Which MBA?

[vesfreq]

I heard horror stories about the mbs syllabus. Guess its what makes the programme worth the effort and time. Hope to grad in 2 years. The cost of failure is really high.

 

[cfachick]

When i was sourcing about back in 2005, there wasn't much options available then. MBS was a tier 2 uni in UK, together with Imperial and Warwick. At the time, only 2 unis in SG is above top 50 in FT ranking, Insead & MBS. I did not consider local unis because I wanted a broader perspective and more flexible timing due to occasional biz trip. It's so flexible that I took one of my module workshop in UK during my biz trip to Germany.

A lot of people under-estimated the time commitment required for taking a MBA. You have combination of 2000 words assignment, intensive workshops and group projects to complete one module. With 2 full modules and 1 half-modules per semester, it's quite pack for a working adult with family commitments. When you first started with the MBA, you have all the zealous required, but those would gradually fade as the reality of the MBA digs in... Work and study fatigue takes toll on you. Classmates drop out or reduce their module per semester...

If you are single and available, then doing CFA at the same time might be possible. Depending on your priorities, MBA is good for general knowledge and management position while CFA is a specialized certification which you give u a better chance of securing a good job. If you are still early in your job career, finish your CFA first before thinking of a MBA. The MBA will come handy later in your career ladder as immediate tangible benefits cannot be realized yet. Chances that your employer might send you for a MBA course later in your career is also possible.

Thanks for ur advice. I don;t know what is my max threshold yet , although still alive from studying for cfa. Read from many places ( esp the AF forum) that cfa and mba are a powerful combination. I believe there is synergy created to do both courses together.

It must have been a great achievement of u to complete the mbs mba. That'll be my personal aim to complete it and the cfa within the next 5 years. Have an insatisfiable thirst for new knowledge and skills and the unexplainable satisfaction from completing a daunting task.

Have been monitoring the mbs course fees, price increase at astronomical rate. Worried of further fee hike if i take it later.

But then a bird in hand is still better than two in the bushes. I will tink it thru carefully...

 

[vesfreq]

cfachick,

mbs fees are prob due for another hike, cos' of the fx rate. I have to agree with yantao that doing the cfa first will be a better move.

Sometimes, I wish I can turn back the clock and do mbs mba at 35k. Now, its like about 50k to do the mba. 15k savings, on the spot. Wow!

 

[charles_73]

Not sure whether i can help. I have just graduated from MBS MBA last year and I started in 2005 when it cost $30k and still ranked about 44th in FT ranking.

I must really warn you guys here... It's not a easy to get through this MBA, you need a lot of discipline, classmates support to pull through it... During my first year, lost almost 30% of my classmates as they dropped out, second year slightly better...

Although course work is 2.5 yrs but the dissertation is usually the killer... Typically the faster lot will take another 0.5yrs to complete the dissertation, normal ones another 1yrs and slower ones another 1.5yrs... Since we are mostly working adults, there are occasional hiccups during your course which would cause you to delay the modules...

There are also several killer modules which caused some of my classmates to repeat their modules... So beware, even it's open book exams... The books are useless during the exams, because you are not expected to re-produce contents from the books like typical SG degrees... You would need to full understand the concepts, know-how on how to apply the methodologies...

Maybe we were classmates before, I also graduated last year! All thanks to the excellent support of the admin team. In fact, I dont have any classmate who failed but perhaps a few deferred or take fewer modules. Agree that the programme is rigourous but I dont recall such a high drop out rate. I have a hectic work schedule working in bank but I was able to complete the programme 2.5years (crashing the dissertation and the programme) It is a tremendous amount of worrk but highly fulfilling - learnt alot of management stuff in this programme.
The key to managing is to study smart like we did! Most of my other classmates graduated in 3 years and we still meet up at the alumni events. Hope that helps

 

[yantao]

