Online MBA vs MSc for experienced digital marketer/analyst

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Explorer

7 13

Posted Jun 21, 2020 17:54

Hello everyone,

I'm wondering whether I will get more value from an MBA or a more focused MSc in one of my functional areas (marketing or analytics/big data, etc). Either way it would have to be online as I wish to work full-time.

I'm 35, UK citizen and have about 11 years total experience in the broad subject of digital marketing, of which 8 years in management, of which 3 years at director level (manager of managers). Industry-wise, 2 years in "big finance", 6 years in "big ecommerce", 3 years in charity. Those last 3 years were in two charities which I co-founded and ran almost simultaneously.

My long term goal is to reach a strategic or C-level position at a "big" MNC, but equally I'm aware that my function (digital marketing/analytics) is so broad and ever-changing that it's important to show that I understand it deeply and keep up-to-date all the time.

Another issue I often face is that at interviews I already get questioned about those years as a co-founder and in charity for that matter. I realized that it was not my long term thing, but maybe an MBA or MSc would better signal that.

Options I'm considering..
Online MBAs: Warwick, Essex, Durham, Open, Birkbeck
Online MSc: Marketing, Marketing Analytics

What do you think?

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Duncan

14.005 15.470

Posted Jun 21, 2020 18:10

If you live in the UK, you should consider an apprenticeship masters before the finding goes away. You can get a top tier MBa or MSc for free or 5% of the fee.

If not, an MSc will teach you very little about digital marketing. You are deep in practice, while academic research follows it by several years.

The Birkbeck MBA lacks any meaningful international accreditation and is not well respected.

Given your interest in digital marketing, Warwick, the OU and Illinois are strong options for you.

If you live in the UK, you should consider an apprenticeship masters before the finding goes away. You can get a top tier MBa or MSc for free or 5% of the fee.  If not, an MSc will teach you very little about digital marketing. You are deep in practice, while academic research follows it by several years.  The Birkbeck MBA lacks any meaningful international accreditation and is not well respected.  Given your interest in digital marketing, Warwick, the OU and Illinois are strong options for you.

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aslamo

725 220

Posted Jun 21, 2020 23:04

Hello everyone,

I'm wondering whether I will get more value from an MBA or a more focused MSc in one of my functional areas (marketing or analytics/big data, etc).

My long term goal is to reach a strategic or C-level position at a "big" MNC, but equally I'm aware that my function (digital marketing/analytics) is so broad and ever-changing that it's important to show that I understand it deeply and keep up-to-date all the time.

Options I'm considering..
Online MBAs: Warwick, Essex, Durham, Open, Birkbeck
Online MSc: Marketing, Marketing Analytics

What do you think?

The field of analytics and big data is changing so quickly, perhaps you might be better off doing a top up separate shorter course on Data Science/Predictive Analytics. Big data has largely been absorbed into data science (unless you're a real IT techie) but you want a business focused course. Many data science courses are quite oriented towards maths/statistics and programming. There is a real shortage of people with analytics/data science skills in the workplace so you might not need to specifically have studied it at masters level to prove your worth.

[quote]Hello everyone,

I'm wondering whether I will get more value from an MBA or a more focused MSc in one of my functional areas (marketing or analytics/big data, etc).  My long term goal is to reach a strategic or C-level position at a "big" MNC, but equally I'm aware that my function (digital marketing/analytics) is so broad and ever-changing that it's important to show that I understand it deeply and keep up-to-date all the time.  Options I'm considering..
Online MBAs: Warwick, Essex, Durham, Open, Birkbeck
Online MSc: Marketing, Marketing Analytics

What do you think? [/quote] The field of analytics and big data is changing so quickly, perhaps you might be better off doing a top up separate shorter course on Data Science/Predictive Analytics. Big data has largely been absorbed into data science (unless you're a real IT techie) but you want a business focused course. Many data science courses are quite oriented towards maths/statistics and programming. There is a real shortage of people with analytics/data science skills in the workplace so you might not need to specifically have studied it at masters level to prove your worth.

