Hello,
I have been considering applying to either Warwick’s MSc in International Business or UCL’s MSc in Management program, but am unsure which one is better. I have spent countless hours researching and am hoping for some help because I am stuck, and cannot afford to apply to all of the ones that I have been researching! I am from the United States and am looking to go into management consulting. I’m set on going to the U.K. because schooling is cheaper, and I want the experience abroad. However, after graduation I would like to be able to go back to the states and work, so it is important for me to see which uni is more recognized globally, if either.
I know UCL is a very good school in London, and is in the city which appeals to me as I fear Warwick is too far from everything. However, Warwick’s program is AACSB accredited, which I think is important but am not sure if consultancies care much about this. I also like UCL’s more hands-on real world approach with the consulting projects they require, as opposed to Warwick’s research based dissertation.
Finally, I looked up graduate employment at both schools and see a strong presence of top consulting companies at both. My goal is to get into a well-known consulting firm, but I am not picky which one that is. As application deadlines for international students are coming up soon, I do not have much time to decide.
PLEASE HELP!
Most consultants from reputable firms would not know what AACSB is as it is not even required in the top firms or with their clients.
As you plan to work outside the UK, go for UCL as it is a better university, with better prestige, better employment statistics and by far better international reputation & clout.
“UCL it is a better university”… What utter tosh… For what you want to achieve there is literally no difference. I suspect Warwick is cheaper in terms of living costs if that is important to you, but both will be well represented in the ranks of management consultants. Whether you land a job will depend on you as a candidate vs other applicants not whether you went to Warwick or UCL.
Am sorry, @elguapo1. Can you explain how that is “utter tosh”? Did you read the part where he stated he planned to return to the US after studies? On what basis are you judging “no literal difference” between UCL and Warwick?
If the objective is to work for a major management consultant somewhere around the world, then whether your masters degree is from UCL or Warwick will have little or no bearing on whether the candidate is successful, therefore the criteria should be which environment and course content best suits the OP when choosing between the two. Now if the choice was between Warwick/UCL and the London Business School I would choose LBS.
Yep, the top MC firms are global and hire from both Warwick and UCL. Both schools are targets.
Now if it’s some local (not national) consulting firm . . . . frankly, most Americans would not know much of any English school besides Oxbridge and LSE (and LBS).
@elguapo1, so your argument is that UCL’s international brand is not much different from that of Warwick?
Warwick isn’t really far from everything (like 10 minutes from Coventry), and it would be so much cheaper for living than UCL. In terms of reputation UCL is definitely more reputable (mostly because Warwick is so young), but I know Warwick is really working on an international reputation - don’t know if this would be helpful in the US?
Ultimately I don’t think it would mater hugely which you chose. UCL is more well known in everyday conversation, but both are well thought of by employers. Warwick deffo cheaper, but then studying in London would be amazing.
From a UK perspective, I’ve always seen UCL and Warwick in the same sort of ‘league’.
Thanks for all of your input everyone. I have been accepted into, and am now deciding, if Kings College London’s MSc International Business or UCL’s MSc Management would be a better choice. Consulting or advertising is what I want to get into upon graduation, and being an international student I don’t think I will be able to get a summer internship as I am limited to working only 20 hours per week so have to make sure I attend the better university. If anyone has any input it would be very helpful!!
I thought KCL’s MSc was Intl Mgmt (or Mkt), not Intl Bus?
Anyway, you are limited to 20 hours/week during term time. Outside that, you can work full time for the duration of your visa. Both KCL & UCL are 12 month courses, so you could work over the breaks (you’ll be doing your thesis over the summer).
Yes my mistake, KCL is International Management. I was under the impression that I can only work 20 hours even during the summer while I am doing my thesis (and consulting project if I choose UCL). Thanks for your input!
The 20 hour per week limit is during term time, You can work unlimited hours in vacations.