Hi,

I'm looking at different distance MBA programs to combine with my current job. Warwick and Imperial seem to offer two very good programs. Anyone know of any other UK universities with strong distance programs? Also, does anyone have any info on the selectivity to these programs? I found some old figures from 2005, but would be interested in more up-to-date figures. I have a very strong academic background with a MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management from a top university, and have three years of relative work experience in two different industries.

Hi,
If you limit your research to the UK (is that so?) Warwick and Imperial are the best options. Both schools are a brand, very well ranked everywhere and have a great international reputation. Therefore admissions for both schools will be very competitive.

For Warwick the average GMAT is around 620. As their website states, they are "the highest ranked business school to offer a distance learning study programme". The programme looks well conceived, with an interactive approach intergrating local study groups and virtual study groups. Please note that there is a compulsory stay on Campus, to participate in an eight-day Seminar.

I second that. The only other possibles that spring to mind are Durham and Oxford Brookes, both of which currently rank in the top 50 UK business schools. Durham was ranked 15th in the UK in the Financial Times' Global MBA rankings for 2006. Both require a good first university degree and/or professional qualifications or evidence of relevant professional or managerial experience.

Thanks for your input. I will most likely apply to Imperial and Warwick. It seems like it will be a close call between these if I'm accepted, but that's a later "problem". Anyone has any recent numbers on selectivity rates to these programs? Some numbers I found from 05 indicated that Warwick accepted 80 % of the applicants, which seemed very high to me.

Hi, something to add about the distance learning MBA at Imperial:
I came accross some comment about Imperial critizising that their effort is limited to providing learning materials and taking exams.

In fact, what I've seen from their website, the program lacks study groups, also there is no face-to-face module involved (the obligation spend a short time on campus can be seen as a disadvantage, since it means costs and time to invest, but for interaction and work flow it is very helpful to have had a personal contact once).
The program does not have the integrated approach Warwick has. As stated on the website:
"The modules are studied entirely by distance learning, but students can also benefit from the On-Line Learning Environment (WebCT), which allows interaction with tutors and fellow students through discussion forums and the student café."
This is of course something different than intergrated virtual and regional study groups - sounds more like an informal chat.

This means that the program requires a lot more self discipline, you are kind of left alone with your learning material. Therefore I would say the online MBA of Warwick is a lot more progressive and more interesting.

I advise you to look in detail into the features of each program.