I have offers from 7 universities Strathclyde / Birmingham /Aston / QUB / Cadiff / Liverpool / Kingston

My have applied for Edinburgh & Lancaster , but yet to hear.



Have worked in Operations/Manufacturing (Automobile - Suzuki , Toyota) for 20 years.

Am keen on doing MBA without looking too much into Scholarships.

On a long term I would like to work in operations or will pick up consulting.

Am not sure which 1 to choose.. I would prioritise Working in UK rather than for International Mobility.Considering employability as the main factor post MBA.



I appreciate Inputs and guidance...

Am already late with my applications & have deadlines nearing..

Please help!!!



Vinay

[Edited by Vinay Diwakar on Jun 24, 2023]

The one in the FT ranking, Birmingham, is the best choice. However, if you want to work in the UK why not apply to a better school? 

Am considering either Birmingham or Strathclyde. I believe strathclyde fares marginally better interms of employability.. 

Am not sure if there are any other universities beyond these that can offer me without a GMAT.
Am not considering GMAT , n don't want to go beyond 2023. 

What are the others -- > Lancaster,Cranfield,Warwick,Durham,Edinburgh,Manchester.  
I believe these bunch needs GMAT... 

Am I going to find it difficult finding a career  in UK with Univ like strathclyde / Birmingham...
How far can I leverage on the experience of 20 years??

regards,vinay

@Vinay, you do not need GMAT for Durham and UEBS. The only problem I see is that you’re already pretty late in applications to both schools. If they haven’t closed out applications already, you’ll probably be in the last admission cycle for 2023 and with both schools kicking off the 2023 session in September and yet having very long waiting periods for decisions on your application, I wouldn’t be super confident applying to them any longer but what’s to stop you from trying? Go for it. 

Both schools are infinitely better than those on your current list. If you haven’t heard back from Lancaster it may be because of the new quota system they’ve just deployed this year for MBA recruitment from certain parts of the world, especially India. You may yet receive word from them and for Lancaster, you also don’t need a GMAT. 

The fact that you don't know whether or not these schools need the GMAT reflects a lack of research. Have you done the right thinking about career goals? 

Hi,

Out of the schools that you have mentioned only Edinburgh and Lancaster are worth doing an MBA from the rest are pretty much average B schools. Even though Birmingham did get into the FT rankings this year but they have not been ranked for quite sometime. So I would suggest not to make descisions based on just one year's or ranking data. 

One more thing from the list of universities that you have mentioned in one of the above comments, Lancaster, Durham and Edinburgh don't require the GMAT whereas for Cranfield and Warwick you have an alternative exam but I am not sure whether you will be able to opt for that now. When it comes to Manchester they are very strict and they have no other option but only the GMAT. 

Thank you Overlord47  for the insight.Yes, I agree. Am trying to work with things on hand.

Here are the final standings  and status :

1) Top Picks : Edinburgh , Durham, Lancaster : Application under consideration &  would consider either of these ...
(Could not apply to Warwick).

2) Cranfield & Manchester - Applications were rejected.(GMAT & other reasons)

3) Birmingham / Strathclyde / Aston : Have the offer.
   
   Considering :  Strathclyde -- > Birmingham --- > Aston
Am not sure if this is the right order..

4) Liverpool,Cardiff,QUB,Middlesex, Kingston --- > offered, but am not considering though.

So the pick is between Birmingham/Strathclyde/Aston till I get to hear from the Top Picks.
Its closing down to Strathclyde vs Birmingham with both universities ranked quite similar.
Am considering FT to compare, as the factor of employability is something am looking at.
Does the city like Birmingham (Aston Univ & Birmingham Univ) has an edge interms of Location & Job prospects.
I would move with Family and given that my wife would look to work as an Architect, what should be my preference in terms of location.

I would have about a week or till 10th of July to chose & finalise.

Please share your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.

[Edited by Vinay Diwakar on Jun 30, 2023]

When it comes to Manchester they are very strict and they have no other option but only the GMAT. 

Have some updates,

Have been offered 50 % scholarship from Strathclyde.Pretty much brings down the course fee.Quite Lucrative..

Alongside, Today got offers from UEBS,Lancaster & Manchester(Global MBA).Wasnt expecting from Manchester though.Not sure if I would be offered any grants in these.

UEBS is ranked at 22 for QS ranking 2024.Quite applealing.However,Lancaster & SBS have dropped down the order.Not sure if this is the indicator for University or would it also include Business school.

https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2024?&countries=gb

Should I say these 3 outweigh Strathclyde,even with good grants close to 20K Pounds.
Spoke to students from SBS/Edinburgh. Opinion is split.

Ofcourse,most of them spoke about brand value.Is it a different proposition altogether with an experience of 20 years..Not sure though..
Please shed light..help!!

Thanks in advance