Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Euro MBA Distance Learning
We have been hearing a lot about the European Master of Business Administration or more popularly known as the Euro MBA or Euro*MBA. This is a review on Euro MBA - the distance learning and online MBA program offered through the joint efforts of top European business schools and universities.
The Euro MBA is a two-year program. It consists of four days of introduction seminar to introduce MBA students to its program, the communication and IT skills required for the online learning environment. There is also a six-week of residence throughout Europe which cover a wide spectrum of topics on European business and management issues. During this residency, MBA students visit companies and are provided with leadership training.
There are 10 core business modules to be completed online to help MBA students develop in-depth knowledge on general management. These online learning also provide students with the opportunities to network among themselves. The online learning for Euro MBA allow students to study wherever and whenever they wanted.
Euro MBA students also are required to complete a Master Thesis to utilize the skills they have learned throughout the program and to apply them to real-life management issues.
Accreditation
The Euro MBA is a well-reputated certified MBA program that is accredited by various accreditation agencies. These include accreditation by AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS.
Upon completion of the Euro MBA, graduates obtain a certified MBA degree of the full consortium members:
1. Audencia Nantes Ecole de Management (France)
2. EADA (Spain)
3. IAE Aix-en-Provence (France)
4. Leon Kozminsky Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management (Poland)
5. Universiteit Maastricht Business School (the Netherlands)
6. HHL - Leipzig Graduate School of Management
The followings are detailed description of the format and program of the Euro MBA.
Introduction Seminar
All registered students of the Euro MBA attend a four-day introduction seminar. This takes place during the first weekend of the Residential Week that precedes the first course.
The purposes of the seminar are to:
1. Get to know the Euro*MBA staff and the Euro*MBA programme and procedures
2. Get to know your colleague students you are going to work with during your courses
3. Make a good start with your course and your group consultancy project
4. Acquire skills needed to perform well in the Euro*MBA programme.
During the Introduction Seminar, there will be sessions on Writing Skills, Presentation Skills, Teamwork and Multicultural Communication, Lotus Notes, Teambuilding Activities and Kick off Sessions Courses.
Residential Weeks
Euro MBA students have to attend six residential weeks spread over the two-year program. Each of these residential weeks cover different themes in management and leadership skills. Euro MBA students will receive lectures and materials from experts and professionals on current issues n business, work on group projects and receive management skills training.
The themes of the Euro MBA Residential Weeks are:
Corporate Social Responsibility by Audencia (Nantes/France)
Organisational Learning and Transformational Change by UMBS (Netherlands)
Managing Emerging Markets by LKAEM (Poland)
Entrepreneurship by IAE-Aix (Aix-en-Provence/France)
Managing Strategic Innovation by HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management (Germany)
Business Life Cycle by EADA (Spain)
In addition to the theme, there are also soft skills development in the area of communication processes, international negotiation, influencing/interaction skills, problem solving in teams, decision making and coaching.
The Euro*MBA programme consists of ten distance learning courses:
Հ Strategic Management
Հ Change Management
Հ International Management
Հ Management Accounting
Հ International Financial Management
Հ Human Resource Management
Հ Technology and Innovation Management
Հ International Marketing
Հ Business Simulation
Հ European Business Law
Strategic Management
The Strategic Management of the Euro MBA provides a rigorous analytical view that firms face in todayҀs competitive environment that can be used in the process of strategic decision-making. This course aims to provide Euro MBA students with an understanding of what corporate strategy is, why strategic decisions are important, approaches to formulate and implement strategy, levels of managers in the strategic management process and the effects of European Union on the firmҀs environment and strategy.
Among some of the main topics covered in the Euro MBA Strategic Management course include: evaluation of the firmҀs environment; evaluation of firmҀs strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT); competitive strategies; cooperative strategies; integration and diversification; merger and acquisition; global strategies; and the effect of the European Union.
Change Management
The goals of the Euro MBA Change Management course are to teach the basics of change management, apply this knowledge in practice, further students teamwork and to prepare students for the Masters thesis. The Change Management course of the Euro MBA discusses in detail the steps change agents take such as diagnosis, sense making and strategizing in the change process.
Students are divided into teams that consists of 4 to 6 students per team for this course.
