Hi all,

I need help deciding between the Rotterdam School of Management MBA and Warwick Business School MBA. I'm looking for a one-year, full-time MBA that will have the best global reputation. These two programs seem similarly ranked in many areas. Are both considered to be at the same "world class" level? Is one notably better?

The outcomes in the rankings seem similar, but this is what I've observed:

WBS:
Pro- Rising in the FT/Economist rankings, good brand name, good value, good academic reputation, good job placement
Con- Lower international mobility, slightly lower salary outcomes than peers (110k), Brexit fears

RSM:
Pro - Better salary outcomes (120k), better 5 year salary gain according to Forbes, good international mobility, quality of life in NL
Con - More expensive, language barrier, perhaps not as big of a brand as Warwick outside mainland Europe

Thoughts?

You write about global reputation but you frame it as if you are concerned about immediate employment opportunities. What are your goals?

Hi Duncan, thanks for your reply. Of course, I'm interested in achieving both long-term and immediate goals. I want it all!! :)

Me:
-Canadian living in Europe
-Currently work in finance
-Want to continue working in finance/consulting, but have greater exposure to entrepreneurship
-Short-term, would like to continue to work in Europe or UK, so I'll need some int'l mobility in the region
-Long-term, I'd like some level of security that my MBA will track at home in North America in case I ever go back
-Don't speak Dutch, happy to learn

These two schools piqued my interest on the rankings tables and I am interested in how they compare. Cheers!

Since you don't speak Dutch, I think Warwick has the edge for you.

My specific situation aside, any thoughts on how the schools compare in terms of "global brand" or reputation?

Since you don't speak Dutch, I think Warwick has the edge for you.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that RSM isn't a good option (It's on my list of the best schools for international placement https://find-mba.com/board/general-forum/best-mbas-for-international-students-placement-35651). I'm just saying it's not the best.

94% of the RSM class is international and 77% found work in The Netherlands. 84% found work within three months of graduation, which is below average.

My point is that if you don't speak Dutch, and if you don't already speak German or a Scandinavian language, you probably won't learn Dutch to a professional standard and that will limit your career growth in The Netherlands. RSM is a great choice for people who only want a few years there, or who will learn Dutch. However, you obviously have more options where you can speak with clients and colleagues at all levels in their mother tounge.

Source: https://www.rsm.nl/fileadmin/Images_NEW/MBA/FTMBA/career/RSM_MBA_Employment_Report_class_of_2018.pdf

Thank you for your clarification, Duncan. This is helpful. Since my last comment, I came across a post from 7 years ago where you commented at length. I think the info there on RSM and the job situation in NL post-MBA is still quite relevant: https://find-mba.com/board/europe/employment-in-the-netherlands-17068

Alternatively, what do you think of the WBS MBA program for finding work in the UK or on the continent (limited to English-speaking opportunities, naturally, I assume) in consulting/finance/entrepreneurship? It seems WBS are consistently rising in the rankings, and now even more so with their presence in London at The Shard.

Of course, coming from North America, recognizability is a concern, which is why I was belaboring the global "brand" issue above.

WBS's "PIM" exchange program looks to be an attractive addition to the program. In this case, I could take a term at a partner school like Western Ivey in Canada or Northwestern in the US, in order to round out my MBA branding. I believe you did something similar with your exchange at Dartmouth?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Yup, in my post on international students placement, Warwick is in the top ten worldwide. Coventry is just an hour from London, but The Shard adds to the London alumni base and gives the school more profile.

I really recommend the exchange, and I think Warwick makes you tack it onto the end, so you get an extra semester for free. I think some of these exchange schools may give exchange students alumni status, and that is worth a lot. I gained a lot from my experience at Dartmouth. As a Canadian, they won't let you go to Canada but all of their US partners are excellent.

Thank you for your insight, Duncan! It's good to hear a Brit's opinion on a UK MBA program :) Enjoy the holiday weekend!

Where did you end up deciding to go?

Duncan, what are your thoughts on people who want to get a job in UK and Europe who do not have an european passport? Should they study in Rotterdam or Warwick?

Europe has national labour markets. Unless you decide to return to your own country, it's best to study in the UK to work in the UK and study in The Netherlands to work in there. RSM is, overwhelmingly, used to move to The Netherlands: four of of five of students end up working there. At WBS, it's only two out of five (and one in five was already in the UK). It seems that RSM is an even more effective at putting MBAs into its domestic market.

Thanks for the information Duncan. In terms of academic quality which would you say is a better school? I like the warwick curriculum, just that it is heavily focused on writing essays which I am not so good at.

The RSM MBA has a better design for students focussed on its career specialisation tracks.

What about for working in consulting (Management, IT, Analytics)?

Compare their employment reports and maybe come back with more specific questions and goals.

Warwick does not publish Employment Reports. I want to work in consulting after graduation. I am also 32 years old so I do not know if one program is more focused on older students or not.

I found an old report at https://docplayer.net/21765367-The-warwick-mba-career-destinations.html

Duncan can you please clarify:

Are you saying that a Warwick MBA graduate would have a difficult time finding a job in other European countries (when it comes to English-speaking roles) and will be limited to the UK labour market? Or that an RSM graduate will more or less be limited to the Dutch labour market?

As a North American seeking to work in Europe post-MBA, I would like to be able to apply for opportunities in a few different countries - not only in the country where I study.