Durham Global MBA vs Imperial DL MBA


Yeah..I already started.

Yeah..I already started.
quote

I think it would be fun for you and George to compare the two and report back.

Speedster, let me know if you're ever able to attend a London alumni meeting for MBS. We can meet up ;-)


Duncan.. Definitely..:)

<blockquote>I think it would be fun for you and George to compare the two and report back.

Speedster, let me know if you're ever able to attend a London alumni meeting for MBS. We can meet up ;-)</blockquote>

Duncan.. Definitely..:)
quote
maubia

Yeah..I already started.


How do you rate the materials and the online tools? I've read somewhere that students were not enthusiastic with it.

<blockquote>Yeah..I already started.</blockquote>

How do you rate the materials and the online tools? I've read somewhere that students were not enthusiastic with it.
quote

BlackBoard system is used for modules. As an IT guy,I didn't like the interface. But It does provides all the information needed.
Materials are well written.

BlackBoard system is used for modules. As an IT guy,I didn't like the interface. But It does provides all the information needed.
Materials are well written.
quote
vivekd

speedster,
why not share with others how is your program delivery like georgep on DBS here in this thread?
http://www.find-mba.com/board/22281

speedster,
why not share with others how is your program delivery like georgep on DBS here in this thread?
http://www.find-mba.com/board/22281

quote
vivekd

Speedster,
Where are you? There must be two reason for your silence.
1. You like the course and got too busy with it. :)
2. You already start regretting your choice :(

Break your silence man..

Speedster,
Where are you? There must be two reason for your silence.
1. You like the course and got too busy with it. :)
2. You already start regretting your choice :(

Break your silence man..
quote

Speedster,
Where are you? There must be two reason for your silence.
1. You like the course and got too busy with it. :)
2. You already start regretting your choice :(

Break your silence man..

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hai, Sorry for late reply.You are right. I got too busy with the course.
The information you want is as below.

- I loved the concept of "GLOBAL MBA" in Manchester Business school.
- Cohort is really diverse and from several countries.

Curriculum is challenging and exciting. It?s a practice based program. That means lot of emphasis on application of the theory you have learned. Assignments demand us to apply the learned theory to an organization. Workshops provide a valuable opportunity to interact with professor and fellow students. In workshop, you will be definitely practicing in a multi-cultural environment. In workshop, students are divided into groups and work toward a particular real life case. At the end of the workshop, Group will have to make a presentation of their findings.

Most of the exams are open-book. That means no theory writing. Again here, they will ask you to apply the theory you have learned.

Course Modules are delivered through Blackboard based learning system. Live classes are conducted through WIMBA. The delivering infrastructure is not great as I have seen much more sophisticated infrastructures. But it provides all the information you need.

Student support is quite good. They immediately respond to your questions.

Apart from this all normal facilities you will get such as university vpn, email etc.

Drawbacks
- It?s very demanding. Although course is very structured, there is so much to learn. Being from an engineering background, I am trying hard to meet the expectation of both MBA and Job.
- Getting a good grade in British grading system is tough. If you are coming from an Indian grading system, it?s tough.
-Toughest and most expensive MBA around

Value

- Manchester Business School still stand on 31st position according to FT ranking.
- From July batch, They have changed the Global MBA admission process. Now, Future students have to go though Manchester admission test. More screening than before will result in even more quality students.
- Global MBA has a dedicated career service. Unlike in India, they will not give you job interviews, But I guess they are giving every single information needed to get there.

Overall, I am very much satisfied with the experience. A workshop alone is a killer.3 year is a lot of time for me. :( But, I strongly believe MBS MBA is far more superior than anything around.

<blockquote>Speedster,
Where are you? There must be two reason for your silence.
1. You like the course and got too busy with it. :)
2. You already start regretting your choice :(

Break your silence man..</blockquote>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hai, Sorry for late reply.You are right. I got too busy with the course.
The information you want is as below.

- I loved the concept of "GLOBAL MBA" in Manchester Business school.
- Cohort is really diverse and from several countries.

Curriculum is challenging and exciting. It?s a practice based program. That means lot of emphasis on application of the theory you have learned. Assignments demand us to apply the learned theory to an organization. Workshops provide a valuable opportunity to interact with professor and fellow students. In workshop, you will be definitely practicing in a multi-cultural environment. In workshop, students are divided into groups and work toward a particular real life case. At the end of the workshop, Group will have to make a presentation of their findings.

Most of the exams are open-book. That means no theory writing. Again here, they will ask you to apply the theory you have learned.

