I’ve received offers from both Cass (Bayes) and Warwick and need to make a decision on which programme to pursue. I’ve also received offers from UIUC and Boston but think I’ve decided to go for something less than 100% online.

I’m in the cybersecurity field and plan to remain so post-MBA. I already have plenty of technical experience and qualifications so I plan to leverage the MBA to target more senior security leadership positions. Mainly in the UK but potentially in SE Asia in future due to family connections. I don’t think either school is particularly well represented in Asia outside of the Gulf and India so that may not be such an important factor.

From my research it seems like Warwick is better represented among CISO-level security people, but I work in financial services where Cass is well recognised, at least in London.

The Warwick programme is higher ranked generally and is attached to a significantly better university so I guess it’s brand is generally ‘better’. They’ve also been running their DL MBA for a long time whereas the programme at Cass is relatively new and unproven.

Cass will work out a fair bit cheaper due to alumni discount (I already have a degree from another UoL school) and scholarship. I’m also in London and so can more easily take advantage of face-to-face teaching and events. The class size at Cass is also significantly smaller so there’s the potential for better interaction at the cost of size of network.

I’m minded to go for WBS but that’s probably more due to rankings than anything else. It seems like there is far less conversation around Cass.

Are there any obvious considerations I’ve missed?

I don't see why you need an MBA to become a CISO or move into any other senior security leadership position. I work in the technology field and know plenty of CISOs in big global corporates and I don't think a single one has an MBA.

What skills and knowledge will an MBA give you to progress into the roles you want?