US-based University of Phoenix, Singapores U21Global and UKs Edinburgh, Henley and OUBS amongst top distance and e-learning B-schools: Financial Times Report 2007

These learnings are in various formats are enrolling a large number of MBA aspirants from across the globe. According to Financial Times Distance Learning MBA programme 2007 data, released on March 19th, US-based University of Phoenix is the leading provider with a massive 40,000 students currently enrolled in their program. UK-based Edinburgh Business School is the next largest B-school currently enrolling close to 10,000 students. Many of these international players are also accredited with bodies like AACSB, Equis and Amba.

Then, there is Henley Management College, which offers Executive Distance Learning MBA, and that has 5080 students. Open University Business School (OUBS) has 3,552 students as part of its MBA (Open) programme. Both Henley Management College and OUBS are accredited by AACSB, Equis and Amba.

Singapore-based U21Global has 3,000 students and is accredited by EFMD-Cel, a European accreditation body.

The US B-schools that find a mention in the Financial Times list include Kelley School of Business (Indiana University), Thunderbird School of Global Management (in Arizona) and University of Texas at Dallas. A noticeable trend is that much less students are enrolled with US based B-schools than British B-schools.

The Financial Times list offers useful comparisons for those interested in pursuing distance or online programs from these international institutions: for instance, it provides parameters like intakes per year, time limits for study, course characteristics and continents where the schools provide support.

According to several institutions quoted in the report, most online and distance education providers are witnessing a rise in new applications and are bullish about the future.