Which degree or master’s programmes should you study if you want to work remotely?

Degrees and master’s programmes for remote working: recommended options

Technology has expanded the possibilities for working from home or combining office attendance with remote working days. However, not all professions offer the same remote working options. Roles where tasks are primarily carried out using digital tools tend to be better suited to this way of working.

IT, artificial intelligence, data analysis, cybersecurity, digital marketing and business management are some of the areas that provide access to professions compatible with remote working. This does not mean that studying a particular degree course guarantees the opportunity to work remotely: the arrangement will depend on the role, the company, professional experience and the duties to be performed.

According to the 2025 Survey on Equipment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Households, 14.8 per cent of employed people aged between 16 and 74 had worked remotely during the week prior to the interview. The hybrid model, which combines on-site and remote working, has also become established as a common practice in many organisations.

What should you study to work remotely?

The degree courses and master’s programmes most closely related to remote working tend to be in fields where information, projects and communication can be managed using a computer and collaborative tools.

Among the main options are:

• Computer Engineering.
• Artificial Intelligence and Computing.
• Marketing.
• Business Administration and Management.
• Master’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data.
• Cybersecurity.
• Digital Marketing.
• Project Management.
• Human Resources.

A degree is only part of the preparation. To work remotely, you also need digital skills, autonomy, organisational skills, written communication skills and the ability to collaborate with distributed teams.

The scope for remote working will vary from organisation to organisation. Some of these roles can be carried out entirely remotely, whilst others require attending the office on certain days, meeting with clients or accessing specific facilities and systems.

Degree programmes with more opportunities for remote working

Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering is one of the degree programmes most directly linked to digital professions. It enables students to gain knowledge of programming, software development, systems, databases, networks, technology architecture and IT project management.

Jobs suitable for remote working include:

• Software developer.
• Web programmer.
• App developer.
• Systems engineer.
• Technology consultant.
• Cloud specialist.
• Business analyst.
• Systems administrator.

A significant part of the work is carried out using development environments, cloud platforms and collaboration tools. For this reason, many technology companies allow staff to work remotely or under hybrid working arrangements.

However, some support, infrastructure or security roles may require physical presence to install equipment, access restricted systems or resolve incidents.

If you’re interested in this field, you can find out more about UAX’s online Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering.

Artificial Intelligence and Computing

Artificial intelligence is giving rise to new roles related to algorithm development, automation, machine learning and data processing. Most of these tasks are carried out in digital environments, which makes them well-suited to remote working.

Some of the career paths related to this field include:

• Artificial intelligence engineer.
• Machine learning specialist.
• Data scientist.
• Data analyst.
• Smart solutions developer.
• Automation consultant.
• Natural language processing specialist.
• Data engineer.

These professionals typically work with large volumes of data, programming languages and cloud services. In addition to technical training, they need analytical skills, logical thinking and a commitment to keeping their knowledge up to date.

The online Bachelor’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence and Computing enables you to train in this field and learn about its main business and technological applications.

Marketing

Marketing encompasses areas that can be developed using digital platforms, analytics tools and campaign management systems. This has led to the emergence of distributed teams and agencies working with professionals based in different cities or countries.

Roles suitable for remote working include:

• SEO Specialist.
• SEM Specialist.
• Digital marketing analyst.
• Content Manager.
• Social media manager.
• E-commerce Specialist.
• CRM Technician.
• Marketing automation specialist.
• Digital strategy consultant.

Not all marketing roles are entirely remote. Event organisation, audiovisual production, certain types of market research or coordination with sales teams may require an in-person presence.

The Bachelor’s Degree in Online Marketing provides a broad foundation in strategy, market research, consumer behaviour, communication and digital channels.

Business Administration and Management

The Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management offers cross-disciplinary training applicable to various areas within an organisation. Some of these, such as consultancy, financial analysis, administration, operations or business development, can be carried out entirely or partly remotely.

Related roles include:

• Business consultant.
• Financial analyst.
• Administrative assistant.
• Operations analyst.
• Account Manager.
• Business development specialist.
• Project manager.
• Entrepreneur.

In this case, the possibility of working remotely depends largely on the role. Tasks involving analysis, planning and digital management tend to offer greater flexibility than those requiring an in-person presence, sales visits or direct supervision of facilities.

You can find out more about the online Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management to learn about the skills and career opportunities associated with this course.

Master’s degrees to specialise in professions compatible with remote working

A Master’s degree can help steer a degree programme or career path towards a digital field. Before choosing one, it is important to check the entry requirements and assess how they relate to your previous experience and career goals.

Artificial Intelligence and Big Data

Artificial intelligence and data analysis are applied in fields such as finance, marketing, healthcare, logistics, industry and business management. Specialised professionals can take part in projects developed by international teams and work with infrastructure accessible from different locations.

Some of the typical roles include:

• Designing and training artificial intelligence models.
• Analysing large volumes of data.
• Creating dashboards.
• Identifying patterns and trends.
• Automating processes.
• Build predictive models.
• Turn data into information for decision-making.

UAX offers the Online Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence and the Online Master’s Degree in Big Data for Business , focusing on two related but distinct areas: the development of intelligent solutions and the application of data to business.

Cybersecurity

Digitalisation and remote working have increased the importance of protecting systems, communications and corporate information. This creates opportunities for specialists capable of preventing threats, analysing vulnerabilities and responding to incidents.

Related roles include:

• Cybersecurity analyst.
• Security auditor.
• Technology risk consultant.
• Cloud security specialist.
• Incident analyst.
• Information Security Manager.

Many tasks can be carried out remotely using monitoring systems and secure access. However, certain organisations handle sensitive information or critical infrastructure and may require staff to be present on site or to work from specially protected environments.

