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MBA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
To download a PDF version of the FAQ's please click here.
How long will it take me to complete the MBA programme?
The distance learning MBA programme can be completed in 2 years by students that attempt each course in the recommended course offering schedule. If students chose to defer an exam session, the course duration will extend beyond 2 years.
What are the minimum entry criteria?
Admission to the distance learning MBA programme is by application and acceptance. Students will be expected to have a recognised first- or second-class honours degree, or a qualification deemed to be equivalent. If students do not hold the minimum educational qualifications students can be accepted on to the programme based on a minimum of 5 years' post-qualifying full-time business experience. Any such students will only have their registration formally matriculated once the student passes three of the MBA courses (one of which must be core course).
What are the MBA tuition course fees?
The tuition cost of the Distance Learning MBA is €1,100 per course. In total there are 9 courses.
How many courses are in the MBA programme and are there are elective courses?
The MBA programme consists of 9 courses. There are 7 core courses: Organisational Behaviour, Economics, Accounting, Marketing, Finance, Project Management and Strategic Planning. In addition there are 2 elective courses, Human Resource Management and Competitive Strategy. Students who do not wish to select Human Resource Management and Competitive Strategy as electives can select alternative elective courses (http://www.ebsglobal.net/programmes/mba-approved-learning-partner-structure). Tuition in Griffith College is only available for the aforementioned 2 electives.
Is there any recommended order in which I should complete the MBA courses?
Griffith College recommend that Strategic Planning is the last course studied as it pulls together many of the elements of the other core courses. In addition it is recommended, not mandatory, that the Accounting course is studied prior to the Finance course. Electives can be studied at anytime but care should be taken to ensure that specialist subjects follow on from the relevant core.
Is this Distance Learning MBA highly recognised worldwide?
Yes, following the recently released Online MBA 2012 Listing by The Financial Times Edinburgh Business School MBA programme remains listed as the world's largest online MBA program with more than 10,000 enrolled students. The listing, now in its seventh year is the largest to date and has been compiled following a web-based questionnaire of 48 Business Schools. The FT has published this listing each year since its inception in 2006 and Edinburgh Business School has consistently been placed in the top two places due to the continued year-on-year increase in its active student MBA numbers.
Are any interim qualifications available on the MBA programme?
Yes, the MBA is broken down into 3 major awards:
1: Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration
Students who complete 3 courses will be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration, at least one of which must be a core course. A maximum of one exemption will be permitted for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.2: Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration
Students who complete 6 courses will be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, at least one of which must be a core course. A maximum of two exemptions will be permitted for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.3: Master of Business Administration
After successfully completing nine courses including all core courses and two electives students will be eligible for the award of Master of Business Administration.What resources are available to Distance Learning MBA students?
- Course Text books in pdf format
- Recorded lectures of the Part-time MBA classes
- 2 day revision workshop prior to each exam
- E-mail and online forum access to lecturers
- Access to self assessment questions via the Edinburgh Business School
- Lecturer PowerPoint slides and additional course material
- MBA discussion forum
Where are the Revision Workshops located and is there a fee for attending the Revision Workshops?
The revision workshops will be available in Limerick, Dublin & Cork. Other regional locations may be available throughout Ireland but are subject to demand. Revision workshops which will be located in Limerick and Dublin will be free to students. Revision workshops located outside of Limerick and Dublin will be subject to a €250 fee per subject.
What do the Revision Workshops consist of?
The revision workshops are held over a two day period for each subject, on a Saturday and Sunday. Each revision workshop is held approximately 2 - 3 weeks before each exam date. The workshops consist of 15 hours of intensive tuition. Attendance in the workshop is advised but optional.
How do students access the video recorded lectures and how quickly are they available to watch?
The Part-time MBA classes will be recorded and made available to Distance Learning students to watch online. These recorded lectures will be available to students after the completion of the part-time classes. The part-time classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday evening 6.30 - 9.45 and 2 selected Saturdays during each term. Recorded videos will be available to student to watch directly after the completion of each MBA class and can be viewed at any time.
How is the MBA course assessed?
Each course is assessed by formal examination. The assessment of each course is derived entirely from the performance in a single examination lasting 3 hours. To complete a course successfully you must obtain at least 50% in the examination.
When are the MBA exams held?
