Agree with ^. Go do a degree first and try get into reputable institution.

Not having a degree will seriously limit your option in the future. ACCA/CFA etc cannot get you entry intro top-tier graduate schools...

My friend used to do a degree at a so-so uni and is now doing Masters at Cambridge. Cambridge for example does not accept ACCA/CFA for any of their business programme but any degrees as long as you performed in them.

Some top business schools does not require degree but instead requires applicants to have really unique experience (think really successful startups like facebook or charity founder etc) or is at very high managerial position ie. those guys that don't really need MBAs... so it's a catch-22...

Nanyang is not a top MBA. I'm thinking more like INSEAD.

You do MBA to network. Nanyang does not have the proper signalling value and hence won't have that many outstanding candidates.

Some students at INSEAD will have average background sure, but you are also more likely to work alongside very very talented individuals.

Also, INSEAD is a hothouse for management consultancies. It's much easier to get interviews at MBB consultancies with INSEAD on your CV rather than Nanyang. Greater mobility as well.

Only do MBA if it's a globally recognizable name (within business community).

They look at many aspects of your application, prior academic achievement is only one of them.

I don't think you will be disadvantaged but admission committee might question why you need to do MBA considering you have two professional qualifications already ie. do you want to change industry and move into consulting, start a new business etc etc

A lot of people use MBA to change careers/move into different industries...

The most important part of application is your work experience and extracurriculars. Some business school put huge emphasis on CGPA though... eg for Stanford it will be extremely difficult to get into without CGPA of more than 3.50 and minimum 700 GMAT...

Normal uni. I suspect he got in because he ranked first out of 100 students in class.

It doesn't matter. There are people on his course from other asian countries who came from unis you and I have never heard of.

The important thing is your ranking in class. If you came first in a class of 300 students for example, it speaks volume.