One-track career aim of MBA aspirants

Business school candidates are more focused on a single sector and consider applying to fewer programme types, said the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) in its latest mba.com Prospective Students Survey Report. GMAC is a global organisation that conducts the GMAT exam for business schools. The survey said these candidates were more focused on a particular postgraduate career path. On an average, students considered 2.8 programme types in 2015, down from 3.1 in 2014. For their postgraduate careers, 71 per cent of those surveyed cited a single sector of interest, compared with 58 per cent in 2014.

In addition, 61 per cent cited a single job function of interest, compared with 46 per cent in 2014. The survey explored candidates' perspectives - analysing the motivation, intended career outcomes and programme choices shared by about 10,000 individuals worldwide.

"Each year, graduate business programmes set admission goals to engage students across the world who are the most likely to succeed in their classrooms," said Bob Alig, GMAC's executive vice-president for school products.

Globally, 50 per cent of prospective students are considering only MBAs, and 28 per cent are considering both MBA and specialised business master's programmes.

Also, 23 per cent are considering only specialised business master's programmes, such as a master's in accounting or master's in finance, which represents an increase since 2009, when 15 per cent of candidates were considering only specialised master's programmes.

The survey showed most candidates considering graduate management education sought a blend of classroom instruction and online learning, regardless of the programme type.

According to the results, candidates enrolling in an online MBA expected 10 per cent of their course instruction to be delivered in the classroom for networking and experiential learning opportunities.

Those contemplating a full-time, two-year MBA expect to experience 86 per cent of their coursework in a classroom setting and want 14 per cent of their courses delivered online.

About 96 per cent of the students use social media and 67 per cent use it for activities related to graduate management education.