I am currently employed in the retail sector and I want to do an MBA in the UK. I would like to be able to work in the country after I graduate and am not a UK or EU citizen. Preferably I would like to stay in retail but go into management roles.

I have contacted Warwick, Cass, and Manchester about their MBA programs and have heard back positively when I told them about my background and projected GMAT score. Which one of these is the best? Should I apply to all three of them?

In the most recent FT ranking, Manchester rates the highest in terms of "international mobility," which suggests that it's marginally better at placing non-domestic students in the UK after graduation.

That said, it's not head-and-shoulders above the others; for a greater chance you'd probably want to look at schools in the next tier up (Oxford and Cambridge), for instance.

Warwick grads generally have higher salaries than grads from the other schools. In terms of alumni in the retail sector, Cass does place in this sector but it's not a strength of any of the three, by any calculation. Look at Linkedin to get a more nuanced picture of the alumni network and sector distribution.

Take an extra year, get in somewhere better.

Thank you both for your advices. I am considering trying for something better, I will have five years of work experience by next fall, do you guys think this will be enough for Cambridge or Oxford? I scored 660 on my practice test although I believe I could get this higher.

Your current GMAT score would be a hard sell at both of these schools, considering your lower-than-average work experience at this point.

If you could get your GMAT score up to 700 or higher (higher is better), you would be much more competitive. Ideally, you would want to apply in the early rounds; round 1 deadlines for both schools are in September. That gives you a bit of time, and if used appropriately with targeted GMAT practice, many can improve their scores substantially.

Of course it would depend on other parts of your application as well, and how interesting you are to the admissions committees. Another year of work experience would be beneficial.

I guess I have a lot to do in a short time! I will work on my GMAT score and then see about Cambridge and Oxford.