Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University, based in Greenwich Village, has a particularly strong reputation in finance – perhaps to be expected given its location in the heart of the financial capital of the United States.

Vital statistics. The average Stern student is 27, has nearly five years’ work experience and scored 700 in the GMAT. More than a third come from a financial, consulting or investment banking background. The programme incorporates three core subjects (Statistics & Data Analysis and Financial Accounting & Reporting in the first year and Professional Responsibility in the second), a choice of electives (popular options include Managing Investment Funds, Bankruptcy & Reorganisation and Women in Business Leadership) and a summer internship. Tuition for those taking the first year of the MBA in 2006-07 was $40,586 (£20,463).

Rankings. Stern is eighth in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Which MBA? 2006 guide and ft.com’s Global MBA rankings 2007 and 16th in The Wall Street Journal Guide to the Top Business Schools 2006.

Work experience. All students are required to undertake an internship to network and gain industry experience. Some electives include a practical component; the Social Venture Fund practicum, in which students manage a $100,000 investment fund, is one of the most popular.

International experience. Students can choose from a number of options, including two-week programmes in Argentina, Denmark, Australia or Korea; semester-length programmes in places such as India and Hong Kong; and the Craft & Commerce of Cinema elective, which includes a week at the Cannes Film Festival.

Employment record. Graduates’ salaries increase by an average of 136 per cent within one or two years of completing the course.

Application deadline: applications for September 2007 have closed; see website for more information.

Sources: www.stern.nyu.edu; mba.eiu.com; ft.com; wsj.com

Next week: Warwick Business School

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