Course Modules are delivered through Blackboard based learning system. Live classes are conducted through WIMBA. The delivering infrastructure is not great as I have seen much more sophisticated infrastructures. But it provides all the information you need.

Student support is quite good. They immediately respond to your questions.

Apart from this all normal facilities you will get such as university vpn, email etc.

Drawbacks
- It?s very demanding. Although course is very structured, there is so much to learn. Being from an engineering background, I am trying hard to meet the expectation of both MBA and Job.
- Getting a good grade in British grading system is tough. If you are coming from an Indian grading system, it?s tough.
-Toughest and most expensive MBA around

Value

- Manchester Business School still stand on 31st position according to FT ranking.
- From July batch, They have changed the Global MBA admission process. Now, Future students have to go though Manchester admission test. More screening than before will result in even more quality students.
- Global MBA has a dedicated career service. Unlike in India, they will not give you job interviews, But I guess they are giving every single information needed to get there.

Overall, I am very much satisfied with the experience. A workshop alone is a killer.3 year is a lot of time for me. :( But, I strongly believe MBS MBA is far more superior than anything around.















quote
Sparks

This sounds excellent:

It?s a practice based program. That means lot of emphasis on application of the theory you have learned. Assignments demand us to apply the learned theory to an organization.


I think you've made a great choice. If Manchester can do this, why are some other schools still so academic?

This sounds excellent:

<blockquote>It?s a practice based program. That means lot of emphasis on application of the theory you have learned. Assignments demand us to apply the learned theory to an organization.
</blockquote>

I think you've made a great choice. If Manchester can do this, why are some other schools still so academic?
quote
maubia

Another bad review for Imperial...

http://www.economist.com/whichmba/forum/choosing-business-school/mba-part-time-v-full-time-distance-learning-v-classroom-base

Another bad review for Imperial...

http://www.economist.com/whichmba/forum/choosing-business-school/mba-part-time-v-full-time-distance-learning-v-classroom-base
quote
ezra

Another bad review for Imperial...


That's an interesting review of the Imperial program. Some of his criticisms are somewhat spurious (lack of "zest" from staff; not being able to use the Blackboard software on an iPad,) but one seems like a structural issue:

...the calibre of students was somewhat of a let down. I found on the blackboard discussion forums that a lot of students' English was not up to scratch."

You'd think that with a program that requires students to have at least a 600 score on the GMAT (and either TOEFL, IELTS or the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English for non-native speakers) that this wouldn't be the case. But I could see how poor class discussions could be a problem - and wonder how some of these English language programs will manage the language issue as they continue to market to students with varying levels of English skills.

<blockquote>Another bad review for Imperial... </blockquote>

That's an interesting review of the Imperial program. Some of his criticisms are somewhat spurious (lack of "zest" from staff; not being able to use the Blackboard software on an iPad,) but one seems like a structural issue:

<blockquote>...the calibre of students was somewhat of a let down. I found on the blackboard discussion forums that a lot of students' English was not up to scratch."</blockquote>
You'd think that with a program that requires students to have at least a 600 score on the GMAT (and either TOEFL, IELTS or the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English for non-native speakers) that this wouldn't be the case. But I could see how poor class discussions could be a problem - and wonder how some of these English language programs will manage the language issue as they continue to market to students with varying levels of English skills.
quote
Duncan

At LBS we look very closely at the balance between the verbal and quant score. If you look only at the headline score then you can get people with very weak skills when it comes to communication.

At LBS we look very closely at the balance between the verbal and quant score. If you look only at the headline score then you can get people with very weak skills when it comes to communication.
quote
Phil

Hi,
Just thought i'd add my 2cents for what its worth.

Im coming up to the end of my first year with Imperial DL MBA, and its been great for me. Definitely demanding on time - much more than i expected - but ive found the professors to be engaging and very responsive, and the materials very well written, interesting and well thought through.

I would agree with the previous poster about Blackboard - its absolutely hopeless. However, it doesnt actually bother me all that much - im more interested in the learning rather than the IT experience.

FYI my back ground is in fund management and banking.

So, so far so good for me. A distance learning environment can be pretty tough for some, so i would defintely go into it eyes wide open....!

Hi,
Just thought i'd add my 2cents for what its worth.

Im coming up to the end of my first year with Imperial DL MBA, and its been great for me. Definitely demanding on time - much more than i expected - but ive found the professors to be engaging and very responsive, and the materials very well written, interesting and well thought through.

