Professionals looking to boost their skill set and future-proof their careers with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) are opting for online study as their preferred mode of delivery. However, this unique learning environment has challenges that prospective students need to be mindful of.
Read on as we discuss how to study online at home effectively with strategies for success and how to overcome common obstacles.
The rise of online learning
As many segments of our lives shift online, it’s no surprise that education has also moved into the digital space. According to research experts IBIS World, the online education industry has experienced an average of 4.8 per cent growth each year from 2019 to 2024, signaling steady development.
Further sparked by COVID-19, during which schools, universities and workplaces moved online, remote learning environments have become the norm. This unique learning atmosphere has many advantages.
Management consulting firm McKinsey & Company surveyed students who shifted to online classes during COVID-19 in a global 2023 report. The results showed that nearly 65 per cent of students want features of their learning experience to remain online.
Jessica Wolf is a business owner and current online master’s student, and for her, the benefits of online learning have been a game changer.
“The flexibility was the biggest component. There was no way I’d be able to study without the option for online delivery.”
In saying this, students considering online studies need to be aware of the common misconceptions surrounding this learning mode before diving in.
Are there downsides to online learning?
Online MBA courses, distance education and other forms of remote learning present unique challenges compared to traditional learning spaces. Here are some common concerns that students have about online learning and how to reframe them.
Lacking discipline or motivation to study.
Doubts about whether you could stay motivated or stick to your study requirements are valid. However, this can be alleviated by having the proper measures in place and making full use of the resources and relationships available to you as an online student.
Missing out on face-to-face interaction.
Students worry about the lack of face-to-face interactions with teachers and classmates when they study online. Thanks to modern technologies like video calls, live-streamed lectures and online chat groups, there is even more opportunity for communication.
Being technologically challenged.
Students with minimal experience using computers or navigating the internet may feel hesitant about studying online. Fortunately, the online learning space has evolved immensely to be utilised by students of all backgrounds and abilities.
It’s normal to have reservations about taking a new path, especially if you plan to juggle studying and working full-time. So, before applying for that online MBA, consider the following strategies as the first foundational steps.
How to study online: 5 tips for success
Learning how to study online at home effectively is a skill like any other. It requires practice and commitment if you’re going to do it well. We asked online student Jessica for advice on ensuring positive outcomes from online learning.
1. Focus on the end goal
Jessica reminds herself of her end goal whenever she finds it hard to stay motivated. “I remind myself: the time will pass regardless, so use it wisely. You can wake up in two years and be rampaging into this journey that brings you so much joy or you could have watched a heap of Netflix.”
2. Become a planner
With the extra effort that studying requires, you must become proficient at planning and time management. Get yourself a diary. Share your schedule with your family. Carve out time for study exclusively. Planning specific times each day will also help you figure out how to avoid distractions while studying online.
3. Speak to your employer
Jessica recommends talking to your employer about your study plans, which could help with flexibility. “In this day and age, employers understand the importance of professional development,” she says. “Studying is good for you and the organisation you work for, so they should be supportive of it.”
4. Create a productive workspace
While everyone’s living situation will be different, dedicating a specific area of your home to study can help with concentration and create a physical boundary between work and personal life. This could look like transforming a corner of an existing room into a mini office or simply working from your kitchen table. Whether you incorporate plants or sentimental items — the key is to make this space as enjoyable as possible to increase the likelihood of you returning. To boost your focus, ensure your space is free of clutter and has access to some form of natural light. If possible, avoid putting a desk in your bedroom as your brain tends to associate your bedroom with rest and relaxation which is not optimal for productivity.
5. Take the help that’s offered
Online learning institutions implement various measures for external students to help them stay on track including student advisors, lecturers, study groups and other forms of assistance.
The benefits of studying an MBA online
The rise of online learning can be attributed to the many benefits that this unique delivery model offers. However, there are specific incentives that are worth mentioning when studying for an online MBA.
