FAQ

Why should I take MBA-FSI instead of another MBA programme?
- The MBA-FSI is unique because of its combination of general management knowledge and skills with in-depth insights into the business economics of the financial services sector.
  
  In order to achieve this goal, each module is structured on the basis of two perspectives. First, the academic perspective offers you the necessary frameworks and tools to tackle the challenges of a modern organisation. In each module you acquire a firm understanding of relevant management skills in different domains, including: strategic management, marketing, human resources and organisational behaviour, accounting and finance, operations and technology, corporate governance, leadership, and other issues. Second, the programme provides you with insights into the latest developments in the financial services industry. Giving you an integrated view of the three sub-sectors of the financial services industry is our prior concern.
  
  The international context of the programme (both with respect to participants, course locations and faculty) and the fact that top-quality speakers, both academic and business-oriented, contribute to the programme are the main strengths of the MBA-FSI.
What’s the advantage of a modular, international programme compared to a local part-time MBA?
- The modular setup gives you the opportunity to fully concentrate on the core topics during 6 intensive periods of 2 weeks, spread over a period of 18 months. Since each module is taking place in a different location, you are provided with valuable insights into 6 different financial services markets through carefully selected guest speakers and company visits. Living and working in 6 different cultures for these short time periods also brings along an extra added value compared to a locally based programme.
  
  As the dates of the modules are fixed in advance, it’s easy to plan your absence from the office and make arrangements with colleagues for the time of absence. In between modules you will have to complete take home and pre-course assignments, as well as self-study and pre-reading. These efforts will really dive into the topics and translating them to the own work environment.
What is the typical profile of an MBA-FSI participant?
- Intake profiles for the MBA-FSI programme consist of experienced functional managers, experienced managers at a director level, and senior consultants. Both the functional managers as well as the general managers fit the mission very well. Eight to ten years of (international) work experience is highly recommended and managerial experience is also highly recommended. MBA-FSI participants typically have made two, three, or more career steps, and have had substantial experience in leading people and implementing substantial management projects. Participants are sufficiently mature to make effective use of the knowledge gained, and have demonstrated potential for greater advancement. The average age of the participants is typically between 38 and 40 years.
  
  As the programme has grown more and more international over the years, so has its field of participants. The last editions counted 10 different nationalities. The major part of the participants is still European, but more and more, North and Latin American financial services professionals and managers operating in Asia are joining. It’s definitely our ambition to keep the programme as diverse as possible in terms of geographic and functional diversity.
What are the admission criteria for the MBA-FSI?
- Candidates have to meet the following admission criteria:
  
  Academic educational background (university degree*);
  
  8-10 years of work experience;
  
  Minimum age (for exceptional cases) of 28 years;
  
  Relevant management experience;
  
  Mature personality;
  
  Identified as a “high-potential” within the firm.
  
  * Applicants holding a 3 or 4 year professional degree might also be eligible provided that they already have extensive working and management experience. This will be tested carefully in the in-take interview. These applications are treated case by case by the programme management.
What is the admission procedure for the MBA-FSI?
- The MBA-FSI uses a rolling admissions process in which applications are evaluated in the order they are completed. It is your advantage to submit your application form as early as possible before the application deadline.
  
  In general, the selection procedure consists of the following steps:
  - Applicants submit a completed application form and include a curriculum vitae and a letter of recommendation from their company; the application form can be found on the final page of the programme brochure or you can use the online application.
  - We schedule a telephone or personal interview with the applicant. In the interview, personality, managerial experience, English language skills, interpersonal skills, and motivation are evaluated;
  - Applicants are selected with consideration of the geographical and professional spread criteria we apply. Pre-selections are made by the individual organising partners. Final judgement regarding acceptance, inclusion in a waiting list or rejection is done jointly by the MBA-FSI programme committee;
  - Applicants are informed of the decision regarding their application;
Is there an application deadline?
- The application deadline for the next edition of the programme is the end of September 2010. We operate a rolling admissions system. We advise to apply well in advance, as applications are considered on a continuous basis. The MBA-FSI class will be small in order to guarantee close contact between students and faculty. We aim for a class of 30 students
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my MBA?
- There are no scholarships offered for pursuing the MBA-FSI.
How many contact hours will I have a week
- The programme is taught over six residential modules of two weeks each. In each module, the courses start at 08h30 and end at 18h00. For most evenings, there are group work sessions planned (19h30-21h00) during which you have to work together on cases or business simulations. Each module starts on a Sunday in the early evening (we meet at 18h00), and ends on a Friday at 16h00, which allows participants to fly back home still the same day.

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