What it’s really like studying online: Imperial’s MSc Strategic Marketing (online, part-time)

Why I chose MSc Strategic Marketing (online, part-time) at Imperial Business School

I completed an undergraduate degree in Bath before joining a graduate scheme as an analyst at the technology consulting firm, Accenture. After a few years in the corporate world, I felt a growing desire to sharpen my skillset. That’s when I started to explore Master’s opportunities.

I ultimately decided to apply for a part-time, online programme so that I was able to continue working while studying. I was eager to re-immerse myself in learning and, most importantly, figure out the next step in my career. 

Imperial, a STEM-focused university, stood out to me because of its strong connections to science and technology, as well as the programme’s data-driven approach.

Balancing work and study: why online learning works for me

One of the key reasons I chose to study online was the flexibility it offered. As a full-time consultant, my days can be long – sometimes running from 8am to 8pm. So, fitting my studies around this can come with its challenges.

After some initial trial and error, I finally settled into a rhythm that worked for me. One advantage of studying online is that it removes the commuting time to classes – time which I can use on my studies instead. I find that I concentrate the best in the morning, so most days I wake up at 6am to listen to lectures and absorb all of the content. For any group or course work, I typically tend to focus on these after work or over the weekends.  

Staying motivated as an online student is all about connection

One of the biggest misconceptions about online study is that it’s isolating. My experience has been the opposite.

Group work has been one of my biggest motivators throughout my studies. Connecting with others, who are also going through the same experience of managing work and study simultaneously, was a great encouragement. 

The live webinars have also been a highlight. During term time, there are around two or three live seminars a week. The same session is run twice a day to cater to our global cohort across different time zones. Through engaging discussions with my cohort and Q&As with the professors, I found these live sessions especially valuable.

All of the learning materials are hosted on Imperial’s online learning platform, The Hub. It’s personalised to show your progress in each module and offers opportunities to interact with your cohort through discussion boards and feedback tools.  Being able to see who else is online and working on the same modules, and discuss topics with them, really motivates you to engage and stay connected.

Exploring global and in-person opportunities

Although the programme is fully remote, there are still opportunities to engage in in-person experiences. A particularly exciting one was the programme’s on-campus week that takes place towards the end of the programme, where we all came together on-campus to work on a project and network with each other face-to-face.

Another standout moment was the Global Exchange module I took part in, which was held at the University of Lugano, USI Università della Svizzera Italiana. I took a module called ‘Qualitative Analysis of Interview Data’, as I was particularly interested in analysing UI/UX customer interview data at work.

During the week-long trip, I learned different qualitative theories, coding methods and analysis approaches. I also had the chance to analyse my own data and deliver a presentation at the end of the week to present my findings. Through this unique experience, I interacted with many PhD candidates from various institutions and enjoyed expanding my global network and exploring another country.

Being based in London myself, I have also had the advantage of being able to attend on-campus events like career workshops and join clubs such as the Taekwondo Club. We train together at least once a week and I’ve made many good friends. Even as a complete beginner, I participated in a competition and took on students from all around the UK. It was an unforgettable experience to compete in front of my friends and family, even though I didn’t win.

How the programme sparked a career change

There are an endless number of resources, activities and support available to online students through the Careers team. I benefitted the most from the one-to-one career consulting that was available via Teams, where I was able to request CV reviews and career progression discussions.

During my first year, I joined the Women in Business Society and took part in their mentoring scheme, where they connect students with a professional who is working in a field you’re interested in. Through monthly online meetings, I was able to gain a lot of insights and network with previous alumni of the Business School.

With the support of the Careers team and insights gained from my programme, I eventually decided that I wanted to shift gears in my career. I refined my CV and was successful in making a change during the first year of my studies.

Studying this programme has allowed me to not only apply my learnings to my job but also demonstrate my continued dedication to professional growth.