The Premiere International MBA is Waiting For You in London
“London doesn’t love the latent or the lurking, has neither time, nor taste, nor sense for anything less discernible than the red flag in front of the steam-roller. It wants cash over the counter and letters ten feet high.” – Henry James
It could be argued that London is the quintessential—or at least the original—international destination. Both defiantly English and seamlessly accommodating for an international community, London is a city in a state of constant reinvention.
Oscar Wilde once said London was composed of “beautiful idiots and brilliant lunatics,” which makes perfect sense that the city is presently and almost always the world’s global financial center (close but no cigar, Singapore). It’s no secret that the city leads the charge when it comes to gold, silver, derivatives, foreign exchange, money markets, debt securities, and international insurance. And London’s strategic location means it can stay connected to both the East and West at all times.
These reasons and so much more make London perhaps the definitive choice for b-schoolers who aspire to cut deals that bridge cultures and cross borders. For prospective MBAs with international ambitions, opportunities to interface with every conceivable industry abound in London, as do opportunities to collaborate with non-UK companies with London hubs.
We took the liberty of giving you the skinny on four London-area business degrees that will set you on a global path. Let’s take a deeper dive, shall we?
London Business School
The London Business School EMBA-Global Americas & Europe degree is a multinational collaboration that imparts the “insight, network and international perspectives” that today’s globally focused executive needs. The program—a partnership between LBS, Columbia, and the University of Hong Kong—is available in two distinct paths for entrepreneurs, managers, or executives. EMBA-Global Americas & Europe students earn two MBAs as they study in New York and London, while EMBA-Global Asia students bridge the gap between East and West as they study in Shanghai, Hong Kong, New York, and London. Forbes ranked LBS’ international degree first overall in terms of its return on investment, as its 2012 class earned average salaries of $119,100 and paid back their investment in 3.4 years.
Imperial College London
The ICL’s Global Online MBA is a two-year, part-time degree that combines “innovative thinking and insight with new technology to develop practical solutions to real world issues, benefiting business and improving society.” The Global MBA is structured to maximize intimacy and in-class time, culminating in a week-long Capstone Business Game project.
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Oxford University Saïd Business School
The Saïd Business School 13-month masters-level Global Business Diploma is focused on giving graduates the tools to “undertake the senior international responsibilities which drive organizational success.” Director Kathy Harvey explains that the degree is guaranteed to “provide insights to anyone operating, or aspiring to operate, in a global environment.” Graduates will have an advanced “understanding of the issues involved in conducting business in a global landscape,” particularly “global business strategy, risk and reputation, corporate diplomacy and doing business in emerging economies.”
Cambridge University’s Judge Business School
The Judge Business School at Cambridge University Global Business concentration emphasizes cross-cultural differences; doing business in/with emerging economies; managing the multinational enterprise; and multinational organizations in social and environmental issues. The concentration was developed specifically for MBA students “seeking careers in careers at multinational organizations; small and medium-sized enterprises in sectors that are affected by international pressures; and students with a general interest in the role of organizations in global issues.”
The Global MBA Experience in Dallas
Business certainly has no borders. As new technology makes it easier for people to connect on different sides of the world, having a navigable knowledge of international business practices can be a crucial part of building and growing your career.
While most MBA programs provide a strong foundation of business skills that help graduates as they enter an increasingly international industry, several programs offer students the chance to truly focus their degree in global business. Whether through MBA concentrations, majors, or joint degree programs, the ability for students to truly specialize their degree will allow for the next generation of business professionals to truly break down walls and make connections across the world.
A newly thriving hub of business in the country, the Dallas metro area is a perfect home base for beginning a career that can take you across the globe. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the top Dallas international MBA programs.
McCombs School of Business – University of Texas at Austin
While the McCombs School of Business does not offer a concentration in international business for their MBA degree, the school does offer a joint MBA and Master of Global Policy Studies, allowing students to graduate with two degrees after just three years of study.
The MBA/Master of Global Policy Studies was created as a response to the increased need for professionals with a deep understanding of the global environment, both within the public and private sphere. The dual degree program centers around a practical approach to global business, including direct and hands-on experience in the industry, offering graduates a competitive advantage as they enter the work force.
The dual degree requires students to complete 84 hours of coursework, including both MBA core courses and electives, as well as the MGPS’ core courses and specialization. The first year of the degree focuses on the GPS core courses, the second year on the MBA, and the last year a combination of both degrees.
Naveen Jindal School of Management – University of Texas at Dallas
Students at the Naveen Jindal School of Management may choose to specialize their MBA in International Management. Approaching global business through an interdisciplinary lens, the UT Dallas International Management MBA includes courses on marketing, cross-cultural management, finance, and strategic management. The courses help students to integrate business concepts with international policies/practices, preparing them for success in developing international ventures. The concentration may include courses such as:
- Regional Area Studies: Latin America, Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and more
- Global Business Ethics
- Export Market Planning
- Global Mergers and Acquisitions
Satish and Yasmin Gupta College of Business – University of Dallas
At the University of Dallas’ Satish and Yasmin Gupta College of Business, students may choose to focus their MBA with a concentration in Global Business. The degree program requires students to complete 42 credit hours and fourteen classes including both the required MBA core curriculum and classes in the Global Business concentration.
In addition to the MBA core classes, some of which already focus on global business and strategy, concentration classes may include courses such as:
- Strategic Global Marketing
- Import/Export
- International Financial Markets
- Global Immersion
University of North Texas College of Business
The MBA program at the UNT College of Business has a number of options for specialization, including an International Business Concentration.
The UNT MBA consists of a total 36 semester hours, 18 of which are focused on the broad foundational knowledge of an MBA. The additional 18 credits may then be focused on the concentration in International Business.
The Best International Business MBA Programs in New York City
Linguists and frequent flyers need not be the only types who heed the call to jet set around the world. In today’s increasingly decentralized global economy, more and more business is being conducted between borders, which means its better know than ever to earn one of the world’s best international business MBA degrees.
