Information about the University of London External Programme

International Management programme:
MBA - MSc - Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate

Mentor Support through MCG.  

Both the Postgraduate Diploma, and MBA in International Management are rigorous academic programmes of the highest standard, developed by highly qualified University teaching staff with commercial and academic experience. Many students select the University of London programme for this reason as they are guaranteed quality, up to date study material and hence relevant education.

Students appreciate the flexibility offered through the External Programmes by Distance Learning, but even with the study support and World Wide Learning Community (WWLC) they can sometimes feel isolated when studying on their own. In agreement with the University, an optional mentor system is now available on a course-by-course basis, to supplement the support already provided and is offered to all International Management MBA and Postgraduate Diploma students, irrespective of location.

Management Consultancy Group (MCG) has worked for many years with UK University Postgraduate Distance Learning Programmes, developing models for the support of students through experienced qualified mentors. In 2002 we were appointed by the University of London as the first representatives in the region to market and support students on the MBA and Postgraduate Diploma in International Management. It was agreed through consultation with the University, that support through experienced practicing mentors could be offered to students world-wide. Any MBA or Postgraduate Diploma student, irrespective of location, may take advantage of this service. 

In keeping with the philosophy of flexibility adopted by the University of London External Programme, the MCG Mentor facility is optional and available on a course-by-course basis. As an optional feature, Mentor fees are in addition to the registration and course fees charged by the University.

The Mentors :

To ensure quality control, all Mentors associated with the programme are approved by Royal Holloway, School of Management. They are experienced practitioners, selected for specific core courses based on their education, specialisations and international work experience. They are currently working in specific fields of commerce and industry in different countries and are therefore able to refer to real life experiences and empathise with topics and circumstances addressed on the course.  They are familiar with the University of London study material, have studied at Postgraduate level, and can identify with your situation.

Scope of Mentoring :

The scope of the Mentors’ responsibility is not to teach, but to help you to understand the study material, relating concepts to tangible illustrations where necessary. They will be available over a period of 12 weeks from the date of engagement and will motivate and encourage you to maintain an organised study schedule including the timely submission of your course assignment. Mentors cannot help to write course assignments but advice can be given on your style, structure and writing technique. Mentors may comment on how assignments could be improved in line with the stated requirements but it must be understood that the final academic feedback and marking of assignments is the responsibility of the University subject tutor. 

It is acknowledged that not all students will need mentor support or for all courses. This is why it is being offered on a course-by-course basis. If you are confident that you can cope with a particular subject, you can opt not to engage the services of a Mentor. Conversely, if you are less confident or have already started to study a course and find that it is more complex than you first expected, you can opt at any time, into the Mentor system for that course. Students who have attempted an examination for the first time but have not achieved a pass mark may wish to engage a mentor to guide them towards their final sitting of the examination.   

The Fee :

Within reason, students may contact their personal mentors by email or phone as many times as necessary from the date of engagement.  Mentor fees are in addition to the registration and course fees charged by the University. Engaging the services of a Mentor at any time throughout the study of a course would involve the payment of a fee direct to MCG. The current fee is £235 per course. 

If you wish to engage the services of a subject mentor, please email Thelma at [email protected] with the following information : 

• Full Name
• MBA Registration Number
• Address and contact details
• Core course to be mentored
• Proposed date of examination 
• Whether this will be your first attempt at the examination for this course
• Preferred method of payment (ie Credit Card; Sterling Cheque or Bank Draft; Telegraphic Transfer.)