• School's Distance Learning MBA ranked fourth in the world by QS
  • The Financial Times named WBS online MBA the best in the world
  • Applications for WBS Distance Learning MBA have risen by 29 per cent
  • WBS gained full marks for class experience in QS ranking

A ranking of online MBA courses has underlined Warwick Business School’s place among the global elite by rating it fourth in the world.

The 2019 QS Online MBA Rankings, compiled by independent business school analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds, has named the top 40 providers in the sector.

It follows the Financial Times in March declaring WBS number one in the world in its online MBA ranking for the second year in a row.

The school’s Distance Learning MBA started out more than 30 years ago being taught via the postal service, but now uses the latest digital technology and is hosted on the school’s bespoke my.wbs platform.

Andy Lockett, WBS Dean and Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship, said: “Our Distance Learning MBA has always been hugely popular and this year is proving to be no exception, with applications for the course starting in June up by 29 per cent, while the Distance Learning MBA based out of WBS London at The Shard has seen a rise in applications of 43 per cent.

“And it seems the WBS brand is becoming more attractive across the board, with our Full-time MBA programme receiving a record number of applications. With the final deadline not until July 31 we have already seen more than 400 people apply for the one-year course starting in September.

“Instead of taking a year out of work, our Distance Learning MBA offers students great flexibility, allowing them to fit a world-class MBA around work and family to further their career.”

Related course: Distance Learning MBA

WBS scored 100 per cent for ‘class experience’ in the QS ranking and was rated higher than the global average for the quality of its ‘faculty and teaching’, ‘employability’ and the diversity of its ‘class profile’. Indeed, 70 per cent of students studying the Distance Learning MBA are from overseas.

This follows the Financial Times Online MBA Ranking 2019 rating the school’s Distance Learning MBA the best in the world for ‘career progress’, second for salary increase and value for money, and number one for salary with graduates earning on average $214,141 four years aftre graduation.

The my.wbs platform used for the Distance Learning MBA allows students to engage in lectures in real time, test their knowledge, watch archived sessions, access teaching materials, connect with other students, participate in global syndicate groups and speak directly to their lecturers.

The course also involves two separate weeks of face-to-face teaching which can be done at the school’s Warwick campus or at its WBS London base, giving students the chance to not only meet their cohort and build contacts but also network with employers and academics.

Related course: Distance Learning MBA

Pietro Micheli, Course Director and Professor of Business Performance and Innovation, said: “The Distance Learning MBA is a great way to boost your knowledge and skills while being able to immediately apply it to your working environment.

“We are continually investing in technology to improve the learning experience and our strong standing in the global rankings is testament to the world-class education our faculty and programme team produces.”

For the full 2019 QS Online MBA Rankings click here.