Top 10 things to look for in a business school

The number of students obtaining a university degree rises annually and the subject major ‘business’ continues to be a popular choice. Whilst studying business can open a world of possibilities for you (read how here), to succeed in the global job market you’ll need to learn how to stand out among the crowds of students graduating each year. This is important to remember when looking for the right university or business school for you. For students looking to study a degree in international business, here are my top ten things to look for in a business school. 1. Location, Location, Location Whilst studying, youll want to have a balance of exploring a new city and all it has to offer, but you should factor in being close to the markets you want to work in once you graduate. Choose a city that can open networking opportunities for you–give you access to visit businesses you’re in interested, grab coffee with alumni, and conduct informational interviews with dream companies. For example, if you aspire to work in the start-up tech sector, San Francisco might be the place for you! 2. A curriculum with a practical approach The number one industry complaint about business schools is the lack of soft and practical skills  students develop while attending university. Therefore, in order to be competitive and career-ready, you need to select a business school that will give you more than a traditional or theoretical based curriculum. Look for programs, which encourage real-world experience by incorporating practical elements, such as live business challenges, simulations, and projects with employers. 3. Rotation options: Learn to see the world Considering your bachelor’s degree will take at least three to four years to complete, you may want to look for programs that will enable you to rotate to different parts of the world. This will not only richen your experience, but can also add extra wow-factors on your profile. Employers are always eager to know what else you’ve accomplished outside of the classroom and examples of how you’ve stepped out of your comfort zone. What’s more with business becoming more and more global, having the option to study in places like Shanghai or Dubai will increase the relevancy of your business degree. 4. Professors with a real business background One of the best ways to learn is to be taught by someone who’s done it themselves. Your future professors should be able to embody what they teach and offer more than just academic expertise. For instance, Professor Hap Klopp is one of the many internationally-sourced practitioner faculty teaching at Hult International Business School. Researching a school’s faculty can also give you an indication to the community and network you’ll be joining. Be sure to tap into your professors network; if they know someone who can help you along your professional journey let them know. 5. Diversity of students If you are truly interested in gaining an international university experience then study alongside students from around the world. In doing so, you’ll get to learn about different cultures, share ideas and insights, and not to mention graduate with friendships all over the globe. When looking at business schools, be sure to look into the number of nationalities present among a schools student body so that you get a good idea into the diversity on campus. 6. Flexibility of your bachelor’s degree Whether you already know which area of business you would like to focus on (i.e. Marketing, Finance, or Management) you should think about how and when you will have to make these decisions. Will you be able to take general classes out of all areas to see which suits you best? Does the program offer exciting electives to broaden your educational horizons (i.e. foreign languages, humanities, and leadership development)? Good bachelor degrees offer you additional certificates or diplomas alongside the main curriculum, such as in new technologies like Business with Computer Science or Business with Design. 7. Student support with personalized attention During your time at university, you want to be supported by faculty as well as staff members. Pay attention to the number of students per lecture and the overall size of the student body to gauge the level of support you can expect to receive. Will campus staff actually know your name? Do you always need an appointment before seeing staff? If something goes wrong, is there someone that can help? Trust me, these things can make your time at university far less stressful and a heap loads more enjoyable. 8. Student goals: Become an entrepreneur Many students dream of becoming an entrepreneur and to be one day founders of their own start-up. With the right tools and mentorship from your school, such aspirations can be achieved during your years as a student. There are many great examples of Hult bachelor students who  have started their own ventures before graduating through using platforms like the Hult founder’s lab. 9. Life after graduation: student success Looking into student success stories will provide you with good insight into how school’s and their programs prepare students for a promising future. Testimonials, job placement statistics, and who are some of the top hiring companies are a few examples of the indicators to look out for. You should also be interested to see what resources are made available to alumni. Whether it be initiatives to maintain the network youve built at university or alumni-exclusive classes to develop your learning–these are factors to consider as they increase the value of a degree. 10. The accreditation of your program Whilst its not all about rankings, one last word of advice: Pay attention to how your bachelor’s degree is accredited (i.e. NEASC, BAC, AMBA, AACSB) – this is especially important to ensure the educational quality and rigor. Additionally, looking into the right type of accreditation will ensure that your degree is properly recognized in your home country. For example, not every program comes with the AACSB accreditation for business, which can be regarded as one of the highest accreditations for business degrees globally. Hope this was helpful, and whichever way you choose, good luck! If you would like to find out more about Hult’s global business programs,  download a brochure here. Kickstart your career with Hults undergraduate business school. To find out more, take a look at our blog Top 10 things to look for in a business school. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .