Diversity the key to MBA 2018 fortunes?

Durham University Business School has been awarded a further five-year accreditation for its Full-time, Online and Executive MBA programmes by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and says it plans for 'continued diversity and business connectivity'.

So the question has to be asked about how the would-be MBA students of the future will choose their course amid a dizzying array of options on offer?

Online MBAs have been increasing in value for students that cannot afford the full budget of taking the qualification in person at a desired location. However, will this trend continue if the value is being part of a widening group of students who provide a special opportunity to provide insight into different cultures and business environments?

AMBA - who awarded the further five years' accreditation - is a leading impartial authority on recognising high quality postgraduate management education and its reputation has grown through only awarding its endorsement to schools within the top 2% around the world.

The Durham MBA's re-accreditation has been awarded following a comprehensive assessment of the programme's curriculum, student cohorts, international reach and partnerships, faculty expertise and connections to global industry. The assessment was conducted by a panel of global business schools experts, comprised of programme and academic directors and deans.

Susan Hart, Dean of Durham University Business School said ' The result comes at an exciting time where we plan to build upon our existing success for further developing our diversity, internationalisation and business connectivity'. The School is an internationally renowned research-led institution with a network of over 25,000 alumni from more than 140 countries.

So is it the quality of research that a university carries out, or the potential diversity of connections between students and business contacts that draws students? In a changing world, the jury is out on the magic formula for business schools and survival.

Join our filmed panels on this topic over the autumn.