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Explorer

7 13

Posted Jun 21, 2020 23:51

If you live in the UK, you should consider an apprenticeship masters before the finding goes away. You can get a top tier MBa or MSc for free or 5% of the fee.

Thank you! I didn't know about this before. After a quick search, it seems that in order to get this I would first need to find an employer offering this / willing to offer this right, am I right? Or is there another route? The difficulty is that I'm currently an owner/self-employed and it's hard to get back into a larger employer.

If not, an MSc will teach you very little about digital marketing. You are deep in practice, while academic research follows it by several years.

Thank you, this confirms my suspicions.

The Birkbeck MBA lacks any meaningful international accreditation and is not well respected. Given your interest in digital marketing, Warwick, the OU and Illinois are strong options for you.

Thank you

[Edited by Explorer on Jun 21, 2020]

[quote]If you live in the UK, you should consider an apprenticeship masters before the finding goes away. You can get a top tier MBa or MSc for free or 5% of the fee.[/quote] Thank you! I didn't know about this before. After a quick search, it seems that in order to get this I would first need to find an employer offering this / willing to offer this right, am I right? Or is there another route? The difficulty is that I'm currently an owner/self-employed and it's hard to get back into a larger employer. [quote]If not, an MSc will teach you very little about digital marketing. You are deep in practice, while academic research follows it by several years.[/quote] Thank you, this confirms my suspicions.   [quote]The Birkbeck MBA lacks any meaningful international accreditation and is not well respected. Given your interest in digital marketing, Warwick, the OU and Illinois are strong options for you.  [/quote] Thank you

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aslamo

725 220

Posted Jun 22, 2020 00:05

If you live in the UK, you should consider an apprenticeship masters before the finding goes away. You can get a top tier MBa or MSc for free or 5% of the fee.

If not, an MSc will teach you very little about digital marketing. You are deep in practice, while academic research follows it by several years.

Thank you, this confirms my suspicions.

I am in the same position as you a Limited Company owner/self employed person. Some of the apprenticeship levy funding guidance documents are very long and not easy to follow. I found on the Cranfield site that to qualify, the employer must have a staff payroll of at least £3m, which clearly rules us out.

[quote] If you live in the UK, you should consider an apprenticeship masters before the finding goes away. You can get a top tier MBa or MSc for free or 5% of the fee.[/quote] Thank you! I didn't know about this before. After a quick search, it seems that in order to get this I would first need to find an employer offering this / willing to offer this right, am I right? Or is there another route? The difficulty is that I'm currently an owner/self-employed and it's hard to get back into a larger employer. [quote]If not, an MSc will teach you very little about digital marketing. You are deep in practice, while academic research follows it by several years.[/quote] Thank you, this confirms my suspicions.    [/quote] I am in the same position as you a Limited Company owner/self employed person. Some of the apprenticeship levy funding guidance documents are very long and not easy to follow. I found on the Cranfield site that to qualify, the employer must have a staff payroll of at least £3m, which clearly rules us out.

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Duncan

14.005 15.470

Posted Jun 22, 2020 00:15

My brother has been looking at the Manchester programme. There, I think he would just pay 5% of the fee, so around £500.

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Explorer

7 13

Posted Jun 22, 2020 10:54

The Masters apprenticeship looks very attractive indeed, but there doesn't seem to be any route into it from my current position as a startup company/charity co-founder with low revenue :(

Of these lower budget ones, which one is better in terms of international network and tech innovation/tech community?
Open, Durham, Essex

The Masters apprenticeship looks very attractive indeed, but there doesn't seem to be any route into it from my current position as a startup company/charity co-founder with low revenue :( Of these lower budget ones, which one is better in terms of international network and tech innovation/tech community? Open, Durham, Essex

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Duncan

14.005 15.470

Posted Jun 22, 2020 11:32

I don't think you are looking closely enough. You don't need to contribute to the Levy to benefit from it. If your company will nominate you, then you can benefit. Speak to the Manchester people: they are very responsive.

Durham > OU > Big gap > Essex.

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