International Management
The goals of the International Management course of the Euro MBA is to enable students to acquire the knowledge and insight into the conditions about international business development and growth, nature of international business, characteristics of international, multinational and global enterprises, and the basic policy available for the management of international business.
Among some of the main topics covered in the Euro MBA International Management course include: the nature of international business; international trade; involvement of government and companies in international trade; foreign direct investment; management of marketing and production; strategic issues for global enterprise; specific strategic issues for the global enterprise; internationalization of the global enterprise; organizational issues; and the cultural environment of the global enterprise.
Management Accounting
The goals of the Management Accounting course in the Euro MBA are to enable students to understand and appreciate the strengths and limitations of a firmҀs accounting system, to use opportunity cost in decision making process, to use organization theory to understand how accounting is employed as part of the control mechanism and to connect concepts of real-world cases.
Some of the main topics covered in the Euro MBA Management Accounting course include: nature of costs; organization architecture; budgets and budgeting; cost allocation; absorption cost systems; and management accounting in a changing environment.
International Financial Management
The goals of the Euro MBA International Financial Management course are to enable students to learn to manage international investments, analyse the profit and risk of international investment, international financing, to assess the risks associated with debt, currency risk, political risk and various risk management.
Some of the main topics covered in the International Financial Management course of the Euro MBA include: time value in risk management; role of foreign exchange market; foreign direct investment decision; diversification and portfolio approach; international financial markets such as bond market and SWAP market; cost of capital of foreign project; foreign exposure and risk; and political risk management.
Human Resource Management
The goals of the Human Resource Management course in the Euro MBA are to help students to understand the role of human resource management in an international context, how human resource management relates to corporate strategy, cultural differences and difficulties that arise in multicultural organization and to develop human resource strategies that lead to sustained competitive advantage.
Some of the main topics covered in the Human Resource Management course of the Euro MBA include managing workflows, staffing ր recruiting/selecting/downsizing, development of appraisal tools, compensation and reward, governance and international human resource management.
Technology and Innovation Management
The goals of the Technology and Innovation Management course in the Euro MBA are to provide an understanding of how technological and innovation processes work, ideas for developing and exploiting firmҀs innovative and technological capabilities and to provide concepts and tools for the integration of technology and innovation into the firmҀs competitive strategies.
Some of the main topics covered in the Technology and Innovation Management course in the Euro MBA include: Innovation in historical context; integration of technology and strategy; design and evolution of technology strategy; enactment of technology strategy; organization architecture and managing innovation; managing functional competencies; and executive leadership in managing innovation and change.
International Marketing
The goals of the International Marketing course in the Euro MBA are to enable students to understand and analyse foreign environments, understand the impact of foreign environment market behaviour, analyse intermediate and final demand in a foreign investment, understand the international marketing strategy options and formulate international marketing strategies.
Main topics covered under the International Marketing course in the Euro MBA include: the international marketing environment; the economic behaviour; the cultural, political, legal and technological environment; human and natural resources, demand in international markets; international marketing research; international business marketing, market entry strategies, export and licensing; and international marketing strategies.
Business Simulation
The educational goals of the Business Simulation course of the Euro MBA are to improve decision making process, study how benchmarking improves performance, coherence of functional decisions, group working, understand financial marketҀs impact on firmҀs strategies, value drivers, international positioning, and global business versus core competences.
In this Business Simulation course of the Euro MBA, students have to develop new policies in line with the most recent developments in strategy, finance and competitive alliance. They also have to practice negotiation in a full internet context. Students make use of a distance-learning tools to learn how to negotiate alliances with other firms and under the scrutiny of the financial markets.
European Business Law
The goals of the European Business Law of the Euro MBA are to help students to acquire knowledge and insight into: business organisations, notably public companies, under the national laws of six Member States of the EC (Belgium, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Spain, the UK); business organisations under EC-law; the harmonisation programme within the EC; employee participation under national laws and in relation to the trans-national enterprise; cross border cooperation and acquisitions; groups as regulated by national laws and the EC; and investor protection as regulated by national laws and the EC.
Some main topics covered under the European Business Law course in the Euro MBA includes: business organisations within the EC; formation and financing of companies under national law; business organisations under the EC law; and cross border cooperation and acquisitions.
