While the UK Open University is prestigious, there are a few commendable distance learning programs that teach the same thing at quarter the price. I took my Executive MBA in Leadership at Breyer State University. My stay took almost a year and a half! The lessons, particularly LDR-500 is cutting edge and applicable to modern corporate environments

Mostly the courses are regurgitations of well known and publically available material. The original material is rather poorly written and not well organised in terms of theory. It often sounds good until you question it. That is probably my biggest criticism: questioning anything, from the book material to general theory, gets either no response or 'that is an interesting question but beyond the scope of the curriculum.' If you are the type of person who is satisfied with taking the material in the textbooks at face value, then, like all MBA programs, the OU is a good place to learn the jargon and it does serve the purpose of opening the student to a larger picture of business. However, it is still two orders of magnitude below excellent.

I am a MBA alumni (the Open University business school, 2003. It is a great school!

Not surprising it's top-rated as it's the biggest school in Europe! It's good value (cheap in fact) but the lack of contact with other students means you are on your own. The lack of interaction means your morale can drop and, you'll miss the interaction with students to discuss issues, (except for monthly tutorials) However, having an MBA is worth the pain.

Well written course material. The course B820 Strategy is particularly good. The course B821 Financial Strategy gives a good insight into what, from a financial perspective, are important issues for both managers and investors. Studying this MBA certainly changes the way one thinks about business and management.

I did some campus learning and some distance learning. Economically and for curriculum, the OU is unbeatable - it just eats up all your leisure time for some years.

I have just completed my MBA with the Open University Business School. I chose this school because I could fit in my studies with my family and my job. The courses however, provided much more. The quality of the material provided for each module was excellent and the support from tutors outstanding. What has been the most benefit was what I learned from other students. During my studies I have networked with students from all over the world, with hugely varied backgrounds and experience. The modular structure of the MBA has enabled me to study courses that fitted with the work to maintain a high degree of relevance and make studying easier because I could put the course concepts quickly in to context. An aspect I hadn't appreciated fully was that students from "normal" universities often relate to the university itself, its location, buildings etc. This is not the case with the OUBS since you don't have this physical anchor as you don't actually attend the school. For OUBS students and graduates this anchor is provided by the people, other students and tutors. It is therefore a huge, global family and you can epect to get a warm welcome from other members of the family wherever and whenever you meet them (and you will meet them). Overall a hugely rewarding and enriching experience. The only down is that I have finished the course. David Jarvis MBA(Open) MAPM

OPEN to all who are determined to succeed. Gives everyone a second change at increasing self-worth. OPEN says it all! Excellent staff (many), students (numerous), material and help. For more matured students who want to learn and where knowledge and experience count!

The best way to catch up on opportunities missed during your youth.

The quality of courses are high. The quality of Tutors

Open University courses and MBAs are well respected worldwide. The OU's teaching methods are excellent. The OU tries it's hardest to help students and accommodate those with all types of disability.

Excellent approach to business courses, first class study content and relevant examples throughout. The major benefit of a distance learning business course is being able to apply what is learnt, at the time it is learnt. In my 3 years with the OU they have excelled. Andy.

I am both an alumni, tutor, and Italian Marketing representative. Its great!

Course materials and facilities for learning are very good. You have contact with course writers and leaders and they do listen - courses are updated regularly. Many concepts are also relevant to service industries and smaller organisations which some MBAs miss out. However, tutors do vary in the Business School and the standards need consistency. The OUBS do recognise this and are doing something about it. Overall great people and it has had no end of relevance to my job.

Fantastic experience that not only developed my business skills but also life skills. Being able to apply the theory to my place of work was an added advantage that confirms the OUBS MBA as a real life experience! The residential schools aren't bad either ! Do it, the hard work is worth it.

The big advantage of the OUBS is the vast amount of academic material you receive and work with. This has the addtional benefit of providing you with an extensive reference library that you can always refer to when you need to refresh your memory on something. The residential schools are really exciting and the academic standard is extremely high. The materials are extremely up-to-date and the use of the team principle in preparing the 'lectures' means you get a very broad range of expertise. It was such a great experience, I wish I were still doing it!

