Hello All,

I'm Pakistani with 4+ years professional experience in Corporate Finance and Consulting. I hold a BSc degree in Applied Accounting (GPA: 3.2- UK Upper Second Class) from Oxford Brookes University and ACCA professional certification. I have a postgraduate work experience of 1.5 years out of 4 years, since my bachelor's degree was a distance learning/part time option, I had the opportunity to work full time during my undergrad.

Budget: Max $40k
Age: 25 (Turning 26 next month)
Languages: English, Spanish (Working Proficiency)...Interested in Learning French/German.
Industry: Accounting/Financial Services
Will be writing GMAT by early November (Hopeful score 580-620)

I'm interested in applying for a full time MSC/MBA program (Preferably in Accounting/Finance) at a prestigious business school in Australia (Preferred option) or anywhere (North America/Europe) where there is Feb/March 2016 intake and a valid option to gain PR. I missed the deadline for September 2015 intake and will have to settle for early 2016 intake (Personal Reasons).

Ideally upon graduation, the program should allow me to apply for a 2 years post-study work permit (485 VISA).

The long-term objectives are:

- Work and live in the country where I study.
- Join a multinational company
- Work in Corporate Finance, consulting or Risk Management.

1) Please recommend the best schools that offer a 2 year program in Australia.

2) Are there any good business schools for early 2016 intake in North America/EU?

2) Are those schools well "connected" with industry and do they "guarantee" placement?

Since the academic year in the Northern Hemisphere starts in September, you are limited to Australia and New Zealand by your timing and language skills. Considering your modest work experience, a CFA partner programme course could suit you: http://www.cfainstitute.org/community/university/Pages/cfa_program_university_partners.aspx Take a look at these? http://www.best-masters.com/ranking-master-in-australia/master-corporate-finance.html

AGSM has a January intake, it's a 16-month program but ranks well for international mobility. You're a bit on the low side in terms of work experience, but if you can outscore the average GMAT score there (typically in the 630-640 range, that would help.)

2) Are those schools well "connected" with industry and do they "guarantee" placement?

But AGSM is out of this applicant's price range. In fact, given this applicant's restrictions (cost, spring start, low GMAT), there are very few MBA options which fit. None that will have great placement rates for international students, that's for sure.

I am not exactly firm on doing an MBA, a masters program would be well suited aswell.
How good are the job prospects in Australia for a 2 year master of accounting student at MGSM/UQ/Uni of Adelaide? Any good US schools that offer spring intake and fall within my budget?

Should I wait out for the fall 2016 intake (hard choice) and better my GMAT?

I am not sure about placement stats for the Master of Accounting grads - you should ask the schools for this.

- Maybe you can look at the Master in Management from the University of Sydney Business School, which is ranked in the FT.

- Very few US b-schools offer spring intakes for the full time programs. Fordham/St. John's/Columbia have January intakes, but these are out of your price range.

- Fall 2016 with a better GMAT score would certainly open many more options.