Which core aspects of your business programme interest you the most? Female Male
Female
Male
56%
Networking opportunities
59%
51%
Learning from other students
46%
39%
Entrepreneurship
29%
52%
International opportunities and outlook
59%
48%
Learning from industry experts
53%
49%
Career development opportunities
59%
43%
Improving soft skills
51%
61%
Developing business skills
62%
34%
Learning about the wider world of business and society
43%
48%
Learning finance skills Developing people management skills
56%
43%
41%
27%
Learning about emerging technologies
34%
0
30%
60%
90%
submitted three business school applications also represented a larger proportion among men (14 per cent) than women (seven per cent). Among both men and women, four per cent of students say they submitted four applications. In this light, it is possible that the averages are skewed slightly by a few members of the smaller sample of women applying to ve or more programmes. Female students more drawn to soft skills development Respondents were asked which core aspects of their business programme are of most interest to them. The results show that female students are much more interested than their male counterparts in personal development aspects of business school programmes, such as being able to improve and develop their soft skills and people management skills, as well as to bene t from any career development opportunities on o er. Improving soft skills is a key interest for 51 per cent of female students, compared to 43 per cent of male students. Developing people management skills is a key interest for 56 per cent of female students and 48 per cent of male students. Meanwhile, 59 per cent
of women place great interest in their programme’s career development opportunities, compared to 49 per cent of their male counterparts. Women are also more interested than men in broadening their outlook and taking advantage of international opportunities (cited by 59 per cent of women vs 52 per cent of men); learning about emerging technologies (cited by 34 per cent of women vs 27 per cent of men) and learning about global challenges, such as those related to climate change and poverty (cited by 43 per cent of women vs 34 per cent of men). What interests male students more? The peer-to- peer learning process traditionally emphasised by many postgraduate management programmes – this programme aspect is a key interest for 51 per cent of male students, compared to 46 per cent of female students. Men are also more interested than women in their programme’s inclusion of entrepreneurship, a more recent programme emphasis in reaction to the trend towards start-up careers and the perceived value of possessing an entrepreneurial mindset regardless of career path. This is a key interest for 39 per cent of male students, compared to 29 per cent of female students.
16 Business Impact ISSUE 4 2023
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