Getting into an MBA program without a completed undergraduate degree


Diogenes

I'm over 50 without a completed undergraduate degree. I do have 25+ years of supervisory work experience.
What is my real chance of getting into an MBA program like Durham's? Should I even bother applying?
Does anyone know what is the actual acceptance rate for those of us without a bachelor's degree?

Thanks,

Dio

I'm over 50 without a completed undergraduate degree. I do have 25+ years of supervisory work experience.
What is my real chance of getting into an MBA program like Durham's? Should I even bother applying?
Does anyone know what is the actual acceptance rate for those of us without a bachelor's degree?

Thanks,

Dio
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Duncan

The challenge is this: graduates are better at the academic work in a masters degree and are more likely to complete it the younger they are. I'm 52, in a cohort at Edinburgh that's much younger. I have a lot of insight, and can make connections very well. But my insights don't mean that the academic part is easy: they run rings around me.  Even among people without degrees, there's a big difference between the performance of sone who has taken a tiny, for-credit, course online and done well than someone who has not. I would really suggest you find a small course now that carries academic credit. That transcript will give them much more confidence in offering you a seat. 


The challenge is this: graduates are better at the academic work in a masters degree and are more likely to complete it the younger they are. I'm 52, in a cohort at Edinburgh that's much younger. I have a lot of insight, and can make connections very well. But my insights don't mean that the academic part is easy: they run rings around me.&nbsp; Even among people without degrees, there's a big difference between the performance of sone who has taken a tiny, for-credit, course online and done well than someone who has not. I would really suggest you find a small course now that carries academic credit. That transcript will give them much more confidence in offering you a seat.&nbsp;<br><br><br>
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Diogenes

Thank you for sharing your experience!

Am I understanding this correctly? 

Admission peeps believe that someone without a completed undergraduate degree, who's managed a US subsidiary of a European manufacturer of XYZ products for over 15 years, will have harder time going through an MBA program than someone with an undergraduate degree who majored in psychology with 3 years of work experience? They believe that someone without a completed undergraduate degree, who's been managing a business incubator of a University for several years will  have harder time going through an MBA program than someone with an undergraduate who majored in biology with 5 years of work experience?


Thank you for sharing your experience!<br><br>Am I understanding this correctly?&nbsp;<br><br>Admission peeps believe that someone without a completed undergraduate degree, who's managed a US subsidiary of a European manufacturer of XYZ products for over 15 years, will have harder time going through an MBA program than someone with an undergraduate degree who majored in psychology with 3 years of work experience? They believe that someone&nbsp;without a completed undergraduate degree, who's been managing a business incubator of a University for several years will &nbsp;have harder time going through an MBA program than someone with an undergraduate who majored in biology with 5 years of work experience?<br><br><br>
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Duncan

Sure. The former has better study skills, can write essays and will do the reading. Big difference betwen younger MS and MBA cohorts and older EMBA cohorts: the younger students closer  will be better prepared and have less trouble with theory. Remember, it's an academic degree with, at most UK schools, a thesis taking up one third of the grades. 

Sure. The former has better study skills, can write essays and will do the reading. Big difference betwen younger MS and MBA cohorts and older EMBA cohorts: the younger students closer&nbsp; will be better prepared and have less trouble with theory. Remember, it's an academic degree with, at most UK schools, a thesis taking up one third of the grades.&nbsp;
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Larry

This discussion thread might be of interest to you:

https://find-mba.com/board/general-forum/mba-without-undergraduate-degree-52736

George's post suggests that you don't necessarily need a *degree* at at least some UK schools. Check with the schools you are interested in - although it's true that an undergraduate degree is valued in an MBA cohort, many business schools today are interested in having participants with a diverse range of viewpoints / backgrounds. 

This discussion thread might be of interest to you:<br><br>https://find-mba.com/board/general-forum/mba-without-undergraduate-degree-52736<br><br>George's post suggests that you don't necessarily need a *degree* at at least some UK schools. Check with the schools you are interested in - although it's true that an undergraduate degree is valued in an MBA cohort, many business schools today are interested in having participants with a diverse range of viewpoints / backgrounds.&nbsp;
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