Well, it looks like that batch found work, but outside the UK. I agree, that a bit troubling and not quite in line with their traditional strengths, Cranfield and Durham look very much better

Well, it looks like that batch found work, but outside the UK. I agree, that a bit troubling and not quite in line with their traditional strengths, Cranfield and Durham look very much better

Yes, I think you are right

Yes, the International Mobility factor is a ranking, so a school with a '1' in the International Mobility category would be the top-ranked school for International Mobility.

I'm scheduled to take an interview with Cranfield's programme director, don't know if this is a standard procedure or is applied only for doubtful cases

Neither, probably. Doubtful cases might not get an interview at all. An interview with the programme director suggests that they are very interested in you.

Thank you Duncan, I really hope so!

Hello everyone!
So, few weeks passed and now I'm able to update my applications' status:

Cranfield : offer
Durham: offer *
Henley: offer *
Lancaster: offer * with 5000£ scholarship
Smurfit: offer *
Strathclyde: offer

*denotes where offer is conditional, upon meeting English requirements (actual TOEFL 97, requested 100)
I still have to apply for any scholarship, Lancaster automatically considers you elegible with your application, that's why they were able to offer me one already.
Now it's time to make a decision, I'd like to share with you some details and hear your advices.

Cranfield has better overall reputation, the MSc Management is ranked 49th in the FT 2017 and datas are confirmed by the Economist's one (1st in UK, 7th worldwide).
Its MSc is a dual degree and awards the CMI Level 7 in Strategic Management and Leadership too: salary, employement are in top position among the 6.
It's also the best in the bunch for International Mobility, and the only one which includes a 3-months, expenses paid, internship.
It's also the most expensive one (15000£)

Lancaster too is a dual degree, CMI Level 7 in Strategic Management and Leadership as well, it is ranked best for career service but has low figures for Intl.Mobility and salary.
The 5000£ scholarship makes it the cheapest one, at the moment (9000£).

Smurfit is a great school, it would be the only one still in the EU area and Dublin is very attractive to me: it's not so expensive (13000€) but it's impossible to compare figures, as the FT ranking considers the CEMS MIM for Smurfit (I'm applying for general MSc Management).

Durham is the highest ranked (47th), great figures for salary, employement and career service: still, I talked with some Italian former students and got average reviews about the Business School, the programme and its value while looking for a job back in Italy.

Strathclyde has a great reputation as a school and the MBM seems a very solid programme.
Furthermore, it gives you the chance of converting it to Strathclyde MBA with additional courses and under specific conditions (applying within 5 years and have gained substantial work experience). It seems that graduates are likely to stay in Scotland/UK and this is reflected in their low rank in Intl.Mobility, even if employement figures are excellent.
Relatively cheap (12500£ and a solid chance for a 3500£ scholarship).

I've excluded Henley, as I think I have better opportunities with the others I mentioned.

Goal: career change, move into Business and gain substantial Leadership skills.
Being new to this environment I leave multiple options open, which I'll explore and work on during the Master (mainly HR, Project Management, I'm making myself a picture about consulting too).

Sorry for bothering with such a long post, really looking forward to hearing whatever advice you think would be helpful to me, and I thank you in advance for this.

Roberto

[Edited by RobertoG83 on Jan 24, 2018]

I think the internship is very important if you don't have other work experience. For many people I know, it was deciding factor (and cranfield is superb, so it is double win)

You have a lot of good schools to choose from. Generically, Cranfield or Durham would probably be the best choices for most students. But I could see a solid argument for Strath - if Scotland appeals to you, and especially if you would be interested in moving onto an MBA.

I don't think Strathclyde's low international mobility is about students staying in Scotland. There will be very few Scottish students, if any, in that course.

Cranfield offered a scholarship too, I guess this probably seals the deal!

Btw Duncan, what are your ideas about Strathclyde ranking so low in Intl.Mobility?

Obviously, it's about weaker domestic demand for non-EU students. That's why most UK schools dropped in the last FT MBA ranking.