Editor's Note: BusinessWeek collected graduate comments in 2000 during its ranking of full-time MBA programs. The next ranking is scheduled for fall, 2002.
The most wonderful things about Oxford are those that are not obvious at first glance, and this is also the case for the MBA. The course itself is still in its formative stages -- so there are real opportunities to make a difference and an impact on the program. Beyond what I would have expected in terms of an excellent academic and professional-development experience, my classmates made this a truly unforgettable year. We had 60 people from 25 different countries -- this is a real international experience, not a manufactured one. Oxford attracts an interesting and eclectic group of individuals to the MBA -- not the usual investment-banker- and consultant-heavy group. Career services are a program weakness at this point. You are best served by taking an individual approach to finding post-MBA career opportunities. --Marketing
Oxford's reputation for academic excellence is well-deserved. To live and study in Oxford is a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience. Nothing can compare with the intellectual excitement of Oxford. As a North American, I found the unique Oxford way of instruction to be highly engaging and far more effective than what I had grown accustomed to in the U.S. Not only does Oxford attract every recruiter you could ever hope for, it also draws visits from the greatest players on the world's stage of events. The Oxford name has already given me considerable mileage in my career, and if I had it to do all over again, I would choose Oxford without question. --Entrepreneurship
The Oxford MBA is by far the very best in the UK in terms of student caliber. However, it is proving difficult for the MBA marketing to convince the mind-set of the traditional recruitment agencies, which are fixated on London Business School and INSEAD without realistically analyzing the pros and cons. --Consulting
It has been an absolutely great time, filled with more work than one can imagine but also filled with friendship and fun. --Marketing
Probably one of the best years of my life in terms of personal growth and academic challenge. Oxford also has a very powerful brand name and commands a great deal of respect. It gives one credibility in establishing partnerships and relationships in general within the business community. --Entrepreneurship
Although a relatively new MBA, Oxford University has quickly established itself as a world leader with entry requirements matching those of INSEAD. Oxford has a truly entrepreneurial environment that should appeal especially to those with the drive to start their own businesses. --Entrepreneurship
The University of Oxford MBA is a relatively new one-year degree. As such, it is a very demanding and rewarding program. The pace of the program is one that must be expected when considering that it is a one-year program. The current size of the school allows for valuable interaction between the students and staff. The diversity of the students in ethnic, academic, and professional background provide for an experience that is unique to the Oxford environment. The program is still in a state of rapid evolution -- many changes based on last year's MBA class and this year's class have been made and are being made to result in a program that not only is flexible enough to meet the needs of students but also is ideal for the Oxford setting. I am in a unique situation in that I did not work after completion of the MBA. Instead, I stayed on with the business school and have commenced a Ph.D. here. --Anonymous
It's a new program, but I have every reason to believe it is becoming one of the best in the world. It is a very intensive 12-month program. Sometimes I feel it's hard to find time to look for jobs. --Information Technology
The school was excellent, but the best aspect of the school was also being a part of the Oxford community -- a rarified and special community, full of history. This sets it out in my mind -- particularly because of the tremendously diversified student base. On my first day, I had a conversation with an art major from Kansas, an engineer from Ghana, a statistician from Thailand, a business student from India, a business major from Egypt, and a literature major from Germany. Where else in the world could you have such a fantastic experience on your first day? I also found the time to play a varsity-level sport. The shortage in Oxford was not of opportunity, it was of time. --Finance
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Copyright 2001, Bloomberg L.P.
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