One advantage online MBAs have over campus-based programs is that the format allows students from a much wider range of countries to join the program with far less effort. Online formats remove the need to relocate, which naturally broadens the geographic mix of each MBA cohort.
Business schools running online MBAs say that diversity is not accidental but is built into program design to create a more inclusive and enriching experience for students and faculty. Students end up with an international professional network, which open a wider range of opportunities after graduation.
Online MBAs are deliberately designed to reflect diversity
Business schools say online MBA programs are now deliberately designed to attract a diverse range of students from various locations, to take advantage of the benefits such diversity brings.
“Having participants based in countries such as the UAE, Japan, Canada, the United States and across Europe brings richness to the learning experience,” says Loick Menvielle, academic director of the program at EDHEC Business School in France.
“A globally mixed cohort is a real asset, it broadens mindsets, fosters collaboration and encourages new ways of working,” he adds.
At the University of Illinois Gies College of Business, the online program has alumni from more than 100 countries.
Kacie Jones, director of graduate recruiting and admissions, says the online MBA program is deliberately structured to attract a more diverse cohort of students.
“Our program does not require the GMAT/GRE for admission and offers a performance-based admission track to reduce traditional barriers to entry,” she says.
The value of a diverse online MBA classroom
Schools say the benefit of international classrooms goes beyond simple exposure.
“An intercultural approach offers an opportunity to understand different ways of thinking, working, and collaborating,” says Menvielle. “It is enriching not only for participants but also for professors.”
“It is valuable to sit in class and have a conversation with learners who are actually living in Tokyo, Brisbane and Manila,” says Jones. “Or you could be in a group discussion with learners in New York, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.”
That exposure changes how students think. “We believe these diverse perspectives spark innovation and creativity,” she adds.
To make the most of a diverse classroom, EDHEC has introduced additional collaboration protocols.
“We intentionally reshuffle working groups each quarter to encourage participants to get to know one another better, adapt to various time zones, and develop cross-cultural collaboration skills,” says Menvielle.
The global mix is also reflected in the curriculum, as courses and program activities are imbued with an international perspective.
“For example, participants collaborate with startups and engage in shadowing experiences with CEOs of companies operating abroad, enabling them to gain firsthand insights into global business practices,” says Menvielle.
At Gies, faculty say international classrooms closely reflect how many students already work, and how many want to work next.
“Today’s business world is global, and we believe the MBA classroom should be [global] as well,” Jones says. “Our courses are structured to facilitate conversation and connection with learners from across the globe and across industry.”
Online MBA students gain a valuable international network
For students, the value is not just exposure but also access to international markets through their peer networks. Some graduates use these international connections directly in career transitions.
Ishpinder Kailey, who graduated from the Gies iMBA in August 2023, relocated from Canada to Australia the same year. Today, she is co-founder and principal advisor at Purple Spark Advisory in Australia, a consulting firm working with small and medium-sized enterprises.
“The iMBA helped me develop the strategic and operational capabilities to build and launch my firm,” Kailey says.
Like Kailey, many students increasingly treat their international classmates as part of their professional strategy. Menvielle says the network becomes a shortcut to understanding new markets.
“It allows participants to accelerate their networking strategy and draw inspiration,” he says.
At EDHEC, that network extends beyond the classroom to its alumni community of more than 60,000 professionals, accessible through the school’s alumni clubs.
“These clubs also provide mentorship opportunities, guiding MBA participants through job applications and career transitions,” Menvielle adds.