How Does Online Learning Works in Euro MBA?
Students use internet technology to work together with managers from various cultural, national and sectorial background. No lecturers are required as students can study anytime they want.
Students are grouped in teams of 4 to 6 students, with at least 3 nationalities. Team members will be able to encourage and motivate each other to complete the course.
During the residential weeks, students of the Euro MBA are provided with MBA materials such as books, readers and CD-ROM. They can assess their online MBA via the Web.
Assessment of the Euro MBA
The assessment for each course shall be based on individual assignment, a group assignment and a final exam.
Master Thesis
The final Master Thesis is the final task in the distance learning Euro MBA program. The followings are examples of Master Thesis completed by other Euro MBA students:
Հ Pioneering Emerging Markets in Developing Countries with Supply Chain Collaboration (Annette Lindinger, German)
Հ Predatory Pricing in the CRM Market (Dave Puckett, American)
Հ Performance-Based Maitenance Service Outsourcing by Alaleh Motamedi (Belgian/Iranian living in the US)
Հ Real options valuation of a drug discovery project: Aspects of Value Maximisation by Harald Mottl, with distinction (German living in Italy)
Հ Headquarters-Subsidiary Relationships in the Changing Multinational Company Environment: Empowering Subsidiaries by Shekhar Pula, with distinction (Indian living in the Netherlands)
Հ Entrepreneurship in Matured Organizations: A Theoretical Analysis and Empirical Study of MNCs in the Automotive Supplier Industry by Reiner Nesper (German)
Հ Learning to invent the future: Public Service in a Market Economy Strategic Planning and Organization Transformation in Government Organizations by Louis Titre (Dutch)
Հ What advantages Small and Medium Enterprises have over larger firms in Information Technology Services: The case of Spain by Jordi Torras (Spanish)
Հ Basic challenge of global organisations between technology innovation and knowledge management: a relation approach by Ferruccio Frigerio (Italian)
Հ Board Structures Under Corporate Governance by Clodagh Coakley (Irish)
Հ Comparison of Shareholder Value and Stakeholder Value Consequences for the strategic management by Christoph Stoppok (German)
Հ Competency Management at the Heart of Organisational Change by Gerard Nieuwe Weme (Dutch)
Հ Competitive Strategies for the European Logistics Industry by Ralph Burns (British living in Germany)
Հ Concentration, Disintegration and Co-operation in the Pharmaceutical Industry by Joop Wijdeven (Dutch)
Հ Concepts, a Threat to Existing Brands by Peter de Mol (Dutch) Developing, Implementing and Evaluating International Human Resource Strategies in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises by Arno Sunnotel (Dutch)
Հ Country Risk Management by Guus Rozendaal (Dutch)
Հ Fraud Prevention, Detection, and Reporting in Multinational Corporations and Who Should be Held Responsible? by Darlene Brown
Հ From a State-Controlled Bureaucracy to a Customer Oriented Company by Genio van der Schaft (Dutch)
Հ Future Proofing Innovative Telecommunication Services by Kamalesh Mehta (British living in Switzerland)
Հ How can the concept of core competencies help European Hospitals to adapt to their new environment? by Ronan Dubois (French)
Accreditation and Ranking of the Euro MBA
The Euro*MBA programme is accredited by:
Հ AMBA accredited (programme accreditation),
Հ AACSB accredited via Universiteit Maastricht, HHL - Leipzig Graduate School of Management and AUDENCIA Nantes Ecole de Management (school accreditation)
Հ EQUIS accredited via IAE Aix-en-Provence, AUDENCIA Nantes Ecole de Management, EADA Barcelona and LKAEM Warsaw (school accreditation).
The Euro MBA was ranked 5th in the world in its category in The EconomistҀs Which MBA? Guide 2007. Although The Economists ranked Euro MBA as the 5th overall, it had ranked them 2nd for quality of students, 3rd for its distance learning standards and 7th for the program content.
The Euro MBA was ranked in the top 32 e-learning program in the Financial Times ranking 2007.
