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Lancaster: Why The Chinese Economy is so Important for MBAs

Regional director for the China Management Centre on how Lancaster is facilitating job prospects for Chinese MBAs and why China is so important for graduates!

Fri Aug 9 2013

BusinessBecause
The Lancaster University Management School has been trying to strengthen its links with China’s booming economy for over twelve years. In 2001, it established the Lancaster China Management Centre (LCMC), based in the UK, to raise the profile of their MBA program internationally - through increased engagement with China.

Lancaster currently has an alumnus group of around 150 MBAs working in Beijing - the country’s thriving capital that has the second largest amount of HQ’s among Fortune 500 companies in the world. China’s economic growth is at around 7%, a figure that would be considered magnificent to most economies but to its government, that once boasted double-digit figures, is regarded as merely modest. Where there is money, there is business opportunity. And to MBAs China is clearly an attractive prospect.

At Lancaster, the LCMC’s regional director - who has been researching in China since the 1980s, MBA Professor David Brown, says that the university’s MBA graduates benefit from their increased employability agenda. “The China Center has been instrumental in developing employability agenda for Chinese students,” he said.

“A few years ago they were independent. They might have asked for a reference but that was it. Now, we set up activities during the year which facilitate job prospects of Chinese people when they return to china.

“We have 150 Chinese alumni in Beijing and Lancaster’s Chinese alumnus is one of the strongest we have.”

One of those events was the annual dragons-den-style competition started with Lancaster and a Chinese-partner, the China Innovation and Development Association. It is entirely focused on developing business links with China and the UK and has since been broadened to include UK-based MBA programs at University College London and the University of East Anglia. Its sister competition runs in tandem, at the Chong Ching University in China.

The winners of each will compete against each other at the international final in December this year which boasts a cash prize of £3000 but, more importantly, a chance to make contacts within a judging panel of experienced venture-capitalists and a two-week trip around China visiting potential investors. “It’s another example of the way we take china seriously,” David adds.

The opportunity to visit a leading economy like China is one that MBAs at Lancaster cherish. And Lancaster seeks to internationalize its students at every opportunity. “The policy of the university is to internationalize the student experience. MBAs get a chance to go to two overseas destinations, such as South Africa and Europe,” David said.

“But the other choice is always the same (China). China is so important: whether you have an interest in the country or not, it will impact on you.

“It’s soon to be biggest economy and it impacts on most organizations. It is very attractive for the non-Chinese students, but most other people choose to go to China.”

MBAs benefit by developing potential job contacts. “Students benefit at Lancaster because we are committed to running seminars in both terms, in which China is the focal issue: we run these seminars to meet academics and practitioners that bring them the realities of doing business with China,” said David.

“We get hosted by partner universities in China and we take them to factories and businesses of different kinds: high-tech companies and American owned companies.

“MBAs have to write a reflective essay that asks them to compare what they’ve seen in China with their own business experiences. For many of them it is the most important time they spend on the MBA.”

The LCMC also trains Chinese business managers to better understand the economy in China, and brings that learning to its own MBA students.

Despite China’s economy expecting to stall in economic growth in the second half of this year, David believes that the prediction fits in entirely with what the Chinese government hopes to achieve, and it is still an exciting option for graduating MBAs. “We shouldn’t worry too much about that,” he said. “China has stated publically that as it reconfigures away from its economy being dependent on exports, to one that will also try to develop the domestic markets, they are deliberate in recognizing the future won’t be the same.

“The growth rates are entirely within what the government is seeking to achieve. It’s all about re-shaping their economy. The opportunities in china remain huge.

“The acid test is what happens to their graduates. Most would try hard to generate job prospects in those respective countries, and not in China. But that’s changed. Many Chinese MBAs think they’re best career prospects are in china, not Europe or the US.”

It is clear the LCMC is creating valuable links with businesses in China and business students take advantage. Regional Director David hopes to continue boosting career prospects for MBAs, in an economy that he believes will be the world's biggest in the not too distant future. 

Student Reviews

Lancaster University Management School

Jesse

Verified

28/09/2018

An exceptional educational establishment in the North West of England.

This university has been a fantastic life experience as well as a great academic one. I first decided to go to Lancaster University Management School due to its exceptional business education facilities and have not been disappointed. I recommend the university to anybody that wants to put themselves in a strong position for a career upon graduation.

Student

Verified

24/11/2022

On Campus

Student Ambassador

Overall, the instruction is decent, however it also depends on your department. The people are friendly, in my opinion. The sporting events are enjoyable, and there is a good sense of community. Although the city is quite remote, it is nonetheless attractive.

Student

Verified

3/08/2020

Lancaster University honest review

The education system in the university is excellent especially that of the Management School. The campus has great facilities for students to study and live in a relaxed manner. The students can engage in various activities through the socities.

Student

Verified

17/06/2020

Great opportunities to think beyond

Lancaster University provides a lot of good opportunities to think beyond.There Entrepreneurship in residence program helps students to meet and seek guidance about entrepreneurship and the challenges.Their Work in progress program help to fabricate your startup idea and further to pitch to the potential investors.Apart from that there are lot of programs like Enactus, guest lectures and guidance from seniors to help and shape your career needs. They provide lot of opportunities to shape up your employability skills.

Student

Verified

9/10/2020

On Campus

A top university in the UK for management science!

If you’re interested in management science studies, Lancaster University is one of the top universities in the UK. The faculty is renowned and have a sterling reputation for research in management science. Candidates specifically interested in Forecasting would find the Centre for Marketing Analytics and Forecasting especially relevant to their field. Besides, the ROI is good as the overall cost compared to other universities is less.

Student

Verified

10/04/2019

Great university for academia – not great for 'entrepreneurs'

Please keep in mind that my review is nuanced by my expectations of an Entrepreneurship degree :) I came to Lancaster University because it was one of the top universities to have a course in Entrepreneurship. After 4 years in this degree, my most valuable experience has been my placement and not the actual course. The course is heavily focused on impractical elements, which is a bit odd for an Entrepreneurship degree. There are some modules that involve hands-on work but the faculty support for such things has not been great. My course also involved a lot of teamwork which has been fantastic and really prepared me when it comes to dealing with the diversity of opinions. In terms of career prospects, the management school does A LOT to host events, workshops and support sessions to help you build up your employability skills. Although, I wish there was more acknowledgement of SMEs/startups as a viable career option. The entrepreneurship team which is meant to support budding businesses is really stepping up their game with tons of guest speakers, workshops and pitching opportunities. The location is a concern if you're not in STEM, Law or Accounting and Finance. Business requires networking with the broader community. However, for Lancaster students, the best bet is a trip down to Manchester or London. On the flip side, living in Lancaster is much cheaper! Overall, if the purpose of your university experience is to receive top academic education and have great facilities at your disposal, Lancaster is a great choice. But if you want to be in business and entrepreneurship, I would look elsewhere.

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