How to maximise your online MBA experience
Posted on: 28 June 2025by Ben Nancholas
The online learning market has boomed in recent years. Data shows that it’s the fastest growing market in the education industry, with a huge 900% growth rate since 2000.
Many learners are now opting for online education over in-person study as it gives them access to prestigious business schools and universities of high rankings without the need to relocate or commute.
An MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree is a signifier to hiring managers and business leaders of an individual’s commitment to career progression. Studying an MBA online can impact your career in many positive ways.
If you’re thinking about enrolling on an online MBA, this blog gives tips and advice on how to maximise your learning experience.
How can an MBA degree change your career?
The business world is a competitive one, and the job market is competitive. In order to reach your career goals, whether that’s to progress in an existing company or make a move towards entrepreneurship, an MBA degree can give you the boost you need to progress.
As well as giving you a more in-depth knowledge of business and skills which put you in prime position for leadership roles, MBA graduates purportedly earn double the amount of undergraduate business degree holders and more than double than those with another postgraduate business qualification.
How to get the most out of your online MBA programme
When you decide to go back to higher education to complete an MBA degree, studying online can bring many benefits. You’ll improve your skill set, in both hard skills such as business understanding and soft skills in decision making and problem solving, whilest also improving your career opportunities.
However, online study can be much different to learning on-campus. Here’s how to get the most out of your programme.
Feel the benefits of flexibility
Many distance learning MBA degrees are offered part-time, making it a flexible and convenient option if you’re unable to take a study break for a full-time MBA.
If you opt for an asynchronous programme, you also won’t be tied to set times to access your course materials, allowing you to study at your own pace. By studying part-time and continuing to work, you can work on your career growth in real-time, applying what you learn to your current role, putting you in a good position when you graduate.
Make the most of the virtual learning environment
When you study online, all aspects of your degree will take place within a tailored online learning environment. In there, you’ll access course materials, submit coursework, and be able to connect with your fellow MBA students.
Online MBA degrees attract a global audience, and connecting with peers in forums will give you networking opportunities and the ability to grow your professional network. By communicating with people all over the world, you’ll also gain an understanding of international business, giving you an advantage over those who study on-campus programmes.
When you begin, make sure you have all the necessary tech and equipment needed to be able to access this space. These learning environments are often available to access on a range of devices too, so you can complete your coursework from anywhere and at any time that suits you.
Draw knowledge from experts
Online courses tend to be taught by the same faculty members who teach the on-campus programmes, so you’ll still be able to interact with experts throughout your degree and will gain the same teaching as those who are learning in-person.
Make the most of this time together and learn from their experiences. Many academic experts will likely use case studies and draw from what they’ve learnt during their own time working in the business world.
Apply what you learn in the real-world
If you choose to study part-time, you can work on your career advancement while you study. Some employers may sponsor you to complete this degree. It may be worth speaking to your manager about whether this is possible.
Many employers will see their staff furthering their skills and knowledge as a benefit to the company. When you begin your studies, speak to leaders in your business about your degree and see if you can draw from their knowledge and experience to add another layer to your learning experience.
If you’re hoping for career progression after your degree, why not see if you can take on a new project or extra responsibility and use what you learn on your course to apply the theory to practicse in the real-world. Being able to add this to your CV will enable you to graduate with real experience that employers actively seek.
Tailor your MBA experience to advance your career
There are MBA courses which specialise in a range of career paths, enabling you to choose elective modules or certain pathways to gain knowledge in a specific area of interest.
At Sheffield Hallam University, we offer a suite of six online MBA programmes. These are:
Our MBA degrees are led by academic experts and we have accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), placing us in the top 6% of business schools globally.
All of our MBA degrees are taught part-time and online, making them the flexible option for professionals ready to take the next step in their career. You’ll develop the skills sought by employers, making you stand out in a competitive job market, and will gain a thorough understanding of all areas of a business.
For more information on our MBA courses, including entry requirements, tuition fees, and how to apply, visit the course pages. International students will also find information on studying with us, including English language requirements.
