Date: 19th March 2026 

Speakers: Rhys Bell (Student Recruitment Advisor) and Rana Nassar (Current MBA student) 

Introduction 

Rhys Bell: To get started, this webinar is an introduction to Aston University’s online MBA. 

I’ll be presenting for most of the session. My name is Rhys Bell, and I’m a Student Recruitment Advisor at Aston Online. I’ll also be joined by Rana, who is a current MBA student, and we will have a Q&A with her halfway through the webinar. 

At the end of the presentation, there will be a Q&A section for everyone in the chat. If you have any questions, you can add them there, and I will do my best to answer them. If I do not know the answer, I will find out from the right person and follow up afterwards. 

Studying with Aston University Online 

Rhys Bell: At Aston University Online, we aim to provide a flexible and student-centric learning experience. 

Aston University received a Triple Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework in 2023, and we are in the top 5% of global universities, according to the QS World University Rankings. We were also named University of the Year for Student Success by the Daily Mail University Guide in 2025. 

Why Aston Online 

Rhys Bell: Aston University Online offers a range of advantages that make it an appealing option for prospective students around the world. 

You will receive ongoing support through expert tutors, one-to-one feedback, a dedicated Student Success Team, digital library resources and materials available 24/7, and complimentary full access to Adobe Creative Cloud. I will talk more about the feedback and Student Success Team later in the webinar. 

You can also earn while you learn. Tuition fees can be spread through monthly payments or instalments, with monthly payments being the most popular option. There is no need to take time away from employment. Around 90% of the students I work with study while working full-time. There are also different funding opportunities available, depending on where you are based. 

You can take control of your schedule by accessing programme materials anytime and from anywhere, and study at your own pace. We usually recommend around 15 to 25 hours of study per week on average. 

The programme is designed to be 100% online and fully asynchronous. However, for the MBA, there is a weekly webinar that we strongly encourage students to attend as often as possible. 

About the Online MBA 

Rhys Bell: The online MBA is ranked as a top online MBA in the UK and among the top 25 worldwide, according to Eduniversal 2025. 

It is dual accredited to a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice. 

It is also ranked 5th in the UK and 36th globally in the latest Global MBA Rankings by CEO Magazine in 2025. 

Aston Business School is ranked 15th in the UK and 90th in Europe, according to the Financial Times European Business School Rankings 2025. 

Key information 

Rhys Bell: The online MBA provides a dynamic, hands-on experience designed to develop an entrepreneurial leadership mindset. 

The total tuition fee for the programme is £21,000 for the full two years, and this can be paid in monthly instalments. The vast majority of required materials are delivered through the online platform. 

The duration of the programme is 24 months part-time. 

Some of the key skills students will develop include strategic leadership competence, advanced problem-solving skills, sustainability and ethical management, enhanced global perspective, digital literacy and innovation, and professional growth and self-reflection. 

Entry requirements 

Rhys Bell: The standard entry requirements for the MBA are a 2:2, or lower second-class honours degree, or international equivalent, along with a minimum of three years of relevant work experience. 

International students must also meet English language requirements. These can be met in a few different ways, and the Admissions Team is always happy to discuss this in more detail after the webinar. 

Your experience also counts, so please tell us about it. 

We offer experience-based entry for students who may not hold a degree-level qualification, but who can demonstrate professional experience that would prepare them for success on an MBA programme. 

We also consider degree-level professional CPD qualifications. 

Because this can be interpreted more flexibly, my recommendation is always to speak to the Admissions Team, including myself, and we will do our best to support you. 

Programme structure 

Rhys Bell: The programme is worth 180 credits, runs over two years, and is split into two stages: Stage 1, which is taught, and Stage 2, which is the dissertation. 

Each credit of study is equivalent to 10 learning hours, so 30 credits represent 300 learning hours. 

In Stage 1, students study: 
1. Strategy and economics in a global context 
2. Finance and marketing for strategic decision-making 
3. Leadership and operational excellence 
4. Navigating digital transformation 

In the dissertation stage, students design a learning experience that applies to their own area of interest. 

Students can choose to complete a consultancy project for a client, a business plan, or an industry research project. 

The programme is designed to help students critically evaluate management theories and practices, develop comprehensive knowledge of key management disciplines, and gain transferable leadership skills. 

Student interview 

Rhys Bell: I’m now going to have a quick chat with Rana. 

Rana, how are you today? 

Rana Nassar: Hi, how are you? I’m fine, thank you very much, Rhys. 

Rhys Bell: Fantastic. 

We’re going to go through a few quick questions and get some feedback from you as someone who is currently studying on the programme and has direct experience of it. 

The first question is can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to study with Aston Online? 

Rana Nassar: I work as a lecturer at a private provider in London, with university partners, so I already work in higher education. I already have postgraduate qualifications, but most of our students study business, and I work in the English Linguistics department. I wanted to do this MBA for two reasons, one short-term and one long-term. 

The short-term reason was to help me move into the Business department, which is larger and offers more scope for promotion and career progression. 

The longer-term reason is that I have a small property business. I felt that studying this MBA would give me the skills, knowledge, and opportunity to interact with people who are very experienced in the business world, which would help me grow that business over time. 

Rhys Bell: That’s a great answer. 

The next question is how has the flexibility of online learning helped you balance your studies with your other commitments? 

