Hey guys. I need your help here. I am in the process of finalizing my choice for the MBA for the September 2012 session and I am a little confused. My profile is as follows:

BA (Hons) in Hospitality & Tourism Management
from Swiss Hotel Management School awarded by the University of Derby
3 Years work experience in a multi-national 5 star hotel chain
Currently working as a Sales Manager
Foreign Experience: 3 years+ in Saudi Arabia
No GMAT
IELTS: 7.5 band

I have offers from the following and the confusion is that the world rankings suggest:

Glasgow is World No. 59
Birmingham is World No.67
Sheffield is World No.72
Surrey is World No. 243.

All 4 are in the Top 30 in the UK. All 4 have double accreditation for the MBA however, Sheffield has triple accreditation. I do not hold a scholarship from any uni yet but expect one from Surrey of 3,000 pounds maybe.

Please advise what your choice would be and what your reasons are basically on the basis of the ranking, prestige, course, location etc. I dont really care too much about a nightlife but am concerned about location as I would like to travel to london and other european countries often. Please also note that I do not plan on working in the UK but will come back to the Middle East. So Kindly advise.

Thanks a lot for your help in advance.

Please? Pretty please? Anyone?

Hi,
Since you are looking for MBA i would recommend you to seek for FT ranked B-School. in your list only Birmingham is in FT list, with regards to the ranking you can look for overall university ranking as it does not work in this way for Business Studies. I think apart from Birmingham you would need to re shuffle your choices.
Mamit

Thanks for the reply Mamit. So you are suiggesting that out of these choices I should go for Birmingham? I cant really look outside these choices since I do not want to go to lower ranked universities then these and the higher ranked are not affordable for me. My max limit is 20,000 Pounds. Therefore, I believe these are my best choices. Thanks

Other universities you could try are
Aston
Bradford

Aston is expensive.
Bradford is also expensive plus its nowhere in the world rankings neither in the UK Top 30...

Aston is expensive.
Bradford is also expensive plus its nowhere in the world rankings neither in the UK Top 30...

Yes, you are getting good advice. Aston isn't expensive: it costs more, but it's much better value for money. Different MBA programmes have very different outcomes. Aston MBA alumni earn an average of $83,286, and Surrey MBAs will earn around $30,000 less. Add on that premium for a 30 year career and the extra fees are the best investment you will ever make.

Take the time, take the GMAT and get into the rest programme you can.

Thanks for the response Duncan. Well Aston is a good 5,700 pounds more than Birmingham. Unfortunately, because of my financial situation and time constraints, meaning that I have to take the course this september or latest by early 2013 I have to choose from one of the above mentioned schools.

I actually went through each school in the QS world ranking one by one and chose the highest ranking schools that were 'Affordable' for me. All other higher ranked schools are out of my reach financially.

I would really appreciate your feedback from the above 4 mentioned schools. I am pretty inclined towards the Birmingham MBA but had second thoughts because of glasgow and sheffield.

Thanks a lot for your time mate.

Use the FT ranking, not rankings of universities. Birmingham is the only programme I could recommend on your list.

Why can't you take another year?

Okay....I will use the FT ranking and consider again. Well the another year story is more of a personal issue to be honest. Firstly, I am sick of my current job and need to get out of it. I cant find another suitable job for the time being and even If I do I will be bound by a 2 year contract since I live overseas. By the time I finish Ill be 29 and then take an MBA, Ill be 30 when I fiinish and then there are other personal or shall I say cultural issues like marriage on the cards. I barely can afford going to the UK alone how will I take a partner. SO yeah, thats basically the story...:-)

Alright!!! I am sorry to be a pain but I have another question. I went through the FT Business school rankings. Why would you suggest Aston and Bradford when Birmingham is higher ranked then both of them? Don't you think Birmingham is a better choice compared to Aston and Bradford anyway? Thanks mates

Well, finding the right MBA will make a big diference in your salary, and that might make a difference in making marriage affordable and start well.

I wouldn't put the Aston, Bradford and Birmingham MBAs on very different levels. But Birmingham's MBA was very small, and not very significant, for decades. It's only since the move into University House that it's risen in the rankings. So, that means that its alumni network isn't super strong. But is has the best location of the three, in my opinion.

Thanks Duncan. I think Ill go for the Birmingham MBA then coz the present looks good and the future looks bright for it as well...:-). I would like to thank you for your input, effort and time not only for my post but the hundreds of valubale, insightful and concrete posts you have made all over the place. You are doing a wonderful job....:-D

Well, finding the right MBA will make a big diference in your salary, and that might make a difference in making marriage affordable and start well.

I wouldn't put the Aston, Bradford and Birmingham MBAs on very different levels. But Birmingham's MBA was very small, and not very significant, for decades. It's only since the move into University House that it's risen in the rankings. So, that means that its alumni network isn't super strong. But is has the best location of the three, in my opinion.

Hi TTMBA am also planin for MBA this Sept had a great help from both Duncin and mamit am also on the verge of Finalising between the universities Brad or Birmingham..

Hey Vinay!

Yes, they have been a great help as always. Very knowledgeable people. I have finalized Birmingham and would be applying for my visa next week. Best of Luck to you too!

R u frm India..

No I am from Pakistan!

Ok gud.. Lets see will finalise in day or two.. If i select Birmigham thns lets meet ya..