MBA Strathclyde vs Aston vs NTU

4 7

Posted Feb 21, 2024 07:00

Hello!
My name is Victor and I'm from Perú. I've been working for about 6 years as a Compliance Analyst at Telco and Banking companies here in my country. My major is Systems and Computer Engineering. I'm looking to enhance my soft skills and build/integrate a professional networking. I think an MBA will help me to achieve this goal.

I'm interested in working as a Senior Analyst or Middle management and onwards in the UK.

I've got an offer from:
-University of Strathclyde (I've applied for a Scholarship. No response yet)
-Aston University (30% Scholarship)
-Nottingham Trent University (I've applied for a Scholarship. No response yet)
-Kingston University (They offered me the "MSc in International Business Management" instead of the MBA)
-ESIC BUSINESS & MARKETING SCHOOL (I know it is from Spain but I already have the offer plus 30% Scholarship)

I have also applied to these Universities but no response yet:
-Durham University
-Loughborough University

I'm considering picking: University of Strathclyde > Aston University
Depends of the results of the other 2 to which one I should choose, anyways, I was looking for some feedback or maybe ideas that I could be missing.

I have read many responses here and I know that if I want to completely secure employment in the UK I should apply for a better school, however, our currency is devalued in comparison to Euro/Pounds. Even though I have applied for a Bank Loan it's not enough and I have about £ 31,000.00 moreless that I could afford in total (including scholarships and living expenses). Also, I know that you can say I should wait for another year but in my opinion, I think I'm on the right time (I don't have kids) so who knows what would happen in the near future. I feel motivated and confident to make the next step and I didn't want to waste this feeling.

Sorry for being so emotive (hahaha) but I just wanted to show the background and the reasons why I am considerating an MBA abroad.

Thanks in advance.
Regards.

quote

Duncan

13.776 15.332

Posted Feb 21, 2024 11:26

I think you're right to highlight Strathclyde and Aston from those schools. NTU is a really exciting school.

I'd like to know a little more about the sort of role you'd like to be employed in. For example, if you search on LinkedIn, what sort of attractive roles to do you see people from those programmes being placed into? I see 13 Strathclyde alumni in the UK with MBAs and senior analyst type roles within business development, business analytics and systems development functions - mostly in IT-centric services, finance and business consulting. None of them are in what I would call middle management (i.e. supervisory or P&L leadership). I suggest you research a little to took at viable career paths.

Also, would a specialized MSc or MEng from a better school be better? An MBA definitely will have a soft skills advantage, and Durham is a great choice in that respect. However, a degree focussed on business analytics, systems analysis, IT project management, finance, etc, might allow you to get into a better school with a stronger placement. For example, the MiF degrees at Durham, Lancaster, and Warwick all had placement around 95%. https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2946/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2023 Not all UK schools will exclude you because of your work experience. Warwick's MSc in big data in £27k, for example, as is their masters' in data visualization.

quote

Victor5

4 7

Posted Feb 23, 2024 06:10

I think you're right to highlight Strathclyde and Aston from those schools. NTU is a really exciting school.

I'd like to know a little more about the sort of role you'd like to be employed in. For example, if you search on LinkedIn, what sort of attractive roles to do you see people from those programmes being placed into? I see 13 Strathclyde alumni in the UK with MBAs and senior analyst type roles within business development, business analytics and systems development functions - mostly in IT-centric services, finance and business consulting. None of them are in what I would call middle management (i.e. supervisory or P&L leadership). I suggest you research a little to took at viable career paths.

Also, would a specialized MSc or MEng from a better school be better? An MBA definitely will have a soft skills advantage, and Durham is a great choice in that respect. However, a degree focussed on business analytics, systems analysis, IT project management, finance, etc, might allow you to get into a better school with a stronger placement. For example, the MiF degrees at Durham, Lancaster, and Warwick all had placement around 95%. https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2946/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2023 Not all UK schools will exclude you because of your work experience. Warwick's MSc in big data in £27k, for example, as is their masters' in data visualization.

