As the world continues to globalize and businesses transcend geographic boundaries, they need individuals who can manage sales and multi-client deals, lead a global team, embrace new challenges, and have a strong desire to learn new things. A two-year MBA abroad teaches you all this while giving you hands-on experience in the corporate world.

Your chances of getting your dream job increase if you have an internationally-recognized MBA. To get you going, we bread down below what you need to consider to unlock an MBA to elevate your career.

1. Location

Firstly, figure out the locations that you would be comfortable moving to concerning: 

• living expenses
• university choices
• availability of ideal courses
• food and lodging facilities
• culture acceptance
• visa approvals. 

As it’s a two-year course, you should mentally prepare to explore new places and fit in with people of different ethnicities and cultures.

Make a list of business schools with legit accreditation from international bodies such as AMBA, AACSB, or EQUIS. You can refer to QS university rankings to arrange your priorities according to your academic strength, job preference, and market value.

2. Specialization

An MBA is a postgraduate degree, and thus, choosing a niche is mandatory. Selecting a specialization means deciding on a career path that will last the rest of your life, and it requires you to take your preferences into account. 

Usually, an MBA abroad is available in three formats:

1. 1. Ideal/Full-time MBA: A traditional format with regular classes, semesters, and placements on completion of the course.
   2. Executive MBA: Specifically tailored for working professionals, this program allows you to pursue an MBA while working.

• Distance/Online MBA: This type of MBA is fit for entrepreneurs and parents who cannot attend on-site sessions. 

3. Finances and Scholarships

You’re probably already aware that studying abroad is an expensive affair. However, national and international governments often welcome students from all backgrounds with financial assistance via scholarships and low-interest loans. Universities also set aside hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in scholarships for international students.

Look through the official websites of the universities you are considering to find out about their in-house scholarships. Other than these, you can apply for international scholarships like the Commonwealth Scholarship, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships, Go Global MBA Scholarship, INSEAD Scholarships, and National Overseas Scholarship that are on offer by external organizations.

Scholarships can be partial or all encompassing, covering 100% of your tuition fees, travel costs, and living expenses, including housing. The latter tend to be more competitive but remember – even partial scholarships can go a long way in managing costs.

4. Entrance exams

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) are usually prerequisites for studying an MBA abroad. So, before anything, you should consider clearing these exams.

Although both exams analyze your analytical and problem-solving skills, the GRE can be a prerequisite for various postgraduate programs, whereas GMAT is specifically a test for business school aspirants. In terms of college accreditations, the GMAT leads with nearly 2400+ business schools, while the number of colleges that accept the GRE for business programs is smaller.

You must start preparing for these exams at least 6 months in advance to achieve a good result. Scores of these exams have an acceptance validity of 5 years.

When studying abroad, you might need to take the IELTS or TOEFL test in addition to the GRE/GMAT. Some universities require English proficiency test scores even though you might have studied English as a subject at the secondary school or bachelor’s degree level.

 5. Documentation and Interview

International students have a very demanding application process, especially for MBA programs, so start applying as soon as possible. For timeline updates, you should keep an eye on the online portals and program pages.

To gain entry into a good business school, academic strength is usually the top priority. However, an average academic score with an outstanding cover letter, prior work experience, and extracurricular records also gives you significant chances to succeed in an MBA abroad.

You must focus on putting together a strong CV, statement of purpose, and cover essay highlighting your leadership skills, volunteering activity, social work, and research projects, if any. You can work through a letter of recommendation from lecturers or employers who can vouch for you. An LoR from alumni of the target university can also increase your chances of admission.

After finishing the application process and entrance exams, you might need to appear for a personal interview with a set of panelists. The interview mainly aims to analyze your adaptation skills, personal aptitude, and overall personality. This can be an in-person or online interview, depending on the university and its requirements.

6. Visa and Insurance

Once you receive an offer letter from your target university, you are all set to apply for a student visa for your destination country. Usually, university counselors will be happy to guide you through the process. Requirements will typically include your acceptance letter, enough finances, and a valid passport.

Concluding Remarks

Many people aspire to earn an MBA abroad from an international university, but you can only succeed if you are committed to the goal. To learn more about the admissions process, it is advisable to get in touch with the university directly. The university’s website is always a great starting place, especially its program pages. You can also contact the program director or faculty advisor directly with any specific questions you might have.