Studying a full-time MBA abroad

A master of business administration degree is the ideal way for you to take your business career to the next level. MBA students will be gaining a prestigious graduate degree, and developing their understanding of key business practices.

The MBA is still a young type of accreditation, and yet is already highly valued by many employers. It is common that most MBA candidates will be coming to study after gaining work experience. This means that the course will have more mature students attending.

An MBA will enhance and progress your existing knowledge of business concepts. You will be given opportunities to not only improve your theoretical understanding, but also apply your practical skills to real world situations. You will be able to equip yourself with the skills needed to accelerate your career and maximise business performance in an ever-changing environment. You will be taught to think laterally, allowing you to challenge conventional methods and offer knowledge-based solutions to problems.

Your degree will be delivered in a mixture of modes. These will include lectures and seminars, as well as incorporating sessions that allow you to apply your knowledge and skills.

Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your degree. This specialisation can influence your career progression after you have graduated. Common specialisations include:

• International Finance
• Risk Management
• Data Analysis
• Management of Human Resources
• International Business Negotiation
• Marketing

If your degree requires you to write a dissertation or submit a final major project, this will give you the opportunity to further research a favoured area of business.

The accreditation of an MBA is internationally standardised. This means that if you choose to take an MBA degree, you will be awarded a Master of Business Administration, no matter your country of study. The only element of your award title that might change is if you study an MBA in a specific area, such as MBA in Finance.

Some degrees might be accredited or approved by professional bodies of business and management. These might include the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), or the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

The duration of an MBA will depend on where you choose to study, and will be heavily influenced by the country you study in. Generally, an MBA will take up to two years of full-time study. There are some business schools that offer fast-track MBA programmes that can be completed in six to twelve months. An MBA degree is very time-intensive, but full-time study will help you to get on the road to achieving your career goals.

An MBA is normally studied as a final degree, so further study is not common. However, you could choose to continue to broaden your studies. This could be in the form of a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), a different masters degree, or a graduate diploma or certificate.

People who pursue an MBA tend to already have a job, or have an idea of their career direction. It is common for a workplace to help fund your MBA degree, with the condition that you apply your new knowledge and skills in your current company.

Completing an MBA can lead to a promotion within your current work, or can help with a career change. An MBA is also a good way to show international companies that you have the expertise to work in business, as it is an internationally renowned certification.