Students commencing the Distance Learning MBA in September 2012 and completing the programme in the 2 year schedule currently being offered will have exams on the following dates:
Year 1
- Economics: 3 June 2013
- Project Management: 4 June 2013
- Marketing: 3 December 2013 (AM)
- Competitive Strategy: 3 December 2013 (PM)
Year 2:
- Organisational Behaviour: 12 March 2014
- Human Resource Management: 3 June 2014
- Accounting: 5 June 2014
- Strategic Planning: 3 December 2014
- Finance: 5 December 2014
MBA examinations are available for all courses in June and December. In March and August, minor diets of examinations are offered in selected subjects.
Who is the accrediting body?
The Edinburgh Business School MBA course is accredited by Heriot Watt University. Griffith College is an approved learning provider on behalf of Edinburgh Business School. Edinburgh Business School has appointed 25 ALPs worldwide, covering over 50 countries. All ALPs are subject to Heriot-Watt University's quality assurance procedures.
Can students receive exemptions from subjects in the course?
Exemptions from specific core courses may be granted to holders of recognised academic or professional qualifications if they are of degree level and if they have been obtained by examination. There is no provision for exemptions from elective courses. Typically, a maximum of one exemption is granted for an undergraduate degree majoring in a subject relevant to one of Edinburgh Business School MBA courses; for example, a bachelor's degree in economics may lead to an exemption from the Economics course.
Professional qualifications, obtained by examination, within 5 years of application, may also lead to exemptions. For example, ACCA Qualification holders may be eligible for exemptions in Accounting and Finance. Eligibility for exemption is based on academic achievement only, not on work experience. If you wish to apply for an exemption you should contact the course director. There is an exemption application fee of £125 per exemption.
What are the exam fees and examination deadlines?
The exam fee is £125 payable directly to Edinburgh Business School. The deadline dates for examination applications are 1st March & 1st September for the June and December major diets respectively. The deadline date for the minor diets in March and August are 7th February and 24th July respectively.
Where are the MBA exam's held?
The exams are held in regional centres throughout Ireland in Limerick, Dublin, Cork and Galway. Additional exam centres may be available as centre's are not fixed in advance but are arranged in response to students' requests at the time of application. Whilst some travel may be required, the Griffith College endeavours to arrange examinations as near to the locations requested by students as is practical.
How long do I have to wait for exam results?
Results for examinations will be initially posted on Student Services website approximately eight weeks after the end of the diet of examinations. Official examination results will be despatched directly to students, at the last mailing address notified in the original registration.
How many times can I re-sit an exam?
If students fail a course at the first attempt each student will be permitted one further attempt in that subject. However, a third attempt may be granted if students have completed four other courses. Under no circumstances will a third attempt be permitted at an elective course. An alternative elective must be chosen to obtain an award. Students can apply to re-sit through the 'Exam Service' section of the Edinburgh Business School Student Services website.
Can I receive a compensatory pass in a subject?
If students have successfully completed seven or eight courses and have failed narrowly in the remainder a student may be awarded a pass by compensation subject to the following conditions:
- Passes have been attained in at least seven courses.
- The mark to be compensated is not less than 45%
- A pass by compensation will be awarded in a maximum of two courses
- The total shortfall of marks shall not exceed 5%
Can I gain a Specialist MBA?
Edinburgh Business School offers the opportunity to study for a specialist MBA in four subject areas: Finance; Marketing; Human Resource Management and Strategic Planning. To qualify for the award of the Specialist MBA students are required to successfully complete the seven core MBA courses plus four elective courses, from a designated group as follows:
Specialism in Finance Specialism in Strategic Planning
Corporate Governance Alliances and Partnerships
Credit Risk Management Competitive Strategy
Derivatives Corporate Governance
Financial Risk Management Leadership
Mergers and Acquisitions Making Strategies Work
Practical History of Financial Markets Mergers and Acquisitions
Quantitative Methods Strategic Negotiation
Strategic Risk Management
Specialism in Marketing Specialism in Human Resource Management
Consumer Behaviour Developing Effective Managers & Leaders
International Marketing Employee Relations
Marketing Channels Employee Resourcing
Marketing Communications Human Resource Development
Marketing Research Human Resource Management
Negotiation Influence
Quantitative Methods Managing People in a Changing Context
Principles of Retailing Managing People in Global Markets
Sales Force Management Managing Personal Competencies
Services Marketing Negotiation
Performance Management
Is there a Graduation?
Graduation is held every June in Edinburgh with additional ceremonies in various locations worldwide in November/December. Students have the option to graduate in person at the next available ceremony, defer their graduation until a later ceremony or graduate in absentia. Students who graduate in absentia will also have the option to attend the next available ceremony in person.
If you have any further questions relating to the Edinburgh Business School MBA please contact:
MBA Programme Director: David O'Donovan
Email: mba@gcl.ie
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