Specialist MBAs

If you're looking to get ahead in a specific area, a specialist MBA can help to tailor your skills to a particular sector

Why should I take a specialist MBA?

Most candidates are looking for a career change, with some looking to move into a management role, while others are looking to change sectors, move into consultancy or expand their own business.

Becoming a specialist is the modern way for a business leader to get ahead - and students are quickly realising this. The results of the latest Application Trends survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council found that 73% of respondents planned on specialising in a specific sector, with a particular emphasis on finance and accounting.

However, specialist MBAs are available in a range of programmes, from healthcare and tax, to entrepreneurship and industrial management.

How will taking a specialist MBA benefit me and my employer?

Most MBA programmes have a strong focus on corporate collaboration. Some courses insist that students analyse and solve a specific industry problem from their current job, which gives the course added value to both you and your employer.

A specialist MBA gives you the best of both general management techniques and the industry-specific knowledge required to become a business leader.

Choosing the right course

The first thing to note is that specialist MBAs broadly fall into two categories - those that focus on a particular function such as HR or entrepreneurship and those that specialise in one sector such as healthcare.

However, this doesn't mean that a specialist MBA will neglect the core business principles you study on a general MBA. Most courses still cover the basics of good business management - from marketing and strategy to operations management.

How are specialist MBA programmes structured?

Each course is different so it's important to thoroughly research institutions and individual programmes before you commit to a programme.

A specialist MBA can help you to have a more informed input into senior management decision making. An example of a course that aims to do this is the Brunel MBA with a specialisation in Healthcare Management. Students split their time 60%-40% between general management modules and the more specialist requirements of a career in healthcare.

Divya Gupta, a project manager in cancer services for the NHS, has recently completed the MBA in Healthcare Management as an international student. 'The specialist MBA has helped me to gain an in-depth understanding of the healthcare system and to take action to influence positive outcomes for the industry.

'An MBA with a specialisation gives you the necessary abilities to handle real-life business situations, as you don’t just learn strategies and concepts on paper. It helps you relate to your sector, sets you apart from those who do not have such expertise and crafts you into a leader of your chosen field.'