Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University was launched in 1990, although the university itself was established as a training institute for engineers in 1821. More than 40 per cent of Fortune 500 companies have employees on one of the school’s programmes.

Vital statistics. Applicants need a degree and at least two years’ work experience to apply to the 12-month full-time MBA programme, which starts in October and January. The course incorporates seven compulsory subjects, including organisational behaviour and project management, and two electives from options such as alliances and partnerships, quantitative methods and strategic risk planning. Students can also opt to take four electives in a particular discipline to earn an MBA with a specialism in an area such as finance, marketing or strategic planning. Tuition for the full-time programme costs £14,000.

Teaching method. Students are expected to study the course material on their own before attending four-day intensive seminars. These sessions include case studies and class discussions; each compulsory subject also has a two-day exam revision session. Students have some flexibility about the order in which they study each module. Assessment is by examination; there is no project work.

Language options. While students on the full-time MBA need to be competent English speakers, the school has translated many of its materials into Chinese, Arabic and Spanish. Students taking the modular programme can complete their courses in any of these languages, although some English is still needed for administration.

Alumni network. The school has more than 11,000 graduates in 150 countries; they can contact each other through the school’s online network or through global events.

Application deadline: the school advises candidates to apply at least two months before their desired start date

Sources: mba.eiu.com; www.ebsglobal.net