The Online Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity allows you to specialise in protecting systems and data against digital risks.

Digital Marketing

Campaign planning, media buying, organic search optimisation, analytics and automation are all managed via digital platforms. For this reason, digital marketing is one of the fields best suited to remote working.

This specialisation opens the door to roles such as:

• Digital Marketing Manager.
• SEO or SEM Specialist.
• Digital Analyst.
• E-commerce Manager.
• Automation Specialist.
• Acquisition Consultant.
• Digital Content Manager.

As well as proficiency in using tools, these roles require the ability to interpret data, coordinate activities with other departments and align campaigns with business objectives.

The Online Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing is designed to develop these strategic, analytical and technical skills.

Project Management

Project managers coordinate resources, deadlines, budgets and teams. Collaborative platforms make it possible to organise much of this work remotely, particularly when those involved are based in different locations.

A project manager may be responsible for:

• Planning phases and tasks.
• Coordinating teams.
• Monitoring timescales and costs.
• Identifying risks.
• Reporting on progress.
• Resolve bottlenecks.
• Ensure objectives are met.

Although these tasks can be carried out remotely, some projects require face-to-face meetings, site visits or direct contact with suppliers and clients.

The Online Master’s Degree in Project Organisation and Management allows you to gain an in-depth understanding of project planning and management in various business environments.

What skills do you need to work remotely?

Entering a profession suited to remote working does not depend solely on technical knowledge. Companies also value the ability to organise oneself, communicate and work independently.

Digital skills

A professional who works remotely must be able to use tools such as:

• Video conferencing platforms.
• Project and task management tools.
• Collaborative documents.
• Cloud storage systems.
• Internal communication channels.
• Profession-specific applications.
• Data protection and secure access systems.

You don’t need to be an expert in all these tools before you start, but you do need to be able to learn and adapt to new platforms easily.

Organisation and autonomy

Working outside the office requires planning tasks, setting priorities and meeting deadlines without constant supervision. It is also important to be able to communicate progress and raise the alarm when a problem arises.

Autonomy does not mean working in isolation. Remote teams need coordination, monitoring and shared criteria to avoid duplication or delays.

Written communication and teamwork

In a remote environment, many conversations take place via email, chat or shared documents. Explaining ideas clearly helps to reduce errors and facilitates collaboration.

It is also important to choose the right channel. Some issues can be resolved with a brief message, whilst others require a meeting or a more detailed explanation.

Time management

Remote working offers flexibility, but it can make it difficult to separate work from personal life. Organising schedules, taking breaks and respecting the right to disconnect help maintain a sustainable work-life balance.

How do you choose the right course if you want to work remotely?

The possibility of working remotely may be a factor in your decision, but it should not be the sole criterion for choosing a course of study.

Before choosing an undergraduate degree or a master’s programme, it is worth considering:

• Your interests and aptitudes.
• The tasks you’d like to carry out.
• Career prospects.
• The sector’s growth prospects.
• Opportunities for specialisation.
• The need to keep your knowledge up to date.
• The sort of companies you could work for.
• The balance between technical, analytical, creative and managerial roles.

You should also bear in mind that company policies may change. The same role might be entirely remote in one company, hybrid in another and on-site in a third.

If you’re looking for a flexible way to study, you can check out UAX’s online degrees and compare their subject areas, curricula and career prospects.

Does studying online prepare you for remote working?

Studying online and working remotely are different situations, but they share some skills. In both cases, it is necessary to organise your time, use digital tools, communicate remotely and maintain consistent engagement without having to attend a physical location every day.

During an online course, students get used to:

• Accessing digital materials.
• Taking part in virtual classes.
• Submitting assignments via a platform.
• Collaborating remotely.
• Clarifying doubts through tutorials.
• Plan your own timetable.

These skills may prove useful later on in a remote professional environment. However, having studied online does not guarantee a remote working role. The working arrangement will depend on the role’s responsibilities, the organisation and the conditions of the post.

Frequently asked questions about training and remote working

Is there a specific degree programme for remote working?

There is no degree course that leads exclusively to remote working. There are, however, degree programmes related to professions that are better suited to remote working, particularly in technology, data, marketing and business management, as we have seen previously.

Which sector offers the most opportunities for remote working?

IT and telecommunications have a high proportion of vacancies offering the option of remote working. There are also opportunities in sales, marketing, consultancy, finance, customer service and administration.

Is it better to study for a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree to work remotely?

Both increase your chances of being able to carry out your future job duties remotely. A bachelor’s degree offers a broad education, preparing you from the outset for a career, which gives you more time to gain experience, whilst a master’s degree allows you to specialise after completing your first degree or building on your previous career path, enabling you to change direction and stand out from the crowd. 

Can all digital jobs be done entirely remotely?

No. Some digital roles can be carried out from any location, but others require you to go to the office, access secure systems, meet with clients or use specific equipment. Furthermore, many companies opt for hybrid models. It depends very much on each company’s internal policy.

Does studying an online degree make it easier to work remotely later on?

It can help you develop independence, organisational skills and proficiency in using digital tools. These skills are useful for remote working, but they do not determine the working arrangements of your future role.

Sources

National Institute of Statistics. Survey on the Equipment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Households 2025:
https://www.ine.es/dyngs/Prensa/TICH2025.htm

National Observatory on Technology and Society. Remote working in Spain:
https://www.ontsi.es/es/publicaciones/el-teletrabajo-en-espana

Eurofound. Regional employment change and the geography of telework in Europe:
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/en/publications/all/regional-employment-change-and-geography-telework-europe