Can You Pursue an Online Degree While Working Full Time

Can You Pursue an Online Degree While Working Full Time

#MBA
Lankalapalli HarshaUpdated on 04 Sep 2025, 03:30 PM IST

Earning a degree while working full-time is demanding but entirely possible. Balancing a full-time job and continuing education may seem challenging, but online degree courses have made it increasingly achievable. This approach allows learners to upskill, gain advanced qualifications, and stay competitive in their fields.

This Story also Contains

  1. Why Choose An Online Degree While Working Full-Time?
  2. Career Paths for Working Professionals Seeking a Transition
  3. Challenges and Solutions While Balancing Work And Studying
Can You Pursue an Online Degree While Working Full Time
Can You Pursue an Online Degree While Working Full Time

Online programmes are designed to accommodate busy schedules, offering online classes, and self-paced assignments. By integrating learning into daily routines, professionals can apply new knowledge to their work, enhancing both performance and career growth. This article showcases how working professionals can pursue an online degree while working full-time.

Why Choose An Online Degree While Working Full-Time?

Pursuing online degrees while working full-time has become increasingly popular. Online degrees offer flexibility, allowing professionals to study at their own pace without compromising work responsibilities. This flexibility is especially valuable for those in demanding jobs or irregular shifts.

Additionally, online degrees are often more affordable than traditional on-campus programmes, reducing financial stress while earning a higher qualification. Online degree programmes are UGC-recognised and accredited, ensuring credibility in the job market. Furthermore, they enable professionals to immediately apply newly acquired skills to their current roles, bridging theory with practical workplace experience.

FLAME University | MBA 2026

NAAC A++ Grade | MBA program graded A** (National) by CRISIL | AACSB, ACBSP and BGA Member

Atlas SkillTech University MBA Admissions 2026

India’s first Urban Multidisciplinary University | Case-based pedagogy | Industry-endorsed curriculum

Career Paths for Working Professionals Seeking a Transition

Working professionals often reach a point where they transition in their careers, either to explore a new field or to climb the corporate ladder. Online degrees act as a catalyst for such transitions by equipping learners with updated skills recognised by employers.

The table below showcases career opportunities with higher earning potential for working professionals after completing an online degree:

Job Role

Average Salary

Data Scientist

Rs 15 LPA

Software Engineer

Rs 11 LPA

Brand Manager

Rs 16.7 LPA

Finance Executive

Rs 17 LPA

AI Engineer

Rs 11.4 LPA

Chartered Accountant

Rs 11.2 LPA

Investment Bankers

Rs 29.5 LPA


Also Read: Best Online Degrees for Job Seekers in India [2025]

Challenges and Solutions While Balancing Work And Studying

Pursuing an online degree while managing a full-time job can be highly rewarding, but it also presents unique challenges. Recognising these challenges and addressing them is key to maintaining both academic performance and professional efficiency. Here is a detailed breakdown of common challenges and effective solutions:

ChallengesSolutions

Time Management

Create a weekly study schedule and use reminders.

Workload Overlap

Prioritise tasks and communicate deadlines with supervisors.

Motivation & Focus

Set small goals, and join peer groups.

Technical Difficulties

Ensure stable internet, backup devices, and updated software.

Stress & Burnout

Take breaks, exercise, and practice mindfulness.

Pursuing an online degree while working full-time helps professionals advance careers and access to high-paying opportunities. Online education empowers learners to balance work, study, and personal growth, making career transitions smoother and more achievable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is blending employer duties with coursework effective?
A:

Aligning assignments to real work projects boosts learning and minimises repetition, with many professionals reporting improved performance and better academic results.

Q: How to avoid burnout during this journey?
A:

Ensure sleep, nutrition and short breaks. Delegate tasks, keep study sessions manageable and reward accomplishments to stay motivated.

Q: Are online degrees recognised by employers?
A:

Yes, accredited online degrees from reputable institutions are widely recognized, with employers valuing the combination of work experience and formal education.

Q: How can one manage time effectively with full‑time work and study?
A:

Start with a time audit, use planning tools, and set clear priorities. Saying no to non‑essential commitments helps maintain balance.

Q: Can a working person complete a degree without quitting their job?
A:

Yes, it is possible for professionals to complete a degree alongside their full-time work.

Certifications By Top Providers
Introduction to Managerial Economics
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Basic Programming using Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Strategic Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Fundamental Concepts of Electricity
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Udemy
 3320 courses
Edx
 1992 courses
Swayam
 1936 courses
Coursera
 1660 courses
NPTEL
 1258 courses
Futurelearn
 1074 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to MBA

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello aspirant,

Here below I am providing you with the name of some of the best MBA colleges in Hyderabad:

  • Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad
  • The Indian School of Business
  • The ICFAI Business School Hyderabad
  • Woxsen University
  • The Institute of Public Enterprise
  • GITAM Hyderabad Business School

To know about more colleges, you can visit our site through following link:

https://bschool.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-mba-colleges-in-hyderabad

Thank you

Hello,

Here are some top MBA colleges in India with fees under Rs. 2 lakh and their exam/cutoff details:

  • SIMSREE, Mumbai – Fee around Rs. 1.3–1.4 lakh for 2 years. Accepts CAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, MAT, ATMA. Cutoff is very high, usually 99+ percentile in CAT/CMAT.

  • PUMBA (Dept. of Management Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University) – Fee around Rs. 1.2–1.3 lakh. Accepts CAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, ATMA. Cutoff approx. 75+ percentile in CAT, 90–95+ percentile in CMAT, high scores in MAH-CET.

  • TISS, Mumbai (MA HRM & other management-related programmes) – Fee around Rs. 1.7–1.9 lakh. Accepts CAT for some courses. Qualifying cutoff is around 60–70 percentile, but final selection cutoffs are higher.

These are the main government institutes where the full MBA/PG programme fee is within Rs. 2 lakh. Cutoffs vary slightly each year and by category, but SIMSREE and PUMBA generally need high scores, while TISS has its own process along with CAT shortlisting.

Hope it helps !

Yes, MBA in FinTech is a good option if you are interested in the combination of finance and technology. After this course you can work in roles like FinTech product manager, financial analyst, blockchain/crypto specialist, risk & compliance manager, or business development manager in banks, startups, and financial companies.

For the salary part, freshers usually start with around 5–10 LPA in normal companies and in bigger FinTech firms or banks it can even go up to 10–15 LPA, depending on your skills, college, and location.

If you do Data Science and then an MBA in Finance, you can get many high-paying jobs. Some of the best options are:

1. CFO (Chief Financial Officer) – You manage a company’s finances, budgeting, and reports. Big companies pay 40 lakh to 1 crore per year.

2. Investment Banker – You help clients raise money and do mergers or acquisitions. Salaries start around 10–12 lakh for freshers and can go up to 30 lakh or more with experience.

3. Chief Data Officer – You lead data strategies in companies. Pay can be 80 lakh to 1.3 crore per year.

4. Machine Learning Engineer / AI Scientist – You create AI and ML models. Salary is around 35–42 lakh per year.

5. Product Manager – You manage product strategy and market positioning. Can earn 89 lakh to 1.1 crore per year in big tech companies.

6. Financial Actuary – You analyze financial risks. Pay is around 25–30 lakh per year.

Hello,

If you have made a mistake while entering your education details in KEA PGCET MBA option entry, you cannot edit it directly once it is submitted. You need to contact KEA immediately.

You can:

  • Call the KEA helpline numbers.

  • Or visit the KEA office with your documents.

They will guide you on how to correct the mistake. Do it quickly, as corrections are allowed only within the given time.

Hope it helps !