MBA in Japan

[kshoo]

Hi all,

I am thinking of taking MBA in Japan. My understanding is that currently there are only 4 universities which are offering Full-time MBA in English over there - Waseda, Hitotsubashi, IUJ and APU. Based on this, I wonder if anyone good samaritans out there could advise on the below:
1) Do any of the programs still require Japanese to complete them, even though it is mentioned that the program is conducted in English?
2) I overheard that some of the universities require students to become a research student first. After a few months, they are then required to sit for an exam in order before being admitted into the program proper as a Masters Student...
2a) If that is the case, what does a normal research student do?
2b) What does the examination normally test on? Is it on language skills, or on actual knowledge? And will it be in Japanese?
3) Any generic comments on the current curriculum, and generic regard of the four universities listed above at the moment?

Many thanks in advance.

[Dogen Z]

I can't answer any of your questions, but IUJ may be the best of the 4 schools you've listed. That's only because it has some kind of connection with Dartmouth.

However, if you want credentials that would get you work anywhere, you should try for globally recognized program such as those listed in Business Week or the Financial Times. Both Insead and the Univ. of Chicago have programs that are partly based in Singapore. The best "Asian" program seems to be Kellogg/Hong Kong Univ. of Sci. & Tech. Of course, there's always Harvard, Stanford, MIT...

You should try to find websites of the school you're interested in and contact the admissions office for more info. Hope this helps. Good luck. :-)

[kshoo]

Hi Ocean Dude,

Thanks for the reply. It is good advice. However, financial capability to go to these universities remain a challenge for me. Japan however is interesting as some of the universities (e.g. IUJ) has good financial support (or so it may seem, from the website).

With that said, I'm trying to get out from SEA as I've been living and working here for some time. Good to see some other parts of the world too, i guess :)

Thanks again.

[Akakubisan]

You missed a few schools. Tsukuba, McGill, and Temple also offer MBA's in English.
And the answer for your questions is "no". At least in regards to Tsukuba's MBA-IB program. I know the answer for this since I am enrolled in the program.

And I think the answer is no for Hitotsubashi, Temple, IUJ, and McGill. I couldn't tell if Waseda required Japanese or not when I was researching schools.

[kshoo]

Thanks Akakubisan. I've checked the Temple & Mcgill Japan websites - not sure if i understand it correctly but these universities are focusing only on the part-time or executive MBA portion?

[Akakubisan]

I don't know for sure. I passed on them because of the cost. Hitotsubashi and Tsukuba are cheaper for tuition and Tsukuba actually offered what I wanted to study.