The Euro MBA is certainly one of the most interesting and reputated Distance Learning MBA program in not only Europe, but in the whole world.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Distance Learning MBA at Leicester University
The Distance Learning MBA offered by University of Leicester is more by correspondence than through online, although students can still access some information online. To graduated from a certified MBA program would mean that you have undergone a rigorous management training is fit to manage. Hence, getting a certified MBA from one of the best MBA programs is important.
The Distance Learning MBA at Leicester University, UK, is one of the few universities that have its MBA program accredited by AMBA for its full-time MBA and its distance learning MBA programs. For more information on how AMBA accredits MBA programs and Accredited Online MBA Programs, please click on the link.
Why should you study for a distance learning MBA from University of Leicester? Getting a certified MBA is an investment that is able to fast track your career. According to a survey conducted by AMBA, MBA graduates enjoy an 18% average rise in their base salary upon graduating with a certified MBA. This may not sound very attractive, but after three to five years, it is a different story altogether. MBA graduates enjoy an average salaries of 53% higher compared to the pre-MBA salaries. To read more about MBA salaries, please click on the link.
As in other Online MBA Course, one of the greatest benefit of studying for your MBA by distance learning or online is the great flexibility of studying and advancing your career at the same time. Furthermore, University of Leicester has many impressive years of experience in delivering distance learning MBA education. They currently have more than 5,000 distance learning students, which suggest that their current teaching and learning supports is well developed for the distance learning course.
The cost of a distance learning MBA at University of Leicester is competitively priced at 7,300. To enable more financially-strained students to pursue the distance learning MBA, they also offer flexible payment plans. According to the UK Good University Guard, The Guardian University Guide and the Sunday Times University Guide, the University of Leicester is one of the top 20 UK university. This makes their distance learning MBA programs one of the best MBA programs in Europe.
The Leicester MBA enables you to become a competent and capable manager in todayҀs global business environment. You will develop the skill and ability to evaluate and analyse business data and implement appropriate solutions in any business environment. You will also develop an understanding of a wide range of management skills and techniques. Upon completing the distance learning MBA, you will be conferred a Master of Business Administration from the University of Leicester.
When you pursue a certified MBA by doing the distance learning MBA from the University of Leicester, you can focus on chosen subject to obtain a specialist MBA in:
Հ MBA (Marketing)
Հ MBA (Finance)
Հ MBA (Total Quality Management)
Հ MBA (EmployeeRelations)
Հ MBA (IT Management)
Students of the distance learning MBA at University of Leicester are based across the globe and are from a variety of professional backgrounds. Distance learning MBA students follow the same programs as the full-time MBA students and receive the same qualification.
If you are considering to do an Online MBA program, you are likely to be one of those who are combining the challenges of post graduate study with the demands of career and family life. The distance learning MBA program by University of Leicester are designed to offer students with the flexibility to balance these demands. The distance learning MBA program is so flexible that even if you need to relocate or are required to travel frequently, you still can be accommodated. With four class commencements per year in May, August, November or February, you can choose the most optimum time to start your program.
While independent study is the core of any distance learning MBA, you can always obtain the necessary support from the University of Leicester. You could also assess study materials in printed and electronic format. The LeicesterҀs School of ManagementҀs Virtual Learning Environment allows students to access the Digital Library. For those who still need the face-to-face meeting with faculty members and teaching staffs, they can do it through the summer school and regular programs of workshops and visits.
Students of the Distance Learning MBA receive their course materials including textbooks by post. A suggested time-table is also provided to guide students to study as if they are attending the full-time MBA. Students who wish to peruse material from the Digital Library are provided with an online catalogue. Students may request that books to be sent by post. Some of these books are available as e-books.
There is also a network of local resource centres around the world. We currently have centres in Cyprus, Dubai, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St Kitts, St Lucia, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad, Uganda and the USA.
The curriculum of the Distance Learning MBA from University of Leicester
The program can be completed in a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of 60 months. If you are looking to complete your MBA in less than this period, then you may want to consider Online Fast Track MBA.
How are Distance Learning MBA Students Assessed?
You will study core subjects and choose two electives modules. You are also required to complete a 15,000 words MBA dissertation. The residential summer school is optional. How does the University of Leicester assess you in a distance learning MBA? You will be assessed in a mixture of continuous assessment and examination. Students are required to complete one assessed work for each module. Most of these essays and course works are submitted by post. Some allows it to be e-mailed. Detailed feedback will be given by your tutor on your performance.
