Hello,

I have considered applying to an MBA and I would appreciate some experienced advice. Background info:
- Serbian resident (non-EU), age 32
- 8.5 years of experience (5 in Big 4, 3.5 as a CFO in financial services), GMAT 700, IELTS 8.0
- ACCA member since 2007, speaking only English plus my native language
- goals: acquiring additional knowledge in terms of strategic thinking, job location change within the same industry
- locations: anywhere in Western Europe (but since I speak only English and have ACCA membership I guess that UK would be the most logical choice)

I know that getting post-MBA job in EU (esspecially UK) is hard for non-EU resident nowadays, so I guess that placement record of non-EU candidates in EU countries and strength of career service department of MBA programme would be important factors.

Thank you,

It's very hard to get placed as a non-EU jobholder in the UK, and you should find some specialist advice on that because the regulations change.

The schools with the most MBA alumni in the UK accounting industry are:
University of Warwick - Warwick Business School
University of Manchester - Manchester Business School
Oxford Brookes University
The Open University
University of Wales, Cardiff
Cranfield University - Cranfield School of Management
Henley Management College
University of Leicester
Heriot-Watt University
London Business School.

Your GMAT and work experience are very interesting, so I would consider you a strong candidate. The choice for you is whether you want a one-year programme. Since you would benefit from a UK internship, I recommend a two-year programmes. Manchester, should be a safe school for you and LBS would be the stretch school to aspire for. If you preferred a one year programme, then it could be Warwick and Cranfield.

Dear Duncan,

Thank you very much.
What do you think about my chances for LBS? Is it realistic for me to try or would it be just waste of time?
Also, placement records that are detailed enough (mostly those published by top European schools) show that considerable percentage of non-EU candidates are placed in the country of MBA in terms of job afterwards. Is this the real picture or even the top schools cannot be considered as gateway to EU job?

If you apply early then I think you have an okay chance at LBS, depending on how you interview.

I think placement is changing in line with regulations in the recession. Much of that is related to shortages of skills. Certainly I know good graduates in the UK who are struggling to change their visa status.

I guess a backup plan (like going back to my current job after MBA) wouldn't be a bad idea.
How about chances to be recruited by a MNC with UK headquarters and placed within a branch outside EU?
Generally, my question is: does a respectable MBA increase chances for the job abroad, having in mind my non-EU status? If non-EU status is an obstacle that cannot be passed with or without an MBA, than is it worth the investment (since it would not help me much back home)?

Yes, I think it comes down to really targeting the firms you'd like to work for. LBS is, of course, a feeder school into so many international finance organisations and has an especially close relationship with Deloitte, where I used to work. The better the school, the better and more global the recruiters their positions. The 15-20 month programmes like LBS and MBS give you more electives, more projects, more time to network as well as solid internship and international exchange options.

A large minority of non-EU students do get visas, but it's much easier for students at the top schools because they get the best offers, and they tend to be more mature multinations which are prepared to invest in the paperwork and can support an international career path.

Yes, this seems reasonable.
So, let's hope that recession won't last forever.
Btw, I also used to work in Deloitte for 5 years :)

Anyway, thank you very much for tips and suggestions.

Hi...when is Serbia expected to reach EU? wasnt it planned for 2014?

That was the Serbian government's plan in 2009, but the country isn't officially a candidate at the moment. That should change soon, but it normally takes seven years from that point. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_enlargement_of_the_European_Union#Progress

Well, it is expected that Serbia gets an EU Candidate status by the end of year (although it is not so certain as it looked a month ago). But realistically, I don't think that Serbia will be able to join EU for at least 5-7 years (if ever), esspecially having in mind the current difficulties in EU caused by countries that were prematurely allowed to join.