Having decided to do an MBA next year, I've started studying for GMAT atm as I've lost my job 5 months ago.

My background is I am a Research Scientist by profession and have exactly 5 years work experience in Pharma Research.
Hoping to get good score in GMAT.

Right now I am stuck with the problem of school selection. Assuming that all top tier schools have the 1st round application deadline in October, I am gearing up my GMAT and want to apply for MBA asap. I would very much love to hear your expert advice on this.

My obvious choices are Judge and Said as in my view they are the top 1 year MBA programmes in the UK.

I did use Linkedin to do some research on the Universties that people in my field got their MBAs from. They ranged from oxbridge, imperial, warwick to even Open University.

I really would like some insight into this. My priority has always been going back to Pharma industry after MBA, as it's better to stick with the one you best.

cheers.

The OU is a good school if you are already in a management role and don't need career services. Otherwise, Oxbridge and Imperial are great choices, and I'd certainly think you'd be more interesting to Cambridge than to Oxford.

Thanks Duncan

I have to point out that I was not exclusively in Management role in my career ladder. I was more of a lab based scientist with managing junior staff. And yes I will be back to Pharma, but now exclusively in a managerial role hopefully after MBA.

I've been to Judge and Said for opendays. And as you rightly pointed out they are very good schools, with Cambridge slightly edging for me as I felt it more relaxed and 'professional' and more industry focused.

Imperial says it still has some places left for this year (2013) and since I need to take out a bank loan anyway to fund my MBA, I am contemplating whether I need to wait 1 year (or is it worth 1 year wait!!) to try and get into Oxbridge, or if I am lucky enough to get into Imperial for 2013, shall I do it right this year!!!

I realise that I need to make this vital decision on my own at the end of the day, but I would appreciate your input in this.

cheers

Given that you are not in work right now, I would be very tempted to jump into Imperial unless Cambridge's admissions staff gave me a strong steer that they would offer me a place. They have a deadline on October 11, so why not ask them what they would do in your position.

That said, starting the MBA now seems like a great option since it might take you a little while to get into a new job.

Yes it is very tempting to start this year.
I will contact Judge and see what they think about it. Also I am getting ready to take GMAT this month, so that will give enough time for application and also if I am lucky enough I will get any scholarships when I appy for Oxbridges.

True that it will take a while for me to get a job. So I will have to decide on the start year based on the replies from these schools.

thanks :)