As the distance learning MBA from University of Leicester is one of AMBA accredited MBA programs, MBA graduates who obtained the certified MBA may join and benefit from AMBA membership. In addition, the distance learning MBA also has The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)Ҁs accreditation to be admitted directly into the CIMҀs Professional Diploma in Marketing.
There are altogether four stages for the distance learning MBA. MBA students are required to study the following core subjects in Stage 1:
Foundation Knowledge and Professional Skills
Organisational Behaviour
Accounting for Managers
Marketing Design and Operations
Strategy, Business Information and Analysis
In Stage 2 of the Distance Learning MBA, students have to study the following core subjects:
Corporate Finance
Business Ethics in a Global Context
In Stage 3, students are required to choose 2 electives from the following selections:
Հ Project Management for IT
Հ Managing Information: Technology
and Systems
Հ International Organisational
Behaviour
Հ Public Finance
Հ International Finance and
Globalisation
Հ Fixing Futures: Trading and Other
Narratives
Հ Accounting Representations: Public
and Private Sector
Հ Branding and Communication
Հ Business-to-Business Marketing and
Supply Chain Management
Հ Knowledge Management
Հ Managing Diversity
Հ A Critical Inquiry into Consultancy
Հ Critical Perspectives on
Corporations and Consumers
Հ Critical Approaches to HRM
Հ Alternative Economies
Հ The Future of Work
Հ Marketing of Services
Հ Consumption, Society and Culture
Հ Total Quality Management
Հ Information Technology in
Marketing
Հ International Marketing
Հ Retail Marketing
Հ Employee Relations
Հ Strategic Human Resource
Management
Հ Benchmarking
Հ Shakespeare and Management
Հ Developments in Business Finance
Հ Performance Measurement:
Quantitative Approaches
Հ Investment and Portfolio Analysis
In the final stage of the Distance Learning MBA, students have to study the followings:
Research Methods
Dissertation
At this last stage of your Distance Learning MBA, you have to undertake an MBA dissertation. This dissertation allows you to examine in depth, a topic or problem of particular relevance to your work. You are expected to be able to integrate and inter-relate concepts, techniques and competencies acquired during the entire MBA course. You have to submit a 15,000 words MBA dissertation.
The Admission Criteria for the Distance Learning MBA
Three years of relevant work experience is a must. Potential MBA students should also demonstrate that they are able to contribute to the program. References are also required. English Language proficiency is a must. Good scores from IELTS and TOEFL is accepted.
If you are considering doing a Distance Learning MBA from one of the top MBA program in Europe, then you should really consider the Distance Learning MBA from University of Leicester.
Monday, May 19, 2008
AMBA Accredited MBA Programs
The Association of MBAs, or better known as AMBA in short, was established in 1967 by eight MBA graduates from Wharton and Harvard. They are the advocate of MBA and they provide accreditation services for MBA programmes, including online MBA course, for course providers throughout the world.
The accreditation service provided by AMBA is internationally recognised as an acceptable global standard for all Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Doctorates in Business Administration (DBA) and Masters in Business and Management (MBM) programmes. Their accrediting services currently covers MBA, DBA and MBM programmes at 145 business schools in 68 countries.
In addition, AMBA also offer professional membership for MBA graduates and students. Their membership network currently includes 9000 members living in 88 countries. AMBA provide support to prospective MBA students, graduates and employers. AMBAҀs vision is to become the international authority on business and marketing education.
AMBA offers independent quality assessment on online MBA course offered by providers. They are focused on international accreditation and design their criteria to be applicable to business schools around the world.
AMBA began their MBA accreditation services since the early 1980s. They are currently accredit MBA programs at more than 140 schools in over 65 countries, worldwide. The Online MBA Course at Aberdeen Business School is one such example of AMBA accredited program. Any college who wished to have their online MBA course accredited are advised to contact the association directly.
AMBAҀs latest accreditation criteria, was launched in March 2005, and focus on every aspects of MBA course provision, including online MBA course. In the context of an online MBA course, these accreditation criteria include:
The College or University offering the online MBA course
The college or university offering an accredited MBA program should have a clear strategy and mission. They must also be explicitly expressed and regularly updated. AMBA require that this college or university have very clear understanding of the market for the online MBA course that they offers.
