U of London –External studies MBA

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by ksj, Dec 9, 2004.

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  1. ksj

    ksj New Member

    Hi
    I am an Israeli CPA currently living in Australia. Thinking of having an MBA that will not restrict me in terms of location .As you guys know (and I know it was lengthily discussed but still each of us has its own story) there are plenty of On-line/Distance learning universities out there. Knowing Israel I know that an American degree will be well valued over there but only if it is from a globally known institution. Knowing Australia I know that a UK degree will be more valued over here .That is the reality and unfortunately it is all about perceptions.

    Any way I am looking for some thing cheap, fast, that I can finish and not get stuck (with a thesis) .I am a family man and work full time. I am also looking for something that will enrich me and not only be another line in my resume.

    From surfing the web I found the University of London external program of International Management MBA to be what I am looking for .With a price tag of 8050 Pounds (that is still not the 30-40 K USD which is what the well known American universities are asking for) and the brand.

    My question is as follows:
    1. What is the realistic time that I should expect to complete this program (being a working family man and all)?
    2. I saw that the degree it self is granted by the University of London but it also says external studies –Does it matter?
    3. Can I ask for credits from subject such as accounting etc...?

    I would love to hear from some one who has done this program about his impressions from the studies. How long it took him and whether he thinks it was worth it.

    I would also love to hear some other ideas.

    Thanks
     
  2. tiger75

    tiger75 New Member

    There are numerous options, the one you have choosen would definately be a good choice but I think it does involve a final project which appears to clash with you preferences.

    Personally I have just sat my last two exams for the Heriot-Watt MBA which is run out of Scotland. It is examination only which is good if you like exams and do not get too nervous about having one all or nothing shot at passing a subject in one hit.

    It is not easy however both in terms of having to motivate yourself (at most exam diets there were in theory 4 to 5 due to sit with me but I was typically the only one who showed up!) and the difficulty level of the exams was roughly equivalent to my chartered accounting exams only those were open book, while the MBA exams are closed book.

    Its website is www.ebsmba.com and would cost (assuming no exemptions) 8,100 pounds including examination costs.

    I would recommend it, I rejected all of the Australian distance education options in comparison even though they were cheaper as IMHO it was of far greater quality.
     
  3. Professor Kennedy

    Professor Kennedy New Member

    Hi ksj

    In your choice of MBA degree provider you may wish to consider some factors, should you decide to return to Israel.

    Briefly, the Israeli government’s Higher Education Council does not recognise for promotion and pay purposes foreign distance learning degrees unless they have been taught full or part time in Israel. There are some pretty onerous burdens imposed on the teaching of foreign degrees.

    One third of the class taught hours have to be taught in Israel by the foreign faculty who teach those classes in the foreign country (they send inspectors to the Israeli classes to identify the foreign faculty – last time I was there the inspector stayed for all three days making notes on my negotiation course). The MBA exams have to be the same exams as the home country students sit (no problem for Heriot-Watt as all students across the world sit the same exams, graded by our faculty).

    When these regulations were introduced in 2000, several foreign MBA programmes withdrew, some were asked to leave and every foreign university – except Heriot-Watt – were issued temporary permissions for 6, 12 or 18 months until they brought their courses up the required standard.

    Heriot-Watt, one of the larger MBA programmes in Israel (over 2,000 MBA graduates), was the only British university to receive a full five-year permission immediately – we already met or exceeded the standards at our partner college in Ramat Gan.

    Our MBA is also taught in Hebrew (except for our visiting faculty!) and all texts are translated into Hebrew (students can sit their exams in either English or Hebrew).

    Just a thought
     

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