Maybe we were classmates before, I also graduated last year! All thanks to the excellent support of the admin team. In fact, I dont have any classmate who failed but perhaps a few deferred or take fewer modules. Agree that the programme is rigourous but I dont recall such a high drop out rate. I have a hectic work schedule working in bank but I was able to complete the programme 2.5years (crashing the dissertation and the programme) It is a tremendous amount of worrk but highly fulfilling - learnt alot of management stuff in this programme.
The key to managing is to study smart like we did! Most of my other classmates graduated in 3 years and we still meet up at the alumni events. Hope that helps

You must be from the Financial major, haha, with lesser modules from exemptions... From my engineering side, during the first year quite a few dropped-out... 2.5 yrs is consider really fast, min 3yrs for engineering side... I still have several ex-classmates still doing their dissertations now... almost into their 4th year now...

 

[systeo]

hi all,

before u decide on any courses, do visit the following site

http://www.edupoll.org/content/category/18/42/136/

the official singapore education guide. A to Z of Singapore Universities and foreign universities that are recognized. better be safe than sorry.

also provides a poll of which MBA is most popular and preferred by empolyers: USA, Australia, UK

cheers

 

[charles_73]

You must be from the Financial major, haha, with lesser modules from exemptions... From my engineering side, during the first year quite a few dropped-out... 2.5 yrs is consider really fast, min 3yrs for engineering side... I still have several ex-classmates still doing their dissertations now... almost into their 4th year now...

Yes, I was from the finance major but I did not have any exemptions . My classmates and I motivated one another to complete in 2.5 years . Peer support is extremely important for this course. I somehow miss " burning the midnight oil" with them.

Anyway nice to see a MBS grad here. Hope to see you at MBS if we do bump into each other for the events.

 

[yantao]

Yes, I was from the finance major but I did not have any exemptions . My classmates and I motivated one another to complete in 2.5 years . Peer support is extremely important for this course. I somehow miss " burning the midnight oil" with them.

Anyway nice to see a MBS grad here. Hope to see you at MBS if we do bump into each other for the events.

U must have a group of very motivated classmates... Haha, engineering side have to do a group project which is normally very hard to organize everyone to meet and work on the project tasks... But financial major would need to do a much longer dissertation instead.

Yes, peer support is the key to push each other to complete the entire course... Haha, after submitting the dissertation, suddenly the brain seems to be empty... No worries about assignments, workshops and dissertation...

 

[systeo]

interesting topic - Facts and Myth

Facts- MBA/MSc are equivalent qualifications - MBA is general whilst MSc is a specialised Masters. (same as a BBA Vs a BSc in Finance at undergraduate level). Both carries the same recognition in the eyes of univerisites - ie. both are awarded as postgraduate degree and are eligible for progression into PhD/ DBA.

Facts - in the government sector - there is 2 level of grading = Degree and Degree with honors. Under the grading systems, postgraduate education is qualifed as degree so officially a degree holder and a master degree holders are classified under the same category. But as part of career progression and succession planning, potential "leaders" are groom by sponsoring them for Master qualifications. The salary increment officially comes from the promotion rather than achieving the Master.

Fact - DL MBA Vs Full fledge MBA - there is no comparison , DL MBA is mainly taught by local academics whilst full fledge MBA/EMBA are 100% taught by faculty flown in from overseas. The price difference can range from the cheapest MBA (20K) to the most expensive - $150k (Chicago EMBA). As with most consumer , never ever goes for the cheapest, try to pick the above average ones - approximately 30 - 50k. Short term wise, its painful but the quality of the program, the network and the faculty = return of investment will more than pay for themselve. the advise is an education is an investment on ourselves, and it stays with us for life unlike products like cars, watches , if you dont like it, u can sell it at a lost and buy a new piece. Graduate education is different, once you get a "not so good university mba" - it sticks with you for life..and will certainly come back to haunt u. Case in point - many of the self declared "Dr" who were successful businessman actually bought their DBA/PhD from virtual university. They were already successful but yearn for the "Dr" status and made the mistake. Straits times exposed them and now they cant hide. Don't worry too much of the financing, most banks offer very reasonable study loans. u can make it back with a more "recognized" qualifications.

