A short paper by Julian Rawel, Director of MBA Programmes.

Introduction

Starting a full-time MBA programme is exciting, and it brings with it all sorts of challenges. One of them is returning to study. Most MBA students' last experience of academic study was at undergraduate level, though some of you will also have a postgraduate qualification. The likelihood is that it's been some years (typically 5-15) since you last engaged in formal study.

This brief guide is to help you get back into the world of university learning, to help you prepare for the stimulating, intensive world of a 12-month, full-time MBA programme.

This is an Academic Programme

Of course, students study for an MBA to improve their career prospects. However, an MBA is not an extended management training course. It is an academic programme that will expand your horizons and develop your management skills. Accordingly, you are expected to approach your studies with an 'academic' mindset firmly within your focus.

What Does 'Academic' Actually Mean?

We do not need to delve into all sorts of formal definitions. Rather, at its heart, academic study encompasses:

  • Understanding the causes of an issue as much as the issue itself
  • Developing solutions to the issue which are carefully considered and evidence-based
  • Using academic theory to support both your analysis and decision-making
  • Reflecting on the whole process
  • Sharing your analysis and decision-making with both fellow students and faculty

In the typical high pressure, time-poor corporate environment, we rarely have time to go beyond the executive summary and bullet point precis. But this can frequently result in ill-considered, short-term fixes. During the MBA programme, we will encourage you to use the time and processes that we provide to delve much more deeply into the issues covered. This is not necessarily easy, but it is one of the attributes that separates MBA graduates from other managers. Accordingly, this sort of reflection is not just for the classroom: we would like you to take it forward into your post-MBA career.

To Prepare for Academic Study, Start Reading Today

When was the last time you read an academic journal article? In fact, when was the last time you even read a more generalist business magazine such as Time or The Economist? Reading academic literature is an important element of your MBA study time, so it is really worth practising.

During the first two weeks of the programme, you will take two strategy classes as part of the Strategic Leadership course. Below are two of the four recommended reading articles. They are both from Harvard Business Review. Once at the School, you will have free online access to HBR. However, you can access these articles for free – just follow the links:

Read these articles and consider the following:

  1. What are the key points that are being made?
  2. How could managers use the findings?
  3. Do you have any points of criticism?

Create a Reading Habit

What else? Between now and the start of the programme, try and get into the habit of reading some content every day or at least every second day. It does not have to be much, but you need to make academic reading a part of your everyday life. You will find that this will really pay dividends when you start the programme.

Now, Also Start Writing!

Reading needs to be complemented by writing. Essays, assignments, and exams will all require you to write, and write in an academic style. It is time to leave behind the executive summary and bullet point style of writing. Analysis, developing evidence based solutions, reflection—these require a more considered style of writing. Academic writing is more formal, it needs to be logically structured, highly objective, grounded in theory, using the ideas of others (properly referenced), and be constructively critical.

So, let us now return to those two journal articles. Instead of jotting down some random notes, why not answer each of the three questions using a considered paragraph or paragraphs? Every time you are about to make a sweeping, subjective statement take a step back. Is this the best way to write?

Reading, Writing...and Listening!

Listening. We do it all the time but how often do we hear rather than listen, zone out rather than stay the course, especially in one of those interminable management meetings? But that is okay—we can always catch up with meeting minutes or ask a colleague what has been said during the previous half an hour!

Unfortunately, this will not work during your MBA. Listening is another skill which is hugely important for your MBA study. You will attend almost daily lectures. At the lectures you will need to take notes, to understand what is being said and also contribute to the in-class discussion. Playing catch-up after lectures simply will not work. So you also need to practice listening.

A good way to get into lecture listening mode is to listen to some TED Talk lectures.

There is a big choice but you should try listening to (and watching) lectures between 30 and 60 minutes in length. These will be quite representative of the listening time during MBA lectures.

As you listen to the TED Talks, try to make a few notes so that when they finish you have a summary of the key points discussed. Try and watch/listen to four lectures before you start your MBA.

If English Is Not Your First Language

If English is not your first language, you might need to do more listening practice. You may find that the 'English' you listened to during your undergraduate studies is quite different from what you'll hear in class in Edinburgh. This is because we have teachers from Scotland, England, and many other countries who speak fluent English every day but who all have different styles and accents. So it is worth doing some additional practice.

We strongly recommend that you follow this guidance on Listening to Lectures.

You will have the opportunity to listen to a business lecture with some transcript notes provided. Really take the time to work your way through the presentation, answering the set questions.

Any Questions?

This short paper is written to help you get into the MBA study zone, to make things a little easier when you arrive. We will also be talking some more about this during Welcome Week. We are here to help. If you have any questions relating to this paper or study preparation in general, please do contact me:

Email Julian