Has anyone studied with the Academy of Business Strategy or knows anyone who has, as I am curious to know what their experience was like.

I've heard of them - they used to advertise regularly in the Sunday Times. Struck me as some sort of franchise. Is there a problem?

The problem is that I am having problems understanding their study material and their tutor support take two weeks to reply. They are also supposed to be recognised by the DFES and LSC but there is no mention of them on their learning providers register.

Well, first of all, my only comparable experience (albeit many years ago) was as a tutor for the Open University. Students could call or write to me at any time and if they weren't happy they could go to the Senior Tutor at the Regional Office. Their study materials were fantastic. Maybe you'd be better off doing an MBA with them?

I don't know about the CPC qualification - I'm a Fellow of the Chartered Managers Institute which, in recent years, merged with the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) - now the Institute of Business Consulting. They have the CMC or Chartered Management Consultant qualification, which is internationally recognised - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certif...onsultant.

If the Academy of Business Strategy is meant to be recognised by some formal accreditation such as DFES and/or LSC then check them out with those authorities.

If you have paid personally (perhaps by credit card or similar) for something that is not fit for purpose then see if you can get redress through the Consumer Credit Act - last resort!

I'm not sure whether it's a case here of confronting your tutor or his supervisor directly or whether you find yourself on the wrong end of a bad deal.

If your a member of a professional body then you may wish to seek help there. If not, you may wish to enquire about joining one, e.g. see www.ibconsulting.org.uk. As part of your membership enquiry you can raise this issue with them - I'm sure they would be willing to provide you with the best up-to-date, professional advice.

Thanks very much for your advice.

Martin

Hi Martin,
Did you ever get anymore information on this?
I too am having problems understanding the study material,

I have just finished my full time MBA from Warwick and I have over 12.5 years of pre-MBA experience in software development, business analysis, project/programme management and outsourcing. I am looking for a job now and I came across the Academy of Business Strategy on a job site. I applied expecting it to be a job but what they seem to be offering is only an educational course leading to CPC qualification. In the job adverts they mention Associate positions and opportunity to earn while learn, this gave me the impression that they are offering a contract job to go with the CPC, however later on it became clear that there is absolutely no guarantee of work and the only guaranteed place on offer is for the CPC course (costing 10000 pounds). Hasn't anyone found this strange? if they are not offering genuine jobs then why do they advertise on all the job sites? I would like to request reader's views on this. I have an offer for CPC place at the moment but I am not sure whether I should accept it.

Hi guys

If it helps you all I graduated as a CPC some 12 months ago with the Academy of Business Strategy and am now studying DPC. I can only speak personally but it was without question the best decision that I have ever made and I wouldn't have the successful practice that I have today without the Academy.

The tutors have always been really helpful with me. I guess you get out of it what you put into it.

You will also find plenty of forum posts from other CPC students, graduates and DPC students over on http://www.indeed.com/forum/cmp/Aca...sip/t28293

Hope this helps.

Regards

Paul

DDAMLE

I know that the Academy do employ consultants internally. They have several hundred of them. I also know they employ something like 150 tutors and have 20+ post graduate programs so it doesn't surprise me that they recruit regularly. Just because you might not have been successful with a job application with them doesn't mean that they don't exist!

I've studied and worked with the Academy independently now for the past three years and think that they are a terrific company and I would have no hesitation in recommending them.

They are certainly a breath of fresh air when compared to the usual consultancy companies and business schools. I have worked for two of the top five consulting firms in the past and I know which I prefer.

I think sometimes people just tend to mistrust things they don't understand. There is nothing at all wrong with the Academy of Business Strategy. Graduating as a CPC changed my life.

Regards

Paul

I have completed online interview for CPC of Academy of Business Strategy and got consulting service process form & candidate assesment for to be submit within 7 oct 2009,In this context any body can help me about financial assitance for course fees of $20000 as loan, I also request all to inform about employer operating mainly in banking/IT services in London / New York, that I need to sponsor my application for an employment visa and offer for a job internally within their organization, as I need to earn income while training. I prefer to shift your client location after receive offer for an employment and will left from my existing employer.
Thank you all for consideration and I look forward to your reply.
Prabir Mandal

Prabir40

CPC is a terrific programme. I graduated about 6 months ago and wouldn't have established the practice I have now without it. However from your comments I am not sure that you are really looking at CPC for the right reasons. You do not need a visa to study CPC because you can study from anywhere. They have students from all over the world, I myself studies from Switzerland. Also I would not advise you to go into debt. If I were you I would wait until you can afford to do it and then reapply again. CPC has been one of the best things that I have ever done, but I wouldn't go into debt to do it...why not just reapply in a few years time when you are more financially secure? The less pressure there is on you while you are studying the better it will be for you.

Best of luck

Kevin