Oxford vs. Cambridge


HuHsu

Can anybody tell me the better school: Oxford Said or Cambridge Judge?

I am thinking about doing my MBA at one. I know I want to go to Oxbridge, but they seem very similar. Everybody I talk to here says go to one or the other, it doesn't matter.

I want to work in England in a consulting role for several years. I will return to China after I get some experience in consulting.

My GMAT score is 700 (45Q/41V)... I have 4 years work experience.

Can anybody tell me the better school: Oxford Said or Cambridge Judge?

I am thinking about doing my MBA at one. I know I want to go to Oxbridge, but they seem very similar. Everybody I talk to here says go to one or the other, it doesn't matter.

I want to work in England in a consulting role for several years. I will return to China after I get some experience in consulting.

My GMAT score is 700 (45Q/41V)... I have 4 years work experience.
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Duncan

They are better for different things. If your goal is consulting why not pick the school that places the most people into consulting?

They are better for different things. If your goal is consulting why not pick the school that places the most people into consulting?
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Razors Edg...

Looking at the placement stats here:
http://find-mba.com/schools/uk-ireland/england/oxford-said
http://find-mba.com/schools/uk-ireland/england/cambridge-judge

The schools place similar proportions of their grads into consulting roles (26% vs. 27%)

Linkedin data suggests that the overall numbers are similar, at least for the universities (Judge specifically seems underrepresented, but I wonder if that's just because people say that they went to Cambridge, not Judge specifically.) LBS and INSEAD are much more common.

Looking at the placement stats here:
http://find-mba.com/schools/uk-ireland/england/oxford-said
http://find-mba.com/schools/uk-ireland/england/cambridge-judge

The schools place similar proportions of their grads into consulting roles (26% vs. 27%)

Linkedin data suggests that the overall numbers are similar, at least for the universities (Judge specifically seems underrepresented, but I wonder if that's just because people say that they went to Cambridge, not Judge specifically.) LBS and INSEAD are much more common.
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HuHsu

Thank you so much!

Do you think I have a shot at LBS, with my GMAT score?

Thank you so much!

Do you think I have a shot at LBS, with my GMAT score?
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Duncan

Yes.

Yes.
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Inactive User

700 is the average GMAT at LBS for the current class. You're a bit under the average work experience though - which is currently 5.5 years - so that might be a handicap. As long as it's solid experience that demonstrates a clear, upward trend, though, it's usually not a problem.

700 is the average GMAT at LBS for the current class. You're a bit under the average work experience though - which is currently 5.5 years - so that might be a handicap. As long as it's solid experience that demonstrates a clear, upward trend, though, it's usually not a problem.
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HuHsu

This is good news! My work experience is in education and I suppose it is solid work experience. In any case I expect to get good letters of recommendation. Are there other things I can do to help out?

This is good news! My work experience is in education and I suppose it is solid work experience. In any case I expect to get good letters of recommendation. Are there other things I can do to help out?
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Inactive User

The basics: strong application essays, a demonstration of good interpersonal skills (through interviews, etc.), and have career goals that you can clearly articulate.

The basics: strong application essays, a demonstration of good interpersonal skills (through interviews, etc.), and have career goals that you can clearly articulate.
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Archita 8

I was talking with somebody who suggested that Manchester is as good of a school or better than either Oxford or Cambridge. This doesn't make sense to me, but is it true?

I was talking with somebody who suggested that Manchester is as good of a school or better than either Oxford or Cambridge. This doesn't make sense to me, but is it true?
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Duncan

Well, it's not true in most cases but it could be true in some cases for certain goals. Obviously the MBA design is better: five terms rather than two semesters. But the quality of staff, students and recruiters is better at Oxbridge.

Well, it's not true in most cases but it could be true in some cases for certain goals. Obviously the MBA design is better: five terms rather than two semesters. But the quality of staff, students and recruiters is better at Oxbridge.
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Inactive User

I was talking with somebody who suggested that Manchester is as good of a school or better than either Oxford or Cambridge. This doesn't make sense to me, but is it true?

I would say that for the typical post-MBA career paths -- consulting or finance -- Oxford and Cambridge are much better choices than Manchester.

But if you're looking in jobs in more "niche" areas: healthcare, real estate, consumer products, maybe: Manchester might be worth considering.

[quote]I was talking with somebody who suggested that Manchester is as good of a school or better than either Oxford or Cambridge. This doesn't make sense to me, but is it true?[/quote]
I would say that for the typical post-MBA career paths -- consulting or finance -- Oxford and Cambridge are much better choices than Manchester.

But if you're looking in jobs in more "niche" areas: healthcare, real estate, consumer products, maybe: Manchester might be worth considering.
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Archita 8

Is Manchester better to work in human resources management?

Is Manchester better to work in human resources management?
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Duncan

If you want to work in the UK, yes because it has an MSc in HR accredited by the CIPD.

If you want to work in the UK, yes because it has an MSc in HR accredited by the CIPD.
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Razors Edg...

If you want to work in HRM a good question to ask yourself is whether you really need an MBA. Duncan's right, Manchester's connections with CIPD are relevant, but it's worth noting that only 4 percent of the most recent Manchester MBA class went into human resources. This is not a typical career path of MBAs.

A specialized master's in human resources might be a better option.

If you want to work in HRM a good question to ask yourself is whether you really need an MBA. Duncan's right, Manchester's connections with CIPD are relevant, but it's worth noting that only 4 percent of the most recent Manchester MBA class went into human resources. This is not a typical career path of MBAs.

A specialized master's in human resources might be a better option.
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Duncan

Yes. To be clear, I recommend that if you want to work in HR in the UK that you take an MSc in HR with CIPD accreditation (ideally from a top business school) rather than an MBA.

Yes. To be clear, I recommend that if you want to work in HR in the UK that you take an MSc in HR with CIPD accreditation (ideally from a top business school) rather than an MBA.
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Archita 8

I'm confused. Isn't an MBA considered to be a "better" degree than an MSc? I would rather do an MBA for the salary growth.

I'm confused. Isn't an MBA considered to be a "better" degree than an MSc? I would rather do an MBA for the salary growth.
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Duncan

That depends on the role you are looking for. The MBA is a better degree is you want to do general management. If you want a specialised role in HR in the UK then a CIPD qualification will be better than an MBA. If you want salary growth, don't work in HR. Get an MBA or MFin and work in strategy consulting or finance.

That depends on the role you are looking for. The MBA is a better degree is you want to do general management. If you want a specialised role in HR in the UK then a CIPD qualification will be better than an MBA. If you want salary growth, don't work in HR. Get an MBA or MFin and work in strategy consulting or finance.
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