Hello Duncan, thanks for the response! Does NTU really exciting? I have read positive reviews for undergraduate students which it has a strong community but I am not sure about their Business School. Anyways I've got the offer and I'm still considering it after Strathclyde and Aston.

Well, I was thinking about the Senior Analyst or Middle management role so I can start with something and get promoted later on. I don't have that much experience on Analytics since (let's say) it's something "new" here. It doens't mean that it was non-existent but became more relevant since 2022 moreless and since my background experience is related to Compliance, Internal Audit, SOX, Risk Management and General information system controls (GITC), I didn't use Analytics that much.

I think I need Linkedin Premiun to make a deep research right?

About an specialized MSc or MEng, as I mentioned it, I don't have that much experience on Analytics and that's why I discarded it on the first instance but if I'd have to choose another program than an MBA it would be related to IT project management, Risk management and/or internal control.

Regards.

[Edited by Victor5 on Feb 23, 2024]

[quote]I think you're right to highlight Strathclyde and Aston from those schools. NTU is a really exciting school. <br>
<br>
I'd like to know a little more about the sort of role you'd like to be employed in. For example, if you search on LinkedIn, what sort of attractive roles to do you see people from those programmes being placed into? I see 13 Strathclyde alumni in the UK with MBAs and senior analyst type roles within business development, business analytics and systems development functions - mostly in IT-centric services, finance and business consulting. None of them are in what I would call middle management (i.e. supervisory or P&L leadership). I suggest you research a little to took at viable career paths. <br>
<br>
Also, would a specialized MSc or MEng from a better school be better? An MBA definitely will have a soft skills advantage, and Durham is a great choice in that respect. However, a degree focussed on business analytics, systems analysis, IT project management, finance, etc, might allow you to get into a better school with a stronger placement. For example, the MiF degrees at Durham, Lancaster, and Warwick all had placement around 95%. https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2946/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2023 Not all UK schools will exclude you because of your work experience. Warwick's MSc in big data in £27k, for example, as is their masters' in data visualization. [/quote]<br>
<br>
Hello Duncan, thanks for the response! Does NTU really exciting? I have read positive reviews for undergraduate students which it has a strong community but I am not sure about their Business School. Anyways I've got the offer and I'm still considering it after Strathclyde and Aston.<br>
Well, I was thinking about the Senior Analyst or Middle management role so I can start with something and get promoted later on. I don't have that much experience on Analytics since (let's say) it's something "new" here. It doens't mean that it was non-existent but became more relevant since 2022 moreless and since my background experience is related to Compliance, Internal Audit, SOX, Risk Management and General information system controls (GITC), I didn't use Analytics that much.<br>
I think I need Linkedin Premiun to make a deep research right?<br>
About an specialized MSc or MEng, as I mentioned it, I don't have that much experience on Analytics and that's why I discarded it on the first instance but if I'd have to choose another program than an MBA it would be related to IT project management, Risk management and/or internal control.<br>
<br>
Regards.

quote

Duncan

13.776 15.332

Posted Feb 23, 2024 14:39

By exciting, I mean that NTU is doing a lot of creative, interesting and effective things. Of course, it will take them a long time to move forward in the rankings and they are limited by the UK recession. The business school is literally the centre of the university, located in its central building.

You don't need a premium account to do the sort of search I described. Take a look at How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571 (37k+views)

You can use LinkedIn to identify the sort of role where your prior experience fits and then see what sort of qualifications people have used to accelerate their success.

PS Or, of course, hire me or someone else to do that. Details on my profile page :)

[Edited by Duncan on Feb 23, 2024]

By exciting, I mean that NTU is doing a lot of creative, interesting and effective things. Of course, it will take them a long time to move forward in the rankings and they are limited by the UK recession. The business school is literally the centre of the university, located in its central building. <br>
<br>
You don't need a premium account to do the sort of search I described. Take a look at How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571 (37k+views)<br>
<br>
You can use LinkedIn to identify the sort of role where your prior experience fits and then see what sort of qualifications people have used to accelerate their success.

