Birmingham's Big Three: Generous Scholarships, Consultancy Projects & Industry Partnerships
Birmingham MBA Scholarships
What are the hallmarks of an elite MBA program?
Many would likely say strong alumni and networking opportunities. High on most lists are practical applications in and out of the classroom. A strong career department with the ability to launch graduates into dream positions never hurts. And offering all of that at an economic value — highly sought after.
Edgar Meyer, dean of the Birmingham Business School, says The Birmingham MBA has it all.
'Birmingham Business School works with industry partners from all over the world to enhance student experience, hone curriculum, inform our research and help us make a positive impact upon society,' Meyer says.
Highlighting those industry partners, Meyer says, is the school's Advisory Board, which is globally recognized and case-studied on what makes an Advisory Board add value. The mission of the Advisory Board — which consists of high-level executives — is to link the school to corporate partnerships.
'All our taught degree programs benefit from company engagements which include tailored guest lectures, workshops, module design, external program review and labor market testing, group company projects, and visits,' Meyer says. 'This year alone, we have involvement of more than 50 companies — ranging from world-renowned brands such as Coca-Cola to local tech startups such as Alpomi.'
DELOITTE CONSULTANCY CHALLENGE: A HIGHLIGHT OF THE BIRMINGHAM MBA
To emphasize hands-on learning, Meyer says the school runs a number of challenges geared towards immersing students in the practice of particular industries. One of those is the Capgemini Community Challenge. The weeklong challenge takes place at Capgemini's client-solutions facilities, and students actually produce consultancy projects for third-sector clients.
Another highlight of the MBA at Birmingham is the Deloitte Consultancy Program.
'An intense week of learning about consultancy and problem solving,' Meyer says of the program, also calling it a 'cornerstone' of the Birmingham MBA. 'Working on life challenges, rather than analyzing past events through case studies, enables MBA students to appreciate the adaptability they need in applying what they know. It builds resilience, but more importantly, confidence, in being able to tackle challenges in organizations.'
These industry partnerships also give students opportunities to meet with people already in the roles they might want to pursue after graduating from the MBA program. 'Meeting leaders is particularly important for MBA students to appreciate how leadership operates in practice — with all its opportunities and challenges,' Meyer explains. 'It also allows MBA students to imagine a future for themselves as we bring a diverse range of senior leaders and entrepreneurs onto the MBA program throughout the year.'
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