in that country for your goals (e.g in the UK, a RICS-accredited MSc could be more powerful). Which schools have the best networks in the companies you target? 

Thanks Duncan

I've already got a Masters in Real Estate and have been MRICS for 12 years. I'm really looking to diversify skill set away from real estate and more into consulting & business. 

I'm UK based and likely to remain so for the foreseeable. That said, my current company is global and my role does variously take on mandates across Europe & US. That global perspective is important to me. 

Picking a network would be a school with strong management consultant alumni. To that end, there doesn't seem to be a massive amount to difference between the above mentioned. 

See https://find-mba.com/lists/top-business-school-by-speciality/top-business-schools-for-consulting 

Thanks Duncan 

a very thorough blog and certainly has given me some points to consider.

I’d be interested to understand your opinion on imperial? I can’t find much positive comment from you on the various boards but it ranks well as an EMBA, BS and university, has a well set up programme and seems to tick plenty of boxes. What am I missing? 

I'm really focussed on the best schools for specific goals. I'm not sure where Imperial is better than other E/MBA programmes. Certainly a strong school: I have studied there myself.