MBA Acceptance

Smitho3

Smitho3

Smitho3

Soldato
Joined
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Cardiff
Hi Guys,

I am wondering if anyone here has done an MBA without a degree. I am 27 and feel an MBA would benefit me greatly, however my current line of work does not require a vast amount of entrepreneurial spirit.
I have 5 years sales management experience in a real estate/retail environment and am wondering if this would firstly be enough to be accepted onto a course such as this and secondly be enough experience for me to be able to relate to the course and manage the workload.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
You won't get accepted onto an MBA that carries any sort of respect without a degree and only 5 years experience in retail!

A proper MBA is a seriously high end qualification!
 
I've been looking through MBA applications on behalf of someone and can largely echo what Fox says. All the ones worth having will want a degree of some form along with (preferably senior) managerial experience - some need a GMAT examination too, but that requirement is usually dropped for applicants with more experience.

Have you considered going back to university for a business-related degree and then move onto an MBA later on?
 
I think I might have to. An MBA is what I want, and will do anything to get one. Of course a degree will be rather difficult whilst working full time. Would a business degree on the open university be credible enough to qualify for an MBA course or would it be a wiser decision to partake in a classroom based part time course?

Apologies for my ignorance but it has been some time since I looked at any form of education.
 
[TW]Fox;18525619 said:
You won't get accepted onto an MBA that carries any sort of respect without a degree and only 5 years experience in retail! ...
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You can however get onto an MBA course immediately after completing a degree . . . without any practical managerial experience at all.

[TW]Fox;18525619 said:
... A proper MBA is a seriously high end qualification!
Click to expand...
N.B. the key word "proper".


For what it is worth, whilst not actually held in very high regard, the OU MBA degree is actually very good IF you take it seriously and read everything. I don't have an OU MBA but I do know people who have followed the OU course and I was very impressed with the level of detail.
 
An MBA is a top dog qualification, not only does it boost your earning potential considerably but it's also a ridiculously good networking source. Not only that but they are seriously pricey, upwards of £20k ranging to £100k+ depending where you do it.
 
How are distance learning MBA's looked upon in business?

Edinburgh Business School offer one that is paid per module. That might appeal to you.
 
stockhausen said:
You can however get onto an MBA course immediately after completing a degree . . . without any practical managerial experience at all.

N.B. the key word "proper".


For what it is worth, whilst not actually held in very high regard, the OU MBA degree is actually very good IF you take it seriously and read everything. I don't have an OU MBA but I do know people who have followed the OU course and I was very impressed with the level of detail.
Click to expand...

My wife's doing the OU MBA at the moment and it is impressive. I did my MBA about 14 years or so ago full time in the US and the OU is easily on a par if not more impressive. I think because it's distance learning they work even harder at making the course stand out. It is triple accredited as well.

To the OP, I would be very surprised if you got accepted without a degree and even then you are likely to need a 2:1 or equivalent. You may also need a GMAT, I did. As I studied in the US for mine I also had to do a bunch of undergrad classes on things like calculus, stats, law etc that I had not covered during my UK economics degree.
 
[TW]Fox;18525619 said:
You won't get accepted onto an MBA that carries any sort of respect without a degree and only 5 years experience in retail!

A proper MBA is a seriously high end qualification!
Click to expand...

Its not all that 'high end' its a masters - albeit one that can open doors fairly rapidly to high level (and rather high salary) middle management roles.

On the other hand I've had e-mails from people working in IT support who's sigs contain FRM, CFA, MBA.... etc.. Its not a guarantee to a top job - the sort of people it will likely help are the sort of people who'd likely have been in with a half decent shot at those sorts of jobs before they took an MBA.
 
Many qualifications are good at getting you the next job. MBAs are in my experience the one qualification that keep being relevant on your CV, giving people confidence, for years. Best move I've made. Nobody gives a damn what degree you've got once you have 10 years in a career (unless degree is vocational) but the MBA does stay useful, partly because of its breadth.

I'm a consultant and clients like to see it. I'd be unlikely to hire someone into my company without one unless they had years of experience.
 
Skidder said:
huh?
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Those of us who 'innovate' and 'invent' are the real producers, not those who simply accumulate related numbers to satisfy the investors. Without those who create the work the managers are worthless, something that is largely forgotten in 'networking' meetings and the like.
 
Dabbles said:
Those of us who 'innovate' and 'invent' are the real producers, not those who simply accumulate numbers related to satisfy the investors. Without those who create the work the managers are worthless, something that is largely forgotten in 'networking' meeting and the like.
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what the hell are you talking about?

so people with MBAs are inherently unable to innovate? Is that a chip on your shoulder by any chance?

What are you even talking about.......accumulating numbers? managers, them and us.........back down the pit with you.
 
Dabbles said:
Those of us who 'innovate' and 'invent' are the real producers, not those who simply accumulate related numbers to satisfy the investors. Without those who create the work the managers are worthless, something that is largely forgotten in 'networking' meetings and the like.
Click to expand...

thats all very well and good

but how the **** does that help you apply for a job when they say they want the candidate to have an MBA ?

They will just bin your application at the first hurdle.


Skidder said:
what the hell are you talking about?

so people with MBAs are inherently unable to innovate? Is that a chip on your shoulder by any chance?

What are you even talking about.......accumulating numbers? managers, them and us.........back down the pit with you.
Click to expand...


i think he's alluding to the sort of person who knows nothing and thinks they're gods gift because they've got lots of letters after their name in their email signature but know nothing.

I know the sort of person he's on about, but thats not everybody with a degree ! Sometimes, depending on the job, you have to have that degree to get the job !
 
MrLOL said:
thats all very well and good

but how the **** does that help you apply for a job when they say they want the candidate to have an MBA ?

They will just bin your application at the first hurdle.
Click to expand...

what is well and good? nonsensical gibberish that sounds like a couple of Arthur scargills speeches have been spliced together randomly?
 
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