More top-business schools around the world are now including January intakes as part of their MBA programs, including INSEAD, Columbia Graduate School of Business, and HEC Paris—so students now have more choice than ever before of when and where to do their MBA.
Now, triple-accredited Aston Business School, in Birmingham, UK, has also decided to expand their MBA program. In 2019, for the first time, they’re trialling a January entry.
And this does more than just provide students with more options. Aston is incorporating a redesigned program structure for their January starters, and students will still get the same added benefits as September starters, including a year-long skills development program and the opportunity to study abroad.
Here are five reasons why a January start will benefit you:
1. Start the year motivated
Beginning your MBA at the start of the year could provide you with that extra bout of motivation needed to steer you through your course.
Aston begins their January course, just as in September, with an induction, which aims to prepare students for the year ahead. It’s not only a chance to complete orientation and any last-minute paperwork; students will be introduced to the program and all the learning resources, so you’ll be prepared and ready to face the course.
And you don’t have to worry about getting a different degree to September starters—“students will experience the same excellent, active learning focused program that our September starters have,” explains Simon Finley, associate dean for MBA programs at Aston.
This means students starting in January will be able to mingle with the existing September cohort, and take part in the same modules and extracurricular activities as the September group.
”They’re getting the best of both worlds,” adds Simon. By studying over a year, students will be able to prepare for their MBA projects over the summer, and apply the teaching from their summer masterclasses to their taught modules in the autumn semester, as well as getting a necessary breather in between the two parts of the curriculum.
2. Beat the competition
As the majority of students will apply for September enrolment, starting in January gives you the helpful advantage of less competition for spaces on the program.
While there may be more places available on the program, don’t be fooled into thinking that your January MBA will be any less intensive than one with a September start—Aston Business School was ranked in the top-30 MBA programs in Western Europe by Eduniversal this year.
3. Get a head start in the job market
Aston provides all MBA students with a specialized Professional Development Program (PDP), which aims to give students the ‘Aston Edge’. As part of the program, students will have the chance to develop a career plan and sharpen both professional and personal skills. In addition to this, students will be matched with an experienced alumni mentor, to guide and advise you on how to make the most of the program.
Students who start the full-time MBA at Aston Business School in January will get the same PDP experience as September starters, which includes the option to follow an employment ‘stream’: study abroad, work experience, entrepreneurship, or a business simulation.
Aston Business School is offering scholarships of up to 50% of the course fees for the full-time MBA in January. You can apply here.
