Why is Imperial College Business School’s online MBA the best in the UK?

Released today, the QS Online MBA Rankings 2022 assess the online MBA offerings of 72 business schools worldwide. Find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings.   

But what sets the programme apart from other online MBA programmes in the UK? TopMBA spoke with Imperial College Business School’s Vice Dean for Education, Leila Guerra, and Academic Director of the Global Online MBA, Professor Mark Perkmann, to find out more. 

The skills for today’s business world 

This is the fourth year that Imperial College Business School has ranked second in the world in the QS Online MBA Rankings, continuing to stay ahead of the curve over other UK programmes. According to Guerra, it’s reflective of the pioneering work in “creating an academic and educational digital environment, supported by the most innovative learning tools to allow students to connect, progress and define the personal, professional and societal impact they aim to achieve. 

“At a time when every business and university is realising the importance of being prepared for disruption, working and living in hybrid environments and upskilling to prepare for business and societal needs, today’s news highlights the relevance and uniqueness of Imperial’s Global Online MBA. This programme offers a cross-disciplinary, diverse and truly global environment and equips students with the skills needed in today’s business world.”  

With new and improved modules across business analytics, problem solving and advanced strategy, and plans to develop modules in digital transformation and AI and machine learning, Imperial College is constantly working to update the Global Online MBA experience to remain relevant and innovative in today’s fast-paced business context.  

Perkmann said: “The MBA needs to evolve to meet the changing world of business. At Imperial, our Global Online MBA will continue to focus on ensuring students are equipped with the skills and knowledge most needed by employers. Today, the demand is for understanding of the impact of digital transformation and sustainability, and tomorrow it may be to a new approach to globalization.” 

Unbeatable employability 

Imperial College ranked first in the employability indicator of the QS Online MBA Rankings 2022, gaining a score of 98.6.  

A significant amount of time on the Global Online MBA is dedicated to career planning and professional development, including one-to-one coaching with a dedicated careers consultant. Support extends much further than help with job hunting. 

“We help students to clarify their goals, career and leadership development plans, identify any limiting beliefs or unhelpful thinking styles, shape personal career narratives, and support them to realise their aspirations,” said Perkmann.  

“Our candidates come from very diverse work backgrounds, and so their career goals and objectives also differ greatly,” Perkmann added. “For many students, the Global Online MBA is an opportunity to enhance their prospects and chart a path into their future career, whether that be climbing the ladder more rapidly within their current organisation or seeking opportunities with other companies in the same industry.” 

Although it’s not just about climbing the ladder. Imperial College have also found that many students use the Global Online MBA as a catalyst for more drastic and directional change.  

“The employment report for our class of 2020 found that 66 percent of students changed roles and 21 percent changed sector, during or within four months of completion of the programme.” 

Building meaningful networks online 

With around 700 MBA candidates studying at Imperial College at any one time, the opportunities to build a global network are huge. A key advantage of the programme is that students can take classroom-based electives, both in-person in London and remotely from locations around the world, together with students on the full-time, executive and weekend MBA programmes too.  

Perkmann said: “Our Global Online MBA is designed to ensure students undertake their MBA journey together as a cohort. They learn and work together and have the benefit of building relationships with a global cohort of classmates who represent a wide range of industries and experiences. 

“The online format of the programme allows students to study at any location from around the world, which also allows them the flexibility to plan their studies around their personal and professional life.”  

Encouraging inclusivity and diversity 

Equality, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of the Global Online MBA curriculum and is embedded in the personal leadership journey that students embark on throughout their programme, according to Perkmann.  

"As part of a very diverse community, we encourage and actively support role models that lead the way in pushing the ceiling and breaking the bias. We have a module on working in diverse organisations that equips students with the self-knowledge, people skills and contextual awareness to be effective employees and managers in organisations with increasingly diverse workforces.” 

Guerra added, “Our strong commitment to diversity has accelerated our plans to include cross-cultural awareness, active bystander and a newly developed, holistic leadership framework."  

A little more about the Global Online MBA 

Imperial College Business School’s Global Online MBA ranked first in the QS Online MBA Rankings 2022 for the employability indicator, fifth for faculty and teaching and seventh for class profile.  

Imperial College is proud of its technology-driven approach to programme design and content. The Global Online MBA was built by in-house educational specialists to transform the curriculum for an engaging online format that provides students with the global skills for today’s business world. 

The programme offers flexible options to graduate after 21, 24 or 32 months, allowing you to study at your own pace. It consists of pre-study modules, core modules, flexible modules and electives, all carefully designed for online study. You can also choose to take two classroom elective modules on campus in London.