Residential Weeks on the Global Online MBA

Face-to-face interaction is an essential element of the Global Online MBA programme at Warwick Business School, and this is delivered through two separate Residential Weeks in your first year of study.

These intensive periods of study include the beginning of teaching for one module through lectures, case studies, seminars, group work and assessment briefings; provide an opportunity to network and socialise with your cohort; and allow you to focus on yourself as a leader, as well as providing the opportunity for careers and professional development support.

Here, some of our Global Online MBA participants talk about their experiences with the Residential Weeks and what you can expect.

Emre Hocaoğlu - Global Online MBA (Warwick)

In the wake of recent disruptive digital and social transformations in the business ecosystem, classical skill sets have been replaced by new-generation competencies, including agility, empathy, resilience, digital literacy, awareness of artificial intelligence, and solid leadership skills.

After several years of experience in management consulting, strategy, and business development fields, I chose to pursue the Global Online MBA at Warwick Business School, renowned for its world-class teaching and ranked among the global top 3 by the Financial Times.

Although the MBA has a wide range of amazing opportunities, the quality of the cohort was the programme's key differentiator. IAs someone who believes in the idea of "work with the best to be the best," I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing cohort.

The Residential Week really exemplifies this value, giving us the fantastic opportunity to meet and network with our cohort. Intensive lectures solidify theory, while structured Leadership & Development sessions with top coaches push us to conduct a detailed audit of our strengths and weaknesses and to identify the same in others - an essential skill for any leader.

Evening keynotes from top business leaders, combined with curated social events, turned high-level insights into lasting professional relationships. For example, we had dinner at the British Motor Museum, where we had the chance to explore the museum without other visitors and listen to the career stories of senior executives..

By considering all of the events, career days, and countless face-to-face discussions with senior executives, I left campus with a sharper strategic direction, specific collaboration plans, and a network ready to co-lead ventures on every continent.

Chinchu Jayaprakash - Global Online MBA (Warwick)

I had been considering doing an MBA for about two years before I joined WBS. What drew me to WBS was not just the Global Online MBA format, but also the unique electives - especially in healthcare, which only a few top universities like Warwick offer.

I understood we’d have some in-person weeks at Warwick, but I didn’t expect the experience to be this incredible! I chose to do my online MBA at the main campus and attended my first Residential Week in April 2025. It was my first time flying to the UK and many years since I’d been on a university campus. My cohort has around 150 people, and I think I managed to introduce myself and chat with at least 70 of them during those few days!

On our first evening, we had a social dinner at The Slate. I met such incredible people from fields that were worlds-apart from mine. I was able to finally put faces to the names of people who I would see commenting in the module talking points section online! I

Our first two days, we had classes in Operations Management (OM) and I found Professor Silvestro’s teaching style very engaging and present; I was able to learn a lot of the module and what was expected from our assignments during these classes.

The four days flew by, and although it was very intense - I did manage to take walks around the university campus in the evenings.. While it rained most of the time when we were indoors, there were some lovely spots of bright blue sky, birds, and nature which was quite refreshing.

Like many other students, I really enjoyed the sessions with the Careers team that focused on Leadership and Development. They gave us a better understanding of ourselves, how we work, and offered useful tips on how to connect and collaborate with people who have different personality types.

On our last day, we had talks from Global Online MBA alumni, followed by a delightful hot lunch catered at Scarman House. It was a nice way to say goodbye to my new friends, and we even made plans to see each other for our next Residential Week.

All in all, this was a fantastic experience, and I loved being back in university, studying. Since I spent so many of my years in a university setting, this felt like a welcome back home. I have made some incredible connections which would not have been possible without WBS, and I cannot wait to be back for my second Residential Week!

Caius Ikejezie - Global Online MBA (London)

Carving out a week for the Global Online MBA Residential Week at Warwick Business School was one of the most valuable investments I made in myself in recent years. What I found during the Residential Week was not just an academic gathering; it was space, perspective, and – in many ways – a necessary recalibration.

From the first morning at The Shard, what had felt dispersed and remote quickly became tangible and human. We evolved from a group of professionals dialing in between meetings into a genuine, supportive community bonded by a shared purpose.

The academic sessions were rigorous yet refreshingly anchored in real-world application. I found the Operations Management module particularly relevant. Coordinating field responses, planning public health interventions, and spotting systemic weak points are part of my daily work in Global Health, so the parallels with the frameworks we explored were immediately clear.

Beyond the classroom, what made the week unforgettable were the informal conversations and small, unplanned moments. There was a generosity in the way people listened and shared. In a programme that attracts such a diverse cohort, this openness fostered an environment where ideas and experiences could flow freely.

I left London at the end of the week not just intellectually energised, but personally grounded. The frantic urgency of my work in Geneva was still there, but my relationship to it had changed. I returned with a renewed sense of purpose, clearer than ever about why I chose this MBA and how it will shape my future impact.

The week was a powerful reminder that true learning is not just about absorbing information, but is found in the quiet moments of reflection, the insights gained from different worldviews, and the simple power of human connection.

While the Residential Week is a mandatory part of the MBA, it felt anything but obligatory. It was not merely a requirement to fulfill, but an experience that enriched the entire journey. Structured yet expansive, demanding yet restorative, it offered a rare chance to pause, engage, and grow – both professionally and personally.

Discover more about our Global Online MBA programme.