Hi all,

I recently applied for a part-time EMBA Program in UAE from a UK based university and got accepted. Because I currently do not have a bachelor degree, I will be entering the program with relevant work experiences and references from current and previous employers. Due to these facts, the acceptance letter stated that I have been accepted to a PG Diploma Program (instead of EMBA Program). The university confirmed that I will be receiving the same modules and certificate as the regular EMBA Program.

What are your thought on this matter? Is PG Diploma equivalent to an EMBA Program? Will this program benefit my career or will it be a complete waste of money? Would you recommend to take a bachelor degree first?

Thank you in advance.

a PG diploma in UK system, is 2/3 of the MBA credits. Those that stop at 120credits and don't continue for the full 180credits, get a PGdip

ask them if you can continue after the PGdip and do only the remaining 60 credits to get the full MBA

Hi George, thank you for your reply.

I would be doing a 180 credits, between 2-5 year duration, part-time program. I will also receive the same modules and certificate as the regular EMBA Program. According to the University's admin officer, because I will be entering the program without a bachelor degree hence the program will be called PG Diploma, however when I graduate I will be receiving an MBA certificate?? Does that even make sense?

I apologize if I am asking obvious questions.

Perhaps you need to first pass the PG Dip and then win admission to the MBA? I would not assume that you will get the MBA with your diploma.

So I went and talked to the person at the university. According to them it is common for UK based universities to accept applicants without a bachelor degree to their MBA programs. These applicants will be entering the program through a PG Diploma Entry. However they will receive the same modules and the same certificate when they graduate as those who has the bachelor degree prior to the program.

Does this make sense?

This makes sense but clarify it in terms of credits. Will you get the PGD after the taught modules, then be admitted to the MBA and also get the MBA dissertation?

Thanks Duncan, the University confirmed that I will be doing a 180 credits. If I understood correctly, at the end of the program I will be doing a project study (40 credits) instead of dissertation.