Taking an MBA in: The United Kingdom
| Author | John Wilkinson |
| Function | Corporate and European Strategy Manager |
| Organistation | the OU Business School |
The MBA programme was first established in the USA in the early 1900s and first presented in Europe in the 1960s when Spain introduced it. The MBA is the world’s most popular postgraduate degree. Around 90,000 degrees are awarded every year in the USA, followed by the UK with 10,000.
The UK is a popular choice for students who want to study abroad. UK universities are renowned for high standards, modern facilities, cutting-edge teaching, tailored support for international students and good value for money. It also offers excellent opportunities to travel within the United Kingdom and to Europe.
Value for money
The first important decision potential MBA students will make is whether they can afford to take a year or two off work to complete their studies or whether a part-time or distance learning degree would better suit their lifestyle. Studying in the UK has the major advantage that the duration tends to be one year, in comparison with two years in the USA, Canada and Australia. This has major implications on the money needed to fund studies and the time it will take to get back into the job market.
Although the UK allows students to take up part-time work while studying, it is not something students should rely on to financially support their studies, as the programme is very intensive and assignments and projects will take up a significant amount of time.
Some institutions offer bursaries and scholarships to international students, and this could be a deciding factor in their choice of university.
The location of the institution will also determine how much money is needed while studying. Having friends or family nearby for support could make it a lot easier to settle in. Some areas of the UK, for example London and the South East, are much more expensive than elsewhere, and this will have an impact on the availability and price of accommodation.
Multicultural experience
Studying through a UK university means that the teaching is in English, the world’s most important business language. You’ll be mixing with people from all over the world – almost 30 per cent of postgraduate students in the UK are international.
Students’ multinational backgrounds and new perspectives will add to the learning experience. Gaining an insight into their customs and culture will help shape your views of the global economy, which is something that can be applied in your career.
Quality education
Education standards in the UK are very high. Universities and colleges are continually assessed on quality, and the qualifications are recognised worldwide. The skills of independence, creativity and self-reliance are encouraged, and these skills are also valued by most employers.
To help the selection of potential universities, it is worth looking at their credentials – or accreditation. Accreditation is the only independent way to judge the quality of the degree. Business Schools can be accredited by one or more of the following: AMBA (Association of MBAs); EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) or AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) assesses the quality of a university's teaching and its general facilities. Research standards are examined by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), and the findings are published every five years (last published in 2003). The results of all these assessments are freely available on the internet.
Distance learning: A good option to access a UK MBA
Distance learning offers the distinct advantage that students continue their jobs and earn money while studying. It is also a much more practical approach to learning the skills of management. The term ‘distance learning’ is probably inaccurate, as it actually brings learning closer to the student and workplace. Devotees of distance learning believe that discovering how learning benefits their day to day work is very motivational.
Distance learning opens up a wide choice of institutions from around the globe. Many English universities offer MBA programmes with a strong international focus. International students will have the benefit of acquiring a top quality education without the need to leave their home country. They also don’t have to go through the rigorous procedure of applying for and obtaining a student visa.
Many business schools in the United Kingdom offer their programmes through local partners. Distance only universities can also offer local study centres and online conferences, which can be accessed wherever the internet is available.
Support networks
It is often said that studying for an MBA is a long and tough journey. Campus based universities recognise that international students may need extra support, and have systems in place to help students and bring them together to share their experience.
People concerned that distance learning may be a lonely experience, should find out about the frequency of residential schools, the availability of online forums for students on the same course, availability and ease of contacting your tutor and other available events, for example evening seminars. Contact with fellow MBA students is for many students the most valued part of taking the degree.
Specialist or open degree?
Specialist MBAs have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Apart from the general MBA, many UK institutions now offer subject specific MBAs including Life Sciences, International Economics, Project Management, Technology and Master of Public Administration for public sector managers.
There has been a long standing debate over whether there is a place for specialist MBAs, as the degree traditionally prepared people for a career in general management. But with a growing number of graduates and the desire to be qualified as a specialist a chosen field, many have opted to study for a specific degree which is more relevant to their jobs and professions.
It is not enough these days to ‘have’ and MBA – it is the quality of the degree and the respect it holds in the marketplace that are vitally important. A degree from a UK institution could offer you a qualification backed by centuries of tradition and may be just right for providing a global edge.
-ends-
Further information:
OU Business School: http://www.topmasterprogrammes.com/master-and-mba-europe/institute/OU-Business-School-1193/beschrijving
The Association of MBAs: http://www.mbaworld.com/page/welcome/index.html
Universities UK: http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/tblank
Universities Scotland: http://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/tblank
British Council: http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning.htm
Hero, the national website for higher education institutions in the UK: http://www.hero.ac.uk/
The Council for International Education: http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/
Quality Assurance Agency: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/
Research Assessment Exercise: http://www.rae.ac.uk/