Edinburgh University MBA

Hey there,

This is a classic dilemma! Basically, you get what you pay for. Aside from the actual education, this goes for quality of alumni network, target by certain companies, exchange opportunities, etc. So the question is, what's important to you?

As far as Edinburg goes, it's generally OK but not stellar according to FT and The Economist, who basically “own” the rankings. Please see below:

• Financial Times: 29th in Europe in 2021 (not among top 100 globally) https://rankings.ft.com/schools/116/edinburgh-university-management-school/rankings/2869/european-business-school-rankings-2021/ranking-data
• Economist: 59th globally in 2021 https://whichmba.economist.com/ranking/full-time-mba/2021/university-of-edinburgh-business-school

Probably not so much on the radar for MBB, if that's what you're looking for. However, check out the alumni on linkedin to see where they ended up. Usually a good indicator of quality!

Hope this helps a bit! Best of luck!

Hi there,

Ideally, you should decide based on your opportunity cost. That is, is this option the best way to reach your goal given the other feasible options you have?

To identify if that’s the case, I would consider the following:

1. What is your goal after the MBA?
2. Is the MBA at Edinburgh University going to be the best way to reach that goal compared to:
   1. Doing nothing (ie, applying now for that job/goal) or
   2. Another MBA that could accept you and for which you have the financial resources to attend or
   3. Any other opportunity that could lead to that goal?

For #2, you can easily check the results in terms of your desired exits after an MBA (I assume consulting, given you wrote on this forum). You can do so by identifying on LinkedIn the number of alumni of a university in MBB or any other company you are targeting and adjusting for the cohort size. 

This will give you a data-driven guideline to decide, which in my opinion is the best way to make decisions in most cases.

Best,

Francesco

Dear candidate,

I would also say that it is a solid program but if you do an MBA I highly recommend to take only a leading program. The MBA is only as helpful as the options you have afterwards with it. So if finance is an issue, then look for a top program instead that you can complete within one year instead of 2, rather than taking Edinburgh. Or look for a leading program that may be more expensive but has a very strong careers service with proven job offer success, and only do it if you are sure you are willing to work later in a role that is well paid for at least a while. I mean this specifically because some people even realize during an MBA that they want to switch to academia afterwards, and if that is you it is important that you would be willing to pay back your loan first (so it does not stay with you). 

Best regards,

Charlotte

I would honestly suggest that you should consider other schools. Having an MBA is a plus, but there is a huge difference from one school to another. 
I think your target school's ranking in the FT and Economist reports is not a spectacular one, and primarily for that reason, I would look at other choices.

Here it is not the chance to get hired by MBB that matters. Beyond that, I think the MBA is a great experience, and being surrounded by the best of the best among the international students is a huge plus for your growth and network.

The best students prefer to go to places like Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, MIT, INSEAD, and LBS. 

That said, be prepared that getting admitted to those Business Schools requires an extra effort on your side, in terms of GMAT score, IELTS/TOEFL score, essays' quality, and recommendation letters' effectiveness.

Feel free to text me if you need some advice on GMAT preparation, general planning, and further detail. 

If you're looking to get into MBB / Strategy Consulting, that may not be the best option.

I understand the upfront cost is lower, but it won't help you much in getting an interview from one of those firms.

Hello!

Have a look at the rankings, it´s not in the top…

I have seen multiple questions lately in the Q&A regarding doing masters, which one to choose, MBA vs. MiM, which schools to choose (both in US and Europe).

I joined McK after finishing my master in Architecture (totally not related field of study, and still), and I am doing an MBA in MIT atm. Furthermore, I have been a professor in the Master in Management from Instituto de Empresa, in Madrid (MiM in IE Business School). Happy to talk about this, and also happy to guide you with MBA applications, something that I have been doing lately. 

Feel free to PM! Cheers, 

Clara

Hello! 

…well it depends on your background. My MBA was ranked 35th in Financial Times when I graduated, and I still got the offer from BCG to join the leadership team even skipping the consultant stage (I had 0 consulting background). 

A strong business school name offsets less working experience, in that case a known/well-ranked MBA is a better option, BUT if have at least 5+ years of sound work experience with demonstrable skills that the MBB is looking for (creativity, problem solving, leadership, ability to make impact…) and you could eventually qualify for expert career track, then I would think it twice if it is worthy.

There are also alternative options to earn your MBA at prestigious business school (e.g. INSEAD) with no/fraction of cost… join as an Associate (MBA not required), then you can climb up and/or take advantage of the sponsorship offered by the MBB to the top performers. 

Lucie

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Hi there,

This totally depends on your end goals!

If you are targeting MBB this will reduce your odds significantly. Is it still possible to get into MBB? Absolutely! But you really need to go to a top 15 school to make the $ worth it here.

That said, if you're going for other reasons (other careers, learning, networking, etc.) then there's a completely different cost-benefit evaluation here.

Hey,

Edinburgh can be a great programme if its a good fit for you i.e. based on your research & networking if it offers the education, skills, opportunities (career, alumni etc), location & financial affordability for this stage of your life and career, then you have a match. Once there is a match, you will enjoy the experience better and make the most of it. Please dont go only by rankings. Edinburg is not highly ranked overall, so from that lens only its not very attractive. 

Yes, everyone wants to get into a top ranked programme, but this is not absolutely necessary. I know people who have smashed it coming from low ranked MBA schools and some not even without MBA/Masters. 

Have a look at these helpful Q&A threads too:

• https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/what-is-the-value-of-mba-and-how-do-i-differentiate-myself-against-my-colleagues-8197
• https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/for-entering-consulting-is-top-master-better-than-an-mba-12291

All the best.