Language Skills Required in Europe and Other MBA News Snippets

It makes sense that as the business world becomes increasingly global in its outlook, so too does the attention paid to the language skills of those working within it. Multinationals need multi-linguists.

MBA employers in the QS 2013/14 Jobs & Salary Trends Report testified to the importance of screening for language skills, (as well as inter-cultural communication skills) in the recruiting process for MBA graduates.

So, it’s not surprise to see the language requirements at leading business schools in Europe highlighted this week in The Guardian. The stance taken is summed up by David Simpson, admissions director for the MBA at London Business School, when he says: “We expect all of our MBAs to be able to do business in another language and understand that country’s cultural subtleties.”

Despite all the following MBA programs being taught in English, you’ll need to prove international language skills in another tongue by the time you graduate – and in some cases before you can even gain admission:

INSEAD: Fluency in English, as well as practical-level ability in a second language is required for entry at INSEAD. Students are then expected to delve into a third language during their program of study to further develop their language skills.

London Business School: MBAs can’t graduate unless they reach a certain level in a second language (limited working proficiency to be precise). To aid in this endeavor, London Business School draws on faculty from the language department at King’s College London.

HEC Paris: Developing French language skills during your MBA study is described as ‘compulsory’ and ‘credit-bearing’ at HEC Paris. In fact, four hours each week is allocated over the course of eight months.