Hi

I am currently working as a Technology Consultant in India and have around 9.5 years of work experience. For last 4+ years, I am working in managerial capacity. I hold a B. Tech. in Computer Science.

I wish to pursue the MBA program from UK, and I have the following offers -

1.) Lancaster University (with scholarship)
2.) University of Leeds (with scholarship)
3.) Strathclyde University (scholarship decision pending)
4.) University of Manchester (small scholarship)
5.) Brunel University (with scholarship)
6.) Cranfield - decision pending
7.) University of Edinburgh - decision pending

I took the GRE and I have a decent score.

My post MBA goal is to work in UK, preferably in Technology domain. I am flexible on working in other domains as well. I wish to work in management positions (product management, business development and similar roles).

I liked the University of Manchester program, but it's fee is too high (£40,000 after scholarship). Hence, I am doubtful about it.
I have a decent scholarship from Lancaster and Leeds, and I really like Lancaster University's program. I am keen on Lancaster University's program.

I am yet to hear from Cranfield and Edinburgh, but it has been long since I applied. I am not sure if I will get a positive response.

I looked at higher ranked programs (LBS). The fee is too high, and hence I did not pursue those.

Please help me chose the university. I am leaning towards Lancaster.

On average, there are big differences in the income from different schools and those differences increase over time. That means that a small incremental difference in the value of a school has a large impact. Try this out in Excel and calculate the marginal increase in lifetime income using the average salary levels you can download from the FT ranking. 

View this way, the premium on the AMBS MBA is not too high, but too low. If AMBS people earn £15,000 more a year, then after 40 years that is £600,000 more assuming that the differences in income do not increase over time. Viewed though this lens, there's no material basis for your statement that the fee is too high. What you are really saying that that you would rather pay less and that that you struggle to calculate the added value created by a world class MBA. 

In terms of choosing schools, I would assume that the various schools place very differently into tech, and especially in roles like product and sales where most people don't have MBAs. Take a look at: How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571 

[Edited by Duncan on May 29, 2022]

On average, there are big differences in the income from different schools and those differences increase over time. That means that a small incremental difference in the value of a school has a large impact. Try this out in Excel and calculate the marginal increase in lifetime income using the average salary levels you can download from the FT ranking. 

View this way, the premium on the AMBS MBA is not too high, but too low. If AMBS people earn £15,000 more a year, then after 40 years that is £600,000 more assuming that the differences in income do not increase over time. Viewed though this lens, there's no material basis for your statement that the fee is too high. What you are really saying that that you would rather pay less and that that you struggle to calculate the added value created by a world class MBA. 

In terms of choosing schools, I would assume that the various schools place very differently into tech, and especially in roles like product and sales where most people don't have MBAs. Take a look at: How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571 

There is so much written on the board about these schools so read through the posts. There's no reason to pick a worse school when you can attend a better one.

There is so much written on the board about these schools so read through the posts. There's no reason to pick a worse school when you can attend a better one.

Based on the offers you have, it's:
AMBS > Lancaster > Strathclyde.

I really wish I was in your shoes and I had applied to AMBS
So, let's say you have the plan to pay the full school fees of £25k to Lancaster (after scholarship deduction). If you minus the £25k from the £40k fees for AMBS, you will need an additional 15k to complete your fees. Perhaps, you could take a loan for the £15k. There are a few businesses that offer loans to people who school in highly ranked schools. You'll be able to pay off the loan after 1-2 years of working seeing that it isn't a significantly large amount.
I really really wish I was in your shoes right now. I wouldn't even think twice about this.

[Edited by natha on May 29, 2022]

Almost certainly the right choice is an even better school, but AMBS is the better investment within these options. 

Based on the offers you have, it's:
AMBS > Lancaster > Strathclyde.

I really wish I was in your shoes and I had applied to AMBS
So, let's say you have the plan to pay the full school fees of £25k to Lancaster (after scholarship deduction). If you minus the £25k from the £40k fees for AMBS, you will need an additional 15k to complete your fees. Perhaps, you could take a loan for the £15k. There are a few businesses that offer loans to people who school in highly ranked schools. You'll be able to pay off the loan after 1-2 years of working seeing that it isn't a significantly large amount.
I really really wish I was in your shoes right now. I wouldn't even think twice about this.

Almost certainly the right choice is an even better school, but AMBS is the better investment within these options. 

They are not out of reach. As investments they have better, higher value. Anyone admitted to those schools can get loans to cover the tuition. If you intend to work in the West, they offer the best price performance. 

Thank you all for your inputs and guidance.