I working in IT and plan for distance learning MBA. I'm not going for career change and my target market is middle east.

I'm trying to pick one offer out of four: Leicester, Liverpool, Durham and Bradford.

I found that first two offer their programs through some business partner (Stafford and Laureate respectively) while the other two are provide the services themselves.

Does this affect either quality of the program or reputation of the degree?

It doesn't have to but, in practice, it really does. Read through the comments about these schools. Leicester and Liverpool are, of course, unranked MBAs and unranked schools without serious alumni networks. Durham and Bradford are much better, and both have 'triple crown' accreditation: Durham's programme is more academic and Bradford's is more integrated (again, look for comments by people on this site and elsewhere). I think you'll find that Bradford has a much larger MBA alumni network in the middle east [than Durham].

Actually in gulf area Leicester DL is will known because of special offers to some corporates. Although Brsdford has a brsnch in Dubai like Leicester but it does not have the same number of enrolled studentd.
I'll focus on Durham and Bradford. Durham is more expesive and has a program of 3 years while Bradford is just two years. Also Brsdford core courses are more interesting than all others!

Thanks a lot for advice.

Dear Duncan,
What do you mean exactly by more academic about Durham program?
Does this mean it is more close to master of science than MBA?

Take a look at http://www.find-mba.com/boardsearch/63/q/durham+%22more+academic%22 I mean there are more individual exams and essays, less group work and work on soft skills, less leadership development.

Hi Duncan
I talked to admission office in university of Liverpool asking about the exact function of Laureate and its effect on the academic service level. They said that Laureate is responsible only to the technical service for the distance learning including class rooms and other facilities. Also, they said the business network and other advantages are the same as any other distance learning program since the only difference is about the owner of the communication media from only technical perspective.

Does this make any difference?

No, that does not change anything. They are trying to mislead you, and I wonder if that person perhaps actually work for Laureate. Ask them if they are in Liverpool.

Focus on better programmes.

No She called from Amsterdam!

Okay, so the University of Liverpool's admissions team is, obviously, not in The Netherlands. You spoke to someone from Laureate.