Hi,I have gone through previous threads on this forum regarding distrance learning MBA v/s full time v/s exeutive - and I understand all arguments.However, many times it is advised that - Look for an online MBA that does not mention "online / DL" on your degree certificate. This is bit confusing for me. What is the benefit of this ? Are we expected to "lie" in interviews saying that I'd done full time MBA ? Will it not be clear from your experience without break, plus notably longer MBA duration ? The imp thing is that even Warwick university (top in UK in DL) mention on its website clearly that they would not mention it DL on their degree certificate. Am I missing anything here ? Thanks in advance.

You are not missing anything. No point hiding it on your CV as it will be picked up at interview anyway.IMO a DL MBA is a waste of time. If you want just content then read books. If you want the certification then a DL MBA is quite a weak qualification. If you want an experience and to enrich your life then go for a FT MBA (though don;t necessarily expect it will pay back financially).

just to clarify things regarding Warwick: there is one MBA and 4 ways to get in: full-time, part-time (evening), modular (often called he exec MBA) and DL.

Well that is how they market it. But is it really? It may have a common syllabus, exams, staff but it is four different things.Think back to your undergrad days. Think of the difference between a seminar for 18 year olds just out of school versus a seminar for 3rd years on the same topic versus sitting at home reading about the topic.Content the same. Experience not the same. Personal development not the same.

.....of course it does depend on the topic.You can learn accounting from a book. A balance sheet is a well defined thing.But will you learn more about teamwork from reading a book on teamwork or working in a team?BTW I have studied a FT MBA and a number of DL courses. I would choose DL for lots of things but not for MBA.

MBA IS FOR SUCKER THAT WANT TO SPEND £50,000 ON WORTHLESS PIECE OF PAPER THAT NEVER PAY ITSELF BACK!!!!MBA STUDENT ARE REASON WHY NUTTY PROFESSOR DRIVE AROUND IN PORSCHE AND LIVE IN BIG HOUSE. THEY THINK YOU SUCKERS TOO!!!

Don't forget jj and others - DL does not mean just learning from books. Good DL MBAs (Warwick, Henley etc) include plenty of residential weekends packed full of workshops and teamworking, plus online collaboration/interactive webinars etc.

HONEST MAN,I suggest that you look up the meaning of the words "investment" and "risk" before making ar5e-paralysingly stupid statements like the one above.It is quite true that many MBAs never pay back on an NPV basis, but an awful lot do.EC

If a DL course has "plenty of" weekends etc. then I would call that a part time MBA rather than DL. I suggest you compare the hours. The more hours with people the better. And NPV is not helpful for personal development decisions. Your girlfriend probably has a negative NPV. Getting married definitely. Having children is a disaster in NPV terms. In the end we all die and most of us on this forum will die with significant unspent money.

Good point about NPV. I say just do the MBA for the fun of it!! You'll never again have so much fun as when writing all those late night essays, sitting all those exams, reading all those pointless journals... and paying a good £50K whack for the privilege! Who needs a loving relationship and kids when you can instead get your thrills from exams and late night study sessions learning about "long range financial planning in China"!

Yes I really enjoyed my MBA and studying Chinese culture. I have done other personal development since at my own expense. It is kind of a hobby.Some people prefer to spend £40K on a big 4*4 or a horse or a boat or an African safari. Personally I would find all those things a waste of money. I would much rather be stretching my brain a little and developing myself.Each to their own.

...and I also have a wife and kids and loving relationship!

Option 1:big 4*4 Option 2: buy a horse Option 3: buy a boat Option 4: go on an African safariOption 5: Exams, revision, MBA and study about the fiscal development of the Xhong-Ho province in china.I'd go for option 4!

Option 3 for me!

For me, option 0.