PS Or, of course, hire me or someone else to do that. Details on my profile page :)

quote

Victor5

4 7

Posted Mar 16, 2024 08:19

By exciting, I mean that NTU is doing a lot of creative, interesting and effective things. Of course, it will take them a long time to move forward in the rankings and they are limited by the UK recession. The business school is literally the centre of the university, located in its central building.

You don't need a premium account to do the sort of search I described. Take a look at How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571 (37k+views)

You can use LinkedIn to identify the sort of role where your prior experience fits and then see what sort of qualifications people have used to accelerate their success.

PS Or, of course, hire me or someone else to do that. Details on my profile page :)

Hello Duncan, thank you for your response. I have some news after my last message and I am now looking which University I would have to choose from. I am gathering some information from these website to know a bit more about the University and Business Schools, such as:
-https://rankings.ft.com/home/masters-in-business-administration
-https://www.eduniversal-ranking.com/business-school-university-ranking-in-united-kingdom.html
-https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2023/sep/09/the-guardian-university-guide-2024-the-rankings

Based on this I am concluding:
1. Aston University:
a) Price: £ 21,000 (£ 3,000 early bird discount + £ 6,000 scholarship) The downside here is that the early bird discount's deadline is 18/03/24.
b) Accommodation: I have found many options avaiable within my budget and literally next to the University (like 7-15 min walking overall). It's perfect!
c) Reputation: Even though it's not on FT List, I think it has a good reputation.
d) Overall: Good price, good options for accommodation and I think decent reputation. It's my 1rst choice in the meantime.

2. University of Strathclyde:
a) Price: £ 26,880 (30% like £ 11,520 scholarship) No discount for early application.
b) Accommodation: I haven't seen much options around and the ones that I have found are higher than my budget.
c) Reputation: It's on FT list.
d) Overall: Price is a bit higher, almost not so many accommodation options and expensive but really good reputation. I have some mixed feelings because it was my 1rst choice at first.

3. Loughborough University: This one is new
a) Price: £ 24,000 (25% like £ 8,000 scholarship) No discount for early application.
b) Accommodation: I have found many options avaiable within my budget and even cheaper. Places are not so far from the University so I think it's decent.
c) Reputation: Even though it's not on FT List, I think it has a good reputation.
d) Overall: Decent price, decent options for accommodation but I am not sure about how good it is. Based on The Guardian it's a very good University (10th place) but on Eduniversal as a Business School, I would call it like "Okay".

4. Durham University: Well, after 6 weeks of applying I have been called for an interview this 13/03/24 but the interviewer had an inconvenience (he is travelling). They just told me to wait for the interviewer response on a new date/time so I'm not sure what to do here or keep waiting.

Sorry for the long post but I would appreciate some feedback about these points I am making or if I have to consider something else. I am trying to apply early since some Universities have good discounts and I think I could find better and cheaper accommodations aswell. Also, I can talk to my employer that I am looking to study an MBA abroad beforehand.

Regards.

[quote]By exciting, I mean that NTU is doing a lot of creative, interesting and effective things. Of course, it will take them a long time to move forward in the rankings and they are limited by the UK recession. The business school is literally the centre of the university, located in its central building. <br>
<br>
You don't need a premium account to do the sort of search I described. Take a look at How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571 (37k+views)<br>
<br>
You can use LinkedIn to identify the sort of role where your prior experience fits and then see what sort of qualifications people have used to accelerate their success.

PS Or, of course, hire me or someone else to do that. Details on my profile page :) [/quote]

Hello Duncan, thank you for your response. I have some news after my last message and I am now looking which University I would have to choose from. I am gathering some information from these website to know a bit more about the University and Business Schools, such as:
-https://rankings.ft.com/home/masters-in-business-administration
-https://www.eduniversal-ranking.com/business-school-university-ranking-in-united-kingdom.html
-https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2023/sep/09/the-guardian-university-guide-2024-the-rankings

Based on this I am concluding:
1. Aston University:
a) Price: £ 21,000 (£ 3,000 early bird discount + £ 6,000 scholarship) The downside here is that the early bird discount's deadline is 18/03/24.
b) Accommodation: I have found many options avaiable within my budget and literally next to the University (like 7-15 min walking overall). It's perfect!
c) Reputation: Even though it's not on FT List, I think it has a good reputation.
d) Overall: Good price, good options for accommodation and I think decent reputation. It's my 1rst choice in the meantime.

