Why Learners Prefer to Pursue Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Business

People have been choosing to earn their bachelor’s degrees online since the early 2000s. And we can say that it has worked for them, because online education has experienced a 900% growth in demand since then. Today, online education is recognised as the accelerator of change in the education industry.

To understand why people opt for online bachelor’s degrees, we’ll need to understand what online education has to offer. They allow students to learn at their own pace. This is helpful to students who have other commitments, like work or family obligations. Moreover, online learners don’t have to pay for commuting or relocation. Thus, it is cost effective, compared to traditional campus degrees.

What We Considered While Making This List

A Bachelor’s degree is the first ever graduate level qualification in anyone’s life. We believe learners should have access to quality education regardless of nationality, gender, age, race or class. That is what motivated us to compile this list of the top 9 online bachelor’s degree programs in Dubai.

Thus, this list considers features like course flexibility. We explored if students could pace their studies. Further, we explored the possibility of managing other commitments. We also considered global accreditations. We also factored in course affordability. As per our internal research, most of these courses offer at least a few of these features.

The Top 9 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in UAE

1. York St. John University BA (Hons)/ BA (Hons) Top Up

• Over 180 years of educating
• UK Accredited
• WES listed university

Based in the UK, York St John University offers its courses in the UAE through partnerships. It has partnered with Lincoln University of Business & Management to offer the BA (Hons) program. It can also be availed as an accelerated BA (Hons) Top Up course. If a student opts for the full BA (Hons) program, they can expect to complete the course within 24 months. Meanwhile, students who choose the BA (Hons) Top Up course must have 240 UK credits to apply. Alternatively, they can present a Level 5 UK Diploma to qualify for application. Additionally, both YSJ BA (Hons) options are UK accredited. This is an especially valuable degree for learners hoping to move to the UK and work there.

2. University of Florida Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) 

• Ranked #130 in the THE World University Rankings 2025
• Ranked #4 by Forbes for Public Universities in the US

The online BSBA course offered by the University of Florida (UF) reaches students through the Heavener School of Business. Heavener School of Business is UF’s business arm that offers undergraduate degrees. The university has maintained its standards in 2025, with Forbes ranking it #4 among Public Universities in the US. Additionally, the THE World Rankings list it as the 130th best university globally. It’s the perfect course for learners who want to earn an American degree without moving. Taught by a famously excellent faculty, the course is taught fully online.

3. Lincoln University of Business and Management BA (Hons)

• UK accredited MBA specialisations
• Partnered with reputable UK institutions
• Frequent networking events across the GCC
• WES listed partnerships

Lincoln University of Business and Management is a trusted regional online education provider in the Middle East. It has been offering students a British business education through specialised online business degrees and diploma courses for over a decade. The institute partners with reputed business schools in the UK to offer accredited courses. Consequently, it offers a BA (Hons) program to ambitious learners in the UAE. The course features a diverse, international mix of students. Thus, learners can build a strong global professional network. Additionally, students are encouraged to study at their own pace. All its courses are taught 100% online and are famed for being customizable. Lastly, it has a strong reputation for 

excellence in student support.

4. Edinburgh Napier University BA Business Management with Finance Top Up

• #1 modern university in Scotland (THE World University Rankings 2025)
• Global networking opportunities
• 11 Bachelor’s degree course options

Edinburgh Napier University has truly embraced online courses. It stands out for the sheer number of distance learning bachelor’s degrees it offers- 11. They range from BA Top Ups to BScs. That also includes speciality degrees in Hospitality, Finance, and Nursing, among others. The school has also gained recognition at the 2025 THE World University Ranking. It earned the first spot amongst modern universities in Scotland. Today we’ll be focusing on the BA Business Management with Finance Top Up degree. As business degrees go, it is highly flexible and supported through exceptional digital resources. This part time course can be paid for on a module by module basis.

