Distance Learning MBA: Is It For You?

Sponsored by Warwick Business School

There’s no such thing as a typical MBA anymore. The complexity of studying and finding the time to pursue a two-year degree can seem almost impossible for many, so other viable study options such as the Distance Learning MBA are starting to take the spotlight.

The Distance Learning MBA is becoming a more attractive choice for those looking for a convenient and flexible degree program, and shouldn’t be written off as an inferior substitute for the more ‘traditional’ full-time MBA.

Still wondering whether a Distance Learning MBA is for you? Here are some things you should consider.

It offers flexibility like no other degree 

When faced with the prospect of taking on a two-year distance learning degree, it’s only natural to have some concerns and worries about managing the workload, how you’ll be taught, as well as how you’ll keep yourself motivated. 

Fortunately, the Distance Learning MBA offers a flexible study option like no other and is taught across two years. Being able to set the pace of your own study, wherever and whenever suits you, means many Distance Learning MBA students are able to balance their studies alongside their career, family or both.  

“I was able to progress my career thanks to the flexibility Warwick Business School allows,” says Pascal Untersander, a current Distance Learning MBA student at Warwick Business School.

Naomi Neil, another current Distance Learning MBA student at Warwick Business School, tells us: “Working full-time while raising a family requires an opportunistic approach to learning. Every spare moment of time is used to learn! I make the most of the various mediums available; lecture notes in my handbag, listening to lecture recordings while working, and watching video lectures.”

You can maintain a healthy work-life balance

“Being able to progress with my career, the possibility of being around my family and still being able to improve my managerial skills,” are what Pascal considers most useful about the Distance Learning MBA. 

Time management is a challenge when studying remotely, with Distance Learning MBA students typically spending around 100 hours on average studying through a variety of methods for each core module.

However, recent technological innovations are making the time management challenge easier to tackle, while also improving the quality of education in a Distance Learning MBA. Today’s online students can utilize video-conferencing, live chats and recorded seminars and lectures in their studies. These new developments also mean online students can experience an almost identical curriculum to their on-campus equivalents.

Face-to-face interaction is still a reality

Despite being online, many distance learning programs actively run ‘meet-up’ weeks. Warwick Business School, for example, hosts two ‘Warwick Weeks’ for its Distance Learning MBA degree programs.

During these two weeks students visit either the Warwick campus, or WBS London at The Shard (depending on their program), and meet their cohort and lecturers face-to-face while taking part in practical case studies, group projects and social events.

However, it’s still very easy to build and maintain professional working relationships with your cohort through online platforms.

“We’ve established a wonderful cohort community where we can contact each other for general chit-chat as well as academic discussions. These communication mediums all help to make up for the fact that we aren’t physically present in the classroom,” says Naomi.

It can save you money

In most cases, an online degree is usually more cost-friendly when it comes to earning an accredited and reputable qualification. For example, Warwick Business School’s Distance Learning MBA which ranked fourth in the world and second in the UK in the QS Distance Online MBA Rankings 2018, as well as its London Distance Learning MBA, both benefit from lower fees compared to their on-campus equivalent, allowing you to maintain a healthy work-life-study balance.