Hi all,

I am a manager in NYC (7 years professional & 2 years management experience) but planning on moving to London to follow my wife who accepted a new job. I want to take this time to get my MBA and solidify my business skills, as I have a poli sci undergrad degree.

I'm also a budding entrepreneur and am interested in low cost options that are more about education than prestige. I haven't taken the GMAT and don't have the time to study to get a decent score. The way I see it, the more money I can save on my MBA now, is money that I can put towards starting a company after graduation.

I was looking at Brunel, London South Bank, Kingston, and London Met. I realize these are not "elite" but if I don't want to spend the money to go to LBS/LSE/etc... I might as well go with affordable options versus still unknown but moderately expensive programs. Without a GMAT, the elite schools are off the table anyways.

Any thoughts on these programs? I would still like the MBA to be somewhat relevant if I don't end up starting my own business or it isn't successful. I like LSBU due to their focus on entrepreneurship and incubation center.

[Edited by LondonMBA878787 on Feb 23, 2019]

I understand what you are saying, but your calculation is mistaken. The RoI on a better business school will be huge. If your budget is limited either borrow or take an MSc at a better school rather than an MBA. Don't consider schools without one of the triple crown accreditation labels. Kingston and Brunel do. LBSU and London Met must be among the country's worst universities.

Hi Duncan, thanks for your thoughts. I get the ROI would be better in many circumstances, and certainly the safer choice, but have doubts that it's worth delaying to the fall of 2020 for my situation. The costs would also be a considerable barrier to starting a business.

Inside the UK it might matter, but when we move back to the US, there isn't a difference between LSBU or Brunel. It's LBS, CASS, LSE otherwise it's an unknown school, but not invaluable.

By going to an affordable program, the ROI could be much greater if it allows me the upfront capital to start a successful business. Also, with my current role and salary, I'm on par with graduates from elite programs. I should be around the same level after graduation from any graduate course (or I would like to think).

I agree with London Met, but LSBU seems to rank pretty comparatively to Burnel and Kingston for business and management studies, but I understand perception is important. Is Brunel and Kingston really that much of a step up from LSBU? Perhaps it is better to simply go to an elite school or not get an MBA at all.

While an MSc might be right for some people, I'm not going to spend a year on a theoretical degree.

Appreciate your input.

Have you considered an online degree like illinois.
It is great value,
it won't interfere with your business,
and it will be valued in US much more than those options you listed.
I'd say the knowledge you will get will also be greater

[Edited by George Patsoulis on Feb 23, 2019]

You must be using undergraduate rankings, if you think LBSU is comparable.

Yeah I'd go with an online program over anything that doesn't have accreditation from AMBA, EQUIS, or AACSB.