The must-have MBAs in a post-pandemic era

The MBA is as transformational as ever. With curriculum expanded beyond the traditional courses of finance, accounting and economics, students are rounding out their skills in areas such as innovation, entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence. At the same time, they are emphasising crucial soft skills like teamwork and collaboration,

These will bode well as many companies, straining under the weight of the enduring pandemic, turn to technology for solutions. Companies have accelerated the digitisation of their operations by three to four years, according to the McKinsey Global Survey of executives, and most expect many of these changes to stick for the long haul. 

They will need well-rounded MBA graduates — with their tech know-how, business acumen and managerial expertise — to execute their plans for success in 2022 and beyond. If this is the future you seek, consider starting your MBA journey at these top business schools in Europe:

Porto Business School

With over 30 years of experience in providing executive education and training, Porto Business School – under the world-acclaimed University of Porto – holds many accolades, such as the 66th spot on the 2021 Financial Times ranking of the top 95 European Business Schools and the prestigious AACSB accreditation.

The triple-accredited (AMBA, EFMD and ACCSB) one-year International MBA – with a two-year part-time option – trains students in management, entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Top-notch faculty members deliver this immersive programme that features a strategic blend of industry-relevant topics such as management and innovation.

Students gain international exposure as well, through an Immersion Week at an international partner school (with option for another two experiential weeks in China and Europe), exchange opportunities, business case competitions (Porto Business School has an excellent track record of winning).

The English-taught Executive Master in International Business is a mix of theoretical foundations as well as both hard and soft skills for successful project management. Students can attend Innovation Master Classes taught by national and international lecturers — addressing topics such as Strategy and Innovation, Design Thinking, Leadership, Data Mining or Digital Transformation — and even choose to earn a double degree (Executive Master in International Business by Porto Business School and an MSc from University of Stirling).

The setting for these programmes? Vibrant Porto, voted Best European Destination thrice. Their campus is just as dynamic — it is open 24/7 and features interactive technology models. Porto Business School bears the distinction of being the first Portuguese school to have a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold-certified building as well.

Copenhagen Business School

Copenhagen Business School is one of Europe’s best-ranked schools. Source: Copenhagen Business School, Facebook

Denmark is the second happiest country and has one of the best work-life balances in the world. Throw in long parental leave, paid vacation, bucket list-worthy areas of natural beauty and a highly competitive economy, and you have an excellent base for the Copenhagen MBA.

It’s a Top 20 in Europe (Bloomberg Businessweek Best B-Schools 2021-22) programme, offered by the triple-accredited (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS) Copenhagen Business School.

The school offers a dedicated area to the MBA participants to gather for group work, teaching and socials.

These aren’t the only factors that set the Copenhagen MBA apart from other universities. Sustainability and Responsible Leadership are the red threads of the MBA curriculum, which is based on the famous Scandinavian business model of ethical decision-making, social responsibility and green agenda that has formed many sustainable business practices.

Step beyond campus and this progressive ethos is just as prevalent. Denmark, a pioneer in promoting sustainability, is home to many global market leaders when it comes to making buildings efficient and shipping greener. It also has been recognised as a hotbed of innovation as there are several Clusters of Excellence, where Danish companies and research environments are performing at the top of their fields on a global level.

Between 50-80% of participants from the Copenhagen MBA secure opportunities in Denmark post-MBA with many placing in these Danish companies and research environments where the economic activity is of national importance and highly competitive internationally.

If you seek a fulfilling career where growth and innovation are valued and an MBA journey of quality — personal and academic — learn more about the Copenhagen MBA here.

University of Exeter Business School

University of Exeter Business School has many high rankings for their MBA and subjects. Source: University of Exeter Business School, Facebook

With highly respected teachers, innovative research, and students being the most satisfied in the UK, it is little wonder that the University of Exeter Business School is one of the UK’s leading institutions. The Streatham campus – the university’s biggest site and one of the UK’s most beautiful – features three main buildings, i.e. Building: One, Xfi and Streatham Court where students can access lecture halls, conferences and teaching rooms.

Their programmes consistently rank well. Their Accounting and Finance programme is ranked 10th (The Guardian University Guide) in the nation. Business and Management is 13th overall (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022). Economics ranked 14th (Complete University Guide League Tables 2022).

The Exeter MBA is ranked fourth in Europe (Corporate Knights’ Better World MBA Rankings 2021) and Tier One (CEO Magazine Global and European MBA Rankings 2021). Spanning one year, this triple-accredited (AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB) programme features the latest trends and techniques from various management disciplines. 

Besides core business modules, students can choose elective specialist courses and work on the famed Exeter MBA in-house consultancy project. They can go on study trips and company visits as well.

IE University

IE Business School comes with state-of-the-art facilities. Source: IE Business School, Facebook

At IE University in Spain, you’ll find a business school for the future. With its liquid learning approach, business education here is always one step ahead. Flexible, transformative, and interactive — it’s an educational experience that adapts to the personal needs and professional aspirations of each student.

Unlike the conventional blended learning approach at other business schools, liquid learning at IE takes personalised learning further. The Virtual Reality (VR) Audience Simulator lets students, faculty, and staff hone their public speaking skills in front of a virtual audience. Over at the “WOW Room,” students get to collaborate and interact in a user-friendly environment for online classes and workshops.

On-campus, learning areas are being prepared in line with social distancing and safety protocols — a robot will ensure facilities are frequently cleaned, and there will be heat readers at all entries and exits. Ultimately, IE University is a liquid learning organisation that’s ahead of its time.

Hence why students from across the world enroll in the IE Business School and experience a transformational educational journey that takes their digital and entrepreneurial skills to the industry forefront.

In the words of an alum, “IE University provides a magnificent professional and life experience, enriching your knowledge base, pushing your own limitations outwards and expanding your capabilities through an innovative learning experience.”

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International