2. University of Strathclyde:
<div>a) Price: £ 26,880 (30% like £ 11,520 scholarship) No discount for early application.
</div><div>b) Accommodation: I haven't seen much options around and the ones that I have found are higher than my budget.
</div><div>c) Reputation: It's on FT list.
</div><div>d) Overall: Price is a bit higher, almost not so many accommodation options and expensive but really good reputation. I have some mixed feelings because it was my 1rst choice at first.

3. Loughborough University: This one is new
</div><div>a) Price: £ 24,000 (25% like £ 8,000 scholarship) No discount for early application.
</div><div>b) Accommodation: I have found many options avaiable within my budget and even cheaper. Places are not so far from the University so I think it's decent.
</div><div>c) Reputation: Even though it's not on FT List, I think it has a good reputation.
</div><div>d) Overall: Decent price, decent options for accommodation but I am not sure about how good it is. Based on The Guardian it's a very good University (10th place) but on Eduniversal as a Business School, I would call it like "Okay".

4. Durham University: Well, after 6 weeks of applying I have been called for an interview this 13/03/24 but the interviewer had an inconvenience (he is travelling). They just told me to wait for the interviewer response on a new date/time so I'm not sure what to do here or keep waiting.

Sorry for the long post but I would appreciate some feedback about these points I am making or if I have to consider something else. I am trying to apply early since some Universities have good discounts and I think I could find better and cheaper accommodations aswell. Also, I can talk to my employer that I am looking to study an MBA abroad beforehand.

Regards.</div>

quote

Victor5

4 7

Posted Mar 16, 2024 17:09

By exciting, I mean that NTU is doing a lot of creative, interesting and effective things. Of course, it will take them a long time to move forward in the rankings and they are limited by the UK recession. The business school is literally the centre of the university, located in its central building.

You don't need a premium account to do the sort of search I described. Take a look at How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571 (37k+views)

You can use LinkedIn to identify the sort of role where your prior experience fits and then see what sort of qualifications people have used to accelerate their success.

PS Or, of course, hire me or someone else to do that. Details on my profile page :)

Hello Duncan, thank you for your response. I have some news after my last message and I am now looking which University I would have to choose from. I am gathering some information from these website to know a bit more about the University and Business Schools, such as:

-Financial Times
-Eduniversal Business School Rankings
-The Guardian University guide 2024 rankings

Based on this I am concluding:

1. Aston University:
a) Price: £ 21,000 (£ 3,000 early bird discount + £ 6,000 scholarship) The downside here is that the early bird discount's deadline is 18/03/24.
b) Accommodation: I have found many options avaiable within my budget and literally next to the University (like 7-15 min walking overall). It's perfect!
c) Reputation: Even though it's not on FT List, I think it has a good reputation.
d) Overall: Good price, good options for accommodation and I think decent reputation. It's my 1rst choice in the meantime.

2. University of Strathclyde:
a) Price: £ 26,880 (30% like £ 11,520 scholarship) No discount for early application.
b) Accommodation: I haven't seen much options around and the ones that I have found are higher than my budget.
c) Reputation: It's on FT list.
d) Overall: Price is a bit higher, almost not so many accommodation options and expensive but really good reputation. I have some mixed feelings because it was my 1rst choice at first.

3. Loughborough University: This one is new
a) Price: £ 24,000 (25% like £ 8,000 scholarship) No discount for early application.
b) Accommodation: I have found many options avaiable within my budget and even cheaper. Places are not so far from the University so I think it's decent.
c) Reputation: Even though it's not on FT List, I think it has a good reputation.
d) Overall: Decent price, decent options for accommodation but I am not sure about how good it is. Based on The Guardian it's a very good University (10th place) but on Eduniversal as a Business School, I would call it like "Okay".

