Can You Complete an MBA While Working Full-Time?

For many professionals like yourself, the decision to pursue an MBA often comes at an inconvenient time.

It could be because you’ve reached a point where additional business knowledge could help advance your career, or maybe you’ve taken on an interest in a lateral move that involves a more specialized portfolio.

Either way, you know you want to advance your expertise, but you already have a full time job, financial duties, and other responsibilities that can’t be put on hold.

The traditional image of MBA education where you leave your job and return to university full-time is not practical. Fortunately, it is no longer the only option.

Part-time MBA programs like the one offered at SBS Swiss Business School are designed to make graduate business education accessible to professionals who want to continue working. 

With the right program structure, realistic expectations, and good time management, you can pursue an MBA without stepping away from your career.

Let’s take a closer look together.

More MBA students are choosing part-time study

Studying for an MBA while working is far from unusual. In fact, it has increasingly become the norm.

According to AACSB's Enrollment Trends at AACSB Business Schools: 2025, approximately 60% of MBA students at reporting accredited business schools are enrolled part-time. This reflects the demand for business education that can accommodate working professionals.

Unlike many specialist master's degrees, which often attract students before entering the workforce, MBA programs frequently serve people who already have professional experience and established careers like yourself and who are looking to go further.

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has also identified a distinct audience of prospective students who want to pursue graduate business education while remaining employed.

For these professionals, flexibility determines whether further education is possible at all.

Why study for an MBA while continuing to work?

There are several practical reasons why professionals like yourself choose to combine their careers with graduate education.

1 - You can continue earning while studying

One of the most significant considerations when pursuing an MBA is the financial investment.

Leaving the workforce for a year can mean sacrificing employment income and potentially interrupting career progression. A part-time MBA allows students like you to maintain their employment while pursuing their qualifications.

2 - You can apply what you learn immediately

Studying while working creates an important connection between what you learn in the classroom and what takes place in your professional life. 

A project manager studying finance might develop a better understanding of how investment decisions are made while a department head studying organizational leadership may identify opportunities to improve team performance.

Instead of waiting until graduation to use new knowledge, working professionals can connect concepts to real situations as they encounter them.

3 - You can maintain your professional momentum

Not everyone pursuing an MBA wants to change careers. Many students are looking to bring more to their current position.

Continuing to work while studying allows you to build professional experience while expanding their qualifications. It also means remaining involved in ongoing projects, professional relationships, and potential advancement opportunities.

How the SBS MBA is designed for working professionals

At SBS Swiss Business School, the MBA is structured specifically for professionals who want to earn a graduate business degree while continuing their careers.

The Swiss State-Accredited program is delivered part-time at the SBS Zurich Campus, with classes taking place just three days per month. As such, instead of attending classes throughout the working week, students participate in concentrated on-campus sessions held from Friday to Sunday, once a month.

What can students expect from this kind of course structure?

The MBA includes:

• Part-time study: On-campus classes one weekend per month, Friday through Sunday.
• Program duration: Approximately 1.5 years.
• Academic structure: 90 ECTS credits, including 11 on-campus modules, one online module, and a master's thesis.
• Language: Entirely taught in English.
• International learning: A multicultural classroom with professionals from different industries and backgrounds.

The curriculum covers important areas of business management, including corporate strategy, leadership, finance, digital transformation and AI, marketing, negotiations, and global supply chain management.

For someone working full-time in Zurich or elsewhere in Europe, this structure offers an opportunity to pursue an internationally oriented MBA without leaving their existing position.

Who should consider an MBA while working?

Part-time MBA programs can be a good fit for professionals at several different career stages:

• An experienced specialist may want to move into management.
• A relatively new manager may want to strengthen their understanding of finance, strategy, and organizational leadership.
• An entrepreneur may be looking for a more comprehensive understanding of business operations.
• A professional working in an international organization may want to develop a broader global business perspective.

For professionals who already hold senior leadership positions, an Executive MBA may also be worth considering, depending on their experience and objectives.

FAQ About Part-Time MBA Programs

Can you really complete an MBA while working 40 hours a week?

Yes. Many MBA programs like the one at SBS Swiss Business School are specifically designed for full-time professionals. Success depends on choosing an appropriate format, understanding the workload, and creating a manageable study routine.

Is a part-time MBA as valuable as a full-time MBA?

The value of any MBA program depends on much more than whether students attend full-time or part-time. The institution's accreditation, curriculum, faculty, academic expectations, learning experiences, and career relevance are important considerations in evaluating any MBA.

Can you study on campus while working full-time?

Yes. An MBA does not have to be fully online to offer flexibility. Some students prefer the interaction and professional relationships that develop through in-person education.

How long does a part-time MBA take?

It varies by institution and program structure. Some part-time MBAs take several years, while others use more concentrated teaching schedules. At SBS Swiss Business School, the MBA is designed to be completed in approximately 1.5 years.

Do you have to quit your job to attend MBA classes?

Not necessarily. Part-time MBA programs are designed to accommodate continued employment. SBS Swiss Business School, for example, schedules its on-campus classes in Zurich for one Friday-to-Sunday weekend per month.

Is an on-campus MBA better than an Online MBA?

Both formats have advantages. Online study can provide greater geographic flexibility, while on-campus education offers regular face-to-face interaction. The best choice depends on your place or residence, schedule, learning preferences, and professional goals.

How much time should I expect to spend studying outside MBA classes?

This varies by program and course. Students should expect to complete reading, assignments, group projects, assessments, and independent preparation beyond scheduled teaching sessions. Admissions teams can provide guidance on typical workload expectations.

Can I pursue the SBS MBA while continuing my career?

Yes. The MBA Program is explicitly designed for working professionals, with part-time classes at its Zurich Campus three days per month and a curriculum focused on practical business applications.

Final Thoughts

So, can you complete an MBA while working full-time? Absolutely.

For professionals who want to continue building their careers, a part-time MBA can provide an opportunity to strengthen strategic thinking, develop leadership skills, expand business knowledge, and build valuable professional relationships.

It also allows students to connect their education with the professional challenges they are already facing.

The part-time MBA at SBS Swiss Business School is designed around this principle, combining Swiss state-accredited graduate business education with a concentrated three-days-per-month teaching format in Zurich.

For working professionals who want an on-campus MBA experience without putting their careers on hold, it offers a practical path toward the next stage of their professional development.

Contact us to learn more!