Hello all,

My post will be about a DBA and not an MBA, however I hope it will not be irrelevant for this site, as an advanced business degree.

I am an international applicant with 10+ years of professional experience, currently working as a mid-level manager.
I am searching for a DBA in the UK, which I plan to study part time and/or by distance learning, with optional residencies. Budget is also important. Given this, I found the Middlesex university DBA as good value for money, however what I read on various sources on the internet are generally not positive about Middlesex University. As far as I have learned from my own research, they have a positivie QAA report with a positive emphasis on professional doctorates, are experienced in work-based learning programmes and professional doctorates and have some international partnerships. However they do not hold any professional accreditation like AACSB or AMBA. They used to have AMBA, but -as far as I read- they opted out.

Could you please give your advice or opinion about this school and the degree?

Thank you in advance.

I don't understand why you'd want a doctorate from there when there are accredited schools, or more research active schools, available.

Thank you for your reply, Duncan. First of all, the structure of the programme and the subject focus areas available seem suitable for me. Second, they seem to have a good deal of experience on professional doctorates and their QAA reports also support this. Third, this programme is reasonably priced when compared to many others, including some others with no professional accreditation as well. (There is only the Strathclyde DBA with a similar cost as a professionally accredited -triple crown- alternative, which I am also considering. This may seem weird, but Middlesex's London location is also attracting me to some degree, taking into account the connections with business. And ok, Strathclyde is in Glasgow, Scotland, which is probably as good).

As for the professional accreditation, perhaps I might be wrong but "accreditation" seems to have different meanings and significance in the UK and the US. For the US schools, "national or "regional accreditation" is a must for the "validity" of the degrees offered, with professional accreditation addding "extra prestige and acceptance". For the UK schools, on the other hand, the requirement for "validity" seems to be -briefly- "approval by QAA and HEFCE". Professional accreditation again adds value and prestige, but far too few of the business schools seem to follow this path when compared to those in the US.

This is my understanding so far, to sum up. I will be more than happy to hear a bit more about your position on this, since I am an "outsider" in the end of the day and might well be missing some important points. I would especially like to hear something about "why not" i.e. whether there might be problems with global validity and recognition, or any other issue you may want to share.

Regards,

Most professional doctorates have similar structures and the British universities which offer them are all able to do that fairly well. They will all have positive QAA reports. Those are 'table stakes; what you need to get into the game.

Accreditation by AACSB, AMBA or EQUIS is not 'professional' accreditation. They are internationally-accepted signs of higher than minimal standards. Despite what you wrote, you'l find that all the top US business school have one or more of those.

Obviously Strathclyde is not the only provider of a triple-crown part-time doctorate. Manchester has its premium DBA and an inexpensive PhD. So does Durham... and many other schools.

If you don't want a school with international accreditation, there are still top-ranked universities, like King's College London, which offer doctorates in professional studies.

Of course it depends on why you want a doctorate and where you want to use it.

Thanks again, Duncan. Please find below my comments:

Most professional doctorates have similar structures and the British universities which offer them are all able to do that fairly well. They will all have positive QAA reports. Those are 'table stakes; what you need to get into the game.

Accreditation by AACSB, AMBA or EQUIS is not 'professional' accreditation. They are internationally-accepted signs of higher than minimal standards. Despite what you wrote, you'l find that all the top US business school have one or more of those.

Obviously Strathclyde is not the only provider of a triple-crown part-time doctorate. Manchester has its premium DBA and an inexpensive PhD. So does Durham... and many other schools.

If you don't want a school with international accreditation, there are still top-ranked universities, like King's College London, which offer doctorates in professional studies.

Of course it depends on why you want a doctorate and where you want to use it.

The Manchester PhD is available part-time, although it would be impractical if you were not in Manchester for much of the first two terms of the first year.

Honestly, it really depends on what you want your doctorate for. Research training will be much better at schools with a reputation for high-quality research. If you want to teach, then a good school will help, and a part-time PhD will be better than a DBA. I think those are strong points in Strathclyde's favour. Middlesex will certainly be easier, but I think that's really the strongest point it has over Strathclyde or other top schools.

Thank you, Duncan. As you have said, I am considering alternatives and these include part-time PhD programmes as well. However, most probably I will not switch my career path and will continue as a professional, so a professional doctorate also seems plausible. (of course a valid, globally recognised one, not one from a "diploma mill").

To be frank, I have a tendency towards MDX. This is mainly due to the practice-based nature of their DBA research, the flexibility they seem to provide and a very positive attitude towards my inquiries. Add to these that I will be doing this without breaking the bank. However, this is not a final decision yet.

Thank you for the advice you have provided so far. I will share the updates here.