5. University of Strathclyde BA (Hons) in Accounting

• Globally ranked UK university  
• 24/7 learning access
• 25th in the world (THE Impact Rankings 2024)
• 4th in the UK (THE Impact Rankings 2024)
• Triple Accredited by AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS

Strathclyde Business School is a part of the University of Strathclyde. The university has garnered admiration for being the only university to feature twice in the THE rankings. It was acknowledged as the UK university of the year for the second time in 2019. Further, it has been ranked 25th globally by the THE Impact Rankings in 2024. These rankings considered the UN Sustainable Development Goal guidelines to rate universities. It offers an online BA (Hons) Accounting degree. This course too, has earned its share of awards. It was ranked #3 in the UK for Accounting & Finance by the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024. Learners who graduate with this account BA (Hons) can easily join the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. It is worth noting that the institute has the rare trifecta: a triple accredition from AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS. Additionally, Strathclyde is famed for its round the clock online learning tools and extreme course flexibility.

6. Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University Bachelor’s of Business in Accounting

• 1st online institution in the UAE to be accredited by MOHESR
• Supported by the International Academy for Quality (IAQ)
• Affiliated with AACSB

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University was the first smart university to earn an MOE accreditation in 2002. Since then, it has offered online undergraduate, graduate and PhD courses. It offers five online bachelor’s degrees to local residents, including the Bachelor of Business in Accounting. A key feature of this digital course is its accreditation by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation. Further, graduates of this course can earn their Chartered Institute of Management Accountants with ease.

7. Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University Bachelor’s of Science in Sustainability and Green Economy 

• 1st online institution in the UAE to be accredited by MOHESR
• Supported by the International Academy for Quality (IAQ)
• Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation

The unique nature of this course warranted Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University’s second mention in the list. The online school’s Bachelor’s of Science in Sustainability and Green Economy is a course crafted with the future in mind. Learners who opt for this can do more than access an online bachelor’s degree. They learn to create sustainable solutions in line with UAE’s goals, like the UAE Green Agenda 2030. Perhaps the main takeaway is that the nation has prioritised sustainability. Thus, graduates will be earning a degree that reflects valuable expertise in an up and coming field. Graduates can expect to secure roles in the specialist sustainability industries with ease!

8. Manipal University BBA

• Ranked #9 among top Management universities in India by Careers 360

Manipal University is a premier educational institute in India. Today, it has expanded across India and has an outpost in Dubai, too. One of its branches is its ‘Manipal Online’ division, which offers students worldwide acess to its courses. These 100% online courses reflect the best of its other divisions. The online BBA program is tuaght by Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ). It offers extensive digital learning content and 7 electives for learners to choose from.   

9. University of London BSc Business Administration (BSc)

• 189 years of educational experience
• QS ranking #477 for Top Universities in the World

A globally recognised federation of universities, the University of London comprises 17 member institutes. It has one of the most diverse student bodies in the world- a stunning 250,000 students from 190 countries. This is in part due to its massive online reach. This particular course is taught by Royal Holloway, University of London. It ranks among the top 500 best universities in the world in 2025, according to QS. There is a unique benefit the course offers students apart from the convenience of distance learning. Learners can choose between a General Business Major or specialise in Human Resource Management. So for those undecided about specifics, but certain they want to study business, this is ideal.

An Alternative Approach: Diplomas

As a business degree provider in the Middle East, LUBM has a commitment to improving lives through education. Thus, we believe that learners should be aware of all their options. While Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular entryway to success, it is not the only way. Today, students have another, more flexible option available to them: diplomas.

Diplomas are short, focused courses that are categorised by subject and into levels. Each level is designed to correlate to standard degrees. For example, a Level 6 Qualifi Diploma in Business Administration is equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours. It offers learners 120 UK credits. After earning it, students can apply directly for a Master’s Degree. Students can pick their diplomas and work their way up to their Master’s degree dissertation, if they want. The added flexibility and cost benefits have enriched many lives.

At LUBM, we partner with two leading UK diploma providers. One of them is Qualifi, from the example above. The other is OTHM. LUBM carries diplomas starting at Level 3 (final year of high school) to Level 7 (leads to the final postgraduate dissertation at a UK university).

Final Thoughts

A Bachelor’s degree is the first step towards a bright career. Graduates can begin to learn industry specific skills and knowledge. They gain experience through internships and prepare to be successful in their careers. Online courses help them bypass geographical and monetary constraints and reach higher. It allows them to access international degrees from their preferred environment of convenience: a home, office, or even a cafe. Additionally, it allows students to overcome limitations of access. Thus, we encourage those ambitious students who are unwilling to compromise on aspiring for the best. This list contains the top 9 online bachelor’s degree programs in Dubai. Good luck!