So you’ve gotten this far on the essentials checklist. Let’s make sure that you can answer all of the below before we help you choose an MBA;
- Do you know what an MBA is? Go to What is an MBA?
- Why do you want to study an MBA? Go to Why should I study an MBA?
- Can you commit to the effort and temporary lifestyle changes needed for an MBA? Go to Am I ready for an MBA?
- Do you understand the costs and how you plan on paying for an MBA? Go to Can I afford an MBA?
- Can you pass the basic requirements to study an MBA? Go to What are the requirements for an MBA?
Now the fun part starts, searching for the right Provider and finding out what courses they have on offer. There are a few factors you should consider before really committing to an MBA and they aren’t about costs or status or even if you pass a few pre-requisites.
Learning Culture
This is a big part of the experience in all learning. It’s the culture that you learn in. Does it foster an inclusive environment, are the lecturer’s of high business standing who live their course, does the provider offer events that help students on their way with a great community of MBA graduates or is there a support network?Each person is going to have a different set of ideas on what they would consider a great learning culture for them, for you!
Learning Style
Do you work better in groups or as an individual? Is the classroom a better setting for you or are you just as motivated watching a lecture in your home office? You need to consider which type of environment you learn better in, online, classroom or a mix of both? There’s no better or worse in this situation, it’s what works for you but what you need to really consider is the community to support your learning. An MBA is an intense learning journey, make sure that the people you’re taking this journey with are there to help you along the way and the provider gives you access and options to tap into the that network, be it online forums, networking groups, live study groups or open sessions between lectures and classes.
Learning Outcomes
Think back to what your reasons were to start an MBA and what it is that motivates you to actually achieve it. Make sure that it aligns with your own career goals. Find a course that allows you to either specialise in or focus on a specific aspect, such as marketing if you want to be a director of marketing one day or finance if you feel you need to really give yourself that jump start. Each of the general subjects will still get you ahead of the game but what you’re really after is the edge in a given field of choice. See if the provider offers a specific focus stream that aligns to you.
The point of MBA Reviews is to help you find the right MBA, head over to our comprehensive MBA Guide, read reviews that have been left by graduates on how they feel about a specific course from a provider.