The MBA is now such a popular and highly regarded qualification in the business world that there are an enormous number of sites on the internet specifically dedicated to the subject.

Many of these sites are very professionally presented, with wide-ranging advice that includes: business school prospectuses for thousands of schools worldwide; job opportunities; loan applications; entrance tests; and the kind of workload you can expect.

If you're thinking of doing an MBA and would like a clearer idea of what to expect, here are several, selected, websites with detailed information.

The Association of MBAs
The association is an important reference point for seeking accredited business schools. Based in the UK, the association offers comprehensive and objective advice on all aspects of the MBA, and will answer many common questions you might have. www.mba.org.uk

FT guide to getting an MBA
Accompanying the FT's widely respected rankings list is a number of MBA-related topics and news commentary, with useful guidance and opinion.
news.ft.com/jobs/mba

StudyLink online advice
StudyLink's useful and user-friendly site talks you through all aspects of the MBA, helping you make well-informed decisions before embarking on your studies.
mba.studylink.com

General MBA information
Another information-packed site, providing details of 2,400 courses worldwide.
www.mbainfo.com

Choosing a school
One of the most important decisions to be made when starting an MBA is where to study. The MBAinfo site provides access to data on any recognised business school in the world.
http://www.mbainfo.com/schchoose.html

Database of schools
A simple, easy-to-use list of business school sites around the world.
http://www.editionxii.co.uk/

FT Rankings
Perhaps the most highly regarded international ranking list, with schools ranked according to a variety of criteria including: postgrad salary, value for money, placement success, female graduates and alumni prestige.
http://rankings.ft.com/rankings/mba/rankings.html

Wall Street Journal
This list differs from the FT in that it surveys the most marketable students based on US recruiters, leaving it somewhat biased against European schools.
http://www.careerjournal.com/specialreports/ bschoolguide/overall.html

MBAinfo rankings
This site produces a series of summarised lists from around the word, published by local newspapers and institutions according to various criteria.
http://www.mbainfo.com/rankings.html