Villa College’s Online MBA programme has been recognised in the QS Online MBA Rankings 2026, marking the first time a Maldivian institution has appeared in the global rankings for online business education. The programme is listed among 150 online MBAs worldwide, placing Villa College alongside established international business schools.
The ranking represents a significant moment for higher education in the Maldives, signalling that globally benchmarked business education can be delivered from within the country while remaining accessible to working professionals across the region.
Villa College recorded its strongest performance in the Class Experience indicator, where it was ranked first globally. This measure assesses the quality of the online learning environment, including access to course materials, live classes, technical support, learning platforms, and opportunities for interaction and consultation. The ranking is informed by feedback from tens of thousands of academics and employers worldwide.
The institution also ranked twelfth in the Asia-Pacific region for Faculty and Teaching. This category evaluates academic reputation, faculty to student ratios, and course completion rates. Villa College said the result reflects the strength of its academic staff, many of whom combine teaching with professional experience, allowing course content to be linked closely to real world business challenges.
Designed for working professionals, the Online MBA programme combines live online classes with interactive discussions, simulations, and mobile access to learning tools. Villa College noted that the structure allows students to balance studies with professional and personal commitments while applying learning directly to their workplaces.
The QS recognition also forms part of Villa College’s wider engagement with international benchmarking frameworks. The institution has previously participated in QS Star Ratings, receiving a five-star rating in areas including Online Learning, Environmental Impact, and Employability. Villa College has also been included in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, where it scored above the global average across all assessed Sustainable Development Goals and ranked within the top 25 percent globally for several categories, including Quality Education and Gender Equality.
According to Villa College, the QS Online MBA ranking supports its long-term objective of offering internationally recognised qualifications that remain relevant to local and regional business contexts. The institution said it plans to continue strengthening global partnerships, industry alignment, and employability outcomes as part of further development of the programme.