An excellent format allowing flexible learning with a number of modules. Highly motivated students, many self-funding. Study materials very highly regarded and one of few UK BSchools to have both AMBA and EQUIS accreditation.

Superb materials and first class tutors.

hard work, but worth it

Excellent for distance learning MBA course - the course is designed for people to study while working. Therefore you apply your studies to your work on a daily basis (and vice versa).

The most practical MBA so far! Very comprehensive.

The modules are academically stretching and use practical examples from one's own work experience. Tutors are from the business community rather than from academia

The OUBS is the perfect way to combine learning and work and get more from both. I studied for an MBA and found the course material was well written and helped me turn theory in to practice. The course tutors were excellent; because they actually worked professionally in the areas they taught and were able to illustrate the subjects with lots of examples. My OUBS MBA has done more to help me develop personally and professionally than any other course I have ever studied. It was really hard work and even though I studied alone there was always someone to contact to if I needed support, whether it be the course tutor, the course internet conference or a fellow student. I am full of admiration for the OUBS and it approach to learning which is open to people, whatever their age, financial or domestic circumstances

A good variety of units to choose from in the elective stage, from the obvious (finance, HR, marketing) to the more unusual, (technology management, creativity, knowledge management). The courses are well written specifically for distance learning, rather than just being given a pile of set books. The residential schools are marvelous for bringing it all together. Gwyn Moses

The flexibility of subject choice and the chance to study alongside a job make this a highly useful and quickly applied course. Much prefer to use new ideas in my job than on a case study.

I believe the OUBS has an excellent programme, very good subject and materials, and provies a realistic and creative option for modern lifestyles.

Just finished 3 long years balancing work, family and study with the open university for the MBA. Very broad ranging courses, good course material, pretty good tutors (some outstanding) and working with great students from a very wide range of backgrounds and professions. The ability to bring the course to life through your normal work situations and experience, and just as importantly vice versa make this type of distance learning experience superb. Can't recommend it enough - well done Open University.

Excellent course choice and content with plenty of supporting material and Tutors. It enabled me to change career, become self-disciplined and an astute business person that can identify problems and solutions effectively. I have met other MBAs from other schools whom don't seem to have the depth of knowledge nor application experience - quite a revelation. Heartily recommend it, and have very high regard for other OU students as it demonstrates commitment and determination.

The OU's MBA offers something other MBAs don't - the chance to work with great students with real experience and tutors with real experience allied to academic ability. It's a fantastic, stimulating course and it's already helped me change jobs to my dream position.

it's not an easy option but the reward is great and you can apply all you learn to your work as you study

The best UNI for distance learning on the planet!

"The MBA for the real world" - you study whilst you work, applying the theories to your organisation or workplace. You can study when you want and in whatever order you choose. My modules were Strategy, Creativity Innovation & Change, Financial Strategy and International Enterprise. The OUBS provides superb materials, superb tutors and excellent networking opportunities via tutorials and residential schools. The OUBS online FirstClass conferencing/collaboration system is also extremely useful and means that you never feel isolated whilst undertaking distance learning. It is a tough MBA but the rewards and sense of achievement are second to none! Malcolm Ashton, MBA(Open), MCMI

Quality of material and tutor support was excellent. I particularly recommend the creativity, innovation and change elective.

Fantastic business school. Materials and support are firstclass and the qualifications are of great use practically.

Well presented course material covering a wide range of subjects in depth. MAjority of tutors are excellent

The bestin distance learning about business. Try B825 it is a top marketing course!

A really worthwhile investment of 3 years. An OUBS MBA shows more about an individual than a full-time MBA does, and has a longer lasting effect through the "learn-while-on-the-job" approach. Thoroughly recommend it over a full-time program.

I don't have a single bad thing to say. wonderful material, teriffic support, challenging targets. the exams are difficult to say the least, and there is a high workload. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Great organisation!!!

Quite a marathon three year course. Particularly recommend B821 Financial Strategy and B822 Creativity Innovation & Change for a balanced module. Tutors are variable but the course books are excellent