Whether you are looking for an undergraduate degree after finishing high school or an executive programme for professional development, choosing the right business course can significantly impact your career prospects. Since most business courses come with steep price tags, you must carefully weigh the pros and cons of the programmes before making the final decision. Here’s what you need to consider.
List of Business Courses in the UAE (PDF)
1. College Reputation
The first thing students need to consider is the education provider’s reputation and global presence. “It is the reputation of the educational institution, which brings corporates to the campus to deliver training and job offers. In today’s world, a globally accepted degree is essential for a management professional to grow in his career,” says Mariam Shaikh, Assistant Vice-President, Student Recruitment and Marketing, Amity University Dubai.
Take a look at the media rankings of business schools in magazines such as Forbes, The Economist and Financial Times to identify the right school for you. These will give you an idea of the academic reputation of a school.
Michael Clarke, Associate Head of School of Management and Languages at Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus, also points out that the reputation of the university is very critical as many employers prefer to recruit students from leading institutions.
“Some of the signs of a good university are the entry qualifications set at the time of joining, business-relevant courses and its reputation in league tables. Students are always favoured by employers who can articulate their thoughts, communicate, analyse information, work in teams and present their ideas clearly. Programmes that demonstrate these essential skills help prepare graduates for work,” says Clarke.
2. Full-time or part-time?
When considering an MBA programme, students should question whether the traditional full-time route or executive programme is more suitable for them, says Dina Dommett, Executive Director, Leadership Programmes, London Business School. “An applicant should consider his career path and what he hopes to gain from the programme to help him pick the best fit for his future,” she says.
“While a part-time executive MBA allows students the opportunity to carry on with their full-time employment and apply their newly acquired business knowledge immediately in the workplace, full-time study encourages students to become fully immersed in student life and extra-curricular activities,” she adds.
3. Question Credentials
Accreditation and recognition are other key factors when selecting a programme. For instance, accreditation from the UAE Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research gives students the assurance of academic quality and ensures their qualifications are recognised for employment and continuing education opportunities across the region. International recognition is also important for students looking to work or pursue higher education overseas, explains Prof. Valerie Lindsay, Dean of the Faculty of Business at University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD).
4. Networking potential
An often-overlooked benefit of pursuing business education at an MBA or Executive MBA level is the rich network of students and alumni that is gained over the course of study and that’s why students must enquire about the school’s alumni network, including its global chapters.
“Don’t underestimate its importance in the long term. If you are studying with the aim to enhance your overall global awareness, move abroad or for a more senior international role, the international students studying with you will become an important resource,” says Dommett.
Ehsan Razavizadeh, Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa and Head of Dubai Centre of Cass Business School, says, “Access to a network of alumni can be invaluable when looking for your next role, ongoing mentorship, or support for future business. By using their far-reaching alumni network, several higher education institutions often proactively link budding entrepreneurs with seed capital.”
5. Recommendations
Follow recommendation instructions suggested by the universities you are applying to, advises Peter Davos, Founder and Managing Director of Carian College Advisors. “If the university asks you to provide two professional recommendations from a current or recent supervisor, do so. Securing a recommendation from the CEO of your company, if he is not directly familiar with your work, is a waste of a valuable opportunity and will actually hurt your admission chances,” says Davos.
6. Customising courses
Considering that a one-size-fits-all approach to world-class education doesn’t fit in the ever-changing and multifaceted business place, students should carefully review the elective courses and affiliate study destinations to ensure that their course is delivering value in the areas it is needed most, points out Dommett. Students should also study the content of the programme, its industry relevance and application. “Relevant specialisations are another important factor that students must consider. These specialisations should be in line with the industry requirements and trends,” says Shaikh.
7. Degree decision
Students should consider the benefits of a general versus a specialist degree. This depends on their career aspirations and level of study.
“The value of a degree is as much about the competencies a student develops in the course of their studies as the knowledge they acquire about a particular subject. Employers are increasingly seeking graduates with a broad general education, who they can train for a particular profession,” says Lindsay
8. Faculty profile
Before choosing a business course, dedicate time to review the academic and professional qualifications of faculty members to ensure that you are getting world-class teachers.
Another important factor you must consider is the faculty-to-student ratio and whether they are active in research. “While so much of an MBA is taught beyond the four walls of a classroom, a business school’s teaching faculty is an important factor to consider when choosing a course,” says Dommett.
9. Industry exposure
It is important that business courses properly prepare students for the real world by effectively combining theoretical lessons with real-life business challenges. “Students must opt for courses that embed industry interactions within the curriculum, says Lindsay.
“At UOWD we work in close collaboration with businesses and sector organisations to bring in guest lecturers, host seminars, workshops, and business challenge competitions. Such initiatives bring the latest industry trends into the classroom and help to produce knowledgeable, work-ready graduates,” she says.
10. Taking Tests
If you are applying to a college in the US, performing well on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is critical. Most MBA programmes will accept both exams, while some only accept the GMAT. “Spend at least three to four months preparing rigorously for the exam as it is an extremely important component of your application. Take plenty of practice tests in realistic conditions and allow yourself enough time to take the test a second time, should it be required,” says Davos.
Work experience is also very important. “Make sure you meet or exceed the minimum full-time work experience required by the programme to which you are applying. The average accepted applicant to Harvard Business School, for example, has accumulated 47 months of full-time work experience prior to enrolling,” points out Davos.
11. Psychometric test
Before choosing a business programme, go for a psychometric assessment to understand if you have the interest or aptitude and personality to pursue a particular area of specialisation.
“If a student wants to take up a course in human resource management, for example, he needs to have excellent people skills, good communication skills, organisational skills and problem-solving ability. Psychometric tests help to identify interests, aptitude and personality. Students are better able to make an informed choice if the business pathway is indeed the right one for them,” says Tara Pillay, Managing Partner, Varsity Connections.
