No it isn't. it is a advantage but not a necessity yet. also the abundance rendered it pretty common stuff now, so a good quality qualification from well-known school is more important from a MBA from a so-so school.

if you wanna jump to management, it will be very helpful
im doing mine now.

Corporate management, business management, how to be a good and effective manager (including managing people). And business skills as well as mindset.

Not quite sure about the exacts but should be reputable considering it's a full fledge campus with no difference in certification as in the UK

By the way there is already an MBA thread here in LYN, which is quite active.

Here's the price list http://www.nottingham.edu.my/Students/Admi...0Nationals.aspx

Here's the programme info http://www.nottingham.edu.my/Faculties/Soc.../Pages/MBA.aspx

MBA is easy
consider MSc .. value better

You don't need an MBA for that. Nor do people with MBA means they'll get promoted as managers.
You don't need an MBA to venture into business either 

everything can be learn from books without spending a fortune just for an MBA.

Consider the costs of taking up an MBA, then calculate how long it will take you to ROI. It isn't worth it actually, considering that it doesn't guarantee you higher pay nor position.

One more thing I believe that is a key part of an MBA programme is the people that you get to meet.

Of course, budget is the first thing you need to consult when choosing.

But if budget ain't a problem, you should notice that the more expensive it is, the more premier it is, and you get to meet more "premier" people, especially high ranking executives from large companies globally. The learning experience will be different and the ideas and views shared will be different altogether. An of course, not forgetting the networking potential too!

Consider this: INSEAD vs Segi. Or on a similar note... INSEAD vs Nottingham.
Biggggg gapp..

Just thought I'd share this idea of mine.

Money spent on MBA vs money earned from salary after deducting expense.
Whats the ROI?
At the end, the one with the most cashflow and returns wins the race. Not with the qualification.
As mentioned, MBA is not the absolute determinant factor in choosing a manager.
The one with the best business and financial acumen.

and if their business acumen is that good, why aren't they entrepreneurs themselves?
Too much commitment, scared to take risks, don't know how or where to fund their business, and no idea which business to go too?
So whats the point in getting the MBA? Just to be a good WORKER?

As long as you're working/reporting under someone, be it VP of Country or GM of a worldwide group, you're still working for someone aka a worker. And even if you become CEO of a large multinational, you're still a worker coz you gotta report to all your shareholders/board of directors and kena screwed if bad results.

You realize any Joes on the street will give you differing answers when you post a rather vague question. It all boils down to circumstances. People in this forum come from different walks of life and full of diversity. The answers are based on personal experience or encounters of their relatives or friends. Therefore, you should contemplate on the background of the posters before taking in their inputs

A general feedback will be MBA is NOT a necessity but rather an advantage. It is impossible to neither quantify nor justify the advantage it may derive. Essentially, NONE can provide you an assurance on what magic MBA can do. My experience and historical research have shown that MBA will be a GREAT added value (Caveat: Top Ivy Leagues ONLY). Again, speaking from my own research, MBA graduates from top ivy leagues have a fairly good ROI. Reason being, the BRANDING mentality is there and they persist. In totality, (put aside scholarships) some people are willing to take huge loans to enroll in Ivy leagues for the RECOGNITION. For knowledge? Yes on a limited capacity. In addition, the greatest achievement in a MBA program is the network you may establish. Indeed, the platform for networking will increase immensely if you enrolled at the right place and at the right time.

Without a shadow of doubt MBA helps, but it is not mandatory. On a case by case basis, we could derive different conclusions.

actually i beg to differ. the assumption you just made is i have not gotten my mba = yes, dont know whether it will help me to get a managers position = false....and i assume it will help = 50/50
Actually I'm not assuming. the fact that I have been given a position to fill in and a requirement for this is that i pursue my MBA.
Position is a management position with 6 months probation and i am only 27 years old

They insisted that I pursue my MBA. They could have sponsored the whole shebang and bonded me for 4 years but that is beside the point. Reason why I got the job? I informed them I'm pursuing my MBA and submitted all the proof and they indirectly wanted someone internal to be promoted and my portfolio was the only one with MBA and relevant experience  and the fact my performance level to the org has been good.

I have been given an adjustment of 2500 bucks for this position. My MBA only cost me about 1k a month. So if you want to calculate ROI based on this, I'm actually getting my ROI in  12-13 month considering 100% of the increment is dedicated to the studies.

So practically, I'm not jumping to another company, getting better remuneration and additional 1000 once i finish my MBA completely ( part of the negotiation. Dont ask )
So based on my 'limited' experience, i for a fact know that MBA will help you greatly. that is if you are in an MNC or one of the top 20 firms.
If you are in a ah-keong company, then i dont think it will help

---

Added on September 22, 2009, 6:12 pm
Oh btw, about the degree straight to MBA, thta depends on which uni u head to. real top performers screen you thoroughly before u enter.
Job relevance,  years of experience, maturity all come into play.

So basically if you want a good MBA cert, do it at a well recognize uni. That will help you in a great deal. And last but not least, dont enroll into somewhere that is only for 9 months and all you do is write thesis and no class activity is invovled.