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"Low Cost" Online MBA shoot-out - Keele University vs University of Cumbria (Robert Kennedy College)


Posted May 17, 2021 20:45

Hi all,

Before I start, I must say that I have found this discussion board very useful as I have been lurking on here over the weekend.
I have a question for you UK based folks if I may...

I am considering the above two programs. I already know that these are NOT accredited and are not internationally known. In my defence, here's a little context about me...

- I am UK based and don't plan to travel (so international reputation is not that important)
- I am working for a global company already and plan to use this MBA knowledge to progress internally (top notch networks are already available internally IMHO)
- I have 20+ years work experience but (with regret) no bachelor degree (limits my MBA options considerably...)
- My main goal is to (a) add business knowledge to my IT background (b) to gain a Masters degree from a known "bricks and mortar" uni...
- IMHO there is nothing to be gained from studying for a bachelors at my age - I have been working with and being hired alongside graduates for the last 20 years, so 4 years spent on a BSc won't help me much

= =

Question 1: Bearing in mind the above profile, are there any online MBA alternatives that I am missing around the GBP 10k mark?

Question 2: Are there any advantages that one of these two universities have over the other?

Thanks in advance for your help!

AB11
Hi all,

Before I start, I must say that I have found this discussion board very useful as I have been lurking on here over the weekend.
I have a question for you UK based folks if I may...

I am considering the above two programs. I already know that these are NOT accredited and are not internationally known. In my defence, here's a little context about me...

- I am UK based and don't plan to travel (so international reputation is not that important)
- I am working for a global company already and plan to use this MBA knowledge to progress internally (top notch networks are already available internally IMHO)
- I have 20+ years work experience but (with regret) no bachelor degree (limits my MBA options considerably...)
- My main goal is to (a) add business knowledge to my IT background (b) to gain a Masters degree from a known "bricks and mortar" uni...
- IMHO there is nothing to be gained from studying for a bachelors at my age - I have been working with and being hired alongside graduates for the last 20 years, so 4 years spent on a BSc won't help me much

= =

Question 1: Bearing in mind the above profile, are there any online MBA alternatives that I am missing around the GBP 10k mark?

Question 2: Are there any advantages that one of these two universities have over the other?

Thanks in advance for your help!

AB11
quote

Posted May 18, 2021 08:15

There are some great schools that will admit people without degrees. Look at the management apprenticeship programmes. They are much cheaper and many can b be topped to to a full masters. For example, a friend is the the program at Manchester Uni, and has no degree.

[Edited by Duncan on May 18, 2021]

There are some great schools that will admit people without degrees. Look at the management apprenticeship programmes. They are much cheaper and many can b be topped to to a full masters. For example, a friend is the the program at Manchester Uni, and has no degree.
quote

Posted May 18, 2021 10:05

Thanks @Duncan - I will widen the net a little and look that the apprentice option. 

Thanks AB11
Thanks @Duncan - I will widen the net a little and look that the apprentice option.&nbsp;<br><br>Thanks AB11
quote

Posted May 18, 2021 10:15

Many of the post-1992 universities will offer a Top-Up MBA to people with a Level 7 diploma in management. Cardiff Met, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Sunderland are perhaps the best known. However, the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is available at much, much better schools and is almost free, so it makes no sense to get a no-name MBA (like, has anyone actually heard of Cumbria University?). 

[Edited by StuartHE on May 18, 2021]

Many of the post-1992 universities will offer a Top-Up MBA to people with a Level 7 diploma in management. Cardiff Met, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Sunderland are perhaps the best known. However, the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is available at much, much better schools and is almost free, so it makes no sense to get a no-name MBA (like, has anyone actually heard of Cumbria University?).&nbsp;
quote

Posted May 18, 2021 14:53

Thanks Stuart.

I understand that the nuances of this Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is currently under review by the DoE / UK Gov, so I keep an eye on this and see if the MBA is removed / or retained in the program.

Thanks Stuart.<br><br>I understand that the nuances of this Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is currently under review by the DoE / UK Gov, so I keep an eye on this and see if the MBA is removed / or retained in the program.<br><br>
quote

Posted May 18, 2021 15:23

The MBA is removed unless you are already in the programme. So you'd be Government funded through to the PG Diploma stage, and then you'd have to self-fund the final project/dissertation to get the MBA or MSc. But that would give you a triple-crown masters from Cranfield, Manchester, Henley etc rather a no-name MBA at a similar cost. 
So, don't wait. Get in before the funding gets reduced further. 

[Edited by StuartHE on May 18, 2021]

The MBA is removed unless you are already in the programme. So you'd be Government funded through to the PG Diploma stage, and then you'd have to self-fund the final project/dissertation to get the MBA or MSc. But that would give you a triple-crown masters from Cranfield, Manchester, Henley etc rather a no-name MBA at a similar cost.&nbsp;<br>So, don't wait. Get in before the funding gets reduced further.&nbsp;
quote

Posted May 18, 2021 16:59

Understood.

Thanks again. 
Understood.<br><br>Thanks again.&nbsp;
quote

Posted Oct 07, 2023 08:16

Hi,
I know this post was a while back but AB11 do you mind sharing what you ended up doing? I feel like I am in exactly the same situation.
Your initial post on this thread could have literally been written by me! 
VP
Hi,<br>I know this post was a while back but AB11 do you mind sharing what you ended up doing? I feel like I am in exactly the same situation.<br>Your initial post on this thread could have literally been written by me!&nbsp;<br>VP
quote

Posted Oct 16, 2023 21:01

Has anyone had any success getting onto a senior leader apprenticeship? My current employer has rejected my request twice. 
Has anyone had any success getting onto a senior leader apprenticeship? My current employer has rejected my request twice.&nbsp;
quote

Posted Oct 17, 2023 05:57

My brother just completed one, and I start one next year. Your employee is the problem. 
My brother just completed one, and I start one next year. Your employee is the problem.&nbsp;
quote

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