Thinking of the OU

[B1977]

I'm thinking of doing some further study with the OU, my choices are (1) MBA (2) MSc in Human Resource Management (3) MSc in International Accounting and Finance. They all start with the same course, "Fundamentals of Senior Management".

Is anyone else on one of these study programmes, and if so what do you think of them?

I'd be doing it for work so what do you think sounds harder / more impressive? They would all have something suitable for my career so it's the badge element that matters, sadly.

I am sure the work would prob be just as hard for each of them, but am asking nevertheless.

B1977- What job do you do? If you are/ aim to be in senior managment, then the MBA is ideal. If you are in Accounting, then the MSC In International Accounting may be more specific and ditto the one in HRM.

IMO, if you're after letters after your name, I'd opt for the MBA. It covers a wider level of subjects (both HRM and Accounting are covered)and is a very well resepcted qulaification amongst employers.

My DH has an OU MBA so I don't have any personal experience of the course (I'm doing a MSc in Psychology instead).

It was a couple of years ago now but he throughly enjoyed it and got a lot out of it personally. He is an accountant so the MBA gave him a more rounded outlook of a business man rather than accountant.

However, the world of MBA's polarised - there are ones to have and then there are the rest. Even though the OU MBA is very good, and rated very highly by the people that rate these things academically, it isn't one of 'the' business schools. It hasn't made a huge impact on DH at all, other than, as I say, on his own personal confidence and knowledge. Having the letters after his name has not really opened doors or made a huge impact on his earning potential the way an MBA from the Manchester or London might.

If you are going to go with the OU, which has a lot going for it in terms of flexibility, cost and quality of teaching, then do it for your own development rather than because it will look good on your CV.

Thanks for the helpful comments.

My current job is more middle management accounting, if I stay in professional services over the next few years, it would lead to senior management. However, if I went in-house it would be into senior HR - either Compensation & Benefits or Reward, depending on what else I did.

go for the MBA - better to remain more gerneralised IMO