Choosing the best international Master of Business Administration (MBA) program may involve a mix of objective and subjective factors, such as a student’s personal fit with the program’s offerings, whether classes can be taken online, and what areas of specialization are available. Furthermore, a student’s decision on which international MBA program to pursue may be influenced the school’s ranking or prestige, geographic location, and program length.
International MBA programs have adapted to meet the demand for business leaders whose knowledge and expertise extend beyond national borders as business has become increasingly global, and the pace of further globalization is expected to accelerate in the future. Many international schools are changing their MBA programs’ curriculum to make them more international, multidisciplinary, and cross-functional. Students should consider what areas of focus are available when choosing an international MBA program. What foreign language specialties are available, whether the program includes a study-abroad option, and whether the program has connections to offer internship assistance are all factors to consider.
University accreditation and reputation may be important factors to consider when selecting an international MBA program. The business job market is competitive, and graduating from a reputable international MBA program may give a student an edge over other applicants.
Business magazines, news reports, and financial reporting firms are among the sources that rank international MBA programs. Ranking criteria vary, but they typically include things like average graduate salaries, overall student test scores, and student satisfaction surveys. These resources are easily accessible via an Internet search. Some resources also provide alternatives to those factors. For example, in the United States, the Aspen Institute Center for Business Education publishes a “Green MBA” ranking, which assesses a school’s attention to social, environmental, and ethical issues addressed in business school programs.
Although international MBA programs vary in terms of curriculum and focus, some programs emphasize, excel in, or favor one functional area of business over another. Accounting, communications, finance, information systems, marketing, and operations are some of the functional business areas studied in an international MBA program. When deciding on the best program, looking into programs that offer a specialization in a student’s area of interest can be very helpful.
The length of an international MBA program may be linked to its geographical location. International MBA programs in the United States are typically two years long and full-time, whereas programs in other parts of the world are typically one year long and full-time. Part-time MBAs, executive MBAs, accelerated MBAs, and online programs are also available, all of which can be completed while working and are geared toward students who work while studying.