Business professionals need to stand out, and an online course can be a good way to achieve this. But from MScs to MBAs, short courses to free-to-access massive open online courses (moocs), there is a huge range of options to choose from. So how do you select the course to help you achieve your ambitions?
Figuring out how and why you want to develop
First of all, you’ll need to look at your existing skills. Already got a business degree? Then a subject enhancement course could be a good option. If you have a degree, but it’s not in business, then consider a business subject conversion course.
If you want to train in a profession, students can follow a number of pathways at the University of London (UoL), such as an industry recognised master’s in professional accountancy course. Hybrid pathways allow you to train in a profession alongside learning other skills, such as developing your IT ability.
At UoL, there are short open courses in brand management, corporate strategy, international business essentials and more. Or, if you already have experience in business and want to reach management level, then a strategic programme like an MBA could be for you.
With so many options, the challenge is finding the right one. So to figure out which that is, you’ll need to examine your motivations for doing one. “Some students are looking to position themselves for promotion,” says Laura Brammar, a senior careers consultant at UoL. “For others it’s about contextualising experience that they’ve already got.”
Perhaps you’re between jobs and want to do a business course to position yourself back into the jobs market and stand out. Or maybe you want to use a course to help you change direction in your career, such as to move from marketing to business management.
Once you’re clear on why you’re doing it, what factors should you consider when choosing a course? Would-be students should think about their career ambitions and whether a course will help them to get ahead, says Brammar.
“With us, you get courses that are designed to fill an international skills gap in the workplace, making you highly desirable to employers looking for such skills, but you also graduate with a highly valuable, internationally recognised qualification. Our students are interested in enhancing their global employability and many want to work for global organisations,” she says. “By studying with us you get access to a global classroom which is taught by experts from renowned institutions with international reputations.”
Finding a course that fits with your life
You should also consider your external commitments before embarking on further study. Moocs are designed to help you test your interest in a subject and your suitability to online study. They can give you a useful insight into the balance needed between work, study and family commitments.
“Take the benefits of flexibility, but don’t kid yourself that flexibility means easy,” says Bob Gilworth, director of the careers service at UoL. “Remember, you don’t lose anything in terms of rigour and content when you take an online course.”
Moocs aren’t the only option for online study, however. Thanks to UoL’s long history of providing distance learning, you can earn a range of qualifications including a BSc, MSc or even an MBA entirely online.
Choosing the university for you
It’s important for prospective business students to consider the reputation and experience of a university and the qualifications on offer. “I would want to check whether a course has been designed from scratch by online learning experts to be an online experience, as that will ensure a better student experience,” he says.
“It is often in business courses where brand is really important,” says Gilworth. “That’s where UoL scores, because it’s a globally recognised brand and a federation of top London universities that includes the London School of Economics (LSE), Royal Holloway and Queen Mary, University of London.”
Prospective students should also consider the wider support a university provides. It’s not all about the course content, it’s also about the enhanced student experience, says Brammar. “Consider whether a course makes you feel like you’re part of a community and makes your learning a positive experience for you,” she says. UoL has one of the largest university careers services in the world, so is well equipped to support students with careers coaching webinars and “careers cafes” with virtual networking opportunities, plus an extensive range of careers and employability resources online, including a career planning e-module.
What you can gain from studying online
No matter what your specific motivations, an online course can offer many benefits. “If you’re a distance and flexible learner, you’re already engaged in a series of behaviours and approaches that are desired by employers,” says Brammar. “You’re demonstrating self-management skills, as well as how to be motivated, flexible, resilient and digitally literate, because all of these programmes are delivered through sophisticated virtual learning environments.”
So, whether you’re looking to change direction in your career, to upskill, or to simply stand out from the crowd, an online business course could be a good option. But you’ll have to choose carefully, taking into account your motivations, course reputation, and the additional support and benefits an institution offers.
“I believe there is genuine employability value in engaging online,” says Brammar.
