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Ashridge Business School, UK
Ashridge is one of the world’s most stunning campuses. A former 13th century monastery and royal residence, the School is set in a country estate surrounded by National Trust woodland, only 30 minutes north of London.
As a provider of Executive Education, Ashridge is consistently ranked as one of the world’s leading business schools. Our EMBA programme is ranked #10 in the UK and #20 in Europe. (Financial Times, October 2006). We are one of a handful of schools
worldwide to achieve triple accreditation from AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB - the UK, European and American accreditation bodies for MBA programmes.
Ashridge runs two MBA programmes; a oneyear full-time MBA, which starts in January and a two-year Executive MBA programme which starts in September.
Our full-time MBA takes an integrated view of
business rather than teaching functional subjects in isolation. The programme is centred around five key themes of the global business environment, managing the organisational life cycle, creating value, business in society and leading change.
Both MBA programmes go beyond theory by giving participants the opportunity to put into practice all they have learned via a ‘live’ consulting project.Participants work with a client organisation to deliver a major strategic consulting assignment. The MBA also includes an international study week, which is designed to consolidate learning by giving participants direct experience of the complex issues faced by businesses in an emerging market.
Class sizes are small, which means participants benefit from individual attention and an interactive learning style. Ashridge MBA students have rich professional backgrounds, which makes it one of the most experienced participant cohorts in the business school world. The majority of Ashridge faculty have extensive international management experience enabling them to work closely with MBA participants on both the theory and practice of business.
Ashridge MBA participants have access to the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) 24 hours a day. Within the LRC there is a range of excellent computer and video facilities and a language laboratory. The Virtual Learning Resource Centre (VLRC) allows remote access to many of the learning materials, such as learning guides, book reviews, links to relevant business and management websites and access to several online information sources.
Outside of the classroom, MBA participants can make use of the well equipped Lifestyle Centre, which boasts a fully equipped gym, heated indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room and squash courts. In the Ashridge grounds, there are tennis courts, cricket and football pitches, a nine hole pitch and putt course and croquet on the lawn. For meals and refreshments, Ashridge has a sociable bar and award winning dining facilities.
Student Profile
Mark Siviter, Managing Director, DHL Global Mail Ashridge Full-time MBA 2006
Why did you decide to do an MBA?
In my last role, I was an executive director of a FTSE 350 company. I had climbed the ranks after having no formal education,
but to achieve the next step, which for me would be a MD position, this would require an MBA.
Why did you choose Ashridge?
I wanted an MBA that focused on leadership development. It is easy for a programme to cover functional theory: it is the integration between subjects that really effects the reality of business. Ashridge was unlike any other institution I have been to - I just loved everyone I met there.
What have been the highlights of the MBA?
The class diversity has been one of the highlights.In one way it has been a highlight, but it has also been challenging. I looked at other MBA programmes,but there is nothing quite like Ashridge. Here, we have 16 different nationalities among 27 participants,encompassing huge cross-functional expertise and a wide age range. This has made for some great debates - there are lots of people with strong opinions!
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