Hi there,

I’m a 28 year old graphic designer from Germany working in an agency specialized in spacious brand communication / exhibitions / fair stands / interior design. I’m pretty strong in communicating both visually and verbally, good in analyzing and have a strong potential of innovation.

Nevertheless I want to move to the management floor where the big decisions are made and work in a more strategic field – combining design thinking and managing skills. Not sure yet if to do so as a consultant or within a marketing team. Therefore I want to get an MBA (or MSc) which is strong in marketing.

Since want to choose a country where I will possibly stay for a while afterwards I’m focused on the following countries : UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway

A 1,5 – 2 year MBA would be nice but hard to find in these countries…

BA GPA: 3,9 (german grade 1,1, good design school in Germany but don’t know how to value)
Study abroad at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, London for two terms (international elite art college)
Graduation scholarship for best interdisciplinary thesis
Scholarship of german state (Deutschlandstipendium)
Various national and international Design Awards (college and professional work)
Work: 3 – 3.5 years
IELTS: 7,5
GMAT: not yet taken
Carreer so far: started as a junior designer in my current agency (10 – 15 employees) after graduatio. Made my way up to art director which means that I’m now responsible for all the visual communication in large exhibition projects (including time and budget management) leading a team of 2 to 4 designers. 

Do you think I have chances to get into a top MBA with my atypical profile? (CBS, RSM, Imperial College, Oxbrigde,…) Which GMAT would I have to score? And which schools would you suggest to fit best in my profile?

Thanks in advance for reading all this and your help!

Yes, I think your managerial role makes an MBA more suitable and, given that career progress is a bit slower in Scandinavia than in the UK or Netherlands, I think it makes sense to look at Dutch or UK schools. As you say, the longer format MBAs are better for someone like yourself with the ambitious goal of changing at least two or perhaps all three dimensions: country, role and industry.

if you did not want rapid progress, then MSc programmes in marketing at Copenhagen, RSM, Imperial, Lancaster, Cranfield etc would be worth considering.

But since you do, LBS and Manchester are the obvious choices: longer formats with internships and project possibilities to help you build credibility. LBS comes to mind first because of its strong relationships with WPP and Publicis, and has been quite successufl at placing people into WPP, including its amazing fellowship programme http://www.wpp.com/wpp/careers/marketing/mbas/

Thanks Duncan for your detailed reply, highly appreciate this!

1. LBS is highly appealing and the longer format definitely makes sense! But according to your GMAT Tiers I would have to score above 700. Plus I won’t be able to apply before round 2. Regarding this I’m not sure If my profile is strong enough?

2. If I got you right you don’t see my atypical profile (3 years experience in a rather small design company although we work for big clients like Mercedes, no „elite“ BA) as a disadvantage? You see I’m slightly anxious of all the applicants with lots of work experience in big international companies leading much larger teams …

3. Sadly many schools like RSM or CBS won’t accept my B.A. in Design for their MSc programs (due to missing ECTS in certain areas) I’ve only found LUSEM and Stockholm University for Management MSc in Scandinavia, but don’t know how valuable these would be for my plans? (rapid progress would be pleasant but not compulsory) Will consider Lancaster and Cranfield for UK.

4. Regarding private life moving to Denmark would be most attractive. Do you think the CBS MBA would be a fairly good chance to get into the field of danish marketing in a management position?

1. If you get a GMAT over 700, then I think you're an interesting candidate.
2. Your unusual background is, on balance, an advantage.
3. If we are discussing MBAs, I don't see why the criteria for MSc. are really relevant. But, yes, in some schools the MSc is often seen as a consecutive degree and they will look for people with prior study in that area. Most schools in Europe won't do that, and they won't for the MBA. Look at the FT MiM ranking and add in the column called 'relevant degree'. An MSc at an unranked school without international accreditation will not be very valuable.
4. If you speak Danish to a professional level, I think the CBS MBA is a great way into Danish management.