The Faculty offering the online MBA course
The faculty that offers the Masters of Business Administration courses, including Online MBA Course, should be have sufficient resources for all its activities. The faculty should ensure the institution is of national or international standing. Their staff should also be credible in terms of academic qualifications, ability to teach and quality of research.
Students of the Online MBA Course
All students that are registered or admitted into accredited MBA programs must have certain minimum years of working experience. AMBA requires that the college or university offering the accredited MBA programs show evidence on admission standards, which should include academic criteria and work experience. AMBA also has a criteria for some minimal intake of MBA students per year.
Curriculum of the Online MBA Course
AMBA requires that the curriculum of the accredited MBA programs to be generalist in nature and cover core business skills. These include marketing, economic and legal environment, accounting, finance, organisational theory and etc. This online MBA course curriculum should also reflect international aspect of business, and should also pay attention to ethical and social issues.
Assessment on the Online MBA Course
Assessment refers to the learning outcomes of the online MBA course. AMBA states that individual examinations should play a significant role in any such scheme since they are seen as testing intellectual rigour under controlled conditions. However, they also welcome any innovative form of assessment.
Additional Factors for an Accredited MBA Programs
They are also other additional factors for the accreditation such as the availability of language teaching, library and computer facilities and international contacts.
The followings describe the accreditation process for an MBA program.
The first step of the accreditation process involves an initial discussion with the college or university seeking accreditation for its MBA program. During this discussion, it is established whether it is appropriate for the institution to be invited into candidacy for the accreditation.
The next step involve self-audit conducted by the college or university. There are established guidelines on what need to be done or achieved during the self-audit. Once the self-audit is satisfactory conducted, the institution shall request for an assessment visit.
The third step involves the assessment visit by AMBA. This usually takes one and a half days, and it follows a pre-arranged agenda. The assessment team comprise of four to five members from AMBA. This assessment team is always mutually agreed with the Institution.
Following the assessment visit, a report is prepared for the AssociationҀs International Accreditation Advisory Board (IAAB), which will recommend:
i) accreditation for the maximum period of 5 years;
ii) accreditation for a period less than 5 years with conditions attached to the extension of that period to the full 5 year term; or,
iii) non-accreditation, with reasons given for this decision
Accreditation is valid for a period up to a maximum of five years after which the institution would be invited to submit an application for re-accreditation.
In cases where the IAAB cannot endorse the findings of the Assessment TeamҀs report, or where the institution appeals against the outcome, the decision will be referred to the AssociationҀs International Management Board (IMB).
If, during the cycle of accreditation validity, any circumstances arise which adversely affect the accredited MBA programme, the IMB reserve the right to either suspend or cancel the accreditation award.
Top 40 Distance Learning MBA or Online MBA Programs with AMBA Accreditation
The followings are the MBA Courses accredited by AMBA that has made it to the Top 40 ranking of Distance Learning or Online MBA listed by the Financial Times 2008 ranking:
MBA at Open University Business School, UK
Global Distance Learning MBA at Henley Management College, UK
MBA at Manchester Business School, UK
The Warwick MBA by Distance Learning at Warwick Business School
MBA in International Management, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
The Durham MBA, Durham Business School, UK
Distance Learning MBA, Bradford School of Management, UK
Strathclyde Flexible Learning MBA at University of Strathclyde Business School, UK
eMBA and MBA Oil and Gas Management at Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University, UK
The Surrey MBA at University of Surrey, School of Management, US
Euro*MBA at Euro*MBA Consortium in France, Netherlands, Poland, Spain & Germany
MBA (Distance Learning) at Aston Business School, Aston University, UK
With an understanding on how AMBA accredits its MBA programs, we trust that you are able to choose your Online MBA Course wisely. You may also want to read other students review on MBA course that they are attending.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
MBA Course Review at Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University
If you are considering to study for an Online MBA Course in Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University, you have came to the right place. This article reviews the Online MBA Course in Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University.
