A business school education is getting more desirable by the day. More than 250,389 students were enrolled in an MBA programme worldwide over the 2020-21 period, a sharp rise from five years prior. This figure is only expected to increase over the coming decade.
What, then, is driving this want for a business school education? For one, they teach invaluable skills that are essential to the future of work. This includes everything from the technical analysis of data to the management and leadership skills necessary to run a business. More often than not, however, the true value of business school lies in the many opportunities to network with like-minded and ambitious individuals.
Most future changemakers will be found in the top global institutions. The reasons behind this are simple: the best business schools are known for their rigour and effectiveness in producing strategic, confident and capable leaders. Companies take note of this too; it’s why they offer higher starting salaries and more leadership positions to graduates from these institutions.
Here are three of the most renowned business schools worldwide that’ll turbocharge your career:
HEC Paris
HEC Paris is the #1 European business school in 2022 for its unique and complete range of programs, all of which aim at training socially-conscious future business leaders. This has attracted over 4,500 students representing 111 nationalities — bringing the most talented from highly diverse professional and cultural backgrounds to its 340-acre wooded campus close to Paris and Versailles.
Many join the highly successful Master in Management. Ranked #2 worldwide by the Financial Times, this 18-month program prepares students for a successful international career in business. The program is designed to help them develop management expertise and equip them with the skills necessary to become an outstanding leader in the business world.
Students can tailor their master’s program to suit their career goals. They have the choice between hundreds of electives and 20 specialisations in key sectors, including finance, sustainability strategy, marketing and more. In between classes, they can also take part in real-life cases studies — a result of a one-of-a-kind dual-phase curriculum.
Opportunities for global exposure are in abundance as well; the master’s itself hosts 250 students representing 56 nationalities. For those looking to broaden their horizons, HEC Paris has partnerships with many world-leading universities around the world, making for 20 exciting Master Exchange programs. There’s the chance to take an optional gap year, aimed at students who want to complete a personal or professional project that will bring them closer to their career goals.
An exceptional HEC Talents Career Center is available to support students in finding the best future pathways for themselves. At the moment, over 25,000 internships and permanent positions are on offer to HEC Paris students, with 99% employed within three months of graduation. Once they complete their program, they join a powerful alumni network of over 70,000 alumni. In essence, HEC Paris graduates are primed for success — and are unafraid to make their mark on the world.
Learn more about the Master in Management program at HEC Paris
London Business School
Located in Regent’s Park, London Business School (LBS) is located in the very heart of the UK’s capital. Here, students can pursue a range of programmes relating to business, including MSc, MBA and EMBAs across accounting, economics, finance, management science and operations, marketing, organisational behaviour, strategy, and entrepreneurship.
Academic expertise is at the forefront of learning at LBS. In fact, it has an MBA and Master’s in Management programme that have both been ranked first by highly respected publications worldwide. They’re taught on campuses that place emphasis on diversity and inclusivity, making for an environment that encourages networking and connection.
“Before LBS, a ‘network’ was just a buzzword — but I soon learned that the people you connect with are those who drive you forwards,” says MIM graduate Claudia Broggi.
More than that, graduates from these programmes are proven to be consistently valued by employers worldwide. For example, 94% of LBS management graduates secured a job offer within three months of graduation, with a starting salary of US$58,223 on average. It’s truly a stepping stone to success — now, and in the future.
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
When it comes to education for the most seasoned of executives, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business leads the way. It has done so for over a century, with its suite of executive education programmes that fuse intellectual stimulation, great teaching, and cutting-edge research.
These programmes — that offer the latest business knowledge and theory with practical real-world applications — are just what executives need to navigate the new world order. The Full-Time, Part-Time and Executive MBA programmes, for example, are renowned for empowering students to think boldly and make an impact.
The best part? Each programme is tailored to meet specific professional goals — allowing students to pick according to their interests, aspirations and experience.
Global exposure is part of the experience. Chicago Booth has three world-class campuses in Chicago, London and Hong Kong — each of which houses exceptional faculty who are leaders in their fields. Throw in a vast network of over 54,000 alumni across every corner of the globe and it makes for a business education worth investing in — and one that will generate value for years to come.