Accreditation - AACSB - EQUIS or EMBA

Each has got their strength, does not neccessary means that those with triple crowns (all 3) are the Best. check out harvard, insead, cambridge - does any of these ivy league universities promote ALL 3 accreditions ? the fact is that they dont need to, the name of their university effectively sells themselve. Its those "mid" tier universities that are pushing for all 3 accrediation and shouting to the world that they are the best. scan the horizon and u see universities that are so called "triple crowns ' includes the following


Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
Ashridge Business School, Ashridge, UK
Audencia Nantes, Nantes, France
Brisbane Graduate School of Business, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Grenoble School of Management Grenoble, France
Instituto de Empresa, Madrid, Spain
Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster, UK
Open University Business School, UK
Queen's School of Business, Canada
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Toulouse Business School, Toulouse, France
Universiteit Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
University College Dublin, Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, Dublin, Ireland
University of Auckland Business School, Auckland, New Zealand
University of Waikato, Waikato Management School,Hamilton, New Zealand
Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School, Gent, Belgium

you can judge for yourselves are these comparable to the likes of Harvard and Wharton . a good university does not need all 3 accreditation, they will normally pursue one that is from their country of origin - ie. US universities - AACSB | UK universities - EMBA | european universities - EQUIS. Accreditations are time consuming and labourious excercise which take away quality time in research and teaching. Good universities have the clear presence of mind to focus their effort on students experience and reaseach.

HEADHUNTERs -

Headhunters are commission driven, they will try to secure a job for anyone that they deemed is qualified. Having a "Recognized" degree is important - check edupoll.org - singapore education guide on the "recognized universities listing for singapore & foreign universities operating in singapore" http://www.edupoll.org/content/category/18/42/136/

But u need not be a Harvard, Chicago, insead, New York U graduate to get a top job, you need experience and track record. without track record, no qualifications can help u secure a good job.

There are many schools offering MBA/ MSc education in singapore, some are better than others, you have to be careful in what you select and look at the profile of the schools. Most schools offers everything from certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, degree, master, phd under the sun - eg SIM, MDIS, Kaplan etc .. they are very stable institutions , but due to the fact that most of their student numbers are mainly coming from undergraduate education for international students , most of the resources are focus on undergraduate department. If possible go for graduate schools that focus on "graduate education" - INSEAD, Chicago, UCLA and National University of Singapore , SP Jain, Helsinki School of Economics , Finland University of Manchester and City university of new york. These schools are more catered to graduate needs - ie career placement for senior positions, industry talks by CEOs, career mentorship by alumnis, on-campus recruitment by headhunters etc.. things that will benefit you more. In short they are like specialist whilst MDIS and co are really like the SGH catering to all sickness.

 

[callingmedog]

hi all,

before u decide on any courses, do visit the following site

http://www.edupoll.org/content/category/18/42/136/

the official singapore education guide. A to Z of Singapore Universities and foreign universities that are recognized. better be safe than sorry.

also provides a poll of which MBA is most popular and preferred by empolyers: USA, Australia, UK

cheers

official? official according to who?

 

[Dr_ARCHer]

Case in point - many of the self declared "Dr" who were successful businessman actually bought their DBA/PhD from virtual university. They were already successful but yearn for the "Dr" status and made the mistake. Straits times exposed them and now they cant hide.

I don't have the statistics, but I would think the the more successful businessmen and businesswomen are awarded Honoary doctorates from genuine institutions. While honorary doctorates generally don't use their "Dr" title(s), there are quite a few that do.

 

[ElleB1818]

have you thot abt Birmingham Business School MBA?

I am doing my MBA with Birmingham Business School given by AEC Bus Sch.

Honestly, in the beginning I was sceptical abt the school as it is not as fancy as MDIS or Kaplan etc. But looking at structure - block lessons, schedules, it suits me. They gave 8 modules plus thesis. Taking one module per term helps as my researches are focussed. Its my preference eventho I have a baby to care for, I am able to cope with the wkend lessons. yeah burn 4days lah but if you want and MBA, the MUST be effort and some sacrifices ya.