Rana Nassar: It has been very important for me. I do not think I could have managed if I had to travel somewhere physically and attend lectures in person. This format works very well because I can make time for study around my schedule. You do need to make time every week, so there is still discipline involved, but I can study after work, at weekends, or whenever I have time available. I do my reading and go through the materials on Blackboard, which has helped tremendously. 

I also try to attend the live weekly sessions with our tutor and other students on the programme. Sometimes I cannot attend, but everything is recorded, so I can always watch it later. 

That flexibility is a very important factor. 

Rhys Bell: Excellent. 

Can you also share one aspect of the programme that you have found particularly valuable? 

Rana Nassar: The materials on Blackboard, our virtual learning environment, are excellent. 

They are very high quality and provide a strong overview of what we need to know. Of course, there is additional reading to do, but the materials themselves are very good. 

I am currently on my third module, and so far, the lecturers have been excellent. They are knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable. 

There is also some interaction between us and the rest of the class. In one of our modules, we completed a business simulation together and used the results in our assessment. 

That collaborative element was valuable because it helped create a sense of belonging to a group, rather than the experience feeling entirely individual and online. 

Rhys Bell: Brilliant, thank you. 

The last question is: What advice would you give to someone who is considering enrolling on this programme? 

Rana Nassar: I would say do it. 

I’m really enjoying it so far. 

It is not easy, and you should not expect to get an MBA without putting in the work, but it is manageable and achievable. 

Even with a full-time job, a small business, and other commitments, it is still possible. 

It opens your eyes to many things. You may already be doing some of them, but the MBA helps you do them more effectively. It gives you more ideas, and you get to interact with people from different industries and understand their perspectives. 

I am really enjoying it. 

Rhys Bell: Brilliant. 

Thank you very much. That was very useful, and I hope it gave everyone here more context and a clearer picture of what it is actually like to study on the programme. 

We’ll now continue with the rest of the presentation and come back to the Q&A at the end. 

Application process 

Rhys Bell: Your success is our priority, and we aim to make the application process quick, simple, and supportive. 

Step one is to complete the online application form. 

You can find this on the main Aston Online website. On the top right of the page, you will see Apply now. Once you complete the form, someone from the Admissions Team, such as me, will contact you to discuss your career goals and the programme details. 

If you have any questions after this webinar that are not covered in the Q&A, that would be a good time to raise them, and we will be happy to help. 

At that point, you will be asked to submit the required documents. These may include your CV, personal statement, references, and academic records. 

You would then wait for a decision from the Admissions Team. 

Depending on how busy the team is, the process can be very quick. It may take one or two days, or slightly longer during busier periods, but we do aim to make it as fast and straightforward as possible. 

Once you receive your offer letter, you will be asked to pay a deposit of £1,000. This secures your place on the programme. 

The deposit is refundable within 28 days of the programme starting, if you decide to withdraw for any reason. 

After that, you simply prepare to begin. The Student Success Team will be in touch and will guide you through the next steps. 

Fees and funding 

Rhys Bell: We believe quality education should be accessible to everyone. That is why we offer affordable tuition and flexible payment options to help you invest in your future. 

We offer flexible payment plans, allowing you to split your tuition fees across monthly instalments. This is the most popular option among students. 

There is no extra interest if you choose to pay this way. 

You may also be eligible for government funding if you are based in England or Wales. 

Funding through SAAS in Scotland can sometimes be more complex, but in general the UK government may be able to offer tuition loans for postgraduate and undergraduate students studying with Aston Online. 

There is also the possibility of employer sponsorship, which many students use. 

For tuition discounts and scholarships, alumni receive a 20% tuition fee reduction. 

There is also a 5% early deposit discount. If you receive your offer and pay your deposit within the first five working days, you receive that tuition fee reduction. 

There may also be merit scholarships available. Students should speak with their Admissions Advisor about this, as it is usually assessed at the point of application. 

In addition, there is a 5% upfront payment discount if you pay the full tuition fee in one payment. 

These discounts are not stackable. For example, if you receive a 20% alumni discount, you would not also receive the other discounts on top of that. 

Online learning platform 

Rhys Bell: Stay engaged and stay informed. 

Aston Online is a dynamic global learning environment. By logging in regularly, you can stay on top of your programmes, receive updates from tutors, and remain connected with fellow students. 

We aim to make navigation as simple as possible and keep everything in one place. 

The navigation menu gives you access to your study modules, calendar, assignments, module announcements, peers, tutors, and support teams. 

Student support 

Rhys Bell: Throughout the programme, you will receive continuous support from the Student Success Team, your tutors, and the Careers Support Team. 

They will support you during the programme and after it as well. 

You will go through a smooth onboarding process with support to help you settle in, including an induction programme that is usually held about a week before the official start date. 

You will also gain access to a student hub with a wide range of resources and support materials, as well as continuous academic support throughout your studies. 

You will also have access to Aston’s award-winning Careers Team even after graduation, and also to the Alumni Team. 

Disclaimer: 

This transcript is based on a recorded webinar and has been lightly edited for readability, clarity and conciseness. We’ve removed filler words, false starts, and repeated phrases (such as “um” and “ah”) without changing the meaning. All information remains accurate to the recording. 

Tuition fees may be subject to annual increases in line with inflation from 2026, in accordance with UK Government policy and maximum fee limits.