I'm in the process of negotiating access to a Senior Leader Apprenticeship programme with my employer and trying to decide which course is best for my needs...

I graduated in 2001 with a 2:2 MEng joint Hons Electrical Engineering and Computer Science course and have worked as a Software Engineer and Manager, most recently for a software services company that has been acquired by a large US/Indian services company.

I'm looking for a qualification to help enhance my credentials as a manager, give me more confidence I'm 'doing the right things' in my role and potentially allow me to pivot to a role more involved in strategic decision making.

I'm hoping to get some help deciding whether the top-up options of an MSc at AMBS is considered as good as an MBA from Lancaster/Cranfield/Henley and which in your opinion is 'better'.

I'm leaning towards the MBA from Cranfield at the moment, because I like the greater in-person teaching that appears to be offered with 3 days/month on campus and potential to widen my network with a greater range of companies in the South East (I live in the North West). However, there's a sizeable commitment in travelling and paying for accommodation with this. Do you think it's 'worth it' when compared to similar programmes in the North West? Lancaster seems to be a nice place to study, but I've been told by a colleague that their students/networks tend to be more from the public sector (not sure if that's true?).

Thanks in advance

Moz

My brother just completed the MSc at AMBS, and it sounded fine but not spectacular. You are right to consider the network power. Take a look at: 

How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571
 

Thanks Duncan, I saw your post and had a bit of a browse through LinkedIn using the search facilities, I'll sign up for a free premium trial and see if that gives greater insight, but I'd appreciate if you'd comment on the SLA options mentioned and whether there's much between them in terms of reputation and if there's any others I might have missed?

It doesn't seem to me that you have clear enough goals to make the differences very material.