For those looking to propel their career development, an MBA is a great option — but pausing or postponing your career to return to full-time study can be tricky, especially when competing demands like family life and children are added into the mix.
Fortunately, more and more institutions are offering online MBA options. The added benefit of an online course is you could enroll in a course from anywhere in the world, and have access to prominent MBA programs, regardless of your location.
Our guide will walk you through the top 10 online MBAs in the world, according to QS’s official ranking.
10. University of Otago Business School - Otago Online MBA
Based on a program of live weekly lectures that take place twice a week, the Otago Online MBA offers students the same curriculum as on-campus participants. You’ll need to submit the same assignments and sit similar examinations, which means you’ll need to meet the same entry requirements.
The 30-month course has two phases. The first includes 12 core papers which ordinarily take two and a half years to complete, achieving 180 credits. Phase two requires professional consulting engagement or international exchange to attain the final 60 credits of the course.
9. FIU Chapman Graduate School of Business - Professional MBA Online
The College of Business at FIU is a pioneer of online instruction; distance learning has been a part of their day-to-day for over 20 years. This program is robust, yet flexible, for those looking to accelerate their career development.
Students can choose between a 33-, 21- or 18-month program. Regardless of the duration of the program your pick, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow scholars through professional development seminars, business career management and industry nights. These opportunities parallel those offered to on-campus students, breaking down barriers for digital learners.
8. Marshall School of Business - USC Marshall Online MBA
Pushing students to engage with real-world scenarios, the USC Marshall Online MBA will expose you to the rigor and camaraderie you should rightly expect from one of the best online MBA programs in the world.
The 21-month program, although intense, offers flexibility while delivering the necessary material to achieve your career goals. The faculty staff at USC Marshall are accomplished experts in their field, while the reputable Trojan alumni, with whom students can connect, are changing the face of business across the globe.
7. Alliance Manchester Business School - Global MBA
The Global MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School promises to propel candidates into a new role or industry. Their flexible part-time international MBA degree is available to candidates anywhere in the world and designed specifically for professionals working full-time. Applicants are also expected to have at least three years’ experience to be considered.
With campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore, this program offers flexible study options to its participants including 31 days of teaching across six workshop residencies throughout the two-year course.
6. Kelley School of Business - Kelley Direct Online
Described as a customizable MBA that can be adapted to your needs, the Kelley Direct Online MBA features seven majors, 50% electives and a business fundamentals core.
This immersive course offers the deep specialization that you would expect from of a master’s degree, whilst giving you the option to customize the content to fit your specific goals. Applicants have an average age of 33 and come from countries from around the world. It’s worth mentioning that 64% of students attained a promotion while on the course and secured a base salary of more than $122,000 upon graduation. This course enables a balance of study with family time and other commitments while obtaining the business knowledge needed to succeed in industry.
5. MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business - iFlex/Flex EMBA
The two-year Executive MBA offered by MIP Politecnico di Milano is aimed at managers who want to combine international study experience with their work commitments. Their digital learning platform is among the most advanced in the world, designed specifically for this purpose.
The course includes two face-to-face weeks alongside online study, focusing on digital transformation. Students can also expect to participate in a baseline study of General Management with the option of a third elective full-time study week.
4. Australian Graduate School of Management - MBAX
Hosted by the University of New South Wales, the Australian Graduate School of Business (AGSM) offers an online MBA Executive program that is designed for business executives who want to gain their degree at their own time and pace, enhancing their analytical, strategic and leadership skills. The program can be tailored to your areas of interest thanks to a broad range of elective choices, including international intensive study.
3. Warwick Business School - Warwick Online/DLMBA
An innovator and digital leader, Warwick Business School’s online Distance Learning MBA honors the school’s long-standing reputation for innovation. Utilizing the latest digital developments, their purpose-built study platform gives students the very best distance learning experience.
Helping students to operate anywhere in the world, the program is specifically designed to attract people from around the world, exposing them to a global community of the very best entrepreneurial minds. As a part-time program, this course will fit in well with a full-time job.
2. Imperial College Business School - Global Online MBA
Ranked as the top online program in the UK and second-best in the world, Imperial College Business School’s Global Online MBA is a part-time, distance learning course that will enable you to advance your career and give you access to a global top 10 university.
This highly interactive online MBA is designed to enable students to engage with the school’s world-class faculty online and also give in-person, on-campus opportunities during the program’s Capstone module. This course gives you the opportunity to exercise more choice and control over your studies, giving you the option to complete it 21, 24 or 32 months.
1. IE Business School - Global Online MBA
Designed to empower business leaders in their journey through transformation and disruption, the Global Online MBA from IE Business School aims to maximize your employability.
This challenging hybrid program lets you choose between a combination of face-to-face and online learning format or an online-only mode, giving you control over your participation.
Students benefit from a truly global network, opening the door to countless professional opportunities through their course. The IE Alumni community boasts a membership of more than 65,000 active professionals world-wide — a community which continues to grow at a fast pace.
This top MBA program is focused on three key areas: making an impact in a world of change, sharpening your global and digital mindset and boosting your career by combining the best technologies, methodologies and faculty while giving you control over the content and duration of your course.
Final thoughts
So, there you have it, the best online MBA programs in the world.
These institutions are leading the way towards a more global and accessible education, allowing students from all over the world to access their prominent MBA programs, helping them advance their careers and achieve their professional goals.
There’s something for everyone, from exchange opportunities to business consultancy experience, this list of virtual MBA courses is full of opportunities suited for every learner.
Are you considering undertaking an online MBA? Which of these programs do you think will help you take your career to the next level? Let us know in the comments section below!
This article is an updated version of an earlier article originally published on 25 July 2018.