University of Essex Online

The University of Essex Online was a very attractive choice due to its proactive approach and the convenience of online study. It gave me a good feeling for the future and the virtual learning platform also impressed me. Sometimes it was stressful having to juggle everything, but I really appreciated the support – particularly from the student advisers and of course the tutors.

I’m incredibly happy to have gained a Masters degree with such a reputable university, as well as valuable skills I can apply to my business – particularly project management, business strategy and financial management.

I’ve previously worked as a director for The Rainbow Centre, a local charity dealing with homelessness and those in crisis. I wanted a course that combined both business and management, having worked in both management and as a business mentor. The University of Essex Online’s Master of Business Management (MBM) looked great and was one of the only ones to offer the modules I wanted to study. The flexibility was also appealing, as when I enrolled, I worked two jobs alongside looking after my children.

The course has its challenges, but I’ve learnt so much in both my professional and personal life. If it wasn’t for the course and the supportive tutors I’ve come across, I’d never have applied for my new role. I’ve found that the peer support alongside the tutors has superseded what I could’ve hoped for.

The application to the workplace has been the best aspect. In quite a few cases, I’ve learnt about a theory or way of working and managed to apply this to my workforce to further strengthen not only my own role, but those of others within my team. My knowledge and skills have increased greatly and I can see the improvements I’ve made through my journals. 

I started in a new part-time director’s role for a small local charity at the same time as starting the Masters. I don’t feel that I would’ve been able to progress in this role and move the charity forward without the leadership and management practice I learnt on the course. I also believe I got my new role as CEO of Age UK Scarborough & District through the skills I’d developed through the course and my director’s role.

I highly recommend the course, not only for professional development but also personal.  I’ve learnt a lot about myself during this time and although it’s difficult to juggle work, family life and studying online, it’s well worth it. My goals are to continue developing my career and I may even consider a PhD at some stage in the future!

The course is amazing. It isn’t easy.

I needed an online course as running the business does take up a lot of my time. I looked into the different options and their course was well explained and the information given by the team was very straight forward and easy to understand.

The course is amazing, it isn’t easy, and you need to be focused and make time to read the literature and complete your modules but it has ignited a passion for learning that I had forgotten I had. It is important that you learn how to manage your time and ensure you make the most of any study time you get.

The course is well structured, and the online forum is easy to use. There is a lot of ongoing support so if you are unsure of something you can always contact either your student support team or your tutor. You are never made to feel that any question is silly, being new to study and being older I was worried that I would look daft and ask silly questions but not once have any of the team made me feel that way.

There is so much support from the team at the University of Essex Online. They are on hand all the way through the process of applying for your course, the funding options available and they support you as you go along.

I was hesitant and put off doing this for years as I doubted my ability and didn’t feel confident enough but now I wish I had taken the leap years ago.

The University of Essex Online stood out as their courses are 100% online but the content is the same as the in-person programmes. What’s more, I’d be graduating alongside my classmates at their Colchester campus.

Not only was my academic history taken into account to allow me to complete my undergraduate degree, it also helped me to progress onto a postgraduate diploma in management. After completing this, I’m set to complete the Master of Business Management (MBM) later this year and would love to progress on to a Doctorate degree.