/ 5 April 2012

Do your homework before your MBA

If you want to do an MBA, there are many factors you should consider when selecting a business school. Many applicants mistakenly consider international accreditation, reputation, affordability and popularity to be the only important ones. Relying on these factors is the most logical approach, but they will not guarantee you get the best MBA learning experience.

Whether you want to complete an MBA to advance your career, improve your management skills or for your own personal development, it is important to choose a school that meets your needs and has the resources, capacity and programmes to help you to reach your goals.

Students should consider these factors:

  • Format of the programme: Working students can choose modular or part-time programmes and students with more flexible time can study full-time.
  • Location: It can be expensive and inconvenient to travel long distances to lectures. Try to choose a business school close to your home and workplace.
  • Finances: You should still not choose a business school based solely on its affordability. Studying an MBA can be expensive — between R50 000 and R200 000 in South Africa — but it is an investment in your career.
  • International recognition: A good business school acknowledges the shifting dynamics in the industry and accommodates them in its curriculum. International ranking and accreditation bodies, such as the Association of MBAs, the Academy of Business in Society and the European Foundation for Man­agement Develop­ment, provide indicators of global recognition.
  • Reputation: The reputation of a business school does not guarantee you the best learning experience. But it might suggest that you are enrolling in a respected and well-recommended school. Talk to the alumni and look at surveys and rankings to get a better idea of a school’s standing.
  • Quality of faculty: Lecturers are central to any consideration of business schools. Their teaching methods and presence in the industry are important elements to investigate.
  • Research: Look into a school’s curriculum and the profile of the candidates with whom you would be studying, for instance.
  • Career: Choose a business school that complements your career. For example, if you wish to start your own business rather than work for an organisation, consider schools that focus on entrepreneurship.
  • Support: Studying for an MBA can be ­challenging. Ensure the business school you choose has support structures and qualified personnel available to assist you.
  • Consultation: Chat to experts, professors, students and alumni. Prepare your colleagues, friends and family for the challenge you are about to take on — make them aware that you are entering a phase that will require a significant amount of time and ­dedication from you.

Shireen Chengadu is executive director of academic programmes at the Gordon Institute of Business Science.