Now in my mid 40's I have a wealth of practical operations management experience. I want to get into consulting and I am aware that a MBA would have done me well if I had one? I may be prepared to take a year out for it. Would it be worth it. I do not have a university degree but only a postgrad management qualification.

Definitely NOT too late. You need to be sure why you want an MBA and what you want to 'consult' in - change management, supply chain, etc. plus can you/ your family afford you to financially take a year out. If not, try a 2-year open learning type route - hard work but you get the added benenfit of trying out stuff and putting theory into practice. I did a 'mature' MBA myself as my route of putting structure to all the experience gained in my career with intent to move from being 'a big company manager' to a consultant. It worked. Now run my own (small) niche consulting company. My advise is "go for it".

Thanks for that, thats a great help. I will look into that - I guess OU would be a good one?

Durham run one of the top Distance Learning ones

Thanks I will get some info on them - : )

Durham is good, but I'd go for an OU mba if I was you. Much cheaper, and an exellent programme. You have enough experience under your belt to not have to worry about what people will think if you don't do a Durham, LSE, Warwick, etc. programme. OU is just as good in my opinion. At your level, an mba is a nice to have. Consultancies will be looking at your experience more.

Thanks for the info. I will check them out as well. Good luck.

Personal choice but I wouldn't do OU as for me you lose a lot of the 'people' bits and interaction with other students (my view knowing folk who have gone this route. Others may disagree) which are a large part of the learning experience. Depends where you are in the country but if in the South East have a look at Kingston upon Thames (good reputation). Strongly recommend that you only look at "accredited" courses as you could waste your time and money.

Hi and yes I am in the South East. Is OU not accredited? This is quite a subject with a few different views. I was under the impression that the people bits would be in a number of workshops and altho there are not regular they would open up some like minded communications. Also the "project" had a number of practical implications in the workplace that I considered may even provide an advantage point. Em? not sure now?

Bottom line is "do the research" to see what is best for you. Talk to others who have done MBAs with different organisations (you'll get differing views as per this thread)and get some propectus (prospecti?). Look at AMBA website (Assocn of MBAs)and phone them up. Obviously think about the investment both financial and time (think how long it will take to get to/from lecture base and get ready to put your social life on hold for a while as assignments/projects tend to take over). Best overall advice I can give is go with whatever gives YOU the best balance. Personally, I did a course with lectures at weekends because of overseas work travelling commitments and our 'syndicate' meetings were 50:50 in the ether (email etc) and in the pub. I found my MBA course exhausting but totally enjoyable. Best of Luck.

Thanks I will do just that.

OU is AMBA and EQUIS accredited.

So that probably is a good one then... Thanks for that