"Low Cost" Online MBA shoot-out - Keele University vs University of Cumbria (Robert Kennedy College)


Hi all,

Before I start, I must say that I have found this discussion board very useful as I have been lurking on here over the weekend.
I have a question for you UK based folks if I may...

I am considering the above two programs. I already know that these are NOT accredited and are not internationally known. In my defence, here's a little context about me...

- I am UK based and don't plan to travel (so international reputation is not that important)
- I am working for a global company already and plan to use this MBA knowledge to progress internally (top notch networks are already available internally IMHO)
- I have 20+ years work experience but (with regret) no bachelor degree (limits my MBA options considerably...)
- My main goal is to (a) add business knowledge to my IT background (b) to gain a Masters degree from a known "bricks and mortar" uni...
- IMHO there is nothing to be gained from studying for a bachelors at my age - I have been working with and being hired alongside graduates for the last 20 years, so 4 years spent on a BSc won't help me much

= =

Question 1: Bearing in mind the above profile, are there any online MBA alternatives that I am missing around the GBP 10k mark?

Question 2: Are there any advantages that one of these two universities have over the other?

Thanks in advance for your help!

AB11

Hi all,

Before I start, I must say that I have found this discussion board very useful as I have been lurking on here over the weekend.
I have a question for you UK based folks if I may...

I am considering the above two programs. I already know that these are NOT accredited and are not internationally known. In my defence, here's a little context about me...

- I am UK based and don't plan to travel (so international reputation is not that important)
- I am working for a global company already and plan to use this MBA knowledge to progress internally (top notch networks are already available internally IMHO)
- I have 20+ years work experience but (with regret) no bachelor degree (limits my MBA options considerably...)
- My main goal is to (a) add business knowledge to my IT background (b) to gain a Masters degree from a known "bricks and mortar" uni...
- IMHO there is nothing to be gained from studying for a bachelors at my age - I have been working with and being hired alongside graduates for the last 20 years, so 4 years spent on a BSc won't help me much

= =

Question 1: Bearing in mind the above profile, are there any online MBA alternatives that I am missing around the GBP 10k mark?

Question 2: Are there any advantages that one of these two universities have over the other?

Thanks in advance for your help!

AB11
quote
Duncan

There are some great schools that will admit people without degrees. Look at the management apprenticeship programmes. They are much cheaper and many can b be topped to to a full masters. For example, a friend is the the program at Manchester Uni, and has no degree.

[Edited by Duncan on May 18, 2021]

There are some great schools that will admit people without degrees. Look at the management apprenticeship programmes. They are much cheaper and many can b be topped to to a full masters. For example, a friend is the the program at Manchester Uni, and has no degree.
quote

Thanks @Duncan - I will widen the net a little and look that the apprentice option. 

Thanks AB11

Thanks @Duncan - I will widen the net a little and look that the apprentice option.&nbsp;<br><br>Thanks AB11
quote
StuartHE

Many of the post-1992 universities will offer a Top-Up MBA to people with a Level 7 diploma in management. Cardiff Met, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Sunderland are perhaps the best known. However, the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is available at much, much better schools and is almost free, so it makes no sense to get a no-name MBA (like, has anyone actually heard of Cumbria University?). 

[Edited by StuartHE on May 18, 2021]

Many of the post-1992 universities will offer a Top-Up MBA to people with a Level 7 diploma in management. Cardiff Met, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Sunderland are perhaps the best known. However, the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is available at much, much better schools and is almost free, so it makes no sense to get a no-name MBA (like, has anyone actually heard of Cumbria University?).&nbsp;
quote

Thanks Stuart.

I understand that the nuances of this Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is currently under review by the DoE / UK Gov, so I keep an eye on this and see if the MBA is removed / or retained in the program.

Thanks Stuart.<br><br>I understand that the nuances of this Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is currently under review by the DoE / UK Gov, so I keep an eye on this and see if the MBA is removed / or retained in the program.<br><br>
quote
StuartHE

The MBA is removed unless you are already in the programme. So you'd be Government funded through to the PG Diploma stage, and then you'd have to self-fund the final project/dissertation to get the MBA or MSc. But that would give you a triple-crown masters from Cranfield, Manchester, Henley etc rather a no-name MBA at a similar cost. 
So, don't wait. Get in before the funding gets reduced further. 

[Edited by StuartHE on May 18, 2021]

The MBA is removed unless you are already in the programme. So you'd be Government funded through to the PG Diploma stage, and then you'd have to self-fund the final project/dissertation to get the MBA or MSc. But that would give you a triple-crown masters from Cranfield, Manchester, Henley etc rather a no-name MBA at a similar cost.&nbsp;<br>So, don't wait. Get in before the funding gets reduced further.&nbsp;
quote

Understood.

Thanks again. 

Understood.<br><br>Thanks again.&nbsp;
quote
VP1975

Hi,
I know this post was a while back but AB11 do you mind sharing what you ended up doing? I feel like I am in exactly the same situation.
Your initial post on this thread could have literally been written by me! 
VP

Hi,<br>I know this post was a while back but AB11 do you mind sharing what you ended up doing? I feel like I am in exactly the same situation.<br>Your initial post on this thread could have literally been written by me!&nbsp;<br>VP
quote
We664uk

Has anyone had any success getting onto a senior leader apprenticeship? My current employer has rejected my request twice. 

Has anyone had any success getting onto a senior leader apprenticeship? My current employer has rejected my request twice.&nbsp;
quote
StuartHE

My brother just completed one, and I start one next year. Your employee is the problem. 

My brother just completed one, and I start one next year. Your employee is the problem.&nbsp;
quote

Reply to Post

Related Business Schools

Keele, United Kingdom 4 Followers 5 Discussions
London, United Kingdom 0 Followers 5 Discussions