Robert Gordon University is based in Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland. The Robert Gordon UniversityҀs history was so diverse and deep that it is difficult to trace its beginning. Its founder, Robert Gordon was born in 1668 in Aberdeen. When he died, he willed his entire estate to build a residential school for educating young boys.
In 1881, this residential school was converted to Robert GordonҀs College. This college went on to develop into various type of college before being the university status in 1992 and Robert Gordon University was born.
The Robert Gordon University is well reputed for its pragmatic approach to its Online MBA course in Scotland. Robert Gordon University is also internationally recognised for responding to the need of its students. The Aberdeen Business School has long known the value of work placements as a significant feature of all its courses.
Aberdeen Business School is one of the leading providers of management and professional education in Scotland. They have over 3,000 UK and international students on their undergraduate and postgraduate programme.
The Aberdeen Business School of Robert Gordon University was founded in 1965. Aberdeen Business SchoolҀs strong links with industry, commerce and the public sector enable them to ensure that their Online MBA Course is practical to the industry. According to The Times magazine in June 2006, Robert Gordon University has one of the best graduate employability records of all UK universities. Robert Gordon University was ranked 56th making it the top new university in Scotland and third overall in the UK.
Online MBA course offered by Aberdeen Business School is an Association of MBA (AMBA) accredited MBA programs since 1999 and is one of the largest providers of management education in the UK. In March 2007, The Financial Times the Online MBA Course provided by Aberdeen Business School as one of the Top 32 online MBAs available globally.
What are the benefits of pursuing a MBA Course at Aberdeen Business School? There are nine listed reasons why you should pursue for an Online MBA Course at Aberdeen Business School. There are:
Excellent teaching facilities
International exchange Summer Schools
Interactive six week business simulation exercise
Ten week internship in a local organisation
Free laptop with wireless capability for all full time students, to keep on completion of studies with us
Use of our award winning Virtual Campus for all Online MBA students
Access to the Scottish Fresh Talent Initiative, leading to two years additional visa stay
Mentoring and career guidance
Membership of the Aberdeen Business School Alumni Association and networking opportunities
What are the criteria to do an Online MBA Course at Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University? The Online MBA Course is a challenging masters' level programme demanding a combination of intellectual abilities and business experience. To gain admission applicants will normally need to hold a first degree, at honours level at a top class banding, have at least three years relevant business experience and where appropriate, be able to demonstrate competence in written and oral English.
There are various options to for an Online MBA Course financing available to prospect students. These include:
Scholarships
The Aberdeen Business School is able to offer a limited number of scholarships to assist exceptionally able students who wish to undertake its International Masters of Business Administration programme on a full-time basis.
Bursary
Hobsons is offering several bursaries for international students wishing to study an Masters of Business course. You can find out about the Hobsons Bursary and how to apply for it by looking at Hobsons MBA Course.
Loan Scheme
The Association of MBAs in conjunction with NatWest Bank have a loan scheme available.
The followings are an overview of the Online MBA Course offered by Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University.
Aberdeen Business SchoolҀs AMBA accredited online MBA course commenced in September 2005. The online MBA course has been listed in The Financial Times as one of the Top 40 Distance Learning MBAs available globally in 2008. Business Week has also recognised its Online MBA Course in the 2008 ranking list.
The online MBA course offered by Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University has been developed specifically to provide an exciting opportunity for those unable to attend either the full or part-time taught programmes. This Online MBA Course also provides the opportunity for students to progress through the programme at a pace commensurate with their own personal circumstances.
The online MBA course provided by Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University uses a dynamic learning environment which focuses on the development of Strategic Leaders who can achieve beneficial and meaningful change in international businesses.
The online MBA programme is delivered electronically through the Robert Gordon UniversityҀs award winning рVirtual CampusҀ and, by the nature of its format, recreates the same challenging interactive format as for the taught programmes.
The material and contents of the online programmes are the same as for the taught programme offered by Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University and are co-ordinated by the same subject specialists. In addition all of the course materials are provide as part of the course fee.
Students of the Online MBA Course will study the following core modules:
Հ Business Economics
Հ Human Resources Management
Հ Marketing Decisions
Հ Operations Management: A Supply Chain Approach
Հ Knowledge Management
Հ Financial Decision Making
Հ Strategic Management
There are two further elective modules and a dissertation. Students are required to attend a Leadership Week in year 2 and will have the option of participating in a study tour to IAE Aix en Provence Universit退 in the South of France.