I would agree with the previous poster about Blackboard - its absolutely hopeless. However, it doesnt actually bother me all that much - im more interested in the learning rather than the IT experience.

FYI my back ground is in fund management and banking.

So, so far so good for me. A distance learning environment can be pretty tough for some, so i would defintely go into it eyes wide open....!
quote

Thanks for the comments, Phil - as somebody who is current exploring some distance learning MBA programs, this is very helpful. Can you elaborate a bit on your issues with Blackboard?

And also, in terms of course delivery, are the lectures pre-recorded or delivered live?

One of my main concerns in pursing an MBA online is that in many cases there seems to be fewer opportunities to communicate directly with professors. Do you find this is the case for the Imperial program? If something is unclear, how hard is it to ask the professor to clarify it?

Hi,
Just thought i'd add my 2cents for what its worth.

Im coming up to the end of my first year with Imperial DL MBA, and its been great for me. Definitely demanding on time - much more than i expected - but ive found the professors to be engaging and very responsive, and the materials very well written, interesting and well thought through.

I would agree with the previous poster about Blackboard - its absolutely hopeless. However, it doesnt actually bother me all that much - im more interested in the learning rather than the IT experience.

FYI my back ground is in fund management and banking.

So, so far so good for me. A distance learning environment can be pretty tough for some, so i would defintely go into it eyes wide open....!

Thanks for the comments, Phil - as somebody who is current exploring some distance learning MBA programs, this is very helpful. Can you elaborate a bit on your issues with Blackboard?

And also, in terms of course delivery, are the lectures pre-recorded or delivered live?

One of my main concerns in pursing an MBA online is that in many cases there seems to be fewer opportunities to communicate directly with professors. Do you find this is the case for the Imperial program? If something is unclear, how hard is it to ask the professor to clarify it?

<blockquote>Hi,
Just thought i'd add my 2cents for what its worth.

Im coming up to the end of my first year with Imperial DL MBA, and its been great for me. Definitely demanding on time - much more than i expected - but ive found the professors to be engaging and very responsive, and the materials very well written, interesting and well thought through.

I would agree with the previous poster about Blackboard - its absolutely hopeless. However, it doesnt actually bother me all that much - im more interested in the learning rather than the IT experience.

FYI my back ground is in fund management and banking.

So, so far so good for me. A distance learning environment can be pretty tough for some, so i would defintely go into it eyes wide open....!
</blockquote>
quote
Phil

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in replying - last week was pretty hectic with 4 exams etc.

Blackboard is just an old style technology. Its simply a message board but requires multiple 'clicks' and pop up windows which feels kind of 1998 technology rather than 2012. However if you can ignore that it works like virtually any other message board. It wasnt really a big deal for me.

In terms of course delivery, i'd say its 90/95% self study (study guide, text books and case studies). We had approx 3/4 webinars per subject over the course of the academic year. of course the message board (blackboard) is used throughout the year.

I should note that Imperial has a 2/3 week in London course which they call 'Imperial Edge' or something. From what i understand, you have 3 to 4 two hour guest lectures every day over that period, as well as doing a project and presentation. I think Imperials approach is not to do too many webinar lectures for the core course. The webinars were more for comments and questions on assignments and exams, rather than deliver of the materials. I was happy with that approach (suits my time management much better), but some people might not like it.

If something was unclear, and you posted it on blackboard, you usually got an answer within 24 hours, maybe 48-72hrs on occasion, so that was pretty good fore me. That said, i didnt have many questions. I have an investment/ finance background so from what i saw, there were more questions from in those subjects where people were getting their head around technical elements, rather that the more written/ management subjects.

Hope this helps!

Cheers

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in replying - last week was pretty hectic with 4 exams etc.

Blackboard is just an old style technology. Its simply a message board but requires multiple 'clicks' and pop up windows which feels kind of 1998 technology rather than 2012. However if you can ignore that it works like virtually any other message board. It wasnt really a big deal for me.

In terms of course delivery, i'd say its 90/95% self study (study guide, text books and case studies). We had approx 3/4 webinars per subject over the course of the academic year. of course the message board (blackboard) is used throughout the year.

I should note that Imperial has a 2/3 week in London course which they call 'Imperial Edge' or something. From what i understand, you have 3 to 4 two hour guest lectures every day over that period, as well as doing a project and presentation. I think Imperials approach is not to do too many webinar lectures for the core course. The webinars were more for comments and questions on assignments and exams, rather than deliver of the materials. I was happy with that approach (suits my time management much better), but some people might not like it.

