Global Business Schools look to UAE for 2021 MBA cohort

Education institutions continue to seek international students after a disruptive year

Over a year from the beginning of the pandemic, schools and universities continue to close their doors and take classes online. Global restrictions on travel pose a challenge both to students looking to study abroad and institutions looking to recruit them.

Recent surveys conducted by Quacquarelli Symonds, publishers of the World University Rankings, show that more than half of the students planning to study abroad have had their plans impacted by the pandemic. Some have sought to defer study, change their destination, while many have sought to switch to online modes of study.

The status of MBA

Despite the impact of the pandemic on the study of the MBA, demand for the qualification amongst employers continues to rise, with a rebound in recruitment activity expected in 2021. 

According to a 2020 research, 87 per cent of employers remain confident in the ability of graduate business schools to prepare students to be successful in their organisation. 89 per cent plan to hire MBA graduates in 2021, up from 77 per cent in 2020.

The compensation offered to these graduates is holding steady also - the

average MBA salary sat at $105,000 in the middle of 2020, increasing for those employed at Fortune 100 companies and in industries such as consulting, where the median salary commanded was $145,000. Consultancy Bain & Company plans to recruit more than 250 MBA interns in 2021, a new record.

Business schools have also seen an increase in demand from candidates, with two-thirds reporting an uptick as students look to wait out the economic fallout of the pandemic. 

Studying during Covid-19

The rollout of approved vaccines has prompted optimistic projections around a return to more traditional campus life, after a widespread shift to remote

instruction throughout 2020.

The majority of schools are continuing to adopt a hybrid approach to tuition, with much learning being done remotely with in-person meetings and sessions where it is safe to do so.

Across higher education institutions 47 per cent report that they have

conducted teaching mostly online with some face-to-face interaction, while 42 per cent switched to fully online.

However, 67 per cent of institutions believe that the introduction of a vaccine will enable them to return to full face-to-face teaching this year, alongside a return to collegial life.

Amongst international students, 69 per cent were happy they began their studies when they did, while 31 per cent wished they had delayed their studies. 58 per cent preferred in-person teaching, while 19 per cent indicated a preference for online learning. Notably, 61 per cent of students favour attending a mix of online and virtual classes, while 39 per cent would prefer in-person only. Much of the technology and innovation adopted by universities to respond to the pandemic will likely maintain a presence on campuses in future.

A unique opportunity for future MBA candidates

As well as adapting their educational offerings, universities have needed to revise how they approach candidates, share information and attract students.

To facilitate this approach, Quacquarelli Symonds continue to take their student recruitment events online. Where future students would typically mingle with admissions staff, alumni and education experts in a large event space, candidates are introduced to study institutions online from their own homes.

Continuing into 2021, Quacquarelli Symonds are the UAE's next virtual MBA event this weekend on Saturday, March 27.

Attendees will be able to chat online with admissions staff and access informative resources on available courses, application advice, and assessment.

Career consultation advice will be made available to candidates to advise them through unprecedented circumstances.

Furthermore, one-to-one video conversations will be arranged between the universities and future students, tailored to candidates' goals and the institutions' selection criteria.

As financial hurdles to learning are more prominent than ever, all attendees will become eligible to apply for a pool of scholarships worth $5.8 million, offered by participating schools and partnered institutions. 

To enable attendees to fully contextualise the role of the MBA within their career path in today's uniquely challenging circumstances, all attendees will be entitled to claim a 20-minute session with an expert MBA and career coach.

The event is provided free of charge,  with registration open online.

QS World MBA Tour Online Saturday, March 27: http://bit.ly/QS_UAE

 

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