I see the distance learning MBA from Heriott-Watt university does not have AMBA accreditation but has a Royal Charter accreditation. Would that make a difference to UK or US employers or is it irrelevant?
While I did not research this question directly, my dissertation research gives me some insight into this question. An MBA from H-W would be useful in any situation calling for an MBA, but you have two hurdles: first some employers specifically seek people with degrees from AACSB-accredited MBA programs, which H-W is not. Second, there can sometimes be some hurdles in getting a degree from a foreign school recognized. This is a hit-and-miss situation--mostly (good) hits. AMBA accreditation will not matter much with employers in the U.S., I suspect.
There are three recognized MBA accreditations: AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS. EQUIS and AMBA are more well known in Europe, it matters if the school has one and/or the other one. Employers that understand accreditation matters, would know that any of these 3 accreditations are a seal of excellence for the program. In the US, my guess is that only universities would understand AMBA as being equivalent to AACSB but not the regular employer.
During the nine years I was involved with marketing the Heriot-Watt MBA in the US and Canada (when it became the largest MBA of any kind in those countries), we kept careful track of the first 1,000 students, in terms of acceptance of degree, willingness of employers to pay, etc. Acceptance was higher than 99%, either immediately (in most cases, because the school was approved by the US Dept of Education by granting what was then called an FICA number; in some cases, when the HR departments did a bit of research, looked at the course materials, the exams, etc.). AMBA (or any other recognition) was never an issue. It is possible things have changed since my time (1991-1999) but I doubt it. The AMBA thing is a personal issue between programme founder (and still head, Keith Lumsden) and the people of AMBA. (As it happens, I'll be meeting Professor Lumsden in Edinburgh later this month; I will ask, but would not expect any change. Unfortunate, but those Scots can hold a grudge for a thousand years.)
