I work in South Africa and Europe, and have been cosidering a doing a DL doctorate. UNISA is the obvious choice, but I have investigated UK options, primarily since my career is in consulting (you know the rest). For me, once the basic criteria have been satisfied, it comes down to money. Sure, a UK doctorate would sound more impressive, but at a cost 5-10 times that of UNISA? UNISA may not be considered the cream of the crop (even locally), but it is certainly not regarded dubously. And given my proximity, I can even chat to my supervisor face to face! Given my location and tight (SA rand-based) budget, would anyone disagree? The only sensible alternatives would appear to be Pretoria, UFS, UCT etc.
That would depend With the current exchange rate, any US/UK/French/CA university would almost for sure be out of your price range. Doesn't make sense going flat broke (or worse) to get a DL degree. This is not a slam on DL just pointing out you have good, lower priced, local alternatives. However, there may be other nation's schools more in your price range if you would like to have a foreign degree. You would be a better judge than me of whether or not they are better than your local options. Of course, I am assuming you are living in SA. If you live in Europe it may not apply. However, if you have a chance to routinely meet with your SA supervisor it may make a degree from there too good a bargain to pass on. I, for one, don't just have $'s to throw around and am always looking for a good deal. Have to with 4 member of my family in college at the same time (wife, me, 2 daughters).
Thanks Thanks, Chris. I shold point out that I nearly beggared myself getting a UK Masters (London - CeFimS), which wil help, regardless of the doctorate. I'm a little concered with UNISA's naming conventions, though. Their doctorate is a DBL ("Leadership'), but appears to all intents and purposes to be a PhD, in terms of required content. Does anyone know whether one is prejudiced by the initials? It must apply to UNISA's MBL graduates as well, in a way, but at least it is basically an MBA degree, whereas the DBL isn't a DBA! UNISA would do themsleves and their students a big favour by using more standard terminology!
Actually, I think UNISA does have a PHD Stellenbosch does and you would be able to do it with minimal travel to the school. They indicated once a year which is not a problem for you it would seem. They were cheaper then UNISA and have EQUIS and AMBA accreditation. May even be better accepted than UNISA for your purposes. I have an email address. If you would like, I will send it to you.
The DBL at UNISA requires participation at local study groups, expecting members to meet 6-12 times a year. The DBL is offered from UNISA's School of Business Leadership, but the Department of Economics also offers various D.s in Commerce and Finance without the study groups requirements. In South Africa the DBL is quite prestig., don't know about Europe. Deirdre
Hi Angela. I'm glad you can spell. I need new glasses. Thought your post said something else entirely...
thanks thanks for the advise. I'll chat to to SBL at UNISA, as well as the economics dept. I hadn't considered Stellenbosch, but the MBA accreditation is a plus, and the Cape is great to visit! I dont' have a clue what I "almost" wrote....
Equis and AMBA accreditation With your work in Europe those accreditations might be best for your needs. I read somewhere on this board a few weeks back that UNISA is supposedly applying for EQUIS.
