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Kevin Balshaw, MBA graduate

What's the best MBA for you? Choosing the right program

Study tips
Published 9 Feb, 2024  ·  7-minute read

So, you’re ready to take your career to the next level by enrolling in a Master of Business Administration (MBA). With so many different MBA programs to choose from, it’s only natural to wonder which one is the best MBA for you and your goals.

To help guide you in making this decision, here are 6 important things to consider.

MBA 6 things to consider: flexibility, credibility, career support, networking opportunities, leadership development, future preparedness

1. Is the MBA flexible enough to fit around your other priorities?

With the right MBA program, you don’t have to choose between your education, career and personal priorities. The best MBA programs allow you to effectively balance your commitments while preparing to enhance your career through study.

What's the best MBA for flexibility? 

We believe the UQ MBA is a contender for this because it is designed for busy professionals. Our flexible program means you can:

  • accelerate your studies with intensive courses and complete your MBA in 3 semesters (1 and a half years)
  • study part time, allowing you to balance study with work commitments, over up to 10 years
  • adjust your study plan throughout the degree as your availability changes.

The UQ MBA is taught at our convenient Brisbane City location, right in the heart of the CBD. You can choose to study in person, online via our interactive live lectures and classes, or a mixture of both, depending on your schedule and priorities.

Another advantage that separates the UQ MBA program from similar programs is that you’ll also have the choice of attending classes during the day, in the evening, on the weekend or via a range of intensive class options.

Scott Barker MBA

The UQ MBA is designed to be flexible, and that was critical for me. At the time, I was developing a new business, working full time and raising young kids. I mixed weeknight classes, weekend sessions and intensives to fit around work and family commitments.

Scott Barker
Master of Business Administration

Discover why UQ’s flexible program is the best MBA for busy students.

Our program also gives you the flexibility to customise your program in line with your interests and goals.

2. Will future employers value my qualification?

If you’re going to spend time and money on an MBA, you want to know it can deliver a return on your investment. Studying at a university with a strong global reputation and recognised MBA program will help you stand out to top organisations and achieve the best career outcomes.

What's the best MBA for credibility?

Ranked consistently in the world’s top 50, The University of Queensland is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions. That's just one reason we believe the UQ MBA is a contender when it comes to credibility and employer recognition. Our program is also ranked #1 in Queensland and #4 in Australia (QS Global MBA Ranking 2025) and #30 in the world (Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024).

Joe Bryant

The University of Queensland has such a great reputation nationally and internationally. 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 is to have an MBA from a reputable university that employers recognise.

Joe Bryant
Master of Business Administration

3. Will the MBA program help me achieve my career goals?

When weighing up your options, you may wonder how exactly (and how quickly) an MBA will help you achieve your professional goals. As you compare your options, look for evidence of how successful the program’s alumni have been. Seeing graduates who have reached milestones similar to your own ambitions can be a good signpost that you’d thrive in the same MBA program.

Whether you want to accelerate your career, pursue new industries or start your own business, the right MBA can provide you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to successfully move forward and progress your career.

What's the best MBA program for your career?

We believe our MBA is a strong candidate because if you choose to study your MBA at UQ, you’ll learn knowledge and skills from some of the most awarded academics to prepare you for future career success. But you’ll also gain practical experience through exclusive extracurricular opportunities, expand your professional network and enjoy lifelong access to career advice from a dedicated team of experts.

The UQ MBA Careers and Professional Development Team provides a number of complimentary resources and services to position you for career success in a competitive global market, both during your studies and after you graduate.

Tim Kuusik

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.

Tim Kuusik
Master of Business Administration

Discover the career goals you can achieve with an MBA from UQ and our graduates' success stories

4. What networking opportunities are available?

Forming valuable connections throughout your MBA is instrumental to your success in both the classroom and your career. Who you study with will influence your learning experience and can also lead to career opportunities. And, of course, you’ll want to expand your network further with connections in industry organisations.

What's the best MBA for networking opportunities?

The UQ MBA is a contender because it helps you build a strong global network in these 4 ways:

Helen Barker MBA

The network is one of the most powerful outcomes of the MBA. I’m now connected to a broad network of alumni from all kinds of industries and backgrounds. I regularly tap into this community for strategic input, specialised advice and collaborative projects.

Helen Barker
Master of Business Administration

5. How will the MBA program enrich my leadership skills?

Many people looking to enrol in an MBA have leadership aspirations or want to advance their leadership career. Your MBA should equip you with the skills and confidence to lead projects, teams and organisations, create positive change and navigate challenges.

What's the best MBA program for leadership development?

Our MBA is a strong candidate. By strengthening the diverse technical expertise each student possesses, the UQ MBA will challenge the way you think and act as a strategic leader. In doing so, you’ll build effective leadership styles across teams, organisations and industries.

Katrina King

My technical knowledge combined with what I learned during the UQ MBA means that now, I can lead a team of experts to get even better outcomes. The MBA gave me the tools to analyse and solve problems as well as the ability to articulate solutions in a compelling way for boards or executive groups.

Katrina King
Master of Business Administration

Enrolling in an MBA is an investment in your future that will pay off if you choose the best MBA for you.

6. Will the MBA equip me to navigate emerging trends and challenges?

While traditionally MBAs are designed to teach you the core business tools you need for success, from finance to marketing and leadership, the best MBA programs also have an eye on the future.

What’s the best MBA for future-preparedness?

The UQ MBA will equip you with the tools and insights to effectively navigate emerging challenges and the trends transforming our workplaces and industries, like AI and sustainability. These topics are embedded across our curriculum because they impact all aspects of business.

You’ll learn from award-winning academic and industry experts who are actively shaping global business and are backed by experience across a diverse range of industries. With their finger on the pulse, you’ll graduate with the confidence you need to face whatever the future brings.

Read more about how the UQ MBA can prepare you to adapt to emerging challenges.

Take the time to weigh up your options, considering these 6 points, to feel confident in your decision and achieve your goals.

Learn more about the UQ MBA

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