Hello all,
This is regarding the selection of university for online/distance MBA. My profile is, I have 13 years of Healthcare IT implementation and consultation experience. Presently working in Middle East (Qatar) and have mostly worked in India and Middle East, with onsite experience at UK and US. I am presently stuck at the senior consultant level at a hospital and in order to move to Application manager or operations manager or hardcore business consulting, I would need a masters in this part of the world as I hold an Indian Passport. Also, I am almost doing the responsibilities of a manager but to get an actual promotion or job change, MBA would provide with sound knowledge and education. Alternatively, I am planning to move to Australia due to shaky job markets in Middle East and once I am in Australia, I want this MBA to provide me with better opportunities in Healthcare Consulting. My initial intention was to do a MBA concentrating on Healthcare IT and I did not end up with much options due to my budget(< 30000$) and online option. Now, I am open to general MBA with electives in Healthcare IT/ Health Informatics/ Digital Healthcare Transformation.
Keeping the above factors in mind, I applied to University of Bradford for DL course and got through it. The budget is within limit, an elective for Healthcare IT and ROI looked fair. But I am not sure about the recognition/brand name for this university in Middle East and Australia? The university stopped its full time course which has made me anxious. But it ranks at 10 in FT, is this genuine ranking for online MBAs across the world?
Also I have applied for iMBA from University of Illinois. It does not have an elective specifically for healthcare IT. Budget is within limit. ROI looks good. I know the university is quite well known in North America but I am not sure about the recognition/brand name for this university in Middle East and Australia? Since the course is quite new I didn’t see it in rankings list of FT. I am quite confident of securing the place.
Which university I should go with? Bradford or Illinois? Would appreciate your feedback, kindly help.

Why not look at an Australian MBA?

@mbanme - I am literally in the same boat, similar profile to you with 7 years of experience in software implementations across hospitals in US and Dubai. As @duncan mentioned, I did look at the AGSM online MBA option but haven't finalized it yet. Coursera offers a new global MBA through Macquarie University, if you haven't already known.
I will keep watching this space, good luck!

@Duncan, thanks for your response.

From the research I have done and discussions I had with several recruiters and key people in management in Middle east, UK/US universities are better recognized than Australian ones as there are more people working here from these 2 countries. So I am targeting universities which kind of has a global recognition, especially in Middle East and Australia.

AGSM is the only Oz university in the ranking list but its fees is out of my budget. Deakin is within my budget but does not rank so good against Bradford or not recognized as much as Illinois.

So what do you think still stick to Bradford or Illinois? If yes, whats a better choice - Bradford or Illinois? Please let me know your thoughts.

@ Koushik, thanks for sharing your views.

I am concerned about the recognition of the university in Middle East, that's why I am sticking with UK/US universities. I did look at AGSM but unfortunately, the fees are not within my budget. Deakin's course is within budget but again brand name is a concern. Let me take a look at MCQ university. Cheers!

@ Koushik, thanks for sharing your views.

I am concerned about the recognition of the university in Middle East, that's why I am sticking with UK/US universities. I did look at AGSM but unfortunately, the fees are not within my budget. Deakin's course is within budget but again brand name is a concern. Let me take a look at MCQ university. Cheers!

MGSM's iMBA is roughtly the same price as Illinois'.

@ Duncan

Illinois has better brand name than MGSM.

What's a better choice between Bradford and MGSM? Bradford has an elective in Healthcare IT and better ranking. And MGSM has the Australian advantage. Please let me know your view on this. Thank you.

To move to Australia, it is highly recommended to do one of the MBAs that will give you the chance to work afterwards. That is: 2 year MBAs or the AGSM with the extra months thingie.

It is not great idea to do an online one. I highly doubt you can get a visa to go work to Australia without a face-to-face university.

For the US, illinois is your best bet for online. And the free ones (florida, asu) if you can move there to attend.

It may be good idea to first decide where you want to work/live, as the suggestions are different for each country.

@ George

For Australia, I have applied for a PR. And I cannot quit my job, so it will have to be DL/online MBA. My intention of doing MBA is not to get visa, only to get ahead career and have better opportunities. My plan is to live in Middle East for 1-2 years and move to Australia once I get the PR. In this case, what would you suggest? My priorities are budget less than 30k USD, a good brand name (recognizable in Middle East and Australia), good ranking and optional elective for Health Care IT (if possible). Any advice? Stick with Bradford or Illinois? or Australian University?

What about something like the SP Jain MBA? Decent network in both the Middle East and Australia, due to its Dubai and Sydney campuses.

@ mba hipster

Let me check it.

@ Duncan and @ George

Would appreciate if you could let me know your views on this. Thanks!

Thanks for the @ but I have nothing much to add. An single MBA elective won't teach you much about healthcare IT that you cannot get from a book. Focus on your long term goals and needs. If your focus is on Australia, then Macquarie gives you the most valuable alumni network. The other aspects seem minor in comparison to the long term goal to migrate successfully.

I agree with George's comments strongly.

@ George

For Australia, I have applied for a PR. And I cannot quit my job, so it will have to be DL/online MBA. My intention of doing MBA is not to get visa, only to get ahead career and have better opportunities. My plan is to live in Middle East for 1-2 years and move to Australia once I get the PR. In this case, what would you suggest? My priorities are budget less than 30k USD, a good brand name (recognizable in Middle East and Australia), good ranking and optional elective for Health Care IT (if possible). Any advice? Stick with Bradford or Illinois? or Australian University?

[Edited by George Patsoulis on May 06, 2019]

Yes, this is good advice. I'd add that even with permission to work in a country, it will be exceedingly difficult to get a job remotely (unless you are a spectacular candidate.) Do an MBA from a great business school and leverage the network as much as possible.