Hi there, I'm currently considering doing an online MBA through a distance learning program. Anyone out there who's completed an MBA online through a UK school? Any recommendations, pros or cons?

Hi. I'm just completing my MBA DL through Warwick Business School. As I work full time and have young children I fould this method of study ideal. The flexibility it gives you for working your studies around the rest of your life is a real plus. The face to face study weekends and the summer school still allow you to make some good contacts and have the networking oportunities. Don't get me wrong, its not an easy option. It still takes a lot of dedication and perhaps more self discipline than doing it in the formal way.
Hop this helps.

Thanks a lot. I appreciate you're feedback. I'll definitely look into the MBA DL through Warwick!

Warwick is one of the oldest online MBA programs, and one of the most respected, worldwide. But if you're looking for other options and safety schools in the UK, you can also check out these:

Henley
Aberdeen/Robert Gordon
University of Liverpool
Edinburgh Business School

Thanks, I'll be sure to check them out.

Hi, similar to another posting, I also have a young family so was looking for flexibility first and foremost. I looked into quite a few DL and Exec MBAs on the market and found Warwick to be the most flexible, giving you the time to set your own schedule while still having the support facilities to ensure you don't feel on your own. I'm in year 3 and hope to finish this year.

Definitely Warwick Business School, and like above comment I am in my final months of the program. I enjoyed the challenge of the course work and the assignments, the Profs were very good and staff is supportive, but a very large component was the diversity and international nature of the course materials, and particularly the other students, from just about everywhere in the world. The cost being 50% of a North American domestic MBA with higher program rankings, and a degree certificate that wasn't conditioned with Distance Learning or other notations, was a bonus.

Here is a good one..

http://www.find-mba.com/board/20012

Right, posted this on the other thread but thought I would post it here as I think the benefit of interaction face to face with your fellow students is invaluable = Warwick MBA.

Just finishing the Warwick MBA...

Re your post and your list of items...

Durham: No compulsory visit to the school - hence less opportunity cost.

This is where I have issues as the interaction with students from around the world was invaluable and worth any days away from work, and out weights any costs. Trying not to go to Campus is costing immensely more than the few dollars in money, as well the contacts made are enduring. I still keep in regular contact with my September seminar team mates, and will continue to do so.

I have the two kids, dog, etc etc. but not IT as I'm in Marketing but I would suggest you are cutting yourself short from the benefits of attending Campus.

Inviting more audiance to related interesting chat ..
http://www.find-mba.com/board/20012

Its really very useful thing for students like us that distance learning is also available under MBA.

Hi, Try this UK company - Resource Development International. They are a good source for distance learning programs.

http://www.rdi.co.uk/

Hi, Try this UK company - Resource Development International. They are a good source for distance learning programs.

http://www.rdi.co.uk/

Interesting, had a similarly questionable experience with inquiring with another representative agency way back when I started looking at MBA programs. These middlemen are not really necessary to investigate MBA programs as you can do that yourself.

I would suggest you look at Warwick DLMBA as a better program than some of the others mentioned within this forum, at least in my opinion, and having nearly completed the Warwick program, and you can easily deal directly with their admissions department.

I am very happy with my courses and experiences at Warwick and would suggest that you should take a look and will very likely be pleased with what you discover.

Hi cdrsteve,

I am surprised by your experience with RDI USA. You are right, Bradford would have admitted you. Of the two - Strathclyde and Durham, I have had colleagues take on the Durham MBA and they had mostly positive experience. But if you throw in the Warwick MBA, this may also be a very good option to consider. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the input. I have applied and am waiting for reply form Warwick, will definitely consider it when I received an offer.

I am interested in knowing whether these DL programs offer any interactive components available on-line as compare to having to study by reading a bunch of books or articles on your own.

I live in Vancouver, Canada and travel often to Hong Kong and China, just wondering how the interactive components (if any) would work given the time difference.

Hey, Kingston, Ontario, Canada here....

Yes, there are online team group assignments for some courses, online review sessions, tutors of which you submit assignments and receive feedback, skype discussions with some groups and virtual study groups, as well as some cities in Canada have face to face groups.

You are able to do intensive week long face to face courses after completing initial work on your own, and Hong Kong is a regular location for these sessions.

Then you have the September seminar which is 10 days in September where you are up early and going to classes late with syndicate group work which brings things alive, long hours but a lot of fun too.

Meeting all the other students from virtually every country in the world was an experience alone.

Exams are written here in Canada in the major cities which Vancouver is one of them..

I am in last few months of my MBA and heading to PhD and would recommend the Warwick DLMBA for you to check out.

Just curious about the number of Canadians studying in the Warwick program. I was was offered to do the Queen's executive MBA before, but I said no thanks to paying out $100K.

So realistically, you only have to spend 10 days in UK for the Warwick program?

Yes, Queens at $100,000+ CDN and Warwick will be about $40,000 CDN and Warwick is rated a few points above Queens on the international rankings...

Yes, 9 days in first year (say 10 days with traveling) and then less in second year depending on your electives, and if you do the online courses, which don't require a September seminar but there are only a few of those, this will reduce your attendance.

You could do the week long face to face when in Hong Kong and reduce your time at Warwick as well, just have to schedule your business trips to coincide with the Warwick sessions and take a little vacation time.

There are about 35 Canadians, some are currently from Vancouver, some Americans but mostly Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania, a world good mix of a group each intake of about 500.

Wow! 40K CDN, that still less than SFU and Royal Roads, which doesn't even make the rankings. At slightly more than Athabascan DLMBA, again not even accrediated!

Are the online interactive components built into the program, or it's something that you do on your own?