I don't understand why you'd want a doctorate from there when there are accredited schools, or more research active schools, available.

Thank you for your reply, Duncan. First of all, the structure of the programme and the subject focus areas available seem suitable for me. Second, they seem to have a good deal of experience on professional doctorates and their QAA reports also support this. Third, this programme is reasonably priced when compared to many others, including some others with no professional accreditation as well. (There is only the Strathclyde DBA with a similar cost as a professionally accredited -triple crown- alternative, which I am also considering. This may seem weird, but Middlesex's London location is also attracting me to some degree, taking into account the connections with business. And ok, Strathclyde is in Glasgow, Scotland, which is probably as good).

As for the professional accreditation, perhaps I might be wrong but "accreditation" seems to have different meanings and significance in the UK and the US. For the US schools, "national or "regional accreditation" is a must for the "validity" of the degrees offered, with professional accreditation addding "extra prestige and acceptance". For the UK schools, on the other hand, the requirement for "validity" seems to be -briefly- "approval by QAA and HEFCE". Professional accreditation again adds value and prestige, but far too few of the business schools seem to follow this path when compared to those in the US.

This is my understanding so far, to sum up. I will be more than happy to hear a bit more about your position on this, since I am an "outsider" in the end of the day and might well be missing some important points. I would especially like to hear something about "why not" i.e. whether there might be problems with global validity and recognition, or any other issue you may want to share.

Regards,

Most professional doctorates have similar structures and the British universities which offer them are all able to do that fairly well. They will all have positive QAA reports. Those are 'table stakes; what you need to get into the game.

Accreditation by AACSB, AMBA or EQUIS is not 'professional' accreditation. They are internationally-accepted signs of higher than minimal standards. Despite what you wrote, you'l find that all the top US business school have one or more of those.

Obviously Strathclyde is not the only provider of a triple-crown part-time doctorate. Manchester has its premium DBA and an inexpensive PhD. So does Durham... and many other schools.

If you don't want a school with international accreditation, there are still top-ranked universities, like King's College London, which offer doctorates in professional studies.

Of course it depends on why you want a doctorate and where you want to use it.

Thanks again, Duncan. Please find below my comments:

<blockquote>Most professional doctorates have similar structures and the British universities which offer them are all able to do that fairly well. They will all have positive QAA reports. Those are 'table stakes; what you need to get into the game.</blockquote>
So far so good. I take this as encouraging.

<blockquote>
Accreditation by AACSB, AMBA or EQUIS is not 'professional' accreditation. They are internationally-accepted signs of higher than minimal standards. Despite what you wrote, you'l find that all the top US business school have one or more of those.</blockquote>
Perhaps I could not make it clear, bu that's what I also say. Many "US" schools yes. Still, not about being "valid or recognised", but about being "more respected"

<blockquote>
Obviously Strathclyde is not the only provider of a triple-crown part-time doctorate. Manchester has its premium DBA and an inexpensive PhD. So does Durham... and many other schools.</blockquote>
Sure, Strathclyde is not the only one. It is the only one with a price at a similar level to that of MDX. Manchester and Durham are indeed far too expensive for me, unfortunately. Manchester PhD is full-time mostly, especially for international students, and still expensive, though not as much as the DBA.

<blockquote>
If you don't want a school with international accreditation, there are still top-ranked universities, like King's College London, which offer doctorates in professional studies.</blockquote>
Of course I will not say that I do not want international accreditation, why not?! It is about cost & benefit. And do we differentiate between international "accreditation" and international "recognition"? For example, I have made a few Linkedin searches like the one you also suggest on another thread, and I have found many Middlesex MBA's studying or working at various regions in the world, including the US.

<blockquote>Of course it depends on why you want a doctorate and where you want to use it. </blockquote>
I want to do a quality research, of publishing quality, put a high emphasis on practice, do this part-time in the UK with limited residency, and earn a respectable (not questionable) UK doctoral degree, which will be recognised globally.

Given this, please be sure that I just want to make my situation clear and benefit from the replies, not to defend any position.

Regards,

The Manchester PhD is available part-time, although it would be impractical if you were not in Manchester for much of the first two terms of the first year.

Honestly, it really depends on what you want your doctorate for. Research training will be much better at schools with a reputation for high-quality research. If you want to teach, then a good school will help, and a part-time PhD will be better than a DBA. I think those are strong points in Strathclyde's favour. Middlesex will certainly be easier, but I think that's really the strongest point it has over Strathclyde or other top schools.

Thank you, Duncan. As you have said, I am considering alternatives and these include part-time PhD programmes as well. However, most probably I will not switch my career path and will continue as a professional, so a professional doctorate also seems plausible. (of course a valid, globally recognised one, not one from a "diploma mill").

To be frank, I have a tendency towards MDX. This is mainly due to the practice-based nature of their DBA research, the flexibility they seem to provide and a very positive attitude towards my inquiries. Add to these that I will be doing this without breaking the bank. However, this is not a final decision yet.

Thank you for the advice you have provided so far. I will share the updates here.