Subject: Part-time MBA/EMBA in Dubai starting 2018

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here and highly appreciate your valuable advice on the subject. Have gone through many posts and learned quite a lot, but want to check if the recommendations for few years back are still valid or if there are any updates that I have to be aware for 2018.

I am 40 years old with BSc Electronics and 17 years IT experience in the Middle East. Currently working as Regional IT Manager for a UK based Big 4 accounting firm in Dubai.

Want to do MBA to learn more about Business Management and aiming to be a CTO/CIO down the lane. Prefer (but not mandatory or limited to) specializations like Strategy, Leadership, International, Information, Operations, Consulting, etc

I prefer learning from classroom, hence looking for a part-time MBA (as close to a full-time program) where I can attend as many face-to-face classes maybe once every 2 months (like 2 working days + 2 day weekend). Assumption is that attending face-to-face classes will help me stay focussed (please correct me if I am wrong in such an assumption)

If my firm supports me, my budget can be around AED 150K. Else, I can manage around AED 100K on my own.

Based on rankings and accreditations, I have narrowed my choices to Bradford (100K), Strathclyde(100K), Manchester(150K) etc. This is not final list and am happy to add/remove.

Apologies for the long post and sorry if this is troublesome. I wanted to include as much info to make it as clear as possible. Do let me know if you need any further info.

Thanks and regards

VP

Are you looking at part time rather than EMBA? My guess is Manchester is the best choice.

Hi Duncan,

Thanks for your prompt response.

Due to work commitments, I cannot do a full-time program, hence mentioned part-time.

I believe Bradford and Strathclyde are EMBA programs whereas Manchester is MBA. I am OK with MBA or EMBA, as I thought they are comparable. I could be totally wrong.

At present, I am thinking that I will go with Manchester, especially if my firm supports. I am quite relieved that it is your first choice as well :-)

Finally, if not Manchester, which one to choose between Strathclyde and Bradford?

Thanks again.

VP

An EMBA will have a older cohort... Better for you.

Thanks for your insight, Duncan. I will prioritize EMBA over MBA.

Currently, my list is in below order.

1. Strathclyde (EMBA, better cohort, low cost)
2. Manchester (MBA, better global recognition and ranking, high cost)

Bradford could be in between, or at 3rd. I see their Online MBA getting good ranking, but not EMBA.

I have gone through their brochures, but must visit/talk to each in detail to make an informed decision. One of the major deciding factor could be their facility and how often they offer face-to-face classes.

That makes sense to me. The other think I recommend is asking about scheduling of courses and the number of assessments. I found that long courses run in parallel was better than one course at a time, since that allowed more time for feedback from assignments and thus better learning.

PS
A friend did the MBS MBA and I was very impressed with the course but the cohort was uneven.

[Edited by Duncan on Oct 07, 2017]

Hi VP - which program did you decide on?

Thanks for your insight, Duncan. I will prioritize EMBA over MBA.

Currently, my list is in below order.

1. Strathclyde (EMBA, better cohort, low cost)
2. Manchester (MBA, better global recognition and ranking, high cost)

Bradford could be in between, or at 3rd. I see their Online MBA getting good ranking, but not EMBA.

I have gone through their brochures, but must visit/talk to each in detail to make an informed decision. One of the major deciding factor could be their facility and how often they offer face-to-face classes.