Hi,

I hold offers from both these programs and torn between the two. The head-to-head comparisons that is available on the board goes way back to 2012 so I thought I would post here and ask for some feedback.

To give a background, I am a sales and marketing professional from Bangladesh with 8+ experience working in brands and sales in Unilever and Reckitt. My post-MBA goal is to gain experience in the FMCGG/retail sector in the UK for a 3-4 years and then come back to my country with an executive role. From the discussions on the board and some research, I have learned that both programs score pretty well in international placements and average salaries are almost at par, with Warwick scoring 4k higher. Warwick has a better brand equity internationally (including in Bangladesh where I plan to come back eventually), while Cranfield has an extensive course offering and an internship opportunity. It would be great if I can get some perspective/recommendation to help me decide better.

[Edited by adiba.tasmeem on Jun 12, 2021]

I think most people would pick Warwick over Cranfield. Did you look at LinkedIn to see which places best into FMCG? I imagine few MBAs are heading into retail. 

Hi Duncan,

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I checked Linkedin and found Warwick MBA to have a larger alumni base in FMCG than Cranfield MBA (78 vs 51). Although I found more MBAs in retail than in the FMCG sector for both schools, most roles were focused in supply chain and engineering for some reason.

[Edited by adiba.tasmeem on Jun 12, 2021]

Yes, I used the present tense because right now, I think very few people are entering retail: the sector is in crisis. 

Warwick may simply have more MBA alumni everywhere. MBAs are going to end up in roles where financial risks are bigger and harder to calculate. 

Yes Warwick does have more MBA alumni in most sectors, perhaps owing to larger intake. I think I would end up going there in the end. 

Some friends attended a conference there and were really impressed with the facilities.

Are these the only schools on your radar? I was just looking at this list and would note Oxford as a good choice:

https://find-mba.com/lists/top-business-school-by-speciality/top-business-schools-for-retail-and-consumer-goods

Thanks for the article! I did apply to Oxford but no luck :( 

Hey Guys - I've got the following offers for Exec. MBA Programs - would request your inputs in helping me chose - I currently work for a Financial company

a.) Aston 
b.) Warwick (with 30% scholarship) 
c.) City, University of London (Bayes Business School) 
d.) University Birmingham  

Bayes is probably the best for finance.