Eileen

Thanks for your post.

Whilst I welcome and applaud CIMA's attempt of opening the possibility of it's students and members completing these programs with generous exemptions, I have reservations on the institutions CIMA has chosen to partner with for these partnership initiatives.

The universities MMU and NTU are modern institutions which rank quite low in the bottom 5-10% on all league tables published in the UK, which makes pursuing any of these programs questionable.

The CIMA qualification as I believe it, is a world class recognised qualification, so I would expect to see CIMA partner with more reputable universities both in the UK and around the world for relevant degree programs which better complement and enhance one's academic qualifications, making CIMA students more competitive in the marketplace.

Whilst some might argue that league tables are irrelevant, the truth is, in practice employers do care about the quality of schools and degrees that potential candidates have.

I wonder if there is anything in CIMA's pipeline on partnering with reputable business schools such as Durham, Warwick, LSE, Manchester etc.

Just my thoughts....

Faith

Thanks for your comments and interest in this initiative.

In the UK arena the ‘New Universities’ have the closer relationship with professional accounting education and CIMA training and development. The Russell Group, who are mentioned in the first comment, have no history of CIMA provision and curriculum delivery and so would be unlikely to grant any but a few exemptions, and could not currently provide the e-delivery.

Choice of a highly academic institution in accounting (specialising in research and more prescriptive entry) would restrict the entry for many global CIMA Students, for example the University of Manchester (of which I am an alumnus) has traditionally recruited at very high A level grades (which could prove to be detrimental to a proportion of our global students and members).

For CIMA members who want to be studying in the Russell Grouping, there are a range of other options in CIMA Mastersplus, which incorporate Lancaster University, - European School of Management, University of York, Strathclyde Business School and Cranfield.

The range of offerings therefore aims to satisfy the many different types of CIMA students and members who all have very different provision requirements.

The strength of the UK Quality Assurance system in Higher education assures that a wide range of institutions whether ‘new’ or ‘old’ provide different but high quality experiences as University Ranking differs across major subject areas; the League Tables only measure their inherent specifics.

In CIMA we are assuring a high quality e-learning or in-company provision that is truly global. MMU has the third largest Accounting Department in the UK and sits in a small group of universities that fully align with professional appreciation.

I hope this helps you appreciate the choices to be made.

Could you please let me know whether the Top up degree on MSc - Accountancy and Finance by Birmingham city unversity - UK is still available?

I am a Sri Lankan and once I got to know that respective studying sessions are available in Sri Lanaka. Is the partnership still available for year 2012?

How far it can be compared with MMU - MSc in Strategic Business mgt against cost, quality and number of excemptions.  

I am personally half way through the BA with MMU and am finding it brilliant.

Unlike the contributors at the top of this thread i am more than happy to take this opportunity to study with MMU.

In any other circumstances i doubt any University would accept me. I have no A-Levels at all. I went out and got a job! I have studied from the bottom up and therefore have built many more years experience in Business.

I still however, get looked down upon when applying for positions within organisations as i am not a graduate.

I am hugely thankful to CIMA and MMU to give me the opportunity to study and gain a degree.

But it would seem I will still come up against the hideous snobbery of people who view MMU as an inferior establishment!!

All i can say is lucky you for being in a position to go to good schools and afford to go to University.

Before you dismiss it remember we are not all as fortunate. This does not however make us any less worthy for a position as we probably have had more exposure and more real life experience in decision making, strategy and good old hard graft.

I am interested in the MMU BA degree which I understand you need to have completed the management level of CIMA to do this,

I understand it is only two units, surely this wouldnt take a year to complete like the MMU website suggests?

Any info would be great

Thanks

Rich