Brandeis University - International Business School

The global perspective offered by Brandeis University’s International Business School (IBS) is apparent throughout both its Traditional (two years) and an Accelerated (sixteen months) MBA programs. Concentrations are offered in Marketing, Finance, Real Estate, Strategy and Innovation, and STEM-designated Data Analytics (students can choose up to two). Specialized training gives students working knowledge of Bloomberg Lab and other “must-have” industry technologies, and the school’s reputation in the quantitative and data analytics fields precedes it (as well as its hard-to-find specialization in transfer pricing). “If you are good with numbers and trend analysis, get there,” says a student. The curriculum is flexible and the school is an early adopter of new fields”, with “tons of finance and economics courses to choose from besides the core MBA courses”; additionally, the school’s Centers and Initiatives provide opportunities for students to interact with world leaders on topics at the forefront of global business.

The “impressive, knowledgeable” faculty are “top-notch” and “you cannot imagine how a few courses could be better taught.” They “encourage new ideas and allow students to experiment,” and really “push…knowledge boundaries,” creating a “fantastic learning atmosphere with their thoughtful insights and innovative ideas.” The school’s administration staff members are similarly “really friendly and understanding.” The MBA program here is the “perfect combination of being a small intimate program and highly professional.”

The school’s proximity to the pharmaceutical and startup hub of Boston is a huge draw, and plenty of graduates are on the healthcare track; in fact, 95 percent of all IBS MBA graduates were hired within six months of graduation. Brandeis has eighteen study abroad partners and immersion opportunities in order to introduce participants to the economies of dynamic overseas markets. Students laud the experiential learning preparation they receive while at the school: “IBS gave me the tools and the drive to constantly try and get better,” says a student. The alumni network is strong and wide—IBS graduates can be found in one hundred countries the world over—and many students find out about the “rigorous” program through friend and colleague recommendations. Top employers of Brandeis MBA graduates include Procter and Gamble, McKinsey & Company, Ernst & Young, LLP, MassChallenge, Accenture, and Infor.

This group is “focused,” “finance-oriented,” and “comes from all walks of life.” Unsurprisingly, there is a very large international student population, who bring “a wide range of personal and professional experiences and are always willing to help others.” The school constantly hosts “all kinds of interesting events,” including “culture-specific events,” and “everyone knows everybody and there is a very warm and friendly atmosphere.” First-year students are “supported and motivated by the second-year students” and “the entire staff is extremely supportive and engaging.” Extracurricular activities in the “arts, business, community, [and] sports” offer “lots of opportunities to engage for students of all interests.” “From entrepreneurship and analytics-related student clubs to cultural events like Global Gala you can never get bored of activities and life on campus,” says a grateful student.