Recommend me an MSc or MBA
Recommend me an MSc or MBA
Author
Discussion

fade2grey

Original Poster:

704 posts

279 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
Okay,

I'm an IT guy, I've been in the industry for years & work at a reasonably high level for a large american outsourcer. I've got plenty of demonstratable technical experience & certifications. I'm also chartered through the British Computer Society.

I'm starting to find that my lack of a university degree is starting to affect my career for the first time. Consequently, I'm looking to do either an MSc or possibly an MBA. It needs to be distance learning & over a comparatively short period of time (I have a short attention span lol). The logic behind the MBA is that on my journey to CTO I'll need to demonstrate a lot more business acumen than I'm able to currently. Where as the MSc would realistically be more aligned to my technical experience & background.

So.. can anyone recommend any education establishments or specific courses to look at?

Cheers

Roop

6,018 posts

315 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
Manchester Business School do a very good executive MBA (ie: Part time and/or distance learning). After being accepted on two other courses, I chose Manchester and don't regret it for a second. I did the full-time course though. PM me if I can help.

Alec

333 posts

257 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
Can you get onto a MBA without a first degree?

Plotloss

67,280 posts

301 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
Alec said:
Can you get onto a MBA without a first degree?
Yes but its not easy and enormously expensive.

jimbouk

432 posts

225 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
I can recommend the Bath University Exec MBA, did it a couple of years ago. I did not have a degree at the time, boiled down to having to do a GMAT exam and convincing them that I had the skills and commitment.

One of the key criteria to look for is that the course is AMBA accredited.

Beware though a MBA does require a pretty hefty amount of work and can seriously damage your personal life and relationships (especially if doing a day job too), quite a few of my contemparies ended up getting divorced either during or shortly afterwards!!

Sold my Porsche to pay for it too!

Was well worth it for me though.

fade2grey

Original Poster:

704 posts

279 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
cheers guys, thank's for the input.

I've just been looking through the AMBA site - good tip! There seems to be lots out there that aren't.

Anyone done an MSc?


Roop

6,018 posts

315 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
Manchester course is one of the few that are triple accredited. GMAT is compulsory, expected score is 600+

Following link is regards the worldwide programme but you get the idea.

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/postgraduate/...

I recommend getting the Economist Which MBA book.

FWIW, I was offered a place at Warwick and London Business School as well but chose Manc. No regrets.

casbar

1,151 posts

246 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
Yep, I'm an IT Programme Manager, did an MSc in Managing Business IT. One of the best things I did. Finished it 11 years ago and got me a lot of positions. Some consultancies wouldn't have taken me on without it. Had an HND in Telecoms Engineering, but the MSc really paid off.

Did mine day release at Bournemouth Uni, took 3 years, but needed a 1st degree or HND to get on the course.

Aranell

868 posts

255 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
fade2grey said:
Anyone done an MSc?
Yup, in IT with Liverpool Uni (before they started their horrendous online marketing campaign, I hasten to add!). Absolutely 100 percent cannot recommend it - has been a complete and utter shambles from Day One.

fade2grey

Original Poster:

704 posts

279 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
Hey Aranell - thanks for the info, I did look at liverpool a while back but when I looked in more detail it didn't appear to be accredited & just didn't ring any bells for me - except for easy access.

Do you have any more specific comments on why it was so bad?

Aranell

868 posts

255 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
fade2grey said:
Do you have any more specific comments on why it was so bad?
Dropped you an email smile

rustyspit

462 posts

235 months

Thursday 10th July 2008
quotequote all
fade2grey said:
Anyone done an MSc?
I'm just finishing a (full time) MSc in Computing Science at Imperial College, having taken a year out of employment to do it. It's been a good course (if you want a general computer science course), although some of the maths might be a bit hardcore if you haven't done a maths-related subject in the past.

Imperial also do a 'Computing for Industry' course which isn't distance learning, but can be taken part-time if that is of any interest?

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/computing/teaching/post...

darrent

630 posts

290 months

Friday 11th July 2008
quotequote all
Just done my MBA full time at Warwick Business School, excellent school and teaching staff, just starting to get my social life back!!