Otago's online MBA among the world's best

New Zealand's only Online MBA has been ranked fourth best in the world by the UK's CEO magazine.

The University of Otago programme was competing with the likes of IE Business School in Spain, which ranked third, and The Open University in the United Kingdom, which came in seventh.

The MBA programmes were rated on 11 factors, including quality of staff, international diversity, class size, staff-student ratio, tuition fees, international exposure, professional development and gender parity.

Ian Lafferty, director of executive programmes, says for a relatively new programme, the ranking is a significant recognition.

"I am absolutely delighted that the vast amount of work which the team has put in has paid dividends. The Otago Online MBA represents a major breakthrough in business education in New Zealand.

"This ranking also speaks volumes for the students of our online MBA programme. They are very busy people, but busy people get things done, and in this case that amounts to around 20 hours every week dedicated to their own professional development.

The Otago Online MBA started two years ago and around 150 students are now enrolled in the online programme. They have a range of different work experience and come from different professional and cultural backgrounds, with an average of 17 years work experience.

"With the Otago Online MBA, students can study from wherever they are while enjoying the same level of engagement available in traditional classroom-style education. All they need is a good internet connection," says Lafferty.

Students study exactly the same curriculum as the on-campus students, submit similar assignments and sit similar examinations. They also go through the same entry requirements and selection process.