I have come to realise that a lot of colleges in UK are offering University MBA's at their colleges. The Degree is the University's while the faculty and facilities are that of a college. What are some of the advantages and indeed disadvantages of pursuing such a Degree except for costs. Someone advise before I make a wrong choice.

Are you asking about MBAs offered by universities versus MBAs offered by stand-alone b-schools, or are you asking about two types of MBAs offered at universities --those offered within a college and those offered by the university as a whole?

What I meant is the University Degree being offered by a college. For example a University of Wales MBA being offered by London School of Commerce. I would also appreciate information on stand alone business schools as well

I don't know why in some cases the MBA program is organized by the colleges, but my guess is that it is a matter of having a more decentralized organization. For example, if a college has some legal autonomy from the university or is subject to lower bureaucratic constraints, it makes sense for a university to run the MBA program from a college. Then maybe that particular college is where all the relevant faculty is affiliated. I don't see any reason to suspect. Schools have so much pressure to attract students and build a good reputation. Why would they hurt themselves?

At any rate, I would rely heavily upon accreditation when deciding. You should take into account that accreditation always refers to the university as a whole: for example if two colleges within the same university had their own MBA programs, one of them could not be accredited if the other one is not. Accrediting bodies look very carefully to check that the same minimum quality requirements are met, no matter who runs the program.

As far as the other question is concerned (stand-alone b-schools versus universities), there's a lot to be written about it. There are historical differences between North America and Europe. In North America, MBAs were started by the universities. Since there are general bachelor degrees in the US (as opposed to more specialized undergrad degrees in Europe), universities have for quite a long time had graduate schools of business, in much the same way as they have (graduate) schools of law, medicine, or nursing. The MBA idea was copied in Europe, and was first copied by stand-alone, private business schools. So the oldest programs in Europe are run by stand-alone business schools, but many universities have had time to catch up. So the fact that a program is offered by a university or a stand-alone business school, in itself, does not tell you much about the quality. You have to check the curriculum, quality of faculty, accreditation, etc.

Thank you very much dear. Your information is really helpful. I didn't just get you clearly on what you said on accreditation. Do they use the same creteria for accreditation of Colleges and Universies. The other thing I wanted to find out is, if the University which is offering the MBA is accreditated does it mean the course will be considered the same when offered by a college. The main reason for finding out all this is the issue of costs, I would like to settle for a very reasonably priced but with highly regarded/rated course. Kindly advise

Yes they use the same criteria. That's why I recommend to take accreditation as a first criterion. What I meant is that accrediting bodies audit all the MBA courses that are offered within a university, including those that perhaps are offered by colleges within the university. For example, if a university wanted to offer a very good/very expensive MBA and also a cheap/lower quality course through one of its colleges, it would have a lot of trouble with accreditation.

Hi frends,

I am very much thankful to you both, casuse the discussion what i would like to pose to the members you have already cleared it to me, with regard the same thing, i have decided that to join in MBA at Rayat London College, London, if anybody have idea about the college faculty carrer opportunities if i have passed out from the college.

b4 I pay my admission fee i would like to clear about all these things. kindly advice me u r hel will be appreciable.

thank you.

Hi, Myself jalak, presently in second sem of MBA from Rayat London College, Which provides university of wales degree. I found this college as one of the best in london. This college is not cheat or fake colleges like others in uk. anways i would suggest you to join rayat london college. if you have anymore queries then contact me on my email address - [email protected]

How strengent are the entry requirements for the MBA programme at your college? Are you aware of any accreditations that the University of Wales has? And on the University of Wales I am bit confused because there are are lot of Universities calling themselves University of Wales, Which one are you doing?

Later

For taking admisson in Rayat london college you need to have atleast bachelors degree and apart from that we need to have atleast one year work experience at managerial level. The degree is from PRIFYGOL CYMRU University of wales, and you can check out this website http://www.wales.ac.uk/defaultpage.asp?page=e9

hi this is zelda .. if any body could advice me how is the LSC (london school of commerce ) 1 year MBA ..

London School of Commerce is very Good. They offer the MBA from East London University at a relatively cheaper price than doing it from the University. The only thing you have to take into consideration is the high cost of living in London where LSC is situated. Otherwise their admision requirements are equally flexible.

Kind Regards, Edward

I am American with a low GMAT score but a B.A., 5 years of owning my own business and very good recommendations. I want to study in France, UK or Switzerland. What programs would be a good match?

I do not know much about France and Switzerland, But I have done a bit of some research on UK. To begin with try Surrey and Exeter. Better still you can do a University of Wales MBA from Holbone College in East London or a University of East London at London School of commerce.

All the best

Edward

How about Leeds, Birmingham, and Nottingham? I found them in the FT European Business School Ranking, but in some more end of the list positions.
Edward, you might know how their GMAT requirements are, maybe not so high?

The ones you have mentioned, dear, are top ones and therefore most expensive. Nottingham if I am not mistaken should cost you 18,500 GBP(2007/08), Birmingham around 16,200 GBP, and Leeds somewhere in between. If you've got quality work experince with managerial responsibilities the GMAT should not be an issue at least for UK, couple that with powerful references from people who love you not who like you, and don't forget your transcripts.

By the way where are based, I will be doing my MBA from Leicester starting September 2008 unless otherwise.

All the best

Well, sure, but the question of our American friend above was not to find a CHEAP MBA, but a GOOD MBA which would accept his application, even though his GMAT is not so good. I thought that the top tier schools would probably insist on a good GMAt, whereas these schools I named, even though excellent school, might be more flexible with the GMAT than, for instance, LBS..

So actually you confirmed what I guessed without knowing.

Hi Jona, if fees are not an issue the list qualifies so well although I may have to add Bradford to the List.

Let's wish our friend good luck

Ed

Hi Ed,
I just hope that next time you can answer this kind of info request about UK programs before me... you know at least what you are talking about, and I admit, I'm far from being a specialist. The only thing I can do is look in the rankings and so on ;-)
But I wanted to send some answer as a start to help dneukomm in his research, instead of leaving the question unanswered on the board.
Talk to you later. Jona

Hi friends....
this is roger..after reading your comments about MBA programs. i am sure you guys can help me.

i am new to this place and have no idea about good college..
i need help in selecting a good and reputed college so do my MBA. i mean regarding cost as well career.

Thanks in advance to all your reply. suggest me the best one to your knowledge.