So, you’re ready to take your business leadership skills to the next level by enrolling in a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Congratulations! With so many different MBA programs to choose from, it’s only natural you might have some questions.
To help you choose the best MBA program for you, here are 3 of the most important things to consider. We’ve also tapped into our ambitious students and alumni so you can be guided by their real experiences and learn why they chose to enrol in The University of Queensland (UQ) Business School’s MBA.
1. Is it flexible to suit your lifestyle and other priorities?
Gone are the days of having to choose to further your education over maintaining a successful career or having a family. With the right MBA program, it is possible to effectively balance different priorities while preparing to take your career to the next level through study.
The UQ MBA program is structured so that you can choose between 3 different study modes. You can ramp up your studies through intensive courses to complete your MBA in just 1 year or choose our streamlined option to complete your studies around work commitments in 2 years. Or, you can adjust your study pathway as your priorities change with flexible study options.
An advantage of the UQ MBA program over other similar programs is that you’ll also have the choice of attending classes in the morning, evening, on the weekend or by attending 1-week intensive classes.
The UQ MBA is taught at our convenient Brisbane city location, right in the heart of the CBD. You can choose whether you study in-person or online via our live lectures and classes, or a mixture of both, depending on your schedule and priorities.
UQ MBA graduate Steffi Andruchiw, who works as the Chief Strategy Officer at Harcourts International Ltd, says,
"As I already worked full time, I chose to study part time and unexpectedly had my first child during the second year of my MBA studies. However, the practical scheduling of subjects worked really well with my full-time role, travel and family commitments.”
Learn how other UQ MBA students fit study into their lives with our flexible program.
2. Will future employers recognise and value my qualification?
To stand out to future employers, it’s important the MBA program and university you choose have a strong national and international reputation.
Ranked in the world’s top 50, The University of Queensland is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions. We are also ranked #1 in Queensland for business and management (QS World University Rankings 2020).
The UQ MBA program is also recognised as one of the best MBA programs nationally and internationally, thanks to being ranked #1 worldwide for student quality, the #1 program in Queensland and #2 overall in Australasia.
UQ’s strong reputation was one of the reasons Joe Bryant, who launched his own business, Aeromech, in 2019, chose to enrol in the UQ MBA program.
“The University of Queensland has such a great reputation nationally and internationally”, he says.
“It is one of the top 8 universities in Australia and is known throughout the entire world for its excellence in research. I understand how important it was to have an MBA from a reputable university that employers recognise.”
3. Will it help me achieve my career goals?
Of course, one of the biggest things you’ll want before enrolling in an MBA is some reassurance about whether you’ll actually see a return on your investment after graduation.
Whether your goal is to accelerate your career, switch industries or start your own business, at UQ, we are as committed to your success as you are, and this shows in our graduate results. For example, UQ MBA alumnus and Director at Arq Group, Tim Kuusik, discovered a return on his investment in the UQ MBA program, even while he was still studying.
He says, "I knew my UQ MBA was going to open doors. I didn’t realise it would happen so soon. I would never have even been shortlisted for [my] role if I wasn’t studying my MBA, but I got the job. Even though I hadn’t yet graduated, I had already developed the skills and the confidence to step up to a general management position. That was a pivotal moment for me."
Learn more about how to choose the best MBA program to help you achieve your career goals in Part 2 of this series.
MBA programs are an excellent way to invest in your future and develop the business leadership skills that will take your career to the next level. It’s important to take the time you need to really weigh up your options and consider what’s important to you in an MBA.
Hopefully, this list of questions will help you feel more confident in choosing the best program for you.