One of the reasons why people undertake graduate study is to enhance their employment prospects in a competitive job market. Studying a Masters of Business Administration course (MBA) is no exception. Not only do you acquire more specialist knowledge and develop management skills, but also you become a very desirable candidate to potential employers. You may already be working and your employer has encouraged you to take an MBA course to make you into a valuable asset to your company. Many existing managers who study an MBA degree are funded by their employers, which indicates acknowledgement of the value of MBA degrees. Over the past 20 years, the MBA has become recognised all over the world as a degree that shows competence in the basic management disciplines and tools.

The MBA is a generalist degree which covers the key areas of business administration including:

• Organisation Behaviour – people

• Accounting and Finance – money

• Economics – how to define what is going on in the wider environment

• Marketing – what people want

• Project Management – getting things done

• Strategic Planning – what to do next

Business law, information technology and international trade are also common courses, and good business schools should offer a wide range of optional courses as well.

Some MBA programs are specifically designed to cater for the needs of experienced managers who are returning to study after years of employment to enhance their skills. For this reason, it is important that you understand what types of MBA courses are available at your chosen university or college. Most universities and colleges offer MBAs on a full-time or part-time basis.

The MBA degree is a very flexible course of study as it is often taken by existing professionals who need to balance work and study. If you are coming straight from your first degree then you need to weigh up whether it is more beneficial for you to complete your MBA course in one or two years full-time and forgo the salary and experience that you would get from taking on a job straightaway or whether you want to face the challenge of combining work with part-time or distance learning study. Before applying for an MBA course, be sure to investigate whether there is an option to take a study break, or whether you can move from one location to another. Of utmost importance is finding out how the fees are paid, i.e. in advance or as you go along. It is worth noting that self–managed distance learning at MBA level has become increasingly popular over the past 10 years.

The key to getting the most out of your MBA course is to do plenty of research first and the Internet is a great place to start. Alternatively, request prospectuses from universities and colleges but in either case, study what is on offer carefully. You might find that universities and colleges are not required to follow a set syllabus for an MBA course so it is important to find out what is on offer, what you want, and then make the right choice.

Something to be aware of when choosing your MBA course is that the popularity in recent years of the MBA degree means that there are several organisations that seek to profit from the interest by offering advice and even 'accreditation'. This may not be genuine. National newspapers often publish 'rankings' of MBA courses and business schools but remember that these are based on their own criteria and may not necessarily suit your own needs and interests. Contact universities and colleges directly to get the relevant information so you can make an informed choice. Good luck with your application to an MBA course, it will accelerate your career and enhance your skills.

With thanks to:
Alick Kitchin,
Edinburgh Business School,
Heriot Watt University.