Thanks for visiting TopUniversities.com today! So that we can show you the most relevant information, please select the option that most closely relates to you.
Thanks for sending your response.
Your input will help us improve your experience.You can close this popup to continue using the website or choose an option below to register in or login.
What does the 2013 QS TopMBA.com Applicant Survey tell us about MBA applicants around the world? Here are 10 key findings from this year’s research.
MBA applicants are becoming more realistic in their expectations
The average target salary of MBA applicants across the globe has fallen from US$126,500 to a more realistic US$113,000. This is still slightly optimistic though, compared to the figures reported by employers in the 2012/13 QS TopMBA.com Jobs & Salary Report. Notably, average current salaries have also fallen, from US$44,333 to US$40,000.
Fewer applicants aim to start their own business than in previous years
Running their own business is where the largest proportion of applicants see themselves in 10 years. However, the figure of 26.8% continues to fall from the 2011 level of 28.7%. Conversely, the proportion who see themselves as a director in a large/public company has risen from 19.8% to 23.5%, narrowing the gap between the two most popular options considerably.
Applicants largely want to stay in the same sector
With the exceptions of retail/wholesale, telecoms, education, and ‘other’, the majority of applicants in each of the 13 MBA industries considered want to remain in their current sector, rising to over 75% in consulting, finance and energy/environmental/utilities. Consulting and finance are unsurprisingly the sectors most targeted by those who intend to change.
Candidates see themselves working longer hours
Since 2011, the proportion of applicants who see themselves working a week of over 50 hours has risen from 45.2% to 51.4%. However, the greatest proportion of respondents (39.6%) expect to work 40-50 hours, and the proportion who believe they will work for over 70 hours has fallen from 5.5% to 4.6%.
Australia and Canada regain ground
While the US and the UK remain, as ever, the most popular destinations, others are closing the gap. Canada and Australia are the biggest winners in this year’s report, with increases in applicant interest of 5.4% and 4.8% respectively (taking them a total of 23% and 20%). Both have suffered lulls in recent years though, and it should be noted that these figures are lower than the 2009 equivalents.
Asian destinations increasing in popularity
Singapore was the only Asian destination on future MBA candidates’ radars in 2009, with 6.4% targeting the Lion City. In 2013, it is an established top-10 destination, with 15% of candidates expressing an interest. Even more interestingly, perhaps, is the rise of China and India, which now are plausible destinations for 7% and 8% of applicants respectively. It is particularly illuminating to note than 9% of Western European applicants are considering studying in China – a sign of things to come?
An increasing reliance on scholarships
61.1% of applicants intend to fund their MBA study with a scholarship, crowning a steady rise from a low of 45% in 2008. In fact, 50% of applicants chose their preferred destination based on the availability of financial aid. On the other hand, the proportion of applicants relying on loans has fallen from 27.4% to 13.8%. The US & Canada is the only region where fewer than half of candidates intend to win a scholarship (45.8%). Candidates there are also over twice as likely as those from any other region to take out a loan (29.4%).
Differing goals for men and women
The survey reveals that slightly more female applicants than male cite improving their career prospects as one of their primary motivations to do an MBA (70% compared to 63.6% of male), while more male applicants intend to start their own business (33.8% compared to 27%). Male candidates are more likely to have come from a finance or consulting background, though these sectors still account for the overwhelming majority of female applicants. Only Eastern Europe has a higher proportion of female applicants at present, while there is nearly parity in the US & Canada.
Full-time decline slowing, but part-time study continues to gain popularity
Every year’s applicant research since the financial crisis of 2008 has seen full-time MBA study decline slightly in popularity, and 2013 is no expectation. However, the drop of 0.7% is the lowest yet, and suggests that we may see a leveling of the trend. Part-time study, on the other hand, is now being considered by 27.8% of applicants, compared to 26.7% in 2012.
MBA applicants are a getting little older
Every region in the world, with the exception of North and South America, has seen a single-year drop in the age of candidates. However, candidates are older on average in every region, except Asia Pacific, then they were in 2011. The global mean now stands at 27.8, as compared to 27.6. Applicants in the US & Canada are two years older than they were in 2008 (29 as compared to 27).
These are just a handful of the findings in this year’s report. For more and a greater level of detail and analysis
Mansoor is a contributor to and former editor of TopMBA.com. He is a higher and business education specialist, who has been published in media outlets around the world. He studied English literature at BA and MA level and has a background in consumer journalism.
