Advertisement

A Peek Into Studying A Part Time MBA in Hong Kong

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
A Peek Into Studying A Part Time MBA in Hong Kong

Balancing work, family, and education is no mean feat, that's why the part time MBA Hong Kong is proving so popular amongst the region's citizens. People are opting for part time MBA programs in Hong Kong from one of the city's world-class institutions not because they're looking for an easy life, but because they want to retain their jobs or raise their family whilst they provide for their own raise up the career ladder. Part time study is unique and Hong Kong students seem to be making the best of it.

Why Study Part Time?
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Hong Kong is the world's 14th most expensive city to live in and the 4th most expensive in Asia. Full time study is financially unfeasible for many as it means not only paying course fees, but relinquishing their salary. By working and studying simultaneously, you can avoid this problem and the inevitable post-graduation scramble for jobs.

Who Do You Study With?
Since those who study the part time MBA Hong Kong tend to stick to their jobs, many of those enrolled are from Hong Kong or the surrounding areas. Most weekday evening students work in the city, whilst the weekend course has a majority of students coming from neighboring cities, like Shenzhen and Macau. Some even come from as far away as Shanghai. Despite the local influence, course mates are still international. Many expats working in Hong Kong choose to study part time, oftentimes sponsored by their employers to do so. The chance to immerse themselves in an internationally community draws many foreigners to Hong Kong's universities.

Is The Content Different?
A part time MBA is not an 'MBA-lite.' While there may be some difference to particular courses, the topics covered remain the same. City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong School of Science and Technology Business School, and University of Hong Kong offer the same courses to students regardless of the time taken to complete the degree. The difference tends to come with regards to extra-curricular activities. In theory, part time students can take part in as many networking events, class socials, and conferences as full time students, but in practice, many students are juggling other commitments, so attendance at these events tends to be lower for part time students. 

Do Employers Value the Part Time MBA Differently?
The course content is equally as challenging and the modules as extensive so the part time MBA Hong Kong is valued in the same way as the full time version. In fact, the fact that a student has been able to complete the course whilst working full time can become a selling point on a CV. The expectations amongst part time students are different and this can lead to a different study culture. Many part time students are looking to advance within the industry they already work in, compared to full time students looking for a more drastic career shift. However, the fact that some people stay in their jobs doesn't mean that a part time MBA won't add value. In a 2010 study in the Journal of Education for Business, it was found that, on average, part time MBA students received a post-graduation pay rise of around 41%, and by their fifth year post-MBA, salaries had gone up another 56%.

Studying for a part time MBA represents unique challenges and the expected stress of an MBA can be compounded by trying to accomplish so much simultaneously. Nevertheless, the ability to earn while you learn is irresistible for many and the city's universities are ready and willing to meet this demand.

Advertisement