You’ve always been able to study online business courses on virtual learning platform Coursera, but now you can even pursue full degrees, specialized Coursera masters, and Coursera MBAs
By Abigail Lister
Mon Jul 5 2021
180 million people took Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in 2020 and over 40% of them did so on Coursera It’s not just short courses you can take on Coursera, though—now, you can even get a Coursera MBA or business master’s degree.
With the added flexibility, accessibility, and affordability of an online course, studying for a degree on Coursera is now a realistic option for students who don’t want to, or can’t, be tied to a traditional business school program.
Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda predicts Coursera degrees—like Coursera MBAs and Coursera masters—will only become more popular as technology progresses and working from home becomes the norm.
As the coronavirus pandemic prompts prospective students to explore online MBA and master’s programs, we investigated which English-language business degrees you can currently take on Coursera and how much they cost.
FIA Business School’s MBA takes 24 months, with a study commitment of 10 hours per week. In 2020, FIA’s Executive MBA was ranked the second-best program in Latin America by QS, and the Coursera program is taught by the same faculty as the in-person program. The course covers both business fundamentals and future technology, and ends with a 40-hour capstone project
HSE is one of Russia’s top universities for business studies, and its Coursera Master of Business Analytics is a two-year program focusing on cutting-edge analytics and business reporting. The program includes Virtual Labs with experts around the world, as well as two research projects where you can explore real-world problems.
This two-year program from HSE comprises of 18 online courses, tackling macroeconomics, financial reporting, portfolio management, and financial engineering. There’s also the option to pursue electives in more niche topics such as machine learning in finance. Zoom workshops and project work complement the taught courses, while live chats and video conferences allow you to network with your professors and other students.
The Coursera Master’s in Accountancy from the University of Illinois is a highly flexible course which can be completed in as little as 1.5 years and up to 3 years. The curriculum dives into financial reporting, audit, and analytics, with a focus on US federal taxation, and prepares students to sit the CPA exam. The degree is mostly self-paced—weekly lectures can be played at any time, while classroom sessions allow you to dive into the material with professors and fellow students live.
OP Jindal is India’s top private university, and this affordable online program features the same curriculum as the in-person degree. The program has a strong focus on analytics, with modules encompassing emerging technologies, data analysis, and statistics for business. With 10 hours of studying a week this course can be completed between 2-3 years, and aside from pre-recorded lectures, you’ll also get to interact with faculty in three live sessions per course.
The online Master in Management from Gies College of Business can be completed in as little as a year, with just 36 credit hours of courses and five enrolments throughout the year. Lectures are self-paced but are complemented by live class sessions and discussion forums. Though it’s a comparably shorter course than others, you’ll explore all facets of management, from leadership and marketing to accounting.
The University of Illinois’ Coursera MBA takes between 2-3 years to complete, and is the same intensive program as the on-campus course. The school is accredited by AACSB and follows a career-first design—meaning every module and workshop focuses on the skills needed for future careers in business and management. Students can also choose courses from two of three leadership pathways: innovation, digitalization, and globalization.
The in-person MBA from Macquarie Business School ranks among the best in Australia, and their Coursera MBA follows the same innovative curriculum. The course is structured around six future-focused capabilities, including analysis, influence, adapting, and problem solving, and the four courses included in the capstone project and co-delivered by industry partners.
HEC Paris has a reputation for being one of the best business schools in Europe and offers one of the most popular Coursera degrees. With this online Coursera master’s, students benefit from the school’s expertise in entrepreneurship and work on hands-on business projects taught alongside experienced business leaders. The program takes 18 months to complete and by the end, students have the skills to explore their own opportunities in entrepreneurship—one third of capstone projects from the program’s first cohort went on to be innovative startups.
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Student
Verified
7/07/2022
On Campus
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Sarah
Verified
18/03/2022
On Campus
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Student
Verified
29/10/2021
On Campus
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Veronique
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Ghadi
Verified
11/06/2022
On Campus
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
Student
Verified
27/03/2022
On Campus
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
Lb
Verified
26/03/2022
On Campus
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
Rajarshi
Verified
28/10/2021
Blended
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Student
Verified
19/10/2021
On Campus
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
