THE TIMES and Henley Management College are offering readers the chance to win a scholarship to study an executive modular MBA at Henley this year.

For a chance to win the scholarship, worth more than £30,000, you need to write a 1,500-word essay answering the following question: How do you build a truly effective network to enhance your career advancement?

The winner will receive a scholarship covering the cost of the course’s tuition fees plus some travel and accommodation expenses.

It is a great opportunity to give your career a boost while you earn. The executive modular MBA programme is designed to allow you to combine studies with full-time employment. The two-year programme offers a combination of four one-week residential stays, a series of two or three-day workshops and two study weeks abroad.

The programme places a strong emphasis on personal development, including workshops on creativity, networking, conflict management, communication and negotiation.

It is practical, with an emphasis on learning that can be applied in the workplace. By the start of the second year students are usually ready to take on new responsibilities at work.

But you will need to be quick; the deadline for entries is midnight, June 27.

The judges will be looking for orginality, awareness of current thinking and presentation. The successful candidate will also have to satisfy the college admission requirements of a first degree or equivalent and a minimum of three years’ managerial experience.

The Essay

The essay should answer the question: How can you build a truly effective network to enhance your career advancement? in no more than 1,500 words excluding bibliography and appendices.

The following criteria will be used by the judges to evaluate the entries:

1. Does the essay address the question?

2. Does the essay illustrate a new perspective on the issue? Does it add to the body of knowledge and understanding of the subject?

3. Does it show awareness of literature on the subject?

4. It is well written, well presented and easy to follow? Does it demonstrate a strategic approach and clear logical thought and is it factual without unfounded emotive statements.

How to enter

All essays must be written in English and submitted, as Word documents, electronically to mbascholarship@henleymc.ac.uk by midnight (British Summer Time) on June 27 2007. Please include full contact details.

The successful condidate will have to satisfy the college admission requirements and must submit an application form and references as stated in the terms and conditions. Attendance at a selection day will be required in July or August.

A downloadable application form can be found at:

http://www.henleymc.ac.uk/henleymc03.nsf/pages/mba_apply

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