If something was unclear, and you posted it on blackboard, you usually got an answer within 24 hours, maybe 48-72hrs on occasion, so that was pretty good fore me. That said, i didnt have many questions. I have an investment/ finance background so from what i saw, there were more questions from in those subjects where people were getting their head around technical elements, rather that the more written/ management subjects.

Hope this helps!

Cheers
quote
Sparks

Hi Phil,

That's a good update about Imperial. It's great that the course is working well for you.

However, 90/95% self study (study guide, text books and case studies) seems very poor to me. I'd hesitate before hiring someone with an Imperial DL MBA for this reason.

Considering the high fees charged by Imperial in general, I have to wonder if it isn't simply trading off its name.

Hi Phil,

That's a good update about Imperial. It's great that the course is working well for you.

However, 90/95% self study (study guide, text books and case studies) seems very poor to me. I'd hesitate before hiring someone with an Imperial DL MBA for this reason.

Considering the high fees charged by Imperial in general, I have to wonder if it isn't simply trading off its name.
quote
Phil

Hi,

Fair enough - I suppose it depends on your point of view of learning. Im not convinced that learning requires webinars etc. I found actually reading and analysing case studies, practising exercises and studying to be where I got the most long term value. I now at least remember what I've learned!

I would also point out the quality of the study materials to be excellent - much much better than my undergrad experience in Australia.

Obviously the 90% estimate excludes the 2/3 weeks full time in London element.

cheers

Hi,

Fair enough - I suppose it depends on your point of view of learning. Im not convinced that learning requires webinars etc. I found actually reading and analysing case studies, practising exercises and studying to be where I got the most long term value. I now at least remember what I've learned!

I would also point out the quality of the study materials to be excellent - much much better than my undergrad experience in Australia.

Obviously the 90% estimate excludes the 2/3 weeks full time in London element.

cheers
quote
hudson4mba

Hi Guys
I found this thread while searching for reviews on Durham, Imperial and Warwick MBAs. I have found the reviews very insightful - thanks very much guys. I am still deciding on which of the 3 MBAs (DL option) to go for. My ideal choice would have to be Imperial, but it costs £24K which is a bit of a stretch for me. Warwick is about £20K and is one of the best around. Durham costs about £14.5K. It's unfortunate that on this thread no one has really commented on Durham, I would like to hear their perspective.
I am currently living in Australia, and with my work schedule and all, I can't afford to go to visit the school every year for the residentials. I would also need to add the airfare and accomodation costs to the total programme. I think for Durham you only need to attend once. Warwick two times I think.
If anyone knows, I would like to hear your experience on the Durham option. I have been following rankings and all, and even though I would have loved to go for the Warwick one for their good ranking, I want someone to assure me that Durham isn't too bad. I already have a decent job which pays above the target salary anyway, but I am 36 and with a family, so could do something better with the £6K difference. I have already discounted most of the cheaper MBAs, but Durham almost is second best to Warwick.
Not sure if I have made myself clear, but would welcome your feedback.
One last thing, I tried to look for the Australian ones, but they are all expensive and not as good as the UK ones. Plus few of them are triple or even double accredited.

Hi Guys
I found this thread while searching for reviews on Durham, Imperial and Warwick MBAs. I have found the reviews very insightful - thanks very much guys. I am still deciding on which of the 3 MBAs (DL option) to go for. My ideal choice would have to be Imperial, but it costs £24K which is a bit of a stretch for me. Warwick is about £20K and is one of the best around. Durham costs about £14.5K. It's unfortunate that on this thread no one has really commented on Durham, I would like to hear their perspective.
I am currently living in Australia, and with my work schedule and all, I can't afford to go to visit the school every year for the residentials. I would also need to add the airfare and accomodation costs to the total programme. I think for Durham you only need to attend once. Warwick two times I think.
If anyone knows, I would like to hear your experience on the Durham option. I have been following rankings and all, and even though I would have loved to go for the Warwick one for their good ranking, I want someone to assure me that Durham isn't too bad. I already have a decent job which pays above the target salary anyway, but I am 36 and with a family, so could do something better with the £6K difference. I have already discounted most of the cheaper MBAs, but Durham almost is second best to Warwick.
Not sure if I have made myself clear, but would welcome your feedback.
One last thing, I tried to look for the Australian ones, but they are all expensive and not as good as the UK ones. Plus few of them are triple or even double accredited.
quote
Duncan

There is a huge discussion on Durham. Use the search.

There is a huge discussion on Durham. Use the search.
quote

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