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Differences between 1 year vs 2 year MBA ?

harvard insead lbs MBA stanford
New answer on Nov 30, 2023
4 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Nov 04, 2018

What are the differences between a 1 year and 2 year MBA? Do I learn more in the 2 year MBA?

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Cristian
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Content Creator
replied on Nov 30, 2023
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi!

This is a great networking question - I'd ask people who graduated from each of the programs.

Also, check what's in the curriculum for each of them. 

Lastly, you might find it useful to also go through this resource:


Good luck!
Cristian

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Guennael
Expert
replied on Nov 05, 2018
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

European MBAs are more often 1 year, American ones more typically 2 years. Vlad is right, the tempo would change drastically:

- 2 year degree gives you a little more time to absorb the material, try out new things, participate in associations, travel even; obviously the internship is huge. These degrees are all about networking, but also the last 2 "easy" years you may have until you retire

- 1 year degree will come out cheaper: an MBA is an investment, so a 1 year degree will tend to have higher ROI. As for "absorbing the material", who cares? Hardly anything is truly applicable anyway (I exagerate, but only slightly)

Note: One other huge advantage to the 2 year degree is if you plan to change career: the internship will be a great opportunity to build a new skill set. Many in the 1 year programs (as well as executive programs) find it difficult to truly change career paths - unless they want consulting

Harvard, Stanford & Wharton are 2 years; INSEAD is 1 year...all are outstanding, so clearly neither path is clearly better

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Vlad
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replied on Nov 04, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

The major difference is the tempo. It has two implications:

  1. You have more time to learn. Not because of the number of classes, but because it is less hectic and you can not deprioritize the things
  2. You can do an internship and thus significantly increase your chance of getting a job (It's especially important if you are changing your industry / location)
  3. You have more time for networking and making friends. - I believe it is the most important factor, since MBA is first of all a network.

Best

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Clara
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Content Creator
replied on Nov 18, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Not much, it depends on your budget, how long you want to stop your career, even your age...

To make a better informed/educated decision, i would look at ranks such Financial Times + Poets 6 Quants.

On top of that... is a lot about personal preference. Mine, US.

Good luck!

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Cristian gave the best answer

Cristian

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