MBA in Chile | TopMBA

Chile is a country remarkable for its geography, but also for its economy. The sheer length of the country (spanning half the Latin American continent), as well as its position between the Pacific and the Andes has created diverse landscapes, including volcanoes, fjords, glaciers, vast open plains and desert. Home also to parts of Patagonia and to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) as well as to great wine, Magellanic penguins and Geoffroy's cat, Chile is not only a spectacular country to see, but also an exciting destination in which to do an MBA.

The nation's economy has undergone continued growth, averaging 5% each year between 1985 and 2013, albeit with a recent slowdown (of 2.3% in 2015). The first (and only) Latin American member of the OECD to date, Chile has shown a strong commitment to foreign trade with its signing of 22 trade agreements across 60 countries. Having the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America, the country proves itself to be one of the most trusted Latin American destinations in which to invest and do business. The Chilean government is actively promoting and investing in both the financial services and startup sectors, areas of expansion that future MBAs might consider worth noting for career goal reference.

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According to the 2015/16 edition of the QS MBA Jobs and Salary Trends Report, the consulting and finance industries have seen the largest growth in recent levels of MBA hiring across Latin America as a whole.

One obstacle that could hamper plenty of those keen to do their MBA in Chile, however, will be the Spanish language barrier. Top business schools in Chile are, for the most part, not yet offering full English-language taught MBA courses. Nevertheless, they do offer dual degree options in partnership with some very well regarded international business schools. These half/half options will no doubt profit those who want to be Latin American/Chilean business specialists, but who also want the respite of learning in their own language (potentially), as well as the blended opportunity of getting a truly international experience from their period of study, with the added bonus of being able to take on additional specializations.

For a view of some of Chile’s leading business schools, click the ‘top business schools’ tab.  

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC)

Founded in Santiago in 1888, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) is one of Chile’s oldest universities. Ranked 4th in Latin America in the QS World University Rankings® 2016-2017, it offers MBA programs accredited by both AACSB and EQUIS.

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; MBA in Chile

For prospective MBAs, the MBA-UC, branded as ‘one MBA, diverse formats,’ permits various levels of flexibility, from full-time to ‘weekend-only’ study. The university has a very international faculty (site in Spanish) and has set up exchange programs with 70 universities to date. MBA students also have dual MBA degree options with HEC Paris, WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management (Germany), University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business (US), Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (Argentina) and Schulich School of Business (Canada). Once graduated with an MBA at UC students can go on to complete a master’s in advanced management at Yale School of Management.

University of Chile

The University of Chile is the principal institution of higher education in Chile and one of the highest prestige and quality in Latin America.It is the alma mater of the intellectual and political elite of the country. Its MBA UChile enjoys international recognition : 1st in Marketing, Finance, Operations and Economy in Latin America (AE 2017).

The MBA UChile of the School of Industrial Engineering is 3rd in Latin America (QS 2014/15) and 1st non-US in Management Sciences (Rothkopf 2016). Its curriculum provides a balanced training in soft skills and analytical tools for business management. FullTime, PartTime, Executive, Blended and GlobalMBA.

The Faculty of Economics and Business, accredited by the AACSB, promotes professionals motivated by excellence in a highly competitive world, delivering the skills and knowledge necessary for successful management and entrepreneurship, contributing to the development of the region.

Adolfo Ibáñez School of Management

Adolfo Ibáñez School of Management is a triple-accredited institution (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS) which, like its counterparts above, has comfortably established itself in the Santiago capital.

The school offers a a full-time, one-year MBA in which (site in Spanish) the core curriculum is covered in four modules lasting eight weeks apiece followed by a module made up of electives and a final project. There are other MBA modes of study available at Adolfo Ibáñez, including a 15-month executive MBA program that gives experienced managers the opportunity to study in four different countries – the US, China, Spain and, of course, Chile. Branded the ‘Multinational MBA’, this program is offered in conjunction with Spain’s ESADE Business School.

Universidad Diego Portales, Universidad Arturo Prat, Aden International Business School and IEDE Business School also offer MBA programs in Chile.

Universidad Diego Portales; MBA in Chile

To see why a dual MBA degree might be a positive move for you, click on the ‘MBA Careers’ tab.

 

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Chile's economy is floated by its mining industry first, and by its finance sector second. Other industries that feed the economy include the manufacturing, tourism and food export sectors (Chile in fact had a notable 8% share of the global market in wine in 2010). Therefore, if studying an MBA in Chile, with the goal of working in Chile is your prerogative, these are sectors that might well welcome a relevant specialization.

The advantages of the dual degree option

One significant benefit to taking on a dual degree involving overseas study applied for through a Chilean business school could be the price, as this path may prove to be more affordable than a whole degree spent, say, enrolled in a US institution. But, there are some other very important factors worth noting. A dual MBA involving study in two different countries or more allows students to learn from faculty with differing spheres of expertise, something which could yield a positive impact on a graduate’s depth of international understanding and experience.

Moreover, being a student at two separate institutions means having the perks of being a prospective member of two alumni networks, two careers services and so on. Plus, many dual-degree partnerships include top-tier schools and having a prestigious name like Yale School of Management on your résumé, for example, will likely draw an approving eye from many potential employers.