Hello.

I am considering enrolling a distance learning MBA program in UK. The background is similar as many people. I cannot afford to lose my job, DL MBA in UK is more cost effective than US, and so on.

So the names I picked up would be similar too.

Warwick: I cannot join the compulsory on-campus so often.
Manchester: The next intake is July, relatively expensive.

So Durham and Bradford would be my preference meanwhile I have some questions about University of London.

I understand now Imperial is not a member of UoL and the distance learning MBA program is not relevant with LBS or LSE, but Queen Mary, which provide the course, is probably not so bad name. And the cost is pretty cost effective. But this program seems not to be reputed well according to FT or other sources.

My question is what the main reason is. In my understanding, this course by UoL doesn't necessarily provide people with much interactive experience. Is this the main factor? Or is there any other reasons?

Another factor for me is it seems UoL and Queen Mary would provide "new" global MBA program from the next course. So I was wondering if it could have any good impact on me.

Last, my background to consider enrolling such course is 1) I just have BA, 2) I am considering landing a job in UN or other international public organization, 3) such organizations require applicant to have Masters degree.

Best,

[Edited by Perry1907 on Jan 05, 2017]

No, I don't think the low standing is only the result of the lack of an interactive experience. The best distance MBAs, like Warwick, Durham or Bradford have other assets: great students, world-class faculty, excellent resources and powerful alumni networks. QMUL doesn't have these things.

I don't understand how an MBA will help you find work with an NGO or the UN. Take a look at https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-decide-which-Masters-programs-to-apply-to-if-you-want-to-study-International-relations

other assets: great students, world-class faculty, excellent resources and powerful alumni networks. QMUL doesn't have these things.

Hi Duncan,

Thank you for your advice. I see many pieces of your advice in this forum, which are useful information for me.

Regarding the career thing, just UN, World Bank or other such organizations require applicants to have Maters. I'm not sure how much online MBA could help me, but it would at least make me more acceptable. And getting a job in such organizations is one of possible choices. I might pursue other routes.

I used to work in a certain big American company. And I am currently looking for a job in European / American firms in addition to considering public institutions like UN. So I hope getting Masters (not necessarily MBA) might help me get a job in such firms as well.

Anyway, I didn't know QMUL is not necessarily as highly reputed as other names. If you are kind enough, I want to delve into a few factors you mentioned.

1) Could you kindly raise some examples of "excellent resources"?
2) Is such powerful alumni networks really useful for just distance learning students?

Thank you so much.

Best,

1. Write a list of all the resources that a business school could have: business library. careers team, corporate partnerships, strong accreditation, leading research, well organised MBA alumni networks, online resources for alumni.... in almost every way that you can imagine the ranked schools will be better than a research-oriented school like QMUL which brings a critical management approach to profoundly local student base.

2. This depends on why you want an MBA. If you want to find professional progression, then networking is perhaps the principal tool for advancement.

2. This depends on why you want an MBA. If you want to find professional progression, then networking is perhaps the principal tool for advancement.

Duncan,

Thank you.

If I may, I want to ask a few things. I found you sometimes raised Illinois as a possible good choice. It is relatively a new program; it is cost effective; the school itself has a good reputation. Could Illinois a better choice than Bradford or Durham? You also mentioned in this board that new program would have some difficulties at first, though.

Second thing is regarding alumni thing. I understand "the ranked schools" has strong alumni networks. I could easily imagine it. Meanwhile what I was wondering is whether just distance learning people could have concrete merit from the strong network.

Thank you so much for your help.

Best regards,

Bradford and Durham have different but smaller networks, which are also less active. In most countries Illinois will be a stronger network. Bradford has a good base in the UAE and Manila, and had the NIMBAS project in the Netherlands and Germany. Durham has a notable partner in the Caribbean. The Illinois program will have substantial resources so the leading experience at each of these schools will be robust but different. The pedagogy and support at Durham and Brunel will be better for many students.

More be really, alumni networks are what you make of it. I studied at a UCLA Anderson summer school with very little on-campus contact, but found their alumni networks open and valuable. I get invites to their regular UK events, their alumni people took me for coffee, i get online resources and have sold work to people I met though the network. These huge state universities are very open and resourceful in every way.

[Edited by Duncan on Jan 12, 2017]

Duncan,

Thank you.

Currently my possible choice is Durham, Bradford, UoL and Illinois. But today I found ESCP, which you praised in other threads.

Illinois is attractive though the next intake is August. I'm not young and I prefer to courses which start earlier. (The next intake of Durham and Bradford is next April.)

I had not considered ESCP at all but it is cost effective and the school has higher reputation.

I didn't find many threads about ESCP and was wondering what could be the reason. Could you have any idea?

By the way, I'm working in Tokyo and maybe I will not be working in other countries unless I could land a job in UN or similar organizations. But I used to, and, want to work for multinational organization and possible bosses are American or European. So the name of the school is important for me.

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,

I don't think ESCP has an online MBA. Are you thinking of ESCEM?

Hi Duncan,

I'm sorry for the confusion. What I was considering is this course.

http://www.escpeurope.eu/escp-europe-programmes/executive-masters-part-time/executive-master-in-international-business/overview/emib-executive-master-in-international-business-escp-europe-business-school/

Though it is not MBA, as written in the first inquiry, my goal is getting Masters.

Thank you for your quick help.

Best regards,

I don't know that course, but it doesn't look like an MBA.