| The Master of Business Administration is a | | | | MBAs graduate, and in the UK more than 10,000 |
| postgraduate that is internationally | | | | graduate each year. This makes the United |
| recognized as a business management | | | | Kingdom the highest producer of MBAs outside |
| qualification. But it is more than an | | | | the USA. |
| academic degree. A good mba is preparation | | | | |
| for business management involving a | | | | Differences in MBA courses around the world |
| combination of practical training and | | | | are many. For instance, in the USA, the |
| theoretical learning. | | | | courses are generally two years in length, |
| | | | but the majority of courses in Europe take |
| The MBA has a unique result-focused and | | | | twelve months to complete, although that |
| interdisciplinary approach, which makes it | | | | varies from 10 months to two years. |
| popular among the worldwide business | | | | |
| establishment. It is not seen as just a | | | | There are thousands of universities and |
| degree, it is more of a lifestyle and a | | | | colleges all over the world that offer the |
| philosophy. | | | | MBA at the moment. Lifestyles are changing |
| | | | and globalisation is increasing, which means |
| Some people, particularly those tasked with | | | | that these schools have to offer more |
| recruiting for companies in the UK, seem to | | | | flexible learning methods. For instance, you |
| lump the MBA with other academic degrees. The | | | | can study full-time where you take that time |
| MBA is actually a generic program allowing | | | | off work to go into business school every |
| for a high amount of flexibility. | | | | day. Part-time courses allow you to work |
| | | | full-time whilst taking your MBA course |
| The core component of the MBA features | | | | either in the evenings or over weekend |
| courses in finance, economics, accounting, | | | | modules. Even though these can take up to |
| marketing, organizational behaviour, | | | | five years it does mean your life is busier |
| operational management (logistics), business | | | | as you are working full time in addition to |
| law, information management and technology | | | | lectures and coursework. Then there is |
| and human resource management amongst others. | | | | distance learning - which can be done through |
| | | | CD-Roms, printed materials and even fully |
| The elective component of the course allows | | | | online - whichever way suits you the most. |
| students the freedom to select the courses | | | | Whatever type of course deliver you are |
| that particularly interest them. Thus you | | | | looking for, the right programme is out |
| have the core courses to address the needs of | | | | there. |
| every manager then the elective courses that | | | | |
| address the individual's professional needs. | | | | You can even get your MBA with your employer |
| Different programs offer different electives, | | | | as they offer the course as part of their |
| but you should find that each course would | | | | internal career development programme. Strong |
| focus either on a particular aspect of | | | | alliances have been developed with management |
| business administration, or a region in the | | | | colleges and business schools so that top |
| world, or a particular industry. Thus a | | | | talent can be developed and retained. |
| student may be choosing from e-commerce, | | | | |
| entrepreneurship, business in Europe, | | | | However, there is a massive diversity in |
| derivatives, business and the environment, | | | | quality between programmes, you need to make |
| and many others. | | | | the right choice to ensure that your time and |
| | | | your money is not wasted. This is why you |
| An MBA course sees students coming from | | | | must take the time to research MBA courses as |
| different cultural and professional | | | | much as possible. Employers do care where you |
| backgrounds coming together to share | | | | got your MBA from, so make sure the school is |
| experiences and expertise in a highly | | | | accredited (AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB) and ask |
| stimulating learning environment. | | | | around to ascertain their reputation. |
| | | | |
| What is an MBA course? A passport to a | | | | Get it right and it is the perfect avenue to |
| successful management career, the Master of | | | | making more money |
| Business Administration (MBA) degree is the | | | | |
| most popular postgraduate degree in the | | | | Interested in this subject? |
| world. Each year in the USA more than 90,000 | | | | |