Today’s rapidly evolving world, characterised by technological transformation and global interconnectedness, has businesses re-evaluating their leadership outlook. According to the 2023 Leadership Development Report by Harvard Business Publishing, Digital Adaptability and Strategic Agility are among the top ten in-demand leadership skills for the future.
For Indians, while the US has traditionally been a popular study-abroad destination, countries such as the UK, Australia, and Canada have also become increasingly preferred for pursuing management education. These destinations offer a balanced mix of academic excellence, affordability, and post-study opportunities, making them ideal locations for pursuing an MBA overseas. Let us explore them in detail.
United Kingdom: The UK combines centuries of academic excellence with renowned faculties and extensive networking opportunities with global industry leaders, making it a prime destination for students. More than 120 universities in the UK offer business courses.
Moreover, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Business & Management Studies has featured many UK universities among its top 50; the University of Warwick, the University of Manchester, and Lancaster University are a few of them.
One of the primary reasons Indians consider the UK for an MBA is duration and ROI. Most MBA programmes in the UK take only one year, lowering tuition fees and living costs while enabling students to enter the job market sooner.
Additionally, the Graduate Route allows graduates to stay and work for up to two years (three years for PhD students) after completing their studies, further enhancing their ROI. Some of the most popular business courses in the UK are International Business, Business Management, and Organisation Management.
Moreover, to cater to the growing demand for new-age courses, UK universities are introducing programmes such as MSc in Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Sustainability, and MSc in Management of Information Systems & Digital Innovation.
Australia: Australia offers a robust blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, a diverse range of programmes, and a strong industry network. A typical MBA course in Australia lasts for 1.5 to two years, and the two-year programme offers a minimum of three years post-study work visa.
Australia is also home to some of the world’s top universities, including the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and the Australian National University.
Australian universities also offer the flexibility to combine two specialisations in master’s or bachelor’s programmes. For instance, one can study Business Management alongside International Relations.
Universities emphasise work-integrated learning to ensure students are job-ready. This includes internships, project-based work, and work placements.
Canada: Canada has always been an extremely popular destination for Indian students studying abroad. Canadian institutions offer specialised MBA programmes suited to the needs of international students, typically lasting one to two years.
MBA programmes also offer a three-year Post Graduate Work Permit. Many of its universities, such as Simon Fraser University, the University of Waterloo, the University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, Dalhousie University, and the University of Alberta, are among the top institutions offering MBA programmes.
These institutions provide global experiences through International Field Studies, integrated curricula, and global courses. Canadian universities are also adept at developing specialised programmes such as Actuarial Science, Green Business Management, and Insurance & Risk Management to meet the growing demand for specialised skills in emerging industries.
Emerging destinations: Countries like New Zealand and Ireland have emerged as attractive destinations for students seeking a global MBA experience. New Zealand is known for its focus on leadership, innovation, and practical knowledge.
Some of the most popular business courses include Master of Business & Management, Master of Business Analytics, and Master of Management.
The facilities and curriculum, along with Ireland’s thriving economy and access to the European market, provide students with excellent industry exposure and networking opportunities.
Both countries offer competitive tuition fees and post-study work opportunities, making them viable alternatives for quality education at relatively lower costs.
Conclusion: Modern management education fosters innovation and a comprehensive understanding of the global business landscape. An international MBA degree opens doors to leadership roles, provides access to vast professional networks, and enables professionals to pivot into new industries. This has resulted in an increasing number of Indian students pursuing management studies in the aforementioned destinations.