Their price is also competitive and has not changed sicne 2004. Still $24,500/- comparable to Strathclyde and Nottingham. They have boucned back in their rankings this year on FT also. I even moved job and got a pay rise while doing my mba. I am right now up to my last module this coming April 2009. Their lecturers comes from the Uni also. The Director of the school comes down to signapore often enough to see the students, knowing them by name even.

Do give Birmingham a thought. It works for me, maybe will for you.

 

[Who_am_i_Orc]

I am doing my MBA with Birmingham Business School given by AEC Bus Sch.

Honestly, in the beginning I was sceptical abt the school as it is not as fancy as MDIS or Kaplan etc. But looking at structure - block lessons, schedules, it suits me. They gave 8 modules plus thesis. Taking one module per term helps as my researches are focussed. Its my preference eventho I have a baby to care for, I am able to cope with the wkend lessons. yeah burn 4days lah but if you want and MBA, the MUST be effort and some sacrifices ya.

Their price is also competitive and has not changed sicne 2004. Still $24,500/- comparable to Strathclyde and Nottingham. They have boucned back in their rankings this year on FT also. I even moved job and got a pay rise while doing my mba. I am right now up to my last module this coming April 2009. Their lecturers comes from the Uni also. The Director of the school comes down to signapore often enough to see the students, knowing them by name even.

Do give Birmingham a thought. It works for me, maybe will for you.

Is there alot of locals doing this MBA? I am thinking of this as well, mainly because pricing wise, it is very competitive, and yet, its ranking are pretty high in UK as well as international wise.

 

[ElleB1818]

Ya lor... sigh.... same concerns. argh. I'm pretty impressed by the MBS study materials, student support and alumni. You are rite, we only do mba once. sigh.... I'm also thinking of going for dba after mba. Just damn worried if poor or no support during the programme.

do consider the Birmingham MBA. They allow sit-in on 1st day of their class if you are interested. they are non-pressurisin also. I think the Director of the Programme will be coming down for their coming April intake. You can have a chat with him over your concerns. He knows extensively abt Singapore systems too.. it helps.

 

[vesfreq]

My head of dept also suggested giving aec a look, before I signed up for my mba. I didn't sign up for aec. Its true. MBA only do once. Might as well do a good one and move on.

Of the couple of business schools I went to, strathclyde left in me pretty good impression. If anyone is signing up strathclyde, some of the local staff are very helpful. MBS is also very professional and efficient. If any of the staff from strath n MBS read this, cheers and keep up the good work.

But.... some leave a lot to be desired....

 

[Jackel_chan]

Hi all,

i'm currently considering in taking MBA. Just want to ask how many yrs of management experience should one have, in order to be consider suitable to obtain MBA.

currently i only have 3-4yrs experience on IT industry, practically nil management experience.

 

[vesfreq]

For the friends here,

Anyone signing up for Manchester? need to check some stuff.

 

[facw]

I got offers from Bradford, Lancaster, Nottingham and Strathclyde... leaning towards Lancaster and Strathclyde.

Anyone here already accepted offers for coming intake?

 

[weicong]

Thanks for ur advice. I don;t know what is my max threshold yet , although still alive from studying for cfa. Read from many places ( esp the AF forum) that cfa and mba are a powerful combination. I believe there is synergy created to do both courses together.

It must have been a great achievement of u to complete the mbs mba. That'll be my personal aim to complete it and the cfa within the next 5 years. Have an insatisfiable thirst for new knowledge and skills and the unexplainable satisfaction from completing a daunting task.

Have been monitoring the mbs course fees, price increase at astronomical rate. Worried of further fee hike if i take it later.

But then a bird in hand is still better than two in the bushes. I will tink it thru carefully...

Hi cfachick, have you decided to go for which MBA?

 

[F3Rm1nat0r]

there are massive oversupplies of MBAs now and the traditional avenues MBAs usually join are all but fully closed
i would seriously reconsider doing an MBA now...