Heriot-Watt University | ExpatWoman.com
 

Heriot-Watt University

284
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 01:14

Hi all.

I'm considering doing an MBA at Heriot-Watt after the summer. But I'd like to know if anybody has had (or knows anyone who has) any experience with them. I've called them and asked them about the university etc and it does seem to be good overall. I do have 2 concerns though -

1. They are not accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education. I was told that it's fine as long as I'm not Emirati or work for a government institution??? Didn't quite get that.... Any clarifications?

2. The requirements to get in are pretty low. All I need is 2 years work experiences + 2 recommendation letters + TOEFL or proof of proficiency in the English language.

I'd really be grateful if someone can shed some light on the program if they know anyone who has or is currently enrolled. Also any recommendations of universities I can do my MBA in (and not the American University of Sharjah - too expensive and it would take forever to complete part-time)... :(

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 March 2011 - 09:36
Heriot Watt is a highly respected institution in the UK. I would steer clear of another well known Australian institution here, don't know if I can say the name, but they use some under qualified teachers on their MBA program and still charge a fortune AdviceSeeker - is this Australian institution located in Dubai International Academic City? Thanks.
284
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 March 2011 - 21:05
Bump!
284
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 March 2011 - 14:27
Thanks everyone for your replies. I've had a look at Cass Business School but the tuition is way out of my budget. Over AED 200k for the program - STEEP! :( Strathclyde seems to be really good as well but I don't meet their entry requirements. I don't have 3 years work experience just yet but it does look excellent otherwise. Hopefully I can land somewhere good but it does seem to be a challenge finding something good here. I just don't understand the difference between an accredited university and one that is not. Heriot-Watt seems to be the best so far for me apart from the accreditation aspect and I don't know if it will affect me in any way...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 21:54
The Strathclyde MBA is very good. Their academics are experts in their fields and they have counselling sessions in additions to the lectures...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 21:22
Heriot Watt is a highly respected institution in the UK. Since its highly respected, it's worth looking into it and seeing whether or not the Dubai one has the same standards as the UK. The problem with doing an MBA here is you pay a lot and in most cases get inferior teaching. If you're only doing it for a piece of paper, and they're an official branch then it might be an okay option. Strathclyde one is quite good as they bring in their lecturers from their main campus in scotland every few weeks, and the Woolongong one is good too, although I don't think they bring in lecturers. I would steer clear of another well known Australian institution here, don't know if I can say the name, but they use some under qualified teachers on their MBA program and still charge a fortune There do seem to be a fair number of educational "franchises" in UAE.
1100
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 21:19
Heriot Watt is a highly respected institution in the UK. Since its highly respected, it's worth looking into it and seeing whether or not the Dubai one has the same standards as the UK. The problem with doing an MBA here is you pay a lot and in most cases get inferior teaching. If you're only doing it for a piece of paper, and they're an official branch then it might be an okay option. Strathclyde one is quite good as they bring in their lecturers from their main campus in scotland every few weeks, and the Woolongong one is good too, although I don't think they bring in lecturers. I would steer clear of another well known Australian institution here, don't know if I can say the name, but they use some under qualified teachers on their MBA program and still charge a fortune
488
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 21:15
Heriot Watt is a highly respected institution in the UK. It is. But its off-campus center is new and the program is not accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education in UAE. I think its better to go with a MBA from the University of Wollongong in Dubai in the Knowledge Village campus. Same fee bracket and they have accreditation and they have been based in UAE for about 15 years.
488
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 21:12
amandashaks, I don't know about your educational background but if you have studied/worked in business or finance, you may be interested in finding out about the Executive MBA program at the Dubai International Financial Centre. They have it in collaboration with Cass Business School, London. It's a reputable university and the program has been up and running for over 7 years here in Dubai.
1340
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 21:10
Heriot Watt is a highly respected institution in the UK.
284
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 21:08
Thanks Advise Seeker. I'll have a look into it. Would anyone happen to know the difference between a university that is accredited and not? Will it put me at a disadvantage in the future?
1100
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 21:02
Haven't heard of them, but why not check www.open.edu.au they have the RMIT MBA which is very good and well known, you can do most of it online,
284
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 21:00
Bump!
940
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 15:28
Bump for the Saturday crowd
284
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 11:13
Oh wow DubaiStar... I suspected that this happened here but not to this degree... When I spoke to the university, I questioned them about the accreditation and attestation of the masters degree and I was told that they send it to the UAE Embassy in London for attestation. Apparently this is the procedure people who have done degrees outside the UAE follow. I wouldn't know to be honest since I got my degree from here and the university was accredited and my degree attested from here - that's why I wanted to double check with anyone who has been there... Thanks for the heads up though. I'll make sure I triple check everything before giving them a cheque!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 09:50
Hi Amandashaks I looked into MBAs in lots of places for DH, and to be honest I found that most of those offered here are not what they seem at all, so be warned - many of them you can get here are not recognised outside of the UAE. Because they are so expensive, it seems mad to pay all that money to get a qualification that will be of no use when you move on - if you apply for a job in say, UK, Australia, SA, all your quals will need to be assessed under that country's ratings and approved for visa purposes, and an MBA from a lot of places here will not be acceptable. So just check VERY carefully before you sign up for anything and pay loads of money over. Good luck
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 08:45
Ooooh I'd like to know about it myself, for my husband. But I didn't know that's all they ask for. Weird.
 
 

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