In contrast US courses have traditionally accepted new graduates without any management experience

In contrast, US courses have traditionally accepted new graduates without any management experience. Although some now "prefer" prior experience, the courses still tend to be more theoretical in their teaching and most courses last for two years.US schools are normally only within reach of those who can undertake a full-time MBA, usually over two years (but Harvard now offers a 16-month MBA). Accredited business schools in Britain normally only accept MBA students who have at least two years management experience. Consequently students learn much from the accumulated experience of the class during team work, discussions and workshops.Most full-time MBAs in Britain last one year. Consequently it is important that potential senior managers get international exposure. It is true that many UK business schools have international links, a high proportion of students from overseas and even an international faculty. But there is no substitute for the experience of living and working abroad.

Learning to adapt to the social and business cultures of another county is a key skill for those likely to work with overseas partners. Until 1964 all business schools offering MBAs were in the US, and this is still a popular destination for those who work or plan to work in North America or for US-owned companies. With 116 business schools in Britain offering MBA programmes, some among the best in the world, why should someone take an MBA overseas? The main reason is that trade is increasingly global, many organisations are multinational, and an increasing proportion of executives work for foreign-owned and managed firms. I was encouraged to pick up the phone and talk one-to-one, or just pop in when I could and touch base. You were always made to feel welcome and people bent over backwards to help you, and there was a very relaxed atmosphere."We were encouraged to set up little study groups, and if we got stuck on something we could always go and find a tutor and get a mini 20-minute lecture on it."Emma Haughton. Bristol really helped with little touches like the part-time library service - you could pick up the phone and order a book or article - a great time saver."I also had a lot of support from my personal tutor. One of the most difficult things about being part-time was getting back into studying.

As I'd only left school with a clutch of O levels, I started on a certificate in management at Bristol Business School, moving on to a diploma in management studies, and culminating in an MBA over a total of three-and-a-half years."What I particularly liked about Bristol was that it was local and a very supportive environment I felt comfortable and could learn. They put me at ease and treated me with the respect I was used to in the commercial world. They were there to steer you and facilitate what you wanted to do, but the onus was on you to get out what you put in."It all worked out really well. A few months after I finished my MBA dissertation on digital TV, a job came up at the BBC that needed telecoms experience and some understanding of digital TV.