How to decide if online study fits your life and career

A Practical guide for professionals considering an MBA, DBA, or Ph.D.—with real-life examples and a self-assessment quiz.

Online education is no longer a backup plan—it’s a strategic option for professionals who want to grow academically and professionally without putting their lives on hold.

Whether you’re considering an MBA to enhance your leadership skills, a DBA to apply research in your organization, or a Ph.D. to pursue academic or policy-based research, the format matters.

4 Key benefits of online study

1. You learn on your schedule

Online study gives you the flexibility to integrate learning into your existing routine. Whether you’re leading a team, managing a company, or raising a family, you don’t need to sacrifice one area of your life to pursue your degree.

Example:
Anna, an HR manager from Germany, is studying for her MBA. She studies after work a few evenings per week and uses the weekend to complete assignments—no disruption to her job or home life.

2. You apply what you learn immediately

The knowledge and skills you gain in an online MBA, DBA, or Ph.D. program can be applied to your professional environment right away. Especially in the case of DBA and MBA programs, assignments are designed to solve real-world problems you’re already facing.

Example:
Daniel, a DBA student from Kenya, developed a customer retention strategy for his tech firm as part of his dissertation—and implemented it before even finishing the program.

3. You study from anywhere

Whether you’re based in your home country or constantly on the move for work, location doesn’t have to limit your education.

Example:
Sophie, a French expat living in Singapore, is completing her Ph.D. online at LIGS. She travels regularly for work but studies consistently thanks to the asynchronous model.

4. You set the pace—with support

At LIGS, there’s no rigid semester calendar. If you need to slow down during a busy work period or speed up because you have extra time, you can adjust accordingly.

You’ll work with a personal academic mentor who:

• Helps you plan your study milestones
• Provides academic feedback
• Guides you through research and dissertation work

Challenges to consider

While online study offers a lot of flexibility, it’s not without its challenges. Here are a few things to consider before deciding if it’s the right path for you:

1. Time management is important

There are no scheduled lectures or group meetings to keep you on track. You should be proactive about setting time aside for study—and sticking to it.

Tip: Successful students block 6–10 hours per week for study and treat it like a non-negotiable part of their calendar.

2. Self-motivation is a must

Without in-person interaction, it’s easy to delay or lose momentum. You’ll need strong internal motivation to keep moving forward, especially during longer projects like a dissertation or thesis.

What helps:

• Setting small, weekly goals
• Regular check-ins with your mentor
• Reminding yourself why you started

3. You’ll need basic digital skills

While you don’t need to be a tech wizard, you do need to feel comfortable using:

• Online platforms for assignments
• Email, video calls, and chat tools
• Digital academic resources

At LIGS, we offer full onboarding and technical support to make the transition smooth—even if it’s your first time studying online.

4. It can feel isolating (if you let it)

No coffee breaks with classmates or campus events—but that doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Our online community is active, and students often build lasting professional and academic connections.

Many collaborate on research, share insights, and even connect for business opportunities.

5. Balancing study, work, and life requires flexibility

There will be weeks where work deadlines, family events, and your studies compete for attention. You’ll need to be realistic and adaptable.

At LIGS, our programs are designed to support this balance:

• No penalties for adjusting your pace
• Mentors who understand your professional environment
• A curriculum that respects your time

Which program is right for you?

Here’s a quick comparison to help you determine which LIGS program might best fit your goals:

Program	Best for	Focus	Typical outcome
MBA	Professionals in leadership or management roles	Practical business and leadership skills	Career growth, transition to leadership
DBA	Senior professionals and executives	Applied research in real business settings	Consulting, strategic roles, business innovation
Ph.D.	Academics, researchers, policy professionals	Theoretical research and academic contribution	Teaching, publishing, policy development

Still not sure? That’s completely normal—try our quick quiz:

What’s next? Let’s talk about your study journey

Choosing to pursue an MBA, DBA, or Ph.D. is more than an academic step—it’s a career and life decision. And just as important as what you study is how you study.

If you’re looking for a program that:

• Fits around your professional and personal commitments
• Gives you the flexibility to study at your own pace
• Provides personal academic support every step of the way

Then online study at LIGS University could be the right choice.

Ready to take the next step?

Book a free consultation to discuss your goals with one of our advisors—no commitment, just honest advice. Or explore our programs to see which path fits your future: MBA, DBA or Ph.D.

Your next chapter can start from wherever you are—on your schedule, at your pace.