I'm looking into doing an MBA and am working full-time so my options are either part-time attendance in person or distance learning.
I'm interested in doing the standard MBA from a management perspective as opposed to a specialised MBA though the broader the set of elective modules within it the better. I'm 28 and have 2 years IT freelancing in/after college (1st class hons degree in Computer Science from TCD), followed by 5 years experience in management consultancy and 2 years as a senior business manager in operations for a large multi-national. Message from GM is I should be looking to make Director level within 5 years so getting an MBA under the belt would be a smart move at this stage.
This thread had some very good info though it's 2 years old at this stage and the title suggests a separate topic so I thought it best to post a new thread.
From looking around on the web it seems UCD Smurfit school is the best option for a part-time MBA over 2 years. Problem is it looks like next available space is for September 2010. TCD seem to only do a one-year full-time course with no part-time option available - is that correct?
I do like the idea of distance learning but am concerned that it might not hold the same gravitas as a normal part-time Executive MBA and that it offers less interaction with classmates (which is always called out as a highlight of an MBA). But it may well be the right fit for me so I looked into some options and it seems the best are:
Open University: triple accreditation, sample material and structure looks great, flexibility to do it over 2.5, 3, or 3.5 years. Some great feedback on it from students online but I wonder how it is regarded by employers? I have no plans to leave my company but would still like to ensure the MBA enhances my CV as much as possible. If anyone on here has an OU MBA and is still around the site, I'd love to hear how they have found the qualification has been received in the marketplace (particularly how recruiters treat it - have seen comments that they can be excessively dismissive of it).
http://www.rdi.co.uk/management-pathway/40-mba.html (Bradford university (through RDI):) both the main accreditations (EQUIS, AMBA), seems to have flexible start-dates, 2 year course, get the same qualification as doing it part-time in person, well ranked business school, sample materials look a bit more old-style formal content but not a major concern.
looks like a really excellent distance learning program over 24 months....only problem is they require 'six years suitable managerial experience' which I don't quite have, though my last 2 years have a genuinely very high level of managerial responsibility. It seems this would be the perfect course for me....I'll call them next week but wanted to check if anyone has thoughts on how rigid they would be on that requirement?
It's a bit of a minefield out there trying to weed out the strong courses from the fluff so I'm all ears for any suggestions or tips anyone has! Thanks.
I'm interested in doing the standard MBA from a management perspective as opposed to a specialised MBA though the broader the set of elective modules within it the better. I'm 28 and have 2 years IT freelancing in/after college (1st class hons degree in Computer Science from TCD), followed by 5 years experience in management consultancy and 2 years as a senior business manager in operations for a large multi-national. Message from GM is I should be looking to make Director level within 5 years so getting an MBA under the belt would be a smart move at this stage.
This thread had some very good info though it's 2 years old at this stage and the title suggests a separate topic so I thought it best to post a new thread.
From looking around on the web it seems UCD Smurfit school is the best option for a part-time MBA over 2 years. Problem is it looks like next available space is for September 2010. TCD seem to only do a one-year full-time course with no part-time option available - is that correct?
I do like the idea of distance learning but am concerned that it might not hold the same gravitas as a normal part-time Executive MBA and that it offers less interaction with classmates (which is always called out as a highlight of an MBA). But it may well be the right fit for me so I looked into some options and it seems the best are:
Open University: triple accreditation, sample material and structure looks great, flexibility to do it over 2.5, 3, or 3.5 years. Some great feedback on it from students online but I wonder how it is regarded by employers? I have no plans to leave my company but would still like to ensure the MBA enhances my CV as much as possible. If anyone on here has an OU MBA and is still around the site, I'd love to hear how they have found the qualification has been received in the marketplace (particularly how recruiters treat it - have seen comments that they can be excessively dismissive of it).
http://www.rdi.co.uk/management-pathway/40-mba.html (Bradford university (through RDI):) both the main accreditations (EQUIS, AMBA), seems to have flexible start-dates, 2 year course, get the same qualification as doing it part-time in person, well ranked business school, sample materials look a bit more old-style formal content but not a major concern.
looks like a really excellent distance learning program over 24 months....only problem is they require 'six years suitable managerial experience' which I don't quite have, though my last 2 years have a genuinely very high level of managerial responsibility. It seems this would be the perfect course for me....I'll call them next week but wanted to check if anyone has thoughts on how rigid they would be on that requirement?
It's a bit of a minefield out there trying to weed out the strong courses from the fluff so I'm all ears for any suggestions or tips anyone has! Thanks.