The Oxford MBA and the Collegiate Advantage: Insights from Associate Dean Patti Brown

Embarking on a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a significant step in your career, and choosing the right program is crucial. The University of Oxford College System offers a distinctive and enriching experience that goes beyond traditional business education.

Patti Brown is the Associate Dean for MBA Programs and Executive Degrees at The University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. She sheds light on the unique and enriching role of the collegiate system in the Oxford MBA experience. 

Here, Patti deep dives into the reasons why the Oxford collegiate system plays an integral role in enriching the MBA experience at Oxford Saïd in the United Kingdom. 

Access An Instant Community and Diverse Network

Joining a college is not an option; it’s a mandatory and pivotal part of the Oxford MBA experience. This immediately immerses you into a vibrant community.

From day one, you’ll integrate with students from diverse academic backgrounds from across the entire University of Oxford. As Patti explains, “You will be mixed with students who are engineers, chemists, from every field that you can imagine at the University of Oxford.” (00:25) This provides an instant, built-in network that extends far beyond the business school.

This interdisciplinary environment fosters unique opportunities for MBA students. Patti describes the way it works, “You have access to people who are studying in different areas, which means you have access to debates, you have access to all [their] courses, and you have access to everything that they would have access to within their own schools. So not only are you studying business, but you could be studying anything else within the university.” (01:55) 

This exposure to diverse perspectives and academic disciplines broadens horizons and enriches the overall MBA learning experience.

Academic Support and Personalized Learning

Beyond the social benefits, the colleges play a crucial role in supporting MBA graduate students academically. Patti explains that students have dedicated tutors who help MBA candidates with academics. This personalized academic support system complements the MBA degree program itself. 

“Your college will be there to help you in terms of academics. Not only do you have your tutor system, you have access to academics that will help you when you’re struggling with anything, in addition to the other people within your college,” Patti adds. (03:51)

Oxford’s Colleges provide a more intimate setting for academic engagement. “You will have weekly and monthly meetings to check in. Before assessments, you will have trial assessments that will be organized by your college to help you. The goal is: the college is there to help you with your academic success on an individual level.” (04:03) 

This personalized approach ensures that MBA students receive tailored support to navigate their studies effectively. Patti emphasizes, “Although the MBA cohort at Oxford Saïd may seem large at 350 students, when you’re [in a] college, it’s a small personalized experience.” (04:16)

Immersive College Events: The Quintessential Oxford Experience

Patti emphasizes the integral role of college events in shaping a true Oxford experience. “The college events are your Oxford experience.” (01:17) These events, ranging from rowing to polo, offer a unique blend of tradition and camaraderie. 

“Everything you’ve seen on television is true. You will be rowing. You will be in or on the water at some point here. In addition, [at] our formal dinners, you will be in a white shirt and a bow tie. For ladies, you will be dressed in black tie attire. The formal events once a week at the colleges are incredible…” (01:23)

The formal college dinners are a particularly distinctive tradition. Patti describes a typical dinner at an Oxford college: “Formal college dinners are a very special moment. Depending on your college, you will have different traditions. Most college dinners start with drinks at 7:00 p.m. The bell that rings to bring you through to dinner [is] at 7:30 p.m. The opening prayer [is] in Latin, followed by a three-course meal, including wine from the local college.” (02:50)

These dinners are not just about dining; they are about fostering connections and engaging in intellectual conversations. Furthermore, your MBA cohort connections can grant you the opportunity to attend formal dinners at other colleges as well.

Supercharge Your Network: Become an Alumni of Your College, University, and MBA Class

The college system at Oxford significantly expands an MBA student’s network. Having both a business school and a college affiliation provides significant value.

Unlike standalone business schools, at Oxford Saïd, Patti states that the network you leave with is beyond measure. “By being a member of a college, by going to Oxford Saïd and the University of Oxford, you have access to three alumni networks.” (05:35)  

This provides access to a diverse and influential group of individuals. During your MBA, you will have access to a unique network of people to help you. Subsequently, these connections are not fleeting but endure long after graduation. 

Patti highlights, “Colleges are a special place that, 10, 20 years later, after your degree, you will come back with your family. You’ll stay in the colleges and you’ll introduce them to Oxford. The University of Oxford is the city, and the college is your network.” (02:29)

After eating and sleeping at college every day during your Oxford experience, the attachment to the college often remains strong. 

While your MBA program will form your largest post-graduate network, the collegiate connection offers a unique and often deeply personal dimension to the alumni experience. Patti assures us, “Your college affiliation will affect you for the rest of your life. You will come back each year as alumni to either give or participate in a speaking event, or visit the college with your family. Each year, colleges have events that bring back famous alumni.” (05:16)

Extracurricular Pursuits For Personal Growth

Colleges also offer a wide array of extracurricular activities that contribute to personal development. “All of the sports are an integral part of your college adventure in terms of creating teamwork and creating you as a future leader.” (04:46) 

Beyond sports, there are numerous clubs and societies. Patti explains, “In addition to sporting events, you’ll also have access to a variety of clubs. This could be [anything] from a women’s leadership club to a debate club. You’re also part of the Oxford student union, which has activities every week and every weekend that you will be invited to. You will [also] learn how to politely debate, Oxford style.” (04:53)

Career goals and personal development intertwine during the individual college experience.

The Oxford College System: A Pivotal Experience, an Enduring Network

The Oxford Collegiate System offers a truly distinctive and advantageous experience. It provides an instant and diverse community, robust academic support, unique cultural immersion through college events and traditions, and an expanded, lifelong network. 

In this system, you can embrace both the rigorous business education at Oxford Saïd Business School and the rich traditions of an Oxford college. This way, you gain an unparalleled foundation for personal and professional growth. This dual identity enriches your MBA journey and provides enduring connections and memories that will last a lifetime.

This integrated approach creates a holistic and transformational experience that distinguishes the Oxford Saïd MBA. This intimate walk-through with Patti unveils how the mandatory college membership transforms the MBA journey, offering a multifaceted experience that extends far beyond a traditional business school curriculum.

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