See the article linked from my profile page on Do you need to speak the local language. There is a small pool of MBA-level recruiters where local language skills are not needed and where they recruit out of country. Most of these will go to LBS, Instead and IMD. Indeed, most Warwick and RSM MBAs will be hired in country or will return home.

I've read the article on your profile, but by its logic, you should only study at RSM if you speak Dutch before you enter the program. But, as mentioned above, around 90% of MBA students at RSM do not speak Dutch and still find work in NL afterwards. What am I missing?

Another example: If I look on LinkedIn for jobs in Sweden, for instance, I find a lot of MBA-level jobs, English only, no Swedish required. With an MBA from Warwick or RSM, do you not think I would be a competitive candidate for those roles?

The thing is, at this stage, pre-MBA, I don't know which country I'll find work in. The only thing I can be sure of is that I will be targeting an English-speaking role at the MBA level, probably in Big Four.

Speaking the local language is indeed important.
But there are levels of variance in how impeding the lack of language will be for you.

For example in France, you won't stand a chance.
In Netherlands things are better, it is one of the best countries for english speakers. Still your options will be limited but you have a good chance if you finish RSM to land a good job in Netherlands. but go to RSM to look for job elsewhere in europe... may not be ideal.

The idea of university career services and networking is to help you find a job. For RSM most of these jobs will be in Netherlands.
Now, If you completely disregard these services (one of the most important parts of the MBA), and you look on your own for jobs in sweden... well just do the online illinois MBA and save money

Speaking as someone whose MBA was paid for by a Big Four firm, I don't see what role that requires an MBA you can apply for competitively without the local language.

[Edited by Duncan on Jul 11, 2019]

Good advice George!

As I’m still unsure where in Europe I’ll find an opportunity post-MBA, would you say that the Warwick degree might offer more flexible options to find work in the UK and/or English-speaking areas of Western Europe? Whereas the RSM degree is NL or bust?

In terms of the breadth of the network, this does seem to be the case with WBS having a more widespread network around Europe.

Duncan - you were lucky. I will be paying for the degree on my own.

I hope to stay in Big Four...But, I’m stuck at the (junior) consultant level in internal services, where I’ve been for 6+ years. I’m using the MBA to re-skill and pivot to an area with more growth potential. WBS seems to me like the best option for me. Lots of Big Four people in the alumni network.

Why don't you research the countries a bit and settle on a destination.

I understand you want to keep your options open, but the usual advice is "study where you want to work, and you know the language", and with good reason.

I agree that you need to focus more specifically on your goals, where you fit, and paths to those goals.

Yes I know this is your usual refrain, Duncan :) But I’ve already established my goals, my fit, and the paths to get there.

My question rather pertains to the flexibility of the European MBA in terms of post-MBA “placement” in European countries - and perhaps countries different from where you completed your MBA. As George points out, in some geographies MBA jobs are strictly tied to local language fluency (France, Spain, Italy, etc.) but perhaps less so in other geographies (Denmark, Netherlands, other Scandinavian countries, etc.).

Anyway, I think you more or less answered my question with your post above about recruiters at LBS/IMD. Cheers.

Really? Just out of curiosity then, if you were looking for job today, what job title would you put on the search

I wouldn't be necessarily be keyword searching job boards, but working with career services and networking with professionals in my target industries. I've explained my background above.

When are you planning on attending those universities?

When are you planning on attending those universities?