Choice of MBA providers
Tertiary education providers, such as Southern Cross University and Victoria University, offer flexible online MBA programs, giving you plenty of options. These institutions may also have different features to their online offerings that may suit your personal circumstances.
For example, Torrens University’s Master of Business Administration (On Demand) has no scheduled classes, allowing you to study at whatever time suits you. If you would like to obtain an MBA degree in a short time, Swinburne University of Technology’s online MBA can be completed in 16 months.
Discover some online MBA options from top universities below.
Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the business world by exploring contemporary management operations and addressing complex challenges in technology, finance, and other critical business areas. Practical assessments enhance leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. Students can specialize through an industry research project or broaden their knowledge with elective units.
Reshape the business landscape through creative problem-solving and innovative leadership with VU Online's Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Across 12 specialist units of study, you’ll develop the strategic, analytical and financial skills demanded of today’s senior business leader. You’ll also network with a community of like-minded peers via our intuitive and immersive online learning environment.
Graduate ready to apply the latest approaches in strategic management, ethics, sustainability, marketing, finance and data-driven decision-making.
This Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed and delivered by high-achieving industry experienced academics to help you strengthen your business acumen and learn to employ dynamic leadership skills. Upon completion the MBA, you will have the skills, knowledge and connections to enable solid, long-term business returns.
This course consists of six core subjects and six electives, so you can focus on your specific career objectives. You can also enter or exit with a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Business Administration.
Equip yourself with the skills needed to thrive in your industry and achieve your unique career goals. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is all about growth. Scale up your skillset and your earning potential as you are expertly guided through the key steps to exponential growth: strategy, innovation, marketing and management. Harness your entrepreneurial drive with cutting-edge business insight that will allow you to make crucial business decisions with confidence and lead teams to success.
Developed in line with global best practices, the Melbourne Business School Online Master of Business Administration (MBA) has a rigorous and comprehensive offering of subjects that will prepare you for important and demanding careers, both domestically and internationally.
Supported by the best in business and connected to a network of like-minded professionals, the online MBA program prepares you to ignite ideas, lead organisations and meet change head-on.
While completing an MBA at Griffith University, students study courses in sustainability, accounting and reporting, finance, people management, strategy and innovation and managing change through responsible leadership. Through study, you will be equipped with an understanding of the key functional areas within a business and the challenges facing businesses.
Flexible learning
Flexibility is a major factor in the debate between online MBA vs. on-campus MBA study.
An online MBA is the most flexible learning method, giving you a self-paced degree you can fit into your schedule. Courses are offered in bite-sized chunks, lectures can be streamed at any time and part-time study means you don’t have to sacrifice full-time employment.
Study balanced with work (and life)
Another benefit of this flexibility is continuing to work and live as you earn your MBA. For Jessica, it was the only viable option.
“Online study made it possible to further my education and keep the rest of the balls in the air,” she says. “I could juggle my businesses, family life and farm life while studying, which wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t online.”
Show of initiative and discipline
Undertaking an MBA online shows initiative to current and future employers. Better still, completing an online degree highlights your degree of discipline. Both are excellent skills for an employee within any industry.
Fewer restrictions to study
Financially and geographically, online MBAs remove some of the usual roadblocks. It’s much easier for regional and rural students to enrol because the location isn’t as much of a factor.
How hard is an MBA online to get into? Not at all, according to studies. They found that online MBAs were easier to apply for because they didn’t have the limitations on classroom size that in-person learning settings did.
Better networking opportunities
As MBAs attract students who are already working in business, you have the benefit of adding them to your professional network. You’ll be able to meet dedicated and disciplined business professionals who are also striving for career progression.
Online study made easy
The prospect of completing an online MBA can be daunting. But with a few simple strategies in place and an understanding of this delivery method's benefits, you’ll see things differently.
Ready to take the first step to a seamless and flexible journey of online education? Check out a wide range of MBA courses offered by top institutions in Australia that offer online modes.