Hi everyone,

Appreciate your advice:

Background: I'm 32 with 7 yrars experience in IT (solution architect) from Egypt

Purpose: distance learning MBA to promote my skills and get better managerial positions in Egypt, also getting the ability to locate a job in case of immigration.. or even to start private business.

Question:
Which would be the best option for distance learning MBA fully accredited from the below options, considering the quality and also the relativity of the program to my purpose (in case of entrepreneurship program is available this would be great option but I'm not sure it's available in the schools I've searched for).

1- Edinburgh Business School - Heriot Watt
2- University of Bradford
3- University of Birmingham

EBS doesn't have any of the three respected international accreditations, so I would exclude that.

Bradford and Birmingham are strong schools with stable, well-designed MBAs. But why not consider other MBAs?

Bradford is very strong for the circular economy and any business with a Sustainability angle. Birmingham has a major research element, one third of the degree, and that could be related to entrepreneurship. Both Bradford and Birmingham also have an elective in entrepreneurship. Personally, I think I would pick Bradford because it's an older programme, with a wider range of electives and a bigger MBA network in the Middle East.

[Edited by Duncan on Jun 09, 2019]

EBS doesn't have any of the three respected international accreditations, so I would exclude that.

Bradford and Birmingham are strong schools with stable, well-designed MBAs. But why not consider other MBAs?

You are mistaken. EBS is misleading you by listing AACBS membership under an 'Accredition' heading. Membership is not the same as accreditation. Most AACSB members do not have accreditation.

What do you by 'best for IT'? You won't learn much about IT from an general management MBA.

What do you by 'best for IT'? You won't learn much about IT from an general management MBA.

[Edited by Karampro on Jun 10, 2019]

I don't know enough about you or your goals. Between those two I would pick Bradford for myself in a situation like the one your describe, other things being equal.

Thanks Duncan much appreciated

You are mistaken. EBS is misleading you by listing AACBS membership under an 'Accredition' heading. Membership is not the same as accreditation. Most AACSB members do not have accreditation.

You are mistaken. EBS is misleading you by listing AACBS membership under an 'Accredition' heading. Membership is not the same as accreditation. Most AACSB members do not have accreditation.

That's a very misleading page.

Hi Duncan,

I am seriously thinking of joining the online MBA with HW-EBS. I am a Mechanical Engineer by professionn with experience ranging from R&D, Marketing, Construction & Project Management. I think an MBA would do good since I am planning a job change. Would you recommend the HW_EBS online MBA program? I am now in Qatar and would appreciate, if you could point out other options matching my profile. I am also thinking of the online program offered by BRADFORD.

[Edited by Swathyraj l. a on Apr 09, 2020]

No, I would not recommend EBS. Stick to degrees with AACSB, Equis or AMBA accreditation.

Thanks Duncan,

In that case I am thinking of Bradford. They have the triple crown in terms of accreditation. Course fee is a bit steep, but I think it would be a good option. Please advise

It's certainly much better than EBS, but it's not the only accredited school.

Dear Duncan,

I understand that the MBA offered by Bradford is a general MBA (though we can choose from 6 optional modules in addition to the 4 core modules). Is this a reason for concern? Please advise.

It doesn't concern me, anyhow. If you want a specialized masters perhaps an MSc is a better option?

EBS doesn't have any of the three respected international accreditations, so I would exclude that.



Bradford and Birmingham are strong schools with stable, well-designed MBAs. But why not consider other MBAs?

[Edited by Pradip Kris on Aug 24, 2020]

Update - I received the below response from the Student Services team at EBS HW this morning... 

"the Edinburgh Business School together with the School of Social Sciences has been a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since April of 2017. Both Schools are in the process of working towards accreditation for their Business Management Programmes at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. 

Starting September, the new Head of the International Partner work across both Edinburgh Business School and the School of Social Sciences will be working on the project to deliver accreditation of Edinburgh Business School with AASCB and EQUIS.
"

Update - I received the below response from the Student Services team at EBS HW this morning... 

"the Edinburgh Business School together with the School of Social Sciences has been a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since April of 2017. Both Schools are in the process of working towards accreditation for their Business Management Programmes at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. 

Starting September, the new Head of the International Partner work across both Edinburgh Business School and the School of Social Sciences will be working on the project to deliver accreditation of Edinburgh Business School with AASCB and EQUIS."