Business students today have a myriad of options when choosing an MBA program, and one important decision to make is whether to attend a traditional two-year program, or opt for an intensive one-year MBA degree. One-year MBA programs have become increasingly popular, but you should keep in mind that they are not for everyone. Since many one-year MBA programs usually last between eleven and sixteen months, a one-year MBA is not typically for students who will be working full-time. Thus, students should have the means to dedicate 12 months to full-time study and career development. The upside to this is that the shorter time frame will minimize the financial impact of your studies, and will not take you out of the job market for too long.

Typically, one year MBAs are for those who are ready for a career change (whether it be a different industry or role) and for those who want to be fully immersed in class and outside activities. There are some very good one-year MBA programs in North America and Europe and here is a sample of some of the most interesting ones:

Hult International Business School

Campus Locations: Boston, London, Dubai and Shanghai

Hult's fast track, one-year MBA program seamlessly combines classroom and real-life learning, with initial modules focusing on business fundamentals, global consciousness, presentations and execution skills. When students move onto their last two modules, they are free to take part in Hult's Campus Rotation Program, in which they can do courses at any of Hult's four campuses (London, Boston, Dubai, and Shanghai) in order to develop a global perspective and local knowledge about four of the world's key economies.



University of Western Ontario
Richard Ivey School of Business

Campus Location: London, Ontario

Ivey Business School is the only school in Canada that adheres to the case method, and is the world's foremost producer of Asian case studies. Through this use of case studies, students are immersed in the problems and challenges faced by real companies, and are asked to analyze data, develop alternatives, make recommendations and experience outcomes. This intense format provides students with a concentrated student experience, high caliber curriculum, and many international learning opportunities including a China Study Trip.



Pepperdine University
Graziadio School of Business and Management

Campus Location: Malibu, California

Pepperdine offers two options: the 12-month MBA degree for students who have fulfilled the necessary business prerequisite courses; and the 15-Month MBA degree for students who have not completed the prerequisites required for the 12-month program. Pepperdine also has a study abroad program for the fall term at an international partner university, which allows students to gain international perspectives and firsthand insight into business in another region of the world



Maastricht School of Management

Campus Location: Maastricht, The Netherlands

Maastricht's MBA program consists of four segments, starting with a Foundation segment, providing a solid knowledge base in each of the major management disciplines. The following Core segment offers courses with a broader focus. The Specialization segment contains a number of expert specializations. Overall, this program is designed to stimulate creative management thinking and to meet the needs of candidates lacking the theory and training required for application of management knowledge into practice.



University of Oxford
Saïd Business School

Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Oxford's program initially focuses on building a broad foundation of theoretical knowledge about business through core modules in subjects ranging from accountancy to strategy, and from managerial economics to organizational analysis. Once these core building blocks are in-place, students take elective courses to suit target career paths and choosing whether to spend the summer working upon a strategic consulting project, completing an internship, undertaking an individual academic thesis or auditing additional elective courses.



University of Notre Dame
Mendoza College of Business

Location: South Bend, Indiana

The Notre Dame MBA places an emphasis on providing an excellent business education that puts priority on ethics and values. The curriculum provides a balanced mastery of all functional areas of business—finance, accounting, marketing and management. Signature courses in Problem-Solving and Innovation give you the tools to diagnose problems, understand the critical issues and frame innovative solutions.