What is the Master’s in Management Program?

Master’s in management, popularly known as MiM, is a one-year course of study offered by leading business schools across the globe, such as the University of Toronto, University of Southern California, London Business School, and HEC Paris.

This program is a detailed study of management concepts and case studies, much like the MBA. However, unlike the MBA, it is curated for a cohort that does not have work experience. Applicants with over two years of work experience at the start of the program would be considered overqualified. There are a few exceptions to this rule, though. For example, Australian National University in Australia admits applicants with three years’ work experience.

Another key feature of the MiM is that it is offered to applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in management. For example, students with undergraduate degrees in engineering, social sciences, pure sciences, humanities, and honors in core subjects like finance. If a student has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, they would not be considered eligible to apply.

The application components for an MiM are those typically expected by graduate schools across the globe. These include a résumé, one or two (sometimes three) letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose or personal statement, some subjective-type questions within the form, and sometimes an interview or a video essay. Since the program is offered to recent graduates, at least one academic recommendation is expected. Typically, admission officers will seek information about the applicant’s fit into the study of management. So, taking the initiative, being proactive, and leading a club or other community engagements are essential to highlight in your résumé.

This program enjoys a lot of popularity in Europe and the UK. Leading business schools in these regions offer MiM degrees. In comparison, very few business schools in the US provide the same. Leading business schools in the United States that offer the MiM are Duke University, Northwestern University, and the University of Southern California, among others. In the United Kingdom, applicants can consider the programs offered by London Business School (LBS), London School of Economics (LSE), Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh, and many more. The National University of Singapore and Singapore Management University offer the program in Singapore. In Australia, the Universities of Melbourne and Sydney and Monash University offer the MiM. In Europe, popular MiM programs are offered by HEC Paris, INSEAD France, ESCP, IE Business School, and many others.

There are slight variations to the curriculum offered by some universities. LBS, for example, provides a program in management and analytics. Upon closer look, the curriculum aligns with those of programs focused on business analytics. However, they are called management and analytics because some modules are more intensively focused on general management. The same can be said about Duke University’s program in quantitative management. Northeastern University offers a program in international management, and New York University provides one in management and systems. If you are considering a MiM degree, study each program’s components closely to understand whether the modules offered, and the specialization offered, align with your goals. The global master’s in international management degree is one popular variation in this regard. Here, you would study at one business school campus for year one and another business school located in another country for year two. The LSE global MiM is the most popular program. They offer over 30 global business school options for the second year of study.

Most global MiM programs offered worldwide are housed at business schools that are a part of a global association called CEMS. CEMS is a collaboration of leading business schools, multinational corporations (MNCs), and NGOs worldwide that have curated these niche graduate degree offerings. One exception here is the global MiM offered by LBS. This program, while not a part of the coveted CEMS association, is still highly reputable and considered competitive.

While MBA admissions teams have no bias regarding standardized tests, in my experience, business schools outside the United States that offer MiM still lean slightly towards the GMAT. Nowadays, more and more have begun to accept the GRE instead of the GMAT. However, if you are considering British and European business schools, you would have many more options to apply if you choose to take the GMAT.

As a recent graduate, the MiM program prepares you to enter the workforce across industries, banks, consultancies, and MNCs. Also, like an MBA, an MiM is an opportunity to build a robust professional network that will continue to add value in your professional future.

Adapted from “Key Features of the Master’s in Management Program,” by Tripti Singh, MA, IECA (China), originally published in the Fall 2022 issue of IECA’s Insights magazine.