Is an MBA In China Right For You?

UPDATE: This article was originally posted on March 8, 2022. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

As Asia grows both as a world-class business and MBA destination, more and more people are considering applying to Chinese business schools.

China and Hong Kong are quickly becoming key destinations for business professionals who want to broaden their knowledge and skills while developing a strong network in the region. This is because China’s many business schools have made their way to the top of rankings charts in the past few years, increasing their international relevance and notoriety. 

Whether you are interested in China’s rapidly growing business environment, booming economy, or distinct culture, there are many reasons to study MBA in China. Below, we highlight these reasons and some of the top schools that you may want to consider.

 

Benefits of an MBA in China

While many applicants think of the US or Europe as ideal destinations for pursuing an MBA, China has its own strengths and offerings for MBA students to succeed and excel during and after their studies. Below are some of the top reasons that you should consider studying in China.

Top-ranking programs

Chinese business schools consistently appear in FT’s top 50 MBA global rankings, highlighting the outstanding quality of these programs.

For example, CEIBS, ranked at number 16 globally, is located in the business hub of Shanghai, an ideal location for networking and post-MBA opportunities. While the CEIBS MBA is focused on Chinese business strategy and development, it is also known for its excellence in educating future business leaders on global economics and management.

Source: ceibs.edu

And in Hong Kong, another bustling business hub, HKUST is another top-ranked school that is known for its world-class education and research with an international focus (90% of the student body is international). HKUST’s MBA is designed to develop internationally-minded business leaders through a specifically Asian perspective. The school’s prestige is notable: 95% of graduates receive job offers within three months of graduation.

Source: hkust.edu.hk

While these are just two examples of outstanding schools in China and Hong Kong, there are many others occupying the top-tier of MBA programs available worldwide and are worth researching as you consider which schools to apply to.

 

Gaining an East-West focus

Especially as Asia starts to dominate the global economy, having a non-Western perspective on business is increasingly important. This is something that you won’t necessarily be able to pursue at an American or European business school. 

This is especially true for joint programs such as Peking University’s global MBA, which offers multiple options for students to split their time between China and another country. 

In China, and especially in Hong Kong, there is a pervasive recognition of the importance of global collaboration and integrating diverse perspectives on business and management, so learning in this kind of environment can be extremely beneficial for those who are planning to work across regions or even develop future-focused strategies in their careers.

 

Wide range of career opportunities

While any MBA will broaden your career options after graduation, earning one abroad in China will earn you even more possibilities. This is because you will have access to networking opportunities in the country and abroad – and with China’s many growing industries, such as artificial intelligence and green energy, there are many options for post-graduation employment if you are located in the country already.

Additionally, as most business schools are located in economic hubs like Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Beijing, you will have easy access to a vast range of reputable companies, especially multinationals.

 

Affordable tuition and scholarship opportunities

On average, studying and living in China is cheaper than in western countries. 

Depending on the university you’re applying to, you can save up to 50% on your tuition fees by studying in China as opposed to Europe or the US. In addition, the cost of living in China is lower – for example, average rent prices aren’t usually more than the equivalent of $700/month.

In addition, because Chinese institutions want to stimulate international admissions, there are a wide range of scholarships available for international students. Most of these are available through the universities themselves, but there are also opportunities through exchange programs and the Chinese government.

 

Learn Mandarin

Another plus of studying abroad is the opportunity to learn another language in an immersion setting – and in China, you would be exposed to Mandarin, an increasingly important language in the business world. 

Many MBA programs geared towards international students in China require you to take Mandarin and cultural immersion courses as part of your MBA curriculum, such as CEIBS and CKGSB. 

Even if the business school you’re interested in doesn’t offer these opportunities, there are a plethora of extracurricular language programs throughout the country that offer top-quality language courses to fast-track your learning of Mandarin. 

 

Who Chinese business schools are looking for

Another consideration to make in applying for an MBA in China is whether or not you are an ideal candidate for these programs.

So, what are some of the most important factors that admission committees at Chinese business schools are considering when vetting applicants? We explore these factors below.

 

Applicants with a global mindset

Because most MBA programs in China emphasize the East-West focus, they are looking for applicants who embody this global perspective. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are looking for anyone who has international travel experience. While this certainly helps, what adcoms are seeking, moreover, are candidates who can demonstrate an ability to put multicultural perspectives into practice. For example, if you led an international team at work and took the time to consider and integrate a diversity of working cultures into your management approach, this would be an excellent example to highlight in your application. 

Chinese adcoms are also generally looking for applicants who show an awareness of recent global advancements in both business and technology. 

 

Interest in China

In addition to an international perspective, Chinese MBA applicants are also expected to show a passion for Chinese business and economic growth. 

Given the disruption that many Chinese tech and business firms have led in recent years, business schools in China focus primarily on case studies from within the country. Therefore, it is important that students come prepared to analyze and discuss these topics. 

Candidates should show their knowledge of China’s business environment and be aware of the disruptive changes it has caused around the world.

 

Demonstrated open-mindedness

For Western applicants, it’s important to show that you will be excited about learning from your new environment and all the perspectives and norms that come with it. After all, part of the reason why cross-cultural programs exist is to exchange ideas.

Simply applying for a Chinese MBA isn’t enough to prove this. In your application, therefore, we suggest that you include examples of times that you identified value in others’ perspectives and integrated them into your own actions and mindset. 

 

Need advice on whether an MBA in China is right for you?

Because the competitiveness of Chinese MBAs is a relatively recent phenomenon, applying and attending business school in China or Hong Kong may seem risky. 

Fortunately, ELC’s team has the expertise to help you define your profile, talk about your career objectives, and determine what location and schools are best for you. 

Take our former client, Carlos, for example, who made the decision to study abroad and gained admission to his top school after working with ELC:

“I was looking for someone who could help me achieve my goal of pursuing an MBA abroad. Ellin helped me understand what I could achieve. This is what makes her services outstanding — because to do this, she had to deeply understand my profile.

Ellin opened my mind to many good options other than the ones I was already looking at and helped me build a plan to achieve my goal.”

You can start taking advantage of the Ellin Loils Advantage today – apply to work with us by clicking here!