Distance Learning MBA at Warwick Business School

arb007

I have already got MSc (Computer Integrated Manufacture) and now planning to join MBA Programme (DL) at Warwick Business School. I am not sure if it is worth it or not as I do not have anyone to discuss it with. I am 37 years old, working as Technical Consultant in Software Company for last 10 years and want to develop my skills so that I can move up in my career. Because I am from Manufacturing background, I am also thinking that this qualification will broaden up my available options even in other fields.

Saying that it is big commitment time wise (3 years) and money wise (£15K in total). I would really appreciate if someone (professional or one who has done this course) can guide me to make a right decision. I will really appreciate your input.

Also details of any possible funding will also be quite useful and helpful.

Thanks in anticipation.

Voyager2002

Unless you are planning to change jobs, discuss it with your line manager. Explore how the new skills from your course could be used in your work, and whether they could offer different kinds of experience to complement what you would be learning.

arb007

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Unless you are planning to change jobs, discuss it with your line manager. Explore how the new skills from your course could be used in your work, and whether they could offer different kinds of experience to complement what you would be learning.

Thank u for your response. Anyone else with any comments about actual course ????

Oldernotwiser

According to the FT, Warwick Business School is ranked 12 (out of 100) in European Business Schools and 29 worldwide. This seems pretty good and should be relevant. Where you do an MBA is very important.

arb007

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

According to the FT, Warwick Business School is ranked 12 (out of 100) in European Business Schools and 29 worldwide. This seems pretty good and should be relevant. Where you do an MBA is very important.

Do you think Distance Learning has considerable effect on "value" of the degree?

arb007

Still waiting for input ....

Oldernotwiser

The first thing that occurs to me is how would they know that you'd studied by DL? Everybody knows that the OU is taught that way but surely your MBA diploma won't specify that?

arb007

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

The first thing that occurs to me is how would they know that you'd studied by DL? Everybody knows that the OU is taught that way but surely your MBA diploma won't specify that?

True ... But one can see that I was working and studying at the same time so it is not "full time"....

WendyR14

I don't think there will be any negatives to doing your MBA part-time - quite the reverse it shows you are a self-starter.

However you should not under value the importance of the live interaction you would get with an on-campus MBA. The campus experience can be had in part-time MBAs (often called executive MBAs) as well as in full-time ones. I think that interaction is particularly important for those who come from a technical rather than front line business world. Certainly if you decide on an on-line course Warwick will be excellent. So, depending on where you are located, you are trading the reputation of Warwick against the reputation of your physically closest Business School.

arb007

WendyR14 wrote: »

I don't think there will be any negatives to doing your MBA part-time - quite the reverse it shows you are a self-starter.

However you should not under value the importance of the live interaction you would get with an on-campus MBA. The campus experience can be had in part-time MBAs (often called executive MBAs) as well as in full-time ones. I think that interaction is particularly important for those who come from a technical rather than front line business world. Certainly if you decide on an on-line course Warwick will be excellent. So, depending on where you are located, you are trading the reputation of Warwick against the reputation of your physically closest Business School.

Thanks for your comprehensive comment.
I looked into executive MBA also but first the fee is considerably high (which is not affordable at all) and secondly I live around 63 miles away from Warwick. So it is not feasible even if I am interested.

Do you still think interaction is still important even after I have 10 years technical experience and my current role involves customer interaction and meetings/project management etc. on regular basis?

I chose WBS because they are no. 1 in UK, no. 2 in Europe, and no. 3 in world for DL MBA.....

cazziebo

I actually believe part time and distance learning MBAs are more highly thought of than the one year full time ones. Part time and distance learning means you are able to apply learning and use real work based situations. I've found employers to look at FT MBAs as "perennial students" and "taking a year out".

Although distance learning, I think you'll find there is a lot of interaction, mainly web based. The interaction is important for discussing and sharing ideas generated by the course, and of course, mutual support for getting through what is a tough course.

Warwick is highly rated, their MBA is highly rated. Don't think you could do much better. Good luck.