10 key findings from the 2013 QS TopMBA.com Applicant Survey
By Pavel Kantorek
Updated April 30, 2016 Updated April 30, 2016What does the 2013 QS TopMBA.com Applicant Survey tell us about MBA applicants around the world? Here are 10 key findings from this year’s research.
MBA applicants are becoming more realistic in their expectations
The average target salary of MBA applicants across the globe has fallen from US$126,500 to a more realistic US$113,000. This is still slightly optimistic though, compared to the figures reported by employers in the 2012/13 QS TopMBA.com Jobs & Salary Report. Notably, average current salaries have also fallen, from US$44,333 to US$40,000.
Fewer applicants aim to start their own business than in previous years
Running their own business is where the largest proportion of applicants see themselves in 10 years. However, the figure of 26.8% continues to fall from the 2011 level of 28.7%. Conversely, the proportion who see themselves as a director in a large/public company has risen from 19.8% to 23.5%, narrowing the gap between the two most popular options considerably.
Applicants largely want to stay in the same sector
With the exceptions of retail/wholesale, telecoms, education, and ‘other’, the majority of applicants in each of the 13 MBA industries considered want to remain in their current sector, rising to over 75% in consulting, finance and energy/environmental/utilities. Consulting and finance are unsurprisingly the sectors most targeted by those who intend to change.
Candidates see themselves working longer hours
Since 2011, the proportion of applicants who see themselves working a week of over 50 hours has risen from 45.2% to 51.4%. However, the greatest proportion of respondents (39.6%) expect to work 40-50 hours, and the proportion who believe they will work for over 70 hours has fallen from 5.5% to 4.6%.
Australia and Canada regain ground
While the US and the UK remain, as ever, the most popular destinations, others are closing the gap. Canada and Australia are the biggest winners in this year’s report, with increases in applicant interest of 5.4% and 4.8% respectively (taking them a total of 23% and 20%). Both have suffered lulls in recent years though, and it should be noted that these figures are lower than the 2009 equivalents.
Asian destinations increasing in popularity
Singapore was the only Asian destination on future MBA candidates’ radars in 2009, with 6.4% targeting the Lion City. In 2013, it is an established top-10 destination, with 15% of candidates expressing an interest. Even more interestingly, perhaps, is the rise of China and India, which now are plausible destinations for 7% and 8% of applicants respectively. It is particularly illuminating to note than 9% of Western European applicants are considering studying in China – a sign of things to come?
An increasing reliance on scholarships
61.1% of applicants intend to fund their MBA study with a scholarship, crowning a steady rise from a low of 45% in 2008. In fact, 50% of applicants chose their preferred destination based on the availability of financial aid. On the other hand, the proportion of applicants relying on loans has fallen from 27.4% to 13.8%. The US & Canada is the only region where fewer than half of candidates intend to win a scholarship (45.8%). Candidates there are also over twice as likely as those from any other region to take out a loan (29.4%).
Differing goals for men and women
The survey reveals that slightly more female applicants than male cite improving their career prospects as one of their primary motivations to do an MBA (70% compared to 63.6% of male), while more male applicants intend to start their own business (33.8% compared to 27%). Male candidates are more likely to have come from a finance or consulting background, though these sectors still account for the overwhelming majority of female applicants. Only Eastern Europe has a higher proportion of female applicants at present, while there is nearly parity in the US & Canada.
Full-time decline slowing, but part-time study continues to gain popularity
Every year’s applicant research since the financial crisis of 2008 has seen full-time MBA study decline slightly in popularity, and 2013 is no expectation. However, the drop of 0.7% is the lowest yet, and suggests that we may see a leveling of the trend. Part-time study, on the other hand, is now being considered by 27.8% of applicants, compared to 26.7% in 2012.
MBA applicants are a getting little older
Every region in the world, with the exception of North and South America, has seen a single-year drop in the age of candidates. However, candidates are older on average in every region, except Asia Pacific, then they were in 2011. The global mean now stands at 27.8, as compared to 27.6. Applicants in the US & Canada are two years older than they were in 2008 (29 as compared to 27).
This article was originally published in April 2016 .
Want more content like this Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed.
Mansoor is a contributor to and former editor of TopMBA.com. He is a higher and business education specialist, who has been published in media outlets around the world. He studied English literature at BA and MA level and has a background in consumer journalism.
Share via
Share this Page
Save