Other options other than MBA

Hi all,
I come from a business backgound (post Grad level) and am looking to educate myslef further i contemplated doing an MBA but the cost and the fact that it is probably best suited to those with a engineering/science etc background, I have looked throught the relevant threads on this site an was wondering if anyone has any advice on what courses are out there that are actually worthwhile. I ahev been oj the UCD and TCD websited but they pretty much state that all courses are amazing!!! any help would be brilliant
Cheers

It totally depends what you want.
And where you are coming from.
For example, if you have a general business primary degree with a business postgard of some sort...then you might consider a professional qualification in say...accountancy? Teaching? Information technology skills are always useful, but some are very specialised.

What do you want to do, what are your dreams...move in that direction.

I took an ACCA Diploma in Financial Management in lieu of an MBA because I just wanted the finance parts but not the business parts. I've been happy with it. Pitched as finance for senior managers I got a lot from it.

Hi Spinnaker,
Could you tell us a bit more about it? I realize that exams take place every 6 months and there are 2 subjects and a project (right?). Is it feasible to get it all done in a year (working fulltime and a child (!)). What was the project like? Was it self selected or allocated? How much study was there?

Do you mind me asking what area you worked in previously? Im an IT project manager and I think a course like this would do me a lot of good. Ive been reading the website but Id love to hear more about your experience with it.

thanks
cas.

Worth taking a look at the Open University.
They have 4 different MBA streams.
Spread over a longer period than the usual 1yr (full-time) or 2 yr (part-time).
They do work out more expensive than a standard MBA but definitely a flexible option.

They also have a broad range of post-grad courses/building blocks depending on what you want to do and what qualification you want to achieve.

They are based in Holles Street in Dublin but have open days all over the country. (I was at the Dublin one yesterday).

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/

Just one point to watch for... there is an irish price for all of their courses which is more expensive than the UK price. It is not another "rip-off" but it is simply that UK students are subsidised by the UK Gov. Your fees should be subject to tax relief at the 20% tax rate.

Hi Cas,

ACCA website isn't great ; hardly even presents the syllabus.

Me > BSc in Physics and Electronics from DCU I worked for 18 years in tech, mktg, bizdev and consulting roles in dynamic tech companies from small VC-funded to multinational around the world. I felt the need to beef up on finance.

I've been in and out of employment (projects) this last year so has been convenient for me to grab an extra qualification.

2 x Modules, 2 subjects in each covered in depth with little "fudge" or padding
- Risk Management
- Financial Strategy
- Interpretation of Financial Statements
- Performance Management

There's an assigned individual project with each module. 5000 word write up. Some research required. Not easy, testing, time-demanding but do really learn a lot from it.

Exams in June but Dec exams are also available.

I'm taking course through one of the business schools here. Approach there is 9 months of weekly evening lectures, submit projects in May take 2 x Module exams in June. Self-study without tuition is possible but challenging I'm sure.

There are working parents in my class. Challenging again but feasible with some study every week. If too busy, for ease consider splitting the effort; (i) a module and project each year or (ii) submit projects in May, pass on exams in June but take them in December.

Spin