We are delighted to share that K.K, a candidate we supported, has received an offer from the MBA programme at Columbia Business School for the September 2026 intake. Congratulations, K.K. If you are considering an application to a leading business school, you are welcome to send us your CV for a candid read or book a 30-minute consultation.
Insights
[Oct 27] Next Stage Oxford at the QS MBA & Master’s Fair Tokyo – Seminar + Free CV Review
Next Stage Oxford is joining the QS Discover MBA & Master’s Fair in Tokyo as a Special Partner. The fair takes place on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at Hyatt Regency Tokyo. Our founder, Hiroaki Tamura (Oxford EMBA; Certified Public Accountant, Japan), will give a seminar at the fair. Next Stage Oxford will also have its own table offering free English CV reviews, by advance reservation….
Ten years on: what changed in EMBA applications, and what didn’t
Next Stage Oxford turns ten this year. I could write about myself, but that would not be much use to anyone. So instead: what has changed for applicants over the past decade, and what has not. Why I started I applied to Oxford’s Executive MBA while working full time. At the time there was almost nothing written for people in my position. Plenty for younger…
Five Things to Do Before an MBA Fair (So You Don’t Just Leave With Brochures)
You attend an MBA fair, work your way around the stands, collect a stack of brochures, and listen to a few short presentations. A week later you realise you learned nothing you could not have found on each school’s website. This is a common experience. I had it myself while I was considering applying to Oxford. The problem is rarely the event. It is the…
Speaking at Access MBA Tokyo 2026 — 5 September, Toranomon
Next Stage Oxford will be at Access MBA Tokyo on Saturday, 5 September 2026, at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon. Access MBA is an international event where candidates meet admissions representatives from leading business schools in Europe, the UK, North America and Asia in one-to-one meetings. Attendance is free, but meeting slots are limited. Two ways to meet us 1. Session — 13:05 to 13:30 “Inside…
Announcement: Appointment as Alumni Ambassador, Pembroke College, University of Oxford
We are pleased to announce that Hiroaki Tamura, Founder of Next Stage Oxford, has been appointed as an Alumni Ambassador for Pembroke College, University of Oxford. Pembroke College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, with a long-standing tradition and a global alumni network. As an Alumni Ambassador, Hiroaki will support alumni engagement in Japan and contribute to strengthening connections between…
Lecture for EMBA Accounting Exam
One on one Accounting Lecture service Recently, I received a request to deliver a lecture on Oxford EMBA Accounting past papers. To prepare, I solved the exam questions in advance and then conducted a detailed explanation session for two EMBA candidates. Revisiting Accounting Problems After a Decade It had been almost ten years since I last tackled bookkeeping-style problems seriously—back when I was studying at…
EMBA or MBA? How to Make the Smartest Career Move in 2025
EMBA vs MBA: A Career Impact Comparison for Ambitious Professionals (2025 Update) For professionals aiming to reinvent or elevate their careers, pursuing an MBA or EMBA (Executive MBA) can be a transformative step. However, which path offers the greatest return depends heavily on your current career stage and long-term goals. This article offers a comprehensive comparison between EMBA and MBA programmes, including key differences, post-graduation…
The Future of EMBA Admissions: Can AI Overcome Human Counselors ?
Introduction With the rapid advancements in generative AI, many professionals are questioning whether traditional roles will be replaced by generative AI such as ChatGPT. One such profession under scrutiny is that of overseas EMBA/MBA admissions counselors. Having tested ChatGPT Pro myself, I was astonished by its capabilities, leading me to explore whether AI could completely replace the need for admissions counseling. Now, let’s analyze the…
EMBA vs MBA – which is more suitable for me ?
Today’s blog theme is how to decide whether to apply for an EMBA or an MBA. Unfortunately, there is no absolute answer but would like to write a tip how to think. When I applied for Oxford’s EMBA, the distinction between EMBA and MBA was relatively clear and common across schools. In European EMBA and MBA programs, there were roughly the following distinctions in ten…