MBA programmes expand globally despite cost pressures

Providers offer experiential learning programmes through disruptive tech.

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As the modern workforce evolves, MBA education is changing to keep pace with the new demands. However, inflation pressures are driving up the cost of traditional MBA programmes, prompting providers to explore cost-effective solutions. From launching online MBA programmes to expanding experiential learning initiatives, schools are adapting to meet the needs of a diverse range of students. These efforts are reflected in the latest Singapore Business Review rankings, which show that top MBA providers are still able to accommodate large enrollments.

The rankings showed that 11 MBA providers enrolled 3,501 students in 2022, which represents a 2.4% growth from 3,418 enrolled in 2021. But despite the higher number of students, the number of providers who participated in the rankings edged down to 11 from 12. The count of programmes also declined to 23 this year from 25 in 2021.

INSEAD was still offering the largest MBA programme, with 843 enrolled students in 2022 from 915 in the previous rankings. The business school is also the top MBA provider.

Ranking the programmes, James Cook University MBA, with 345 enrolled students in 2022 from 252 in 2021, placed second. S P Jain Master of Global Business ranked third with 300 students in 2022 from 239 in 2021. Meanwhile, amongst the MBA providers, the runnerup was S P Jain School of Global Management, Singapore with a total of 460 enrolled students in 2022 for its three MBA programmes. Next is the National University of Singapore Business School, which has a total of 430 students for its four MBA programmes.

When borders became barriers to travel in 2020, it prevented the S P Jain School of Global Management from getting international students on their campus.