4. Durham University: Well, after 6 weeks of applying I have been called for an interview this 13/03/24 but the interviewer had an inconvenience (he is travelling). They just told me to wait for the interviewer response on a new date/time so I'm not sure what to do here or keep waiting.

Sorry for the long post but I would appreciate some feedback about these points I am making or if I have to consider something else. I am trying to apply early since some Universities have good discounts and I think I could find better and cheaper accommodations aswell. Also, I can talk to my employer that I am looking to study an MBA abroad beforehand.

Regards.

[quote]By exciting, I mean that NTU is doing a lot of creative, interesting and effective things. Of course, it will take them a long time to move forward in the rankings and they are limited by the UK recession. The business school is literally the centre of the university, located in its central building. <br>
<br>
You don't need a premium account to do the sort of search I described. Take a look at How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571 (37k+views)<br>
<br>
You can use LinkedIn to identify the sort of role where your prior experience fits and then see what sort of qualifications people have used to accelerate their success.

PS Or, of course, hire me or someone else to do that. Details on my profile page :) [/quote]

Hello Duncan, thank you for your response. I have some news after my last message and I am now looking which University I would have to choose from. I am gathering some information from these website to know a bit more about the University and Business Schools, such as:

<div>-Financial Times
</div><div>-Eduniversal Business School Rankings
</div><div>-The Guardian University guide 2024 rankings

</div><div>
</div><div>Based on this I am concluding:

</div><div>1. Aston University:
</div><div>a) Price: £ 21,000 (£ 3,000 early bird discount + £ 6,000 scholarship) The downside here is that the early bird discount's deadline is 18/03/24.
</div><div>b) Accommodation: I have found many options avaiable within my budget and literally next to the University (like 7-15 min walking overall). It's perfect!
</div><div>c) Reputation: Even though it's not on FT List, I think it has a good reputation.
</div><div>d) Overall: Good price, good options for accommodation and I think decent reputation. It's my 1rst choice in the meantime.

</div><div>
</div><div>2. University of Strathclyde:
</div><div>a) Price: £ 26,880 (30% like £ 11,520 scholarship) No discount for early application.
</div><div>b) Accommodation: I haven't seen much options around and the ones that I have found are higher than my budget.
</div><div>c) Reputation: It's on FT list.
</div><div>d) Overall: Price is a bit higher, almost not so many accommodation options and expensive but really good reputation. I have some mixed feelings because it was my 1rst choice at first.

</div><div>
</div><div>3. Loughborough University: This one is new
</div><div>a) Price: £ 24,000 (25% like £ 8,000 scholarship) No discount for early application.
</div><div>b) Accommodation: I have found many options avaiable within my budget and even cheaper. Places are not so far from the University so I think it's decent.
</div><div>c) Reputation: Even though it's not on FT List, I think it has a good reputation.
</div><div>d) Overall: Decent price, decent options for accommodation but I am not sure about how good it is. Based on The Guardian it's a very good University (10th place) but on Eduniversal as a Business School, I would call it like "Okay".

</div><div>
</div><div>4. Durham University: Well, after 6 weeks of applying I have been called for an interview this 13/03/24 but the interviewer had an inconvenience (he is travelling). They just told me to wait for the interviewer response on a new date/time so I'm not sure what to do here or keep waiting.

</div><div>
</div><div>Sorry for the long post but I would appreciate some feedback about these points I am making or if I have to consider something else. I am trying to apply early since some Universities have good discounts and I think I could find better and cheaper accommodations aswell. Also, I can talk to my employer that I am looking to study an MBA abroad beforehand.

</div><div>
</div><div>Regards.</div>

quote

Duncan

13.776 15.332

Posted Mar 16, 2024 22:09

Because you said you wanted to work in the UK, I am surprised that is not a factor you mention in your comparison.

quote

Victor5

4 7

Posted Mar 16, 2024 22:52

Because you said you wanted to work in the UK, I am surprised that is not a factor you mention in your comparison.

Hello Duncan, well I was assuming that these 4 choices would give me a chance to work in the UK, specially Durham and Strathclyde, that's why I didn't mentioned it explicitly.

[quote]Because you said you wanted to work in the UK, I am surprised that is not a factor you mention in your comparison. [/quote]

Hello Duncan, well I was assuming that these 4 choices would give me a chance to work in the UK, specially Durham and Strathclyde, that's why I didn't mentioned it explicitly.

quote

Duncan

13.776 15.332

Posted Mar 17, 2024 21:55

These schools vary in their ability to place international students. This is the key variable from what you have said about your goals, so shouldn't that be the key criterion?

quote

Victor5

4 7

Posted Mar 18, 2024 00:04

These schools vary in their ability to place international students. This is the key variable from what you have said about your goals, so shouldn't that be the key criterion?

Hello Duncan, thanks for your reply. Well I was thinking that these schools would give me that chance like general speaking. Since Aston and Loughborough University are not in the FT, how can I size the employment rate for international students with these 4 schools?

I feel like Aston is a good choice but the problem is the deadline's early deposit which is tomorrow 18/03.

Also, I'm not so sure about Loughborough.

Regards.

[Edited by Victor5 on Mar 18, 2024]

[quote]These schools vary in their ability to place international students. This is the key variable from what you have said about your goals, so shouldn't that be the key criterion? [/quote]<br>
Hello Duncan, thanks for your reply. Well I was thinking that these schools would give me that chance like general speaking. Since Aston and Loughborough University are not in the FT, how can I size the employment rate for international students with these 4 schools? <br>
I feel like Aston is a good choice but the problem is the deadline's early deposit which is tomorrow 18/03.

Also, I'm not so sure about Loughborough.<br>
Regards.

quote

aslamo

703 216

Posted Mar 18, 2024 10:45

By exciting, I mean that NTU is doing a lot of creative, interesting and effective things. Of course, it will take them a long time to move forward in the rankings and they are limited by the UK recession. The business school is literally the centre of the university, located in its central building.

Nottingham Trent is an interesting university and one of the 'new' UK universities that seems to have been on the up for quite a few years now.

My daughter is a first year undergraduate there. She's not doing a business course per se (it's more media orientated), but I'm impressed at how practically focused a lot of the course work is in partnership with local companies.

quote

Duncan

13.776 15.332

Posted Mar 18, 2024 13:51

Durham and Strathclyde stand out as being FT ranked in the for 50 European MBAs: https://rankings.ft.com/compare?schoolsId=189,167&rankingId=2954 and they also do well for undergraduate prospects (as does Loughborough): https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/business-and-management-studies?sortby=graduate-prospects

Aston is almost certainly better than NTU for placement from their business school.

QS ranks Aston above Strathclyde and Loughborough: https://www.topuniversities.com/mba-rankings/countries=208

[Edited by Duncan on Mar 18, 2024]

Durham and Strathclyde stand out as being FT ranked in the for 50 European MBAs: https://rankings.ft.com/compare?schoolsId=189,167&rankingId=2954 and they also do well for undergraduate prospects (as does Loughborough): https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/business-and-management-studies?sortby=graduate-prospects <br><br>
Aston is almost certainly better than NTU for placement from their business school. <br><br>
QS ranks Aston above Strathclyde and Loughborough: https://www.topuniversities.com/mba-rankings/countries=208

quote

Victor5

4 7

Posted Apr 17, 2024 18:29

I have just received an unconditional offer from Durham after almost 3 months since application but finally I got it plus a 40% scholarship which I'm deciding to go to Durham. Or is there anything else that I should consider Strathclyde over Durham?

Regards.

quote

Duncan

13.776 15.332

Posted Apr 17, 2024 19:50

Congratulations! Almost everyone would pick Durham in that situation: unless you had a personal connection to Glasgow, it's the obvious choice.

quote