Years of Professional Experience Required

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The majority of business schools do have a preferred number of years of professional experience they would like their candidates to have. Even if they advocate that Executive MBA candidates are selected on a case by case basis, this is a stipulation that is hard to get around.

Choosing a business school at which to pursue your Executive MBA can be a daunting process. Fortunately, there are a number of resources available to help you narrow down your selection, such as rankings tables and the QS World Executive MBA Tour.

The QS TopExecutive statistical review* lists the minimum number of professional years of work experience, each business school would ideally like their candidates to have, before embarking on their Executive MBA.

So, if you’re considering an EMBA, calculate how many years of work experience you can bring to the classroom, and find out which schools you could apply to, from the lists below.

Remember, this is just the start of the selection process – it’s important to find the right fit for you.

10+ years of work experience

If you have 10+ years of work experience behind you, the following schools could be an option:

• US schools: Duke University, Fuqua, Rice University, Jones, University of California, Irvine Paul Merage School of Business, University of Denver, Daniels

• European schools: IMD, Switzerland

• Asia-Pacific schools: Kellogg/Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (China), Melbourne Business School (Australia), National Taiwan University College of Management, National University of Singapore

• International programs: TRIUM Global Executive MBA

8 years of work experience

If you have eight years of work experience behind you, the following schools could be an option:

• North American schools: Florida International University, Chapman, Georgetown/Esade Global Executive MBA, Northwestern University, Kellogg, SMU, Cox, Thunderbird School of Global Management, University of Florida, University of Minnesota, Carlson, University of Texas at Austin, McCombs, University of Toronto, Rotman (Canada), Washington University Olin School of Business

• European schools: HEC Paris (France), Helsinki School of Economics (Finland), IE Business School (Spain)

• Asia-Pacific schools: CEIBS (China), Chinese University of Hong Kong

7 years of work experience

If you have seven years of work experience behind you, the following schools could be an option:

• North American schools: IPADE (Mexico), Pepperdine University, Graziadio, Tulane University, Freeman, University of Iowa, Tippie, University of Western Ontario, Ivey (Canada)

• European schools: EML, Executive Development (EMLYON) (France), INSEAD Global Executive MBA

6 years of work experience

If you have six years of work experience behind you, the following schools could be an option:

• North American schools: University of Utah, Eccles

• European schools: City University, Cass (UK)

5 years of work experience

If you have five years of work experience behind you, the following schools could be an option:

• North American schools: Concordia University, Molson (Canada), University of Georgia, Terry, University of Houston, Bauer, University of Pittsburgh, Katz, University of Texas at Dallas, Vanderbilt University, Owen

• South American schools: IAE Management and Business School (Argentina)

• European schools: Vienna University of Economics and Business/University of Minnesota, Carlson (Austria), ESSEC & Mannheim (France/Germany), ESCP Europe, Kellogg-WHU (Germany), Moscow School of Management, SKOLKOVO (Russia), ESADE Business School, IESE Business School (both Spain), Stockholm School of Economics (Sweden), Ashridge, London Business School, Nottingham University Business School (all UK), Bradford School of Management/TiasNimbas, Tilburg University

• International programs: Purdue/Tias/CEU/GISMA

4 years of work experience

If you have four years of work experience behind you, the following schools could be an option:

• European schools: Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (Netherlands), Warwick Business School (UK)

• International programs: Columbia/London Business School

3 years of work experience

If you have three years of work experience behind you, the following schools could be an option:

• North American schools: Wake Forest University, Babcock

• European schools: Vlerick Leuven Gent School of Management/Amsterdam School of Business (Belgium/Netherlands), SKEMA Business School (France), HECTOR School of Engineering and Management (Germany), University College Dublin, Smurfit (Ireland), Cranfield School of Management, Imperial College Business School, Open University Business School (all UK)

• Asia-Pacific schools: National Chengchi University (Taiwan)

*The QS TopExecutive Statistical Review is compiled twice a year and published in both editions of the QS Top Executive Guide (Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer). The review looks at Executive MBA programs on offer from some of the world’s top business schools, including details of course format, language, fees, deadline dates, average age and minimum number of years experience needed. Such information offers EMBA candidates a comparative tool in which to research the Executive MBA program for them.