The flexibility of the Executive MBA

Executive MBA (London) participant, Beth Kingsley, shares her thoughts on the structure of the programme and explains why the part-time weekend format suited her learning style perfectly.

One of the many factors that led me to choose Warwick Business School for my MBA was the structure and location of the programme. I contemplated the evening format to study, but frequently I am unable to leave work on time and knew my concentration wouldn’t be at its peak at the end of a long day – but everyone has a different style of learning. The weekend format suited me perfectly. Two days to get stuck in with learning with a two week break which gives the opportunity for further reading and to consolidate what you have already learnt. Ideally, it also gives you the ability to reflect on the essay question and pick the Professor’s brains in the second session to make sure you are on the right track.

In reality, those last two points can sometimes be difficult to fit in. After the first module the work starts slowly piling up and I have found the most challenging times of the MBA so far are when you have back to back modules. You may find yourself in a situation such as completing an essay for Strategy; classes and an impending essay for Accounting and Finance and reading for Leadership. For some, this may be easy, but compartmentalising my brain to deal with the above, full-time work and spending time with family and friends is a skill I have had to learn. Knowing myself, if I had insight to the year ahead back in January 2019 I think I would have told myself ‘Beth, there is no way you can do this’. But here I am, unscathed (apart from a slight fear of ever doing an Accounting and Finance essay again) and looking back, I can only see immense positives from my journey so far. Here’s why:

• The support you receive from the staff at WBS allows you to have an immense amount of flexibility within your timetable. Many of my cohort have had unexpected issues arise and all have been supported and understood. They understand the pressures you are under and will help in any way possible. It’s reassuring to know that if something comes up, you can defer a module with no financial or academic penalties (I feel like I should put a disclaimer here *see student handbook for T&C’s*)
• The structure of the timetable is manageable. As I said, I don’t always get the ideal situation of having time to sit down and consolidate my learning with extra reading, but you have to set your expectations based on what time you have. I have been able to complete all my work and do all the necessary reading, teaching me a vast amount
• The Cohort. I wasn’t expecting there to be such a comradery between us, but ultimately, you are all going through the same experience and can help each other along the way. You support, help and listen to your fellow classmates and this has been an unexpected highlight for me
• Lastly, maybe the main reason why many of us embark on such a mammoth task as the MBA is the learning, and this hasn’t disappointed. Nine months in, seven modules down and I already notice the difference in my thinking and the knowledge I have acquired. I would have never taken on such an array of knowledge without the level and standard of teaching I have received.

With the additions to my knowledge, the people I’ve met and the structure and flexibility to have the time to complete it, this has ensured that there really hasn’t been a moment I have regretted embarking on the MBA. At the beginning of the year I thought I’d never get through the two years as it seemed so far away. Now, I’m worried I only have five more modules and the time will be up! Oh, and there’s the small matter of my dissertation...

Find out more about the Executive MBA (London).