The followings list some profile of students who are studying for an Online MBA Course at Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University.
Men to Women = 70:30
Average Age = 39
Industry profile: Oil and Gas, Media, Banking and Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing, Telecommunication amongst others.
Average management experience = 11 years
Country profile: 24 different countries with 60% from Europe and 20% from Africa and 20% from Rest of World.
Cohort size: 25-40
Tuition Fees offered by Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University
The fees for the course have been set at 10,392 payment of which can be spread over the duration of the programme.
Year 1 4293
Year 2 4293
Year 3 1806
Tuition fees can be paid by instalments in any one year. The above fees are for 2007/8, and are reviewed annually.
Scholarships offered by Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University
There are scholarships available for the most deserving candidates. Scholarships range from 500 to 3,000.
Prospect students are advised to contact Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University for the latest information on its Online MBA Course.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Accredited Online MBA Programs
Which Online MBA Programs get Accredited?
Which Online MBA course gets accredited? To get accredited, the school that offers the Online MBA Accreditation must seek accreditation from an accreditation organization. This accreditation organization shall look at every detail of the school and the MBA programs to ensure that it meets the criteria.
It is not easy and it is an expensive process to have an online MBA course accreditated. Therefore, it can be considered as good benchmark for quality. If getting an accredited MBA programs is an important criteria for you, then you should do thorough research on this.
You may also need to consider if your potential employer put any importance of whether your online MBA course is an accredited one or not. The U.S. Department of Education provides a list of approved accrediting agencies, which in turn list the online MBA programs that is accredited.
How does MBA Programs get accredited?
How does an online MBA course get accredited? Accrediting agencies work closely with the college that is providing the Online MBA Course that is seeking accreditation. They establish the standard of evaluation. Based on this standards, the college or university shall work towards achieving this standard.
The MBA college then shall carry-out self evaluation to determine if they meet the standards set. If not, then they shall re-work their strategy and policies to ensure that they are meeting the accreditation standards.
When the MBA college or university feels that they are ready for an actual evaluation by the accrediting agency, they shall apply for the evaluation. The accredited agency shall carry out the evaluation based on the MBA course programs and also carry out an on-site evaluation. If the MBA college meets the criteria, then they shall be recommended to be accredited for the MBA programs.
The accrediting agencies are also required to re-evaluate the university periodically to ensure that they continuously meet the standards.
How Online MBA programs are Accredited in the United States (US)
In the United States, accreditation is carried out by private accreditation agencies. One such agency is the Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA).
The Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation was founded to help students in getting quality education online. It was founded with an aim to provide a platform for distance education institutions - established and developing - to judge their quality of educational service on the basis of sound educational standards and ethical business practices set by UCOEA. Its core function is to promote high quality distance education by identifying standards that outline the best educational practices.
As as independent, non-profit membership organization, the Council is responsible for the evaluation and accreditation of eligible online institutions, meeting the stringent standards.
How Online MBA programs are Accredited in the United Kingdom (UK)
There are basically two established accreditation agency which is the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA).
The Association of MBAs was founded in 1967 by eight UK graduates from Harvard and Wharton. Realising the fundamental strength of the qualification in terms of business and leadership, but seeing little knowledge of it in Europe, they decided to form a lobby and membership group.
AMBA accreditation service is internationally recognised as the global standard for all Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Doctorates in Business Administration (DBA) and Masters in Business and Management (MBM) programmes. We currently accredit MBA, DBA and MBM programmes at 145 business schools in 68 countries.
The Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) accredits Bachelor and Master degrees in fields such as business administration, economics, business computing, engineering and business administration, business psychology, business law, etc. in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Since 2003, FIBBA also accredits "Diploma" courses. FIBBA is usually the first stop for German Business School to look for an official accreditation of their MBA courses. Also several MBA programs in Austria and Switzerland are accredited by FIBBA.
There is also a need to understand that accreditation is a lengthy process. So the bottom line is to find an Online MBA Course that meet provide you with the maximum benefits of an MBA.
You may also wish to read AMBA Accredited MBA Programs and AACSB Online MBA Program.