I have been accepted to both schools and cannot decide which to choose. Manchester has been extremely responsive more-so than Warwick and their course descriptions and electives semm to be more in-line with what I would like. I am an exec level manager and really want to broaden my international business skills and networking. I do lots of travelling to the very places that a school like Manchester has centres. Brazil, China, India etc.

Man MBA is about $11k USD more expensive. Is it really worth it?

I'm currently a student at the Global MBA program of Manchester so I can only tell about my experience there. So far I'm quite happy with my studies. Most courses are fairly practical and hands-on. Most assignments require you to apply the study material on your own organisation or on a case study. It's a good occasion to check how valid theory is in real life. The reason why I chose Manchester and not another business school are the mandatory classes. In the workshops all the material will be explained by a lecturer and you have the opportunity to work with other students on miniprojects.

For example, for marketing we had to come up with a marketing plan for a male grooming product where each group had to to come up with an idea. I was really impressed with the presentations and some of these ideas could genuinely work in real life.

The quality and diversity of the cohort is ok and consists of people coming from a range of sectors, industries and countries. The typical candidate would be 30-35 years old in a mid-career position. The selection criteria at Manchester aren't the most stringest ones, so it may happen that you stumble on students that don't fit the profile which you expect from an MBA student.

If broadening your network is one of the most important objectives of an MBA it's maybe better to look at an executive MBA. As an executive you'll find more peers with similar positions at an EMBA than in the Global MBA at Manchester.

Thanks. This is very helpful. That said, i do not know of any distance learning executive MBA's. Do you know of some?

This is a very interesting post. You hint that your fellow students are not quite what you were expecting in terms of experience or seniority. As a major part of the premium people pay for an MBA is the network, this is significant.

Obviously I am not familiar with your expectations, but nevertheless it does build the case for an EMBA: many of which are than twice the price of the Manchester Global offering.

BigD

The quality and diversity of the cohort is **ok** and consists of people coming from a range of sectors, industries and countries. The typical candidate would be 30-35 years old in a mid-career position.

The selection criteria at Manchester aren't the most stringest ones, so it may happen that you stumble on students that don't fit the profile which you expect from an MBA student.

If broadening your network is one of the most important objectives of an MBA it's maybe better to look at an executive MBA. As an executive you'll find more peers with similar positions at an EMBA than in the Global MBA at Manchester.

It's not to say that I'm dissatisfied with the quality or experience of the other students. Their profiles meet those of a full time or distance learning MBA student, but there are a few cases where students are disappointing, mostly students coming from overseas centers to Manchester.

Sometimes these students don't seem really motivated to spend any effort on the assignments and are just free riding to get their marks. There was even one rare case where I could barely understand the English that a Chinese guy was speaking. But luckily this a rather an exception than a rule.

The word on the street is that Manchester, which is winding down its two-year Global MBA option for more experienced managers, may launch that as an EMBA, while keeping the three-year part-time programme. That's very similar to US schools, which often run both part-time and executive options.

MMmmm I have just be talking to someone that was taking the now-defunct accelerated course, but I was unaware there are plans - even tentative- to replace with an EMBA. Any more information/rumour/speculation on this ?

BigD

The word on the street is that Manchester, which is winding down its two-year Global MBA option for more experienced managers, may launch that as an EMBA, while keeping the three-year part-time programme. That's very similar to US schools, which often run both part-time and executive options.

MMmmm I have just be talking to someone that was taking the now-defunct accelerated course, but I was unaware there are plans - even tentative- to replace with an EMBA. Any more information/rumour/speculation on this ?

BigD

The word on the street is that Manchester, which is winding down its two-year Global MBA option for more experienced managers, may launch that as an EMBA, while keeping the three-year part-time programme. That's very similar to US schools, which often run both part-time and executive options.

I wonder if one would be able to transfer programs if I started in the Global Distance MBA then went on to the EMBA. I am concerned that my cohort will not be represented with senior level managers.

I would still people's opinions on Warwick vs. Manchester for the distance MBA if anyone knows of people who have been in either.

Thx
Aleks

I wonder if one would be able to transfer programs if I started in the Global Distance MBA then went on to the EMBA. I am concerned that my cohort will not be represented with senior level managers.


Aleks

Does anyone know if it is possible to take the Warwick EMBA if you are out of country? I realize I will need to make a couple of trips a year to the UK.

Yes, I think that's exactly what the course is designed for. Check with the school over visa conditions.

I was also considering the Athabasca EMBA since it is in e same price range as the other 2 UK school programs and I would likely get more interaction with senior level managers. My concern is that it does not seem to e ranked very highly or have international recognition.

Anyone have any experience with their program?

I suggest folk reply to you at http://www.find-mba.com/board/31417 where you've asked a similar question.