IFM - Manchester Business School

The Manchester Business School Distance Learning MBAs

Managers with professional backgrounds find that technical knowledge alone will not help them to rise up the corporate ladder. Professionals, in finance or engineering for example, in mid-career often find themselves moving into more general management roles without having been taught the skills required for the job.

To move into senior management positions taking profit responsibility for a business or division, managers must develop their understanding of the finance, marketing and strategic aspects of the business as well as the 'soft' skills in communication and HR. That the MBA provides that opportunity is well acknowledged but not all prospective MBAs either want or are able to leave their present employment in order to study full time. In developing its distance learning programmes Manchester Business School brings that opportunity within the reach of managers globally regardless of their geographic location.

To achieve the best in support and delivery MBS has established IFM as an organisation wholly dedicated to the delivery of high quality distance learning. This is IFM's first priority - no distractions - as Manchester Business School's arm for its distance learning programmes. The MBS distance learning programmes meet the same academic quality requirements as the MBS full time programme, leading to the same degree award.

Through IFM, managers worldwide now have access to an MBA programme from one of the world's leading business schools without interrupting their professional working life. IFM's delivery format combines distance learning with residential workshops each semester in the UK and at its overseas facilities. The workshop sessions provide as much, if not more, face-to-face contact with students and senior faculty than many on-campus programmes. The format is highly effective as a vehicle for management development, ideal for the working professional, and is also a highly suitable format for corporate programmes.

In addition to its UK operation IFM has branch offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, plus support partnerships in India and Jamaica.

MBS offers two prestigious distance learning programmes:

The MBA for Financial Managers and Specialists

The MBA for financial managers and specialists was introduced in 1992 to meet the career development needs of finance professionals moving into senior management, general managers requiring financial management skills, and finance sector professionals seeking an MBA that can be tailored to meet their specialised area.

The programme's coursework stage includes core MBA modules in general management plus a range of electives in both general and finance specialist areas. Overall the programme has a finance/financial management focus. The project stage is usually based on a work-related management topic, allowing the student to focus on any area of interest, be it in finance, marketing, HR, and so on. The resulting report is often of significant interest to the employer, particularly when company sponsorship is being provided.

Recognising their professional qualifications and Institute membership requirements, an Accelerated, exemption-based entry is available to members of certain Accountancy and Chartered Administrators Institutes.

The MBA for Engineering Business Managers

To meet the management development needs both of individuals and corporates throughout the engineering and technology sector, MBS offers this new programme in its tried and tested distance learning format through IFM. It is designed specifically for the working professional and the programme workshop sessions are delivered in the UK and at IFM's facilities in Hong Kong and Singapore.

"MBS is uniquely placed to deliver such a degree. The School has a long history of association with engineering and manufacturing companies; it has always espoused team working and live projects in real companies, and with its distance learning arm IFM has great experience in offering specialist MBAs."
Professor Peter Barrar (Associate Dean and Professor of Operations Management)

IFM
The Port House
Porth Penrhyn
Bangor
Gwynedd
United Kingdom
LL57 4HN

Tel: 01248 371408
Fax: 01248 370769

Email: abs405@bangor.ac.uk
Web: www.ifm.ac.uk