Hello.

Dwindled down my options to two:

1. UEBS EMBA
2. Warwick Distance Learning MBA

Work in Technology Programme and Portfolio Management, with a view to Transformation Director/Head of Transformation roles in the future.

UEBS EMBA would provide more structure and ‘local’ networking opportunities. Warwick has the badge and ranking but the distance learning option is very subscription based (if you want to do anything beyond the bare basics of the offering you pay eg. personal coaching or on-site modules).

The fees are very similar, which is a plus given the current environment. I like the offering of both but UEBS has a greater core offering.

It feels somewhat like comparing a top of the range Volvo versus a mid-range Mercedes Benz.

Any thoughts?

That sounds around the right. The cohort quality will be much higher at UEBS, and the experience is different. It depends on your goals though. 

In your view is the experience any different other than the fact one has more on-site attendance versus the other being predominantly online? Do you think this Is also true given the current climate?

Goals: (Increase salary), 1. Develop a deeper and wider base of business knowledge beyond being someone who ‘delivers’, 2. Stay in a similar skill/role path (no career transition) but have the potential to rise to or be recruitable at more senior roles without being time served or ‘in the gang’ 3. Internationally attractive (Europe, Middle East), 4. Develop a broader network and 5. Increase salary. 

UEBS still feels right but I can’t help but constantly second guess the fact that Warwick is Warwick. 

I think any MBA can meet these goals. Personally, the EMBA route was right for me. I found the connections made in class were the most powerful.

Take a look at the post on my profile page about using LinkedIn. Maybe one of these schools has a better network. 

Quite possibly some other school might meet your need better. Mentioning the Middle East, for example, makes me think of LBS, City, Manchester and Strathclyde.  

[Edited by Duncan on Sep 06, 2020]

So ultimately Edinburgh has a great MBA offering but Warwick has a much better placed alumni. 

That caninterpreted in many ways but for me is a simple way of looking at it. 

There are clearly other schools but I’ll wind myself up more if I continue adding too much to the mix. 

[Edited by Olaf on Aug 19, 2020]

Yes, it's a concrete difference depending on your goals. In some places, like the US, Edinburgh will have better placed alumni. In others Warwick will be better placed. 

Although you might have to pay extra for things like coaching at Warwick, you should still consider it. Coaching is a very powerful development tool, especially at leadership level. It's these kinds of things you might find on an EMBA that could really give you a big boost to your career. 

That sounds around the right. The cohort quality will be much higher at UEBS, and the experience is different. It depends on your goals though. 

Although you might have to pay extra for things like coaching at Warwick, you should still consider it. Coaching is a very powerful development tool, especially at leadership level. It's these kinds of things you might find on an EMBA that could really give you a big boost to your career. 

What do you base this on?

[Edited by Duncan on Sep 06, 2020]

In term of reputation, both of these universities are in the top 100 worldwide (filter for business at the THE World Reputation Rankings) and will give you a triple crown, Russell Group MBA. 

[Edited by Duncan on Sep 06, 2020]

Thanks Duncan. I‘m confident and comfortable that Edinburgh is a far better university than Warwick on the whole. I know the rankings this year (eg The Guardian) might show a different picture but it is my take. 

From a business school perspective though I can’t get my head over the rankings and that’s where UEBS is actually quite poor. 

I still prefer what UEBS has to offer as an EMBA in comparison but there’s a constant and niggling doubt, solely down to business school ranking. 

UEBS is simply much smaller, I guess. Pound for pound they both do well.