Imperial college MBA?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Newbie2DL, Apr 30, 2003.

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  1. Newbie2DL

    Newbie2DL Member

    Does anyone have any good info on the Imperial College London MBA via distance, apart from the usual web/marketing stuff?

    Thanks
     
  2. Professor Kennedy

    Professor Kennedy New Member

    Imperial College

    Hi

    Imperial College (University of London) is a highly prestigious constitutent college of UoL and one of the top universities in the UK. Its on-campus management degrees are highly rated and I would recommend them.

    However, their distance learning MBA is new and I have some concerns about it, which no doubt will be addressed in time. It started its DL MBA a year or so ago and attracted a few students because of Imperial's reputation. It seems to have entered into an arrangement with another constituent college of London University (Royal Holloway) which is probably the least prestigious college in the UoL collegiate system. It too is developing a DL MBA and Imperial is using DL courses from Holloway as 'filler' courses in its DL MBA. This severely, in my view, dilutes the Imperial 'brand' but may be due to Imperial not having the resources to commit greater investment in its DL MBA in the short run.

    None of the above should be taken as a final judgement about the quality of Imperial's DL MBA - more a question mark. I have no axe to grind against Imperial as I have a great deal of respect for its campus MBA and its academic leadership. Indeed, one of the Professors at Imperial (Professor David Target) is a core author of the EBS MBA course in Quantitative Methods and two of our quantitative Electives. All the above information comes from other sources than David (we received approaches from Royal Holloway about our administration systems) and we have access to other channels about Imperial-Royal Holloway in the UK DL community.

    Incidentally, degrees from Imperial and Royal Holloway are awarded by the University of London.
     
  3. oxpecker

    oxpecker New Member

    Although Royal Holloway is very prestigious compared to some of the UK universities that have been discussed here: e.g. Anglia Polytechnic University and University of Derby, whose only claim to fame is that they are amongst the world's worst.
     
  4. Gavin Jones

    Gavin Jones New Member

    I would like to clarify a few points if I may?

    Imperial College London has offered a distance MBA through the University of London’s External Programme since Sept 2001. Royal Holloway has offered a distance MBA in International Management since Sept 1999. The contribution that Royal Holloway makes to Imperial’s MBA programme is 12.5% and is a requirement demanded by the central University of London. You will not be surprised to learn that it is common practice for Colleges of the University to work in collaboration and share academic strengths and expertise.

    Imperial College London is held in high regard by both by the University and the broader Higher Education sector but it is also the case that Royal Holloway is held in high esteem. Two-thirds of Royal Holloway’s scholars and scientists work in departments that have achieved the top research ratings of 5 or 5*, indicating research of international excellence. To its credit, Royal Holloway enjoys many other accolades. For example, together with Bedford College (now part of Royal Holloway), it was the first institution in the UK to offer higher education opportunities to women.

    As with other Colleges of the University, Royal Holloway and Imperial College London are authorised to award degrees of the University of London. As such both MBAs are Awards of the University of London and enjoy equal status.

    Gavin Jones
    Communications Manager
    University of London
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2003
  5. plumbdog10

    plumbdog10 New Member

    Gavin Jones,

    I seem to recall that there was a discussion on this forum, some time back, regarding the fact that UoL external degrees were listed as "University of London" as opposed to being listed as awarded by one of the colleges. But, in fact, aren't all UoL degrees, including those that are residence based, listed as "University of London"?
     
  6. Professor Kennedy

    Professor Kennedy New Member

    Caveat spin

    In the interests of the record, Gavin Jones, Communications manager of the University of London, could hardly say anything else about two member colleges of the University of London.

    To imply that Royal Holloway College (UoL) is of equivalent standing to Imperial College (UoL) is somewhat hyperbole dressed up as spin.

    However, the initial problems of the DL MBA, in time, will be sorted out (Imperial is an institution we can rely upon). I find it strange that a distinguished College of UoL is "required" by the Central Administration of UoL to integrate courses from another College of "lesser" standing, other than as a means to raise the standards, and standing, of the lesser College.

    Degreeinfo.com is not the place to put positive spin on a situation that dilutes the quality of a programme from one of the UK's top MBAs. I was giving my honest view in answer to a member's questions. As said many times before, I have the greatest or respect for Imperial College (and King's and LBS), which at present, I do not extend to Royal Holloway just yet.
     
  7. Gavin Jones

    Gavin Jones New Member

    Plumbdog

    Yes, you’re right. The University of London makes no distinction between degrees studied by distance learning or by attendance (whether full or part-time) at any of our Colleges or Institutes. As with other federal universities, we have in place a complex system of standardisation to ensure parity.

    In the case of the External Programme, parity of standards is maintained because academics at the various Colleges and Institutes of the University develop syllabuses, prepare study materials, set examination papers and mark students’ scripts. These are the same academics that teach and assess students who attend Colleges of the University. As a result, the final Award that External students receive is of the same high standard as students who attend a College of the University. In short, they all receive the same University of London degree.

    Statute 66 (2) of the University states: ‘Candidates granted degrees and other awards shall have attained the same academic standard irrespective of mode or place of study or examination’.

    Regardless of public perception, the MBA whether developed by Royal Holloway or Imperial College are of the same standard. Students who study via the External Programme or via attendance at one of our Colleges or Institutes (e.g., Imperial, Royal Holloway, LSE, London Business School) all receive the same standard of degree.

    Gavin
     

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