HENLEY MANAGEMENT COLLEGE is known for its executive education courses. Its full-time MBA has been running since the late 1980s. Alumni include Barry Gibbons, Mike Blackburn and Alan Hughes, respectively the former chief executives of Burger King, Halifax and First Direct.

Vital statistics. About 20 people join the year-long full-time MBA each year. Students tend to be between 32 and 42 and have an average of 12 years’ business experience. There are two applicants for each place and students need to have at least three years’ managerial experience to be considered for entry. The school does not use GMAT and instead prefers to put applicants through a one-day selection centre. Course tuition costs £31,500. The course is divided into three key stages: managing the organisation; making business choices; and making a difference.

Rankings. Henley’s full-time MBA is ranked 14th in the world in the Economist Intelligence Unit ‘Which MBA?’ Guide 2006.

Work experience. Consulting projects start almost immediately. This year students are doing consulting assignments from week three. The course directors say: “The philosophy of the course is to mirror business reality, so most assignments are working with organisations.” Assignments can be turned into fee-earning consultancy projects.

Employment record. According to QS Global Recruiters’ Top 100 Business Schools in 2006, employers rank Henley as one of the top 40 European schools to hire from.

International experience. Each year there are three international study modules, one in Europe, one in South Africa and one in China. Students are asked to budget £1,800 for these. About 40 per cent of the class have an international background.

Application deadline: December 1 for the course beginning in February 2008.

Sources: www.henleymc.ac.uk ; ft.com ; topmba.com ; mba.eiu.com

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