Villa College has achieved a remarkable milestone that transforms the landscape of business education in the Maldives. Our Online MBA programme has secured official recognition in the QS Online MBA Rankings 2026, marking the first time a Maldivian institution has appeared in these prestigious global rankings. This achievement positions Villa College among 150 online programmes in the world.
Breaking New Ground in Global Business Education
This accomplishment extends far beyond institutional pride. For professionals across the Maldives and the broader Asia-Pacific region, this ranking validates what our students and graduates have long known: that world-class business education can be accessible, affordable, and deeply relevant to local contexts whilst maintaining international standards of excellence. This achievement places Villa College in the same distinguished listing as prestigious Business Schools.
Leading the World in Class Experience
What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is our exceptional performance in specific ranking indicators. Villa College has ranked number one globally for Class Experience, a testament to our commitment to delivering an unparalleled online learning journey. This top ranking reflects the excellence of our technical support infrastructure, the provision of regular live classes, seamless access to learning applications, opportunities for physical meetings and consultations, and comprehensive availability of course materials. When over 39,000 academics and 36,000 employers contribute to these rankings, achieving the top position in any category represents an extraordinary validation of our educational approach.
Designed for business professionals
Understanding the demands of modern professionals, we have designed our Online MBA to accommodate the realities of working adults who balance careers, family responsibilities, and personal aspirations. The programme features live classes that foster real-time interaction, simulations, interactive group discussions that build collaborative skills, and mobile access to learning platforms that ensure education fits seamlessly into busy schedules. This flexibility does not compromise quality; instead, it enhances the learning experience by allowing students to immediately apply classroom concepts to their professional contexts.
Where Global Standards Meet Local Relevance
The global benchmarking of our programme ensures that Villa College graduates possess qualifications recognised internationally, whilst our deep understanding of regional business contexts means the education remains immediately applicable to local markets. This balance between global standards and local relevance creates unique value for professionals seeking to advance their careers without disconnecting from their regional business networks or sacrificing their current professional responsibilities.
Transforming Lives Through Educational Excellence
For too long, professionals in the Maldives have faced the difficult choice between pursuing international-quality education abroad or settling for programmes that may not meet global standards. Villa College's Online MBA eliminates this compromise, offering education that is globally recognised, locally relevant, and personally transformative. Our mission remains clear: to empower professionals with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to advance their careers and create meaningful impact, helping them to transform their lives with Villa College.
Part of a Larger Story of Impact
This accomplishment is part of a broader story of excellence, as Villa College is the first higher education institution in the Maldives to be featured in the QS World University Ranking through its Online MBA Rankings. Villa College is also first to participate in QS star rating, achieving ‘rated for excellence’, and a five-star rating for Online Learning, Environmental Impact, and Employability. Furthermore, our participation in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 demonstrates our dedication to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. We are proud to have scored above the global average in all assessed goals and to be ranked within the top 25% of institutions worldwide for our contributions to several key areas, including Quality Education, Gender Equality, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and Partnerships for the Goals. Notably, for quality education, Villa College was ranked in top 200 universities in THE Social Impact Ranking 2025.
Our Commitment to the Future
Looking towards the future, Villa College remains committed to continuous improvement and innovation in our Online MBA programme. Our strategic priorities include expanding global partnerships to bring diverse perspectives to our students, enhancing industry relevance to ensure curriculum alignment with evolving business needs, improving employability outcomes through stronger corporate connections, and continuously innovating our online learning delivery methods.
The Road Ahead
The journey to global recognition has been built on the success of our students and the dedication of our faculty. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on our fundamental purpose: transforming lives through education that bridges the gap between global excellence and local impact. This ranking is not our destination but rather a waypoint on our continuing journey towards educational excellence and regional transformation.
For professionals considering their next career move, this ranking provides assurance that choosing Villa College means joining a programme recognised on the global stage, learning from faculty acknowledged for excellence across Asia-Pacific, and earning a qualification valued by employers.
