How can online MBAs replicate the on-campus experience?

“Due to the nature of the online MBA, it has its own challenges, but it also creates a variety of opportunities,” according to Amir Michael, Associate Dean of the MBA at Durham University Business School.  

“It is important to understand the main motivations and circumstances of students joining the programme, to ensure that it meets their objectives and helps them to achieve their ambitious plans.” 

Flexibility and customisation are central to Durham’s online MBA programme, as you can personalise your degree to meet your career goals, with specialisations in entrepreneurship, consultancy, technology or analytics and data.  

Kelley’s online MBA is another programme with customisation at its heart, including a newly revamped curriculum that can be personalised to meet every student’s needs with 50 percent elective modules and 50 per cent core modules to gain the expertise they need to succeed.  

“Whatever their goals are, our online MBA students can receive a tailored education in line with their aspirations and desired outcomes, making the Kelley Direct Online MBA a customisable, personalised experience based on the needs of business professionals,” Professor Geoghegan said.  

Iain Cooper is an online MBA graduate from University College London School of Management and Senior Director of Finance at Jacobs. Having undertaken several on-campus qualifications where he wasn’t able to build many good connections, he was surprised to find that his online MBA provided him with a huge network of meaningful connections with people from across the globe and spanning numerous industries.  

“I didn’t expect an online degree to feel as supportive and as close-knit as it did. I was genuinely able to build camaraderie and companionship with my peers around the world. We helped to raise each other up to succeed and share our expertise through group workshops and more informal catch ups,” Iain said.  

In the same city, Imperial College Business School is the UK's top-ranked online MBA programme and its Global Online MBA is designed to allow students to build relationships that will last for your entire career, the same way you would on a physical MBA degree.  

Professor Markus Perkmann, Academic Director at Imperial College said: “We have also introduced new digital tools for students to connect and engage both virtually and in their home locations, to facilitate ongoing communication and exchange between peers. We’re also in constant contact with companies, start-ups and in other academic disciplines to ensure the classroom environment reflects and anticipates our online students’ reality.”  

See how an online MBA at Durham Business School helped Robin's career. 

While digital tools are going a long way to replicate the experience of studying at the university campus, having the opportunity to meet other students in person can be hugely valuable. Many business schools have incorporated a physical element to their online MBA programmes to allow students the opportunity to engage with local clients and industry experts, as well as each other. 

Kelley School of Business revamped its on-location residentials in response to student demand for in-person experiences. Traditionally, students had visited Bloomington, Indiana twice through the programme but that proved difficult for some students, so the school has included the opportunity to travel to various domestic of international locations for a ‘Kelley on Campus’ residential, enabling students to broaden their horizons across several destinations like New York, Athens, Dublin, Hanoi, Johannesburg and more.  

Durham University Business School’s online MBA students can also choose to attend immersion events in the likes of San Francisco, Manheim, Lyon and Madrid. Associate Dean Michael said: “Selected in person taught modules are attended with our full time MBA programme and Executive MBA programme students, which provides another great opportunity of networking and exchanging experience beyond the students’ cohort.” 

Dedicated time to focus on personal and professional development to enhance your career is just as focal in online MBA programmes as it is on campus. And it often goes beyond help writing resumes and finding new roles. At Imperial College, students are supported in transforming their mindset to become successful leaders. 

Professor Perkmann said: “With the support of our Careers team, we help students 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.” 

At IE Business School in Madrid, ranked first in the world for its online MBA programme, the online MBA is designed for self-transformation and discovering the ‘next best you.’ Lee Newman, Dean for IE Business School said: “Students are encouraged to maximise their personal brand and avenues of opportunity to add to their industry-specific skill set. They have access to career advancement resources like one-on-one career coaching, guidance from the Talent & Careers Team and networking opportunities with companies around the world.”