Where are Europe’s Top EMBA Programs?

EMBA programs in Europe constitute 31 of the 100 programs featured in the first-ever edition of the QS Global 100 EMBA Rankings by Region. 

The UK is the base for 40% of programs in Europe’s top 10 EMBA programs, outlined below, with options in Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany taking the remaining six spots.* 

Europe's top-10 EMBA program options

1. Saïd Business School, University of Oxford: Oxford Executive MBA (Oxford, UK)

The Oxford Executive MBA is a part-time, modular degree that can be taken over 21 months. Three themes form the core of the Oxford EMBA program: Strategic leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, and global complexity and risk. Participants also visit China for the ‘Business in Emerging Markets’ module and India for a module entitled the ‘Global Rules of the Game’. The program costs US$92,283, candidates have an average of 14 years’ professional experience and can expect a salary increase of around 45% after completion.

2. London Business School: Executive MBA (London, UK)

Students of this 20-month program can choose to complete their studies in either London or Dubai. A highlight of London Business School's EMBA program (and there are a few) is the ‘Global Business Assignment’, where candidates can take part in mini consulting projects across countries that include China, Dubai, South Africa and Russia. The course costs US$88,810, applicants have around 12 years’ work experience and graduates can expect a 33% salary bump.

3. HEC Paris: Executive MBA (Paris, France)

HEC Paris’s EMBA has five different study tracks, four of which are in France and one in Qatar. This is designed to accommodate students' differing geographic locations and varying work schedules. With international students in mind, HEC Paris also offers an international mobility option allowing for modules to be followed not only in Paris and Doha, but also in China and in ad hoc locations with partnering institutions. Students have an average of 16 years’ experience before starting this course and receive around a 16% salary bump after completion. The course costs US$66,850.

4. IESE Business School, University of Navarra: Global Executive MBA (Barcelona, Spain)

IESE Business School, headquartered in Barcelona, offers a 16-month executive MBA program. Participants can begin their EMBA studies with either an emphasis on Europe or the Americas. There are also residential sessions available in New York, Shanghai, Silicon Valley and Sao Paulo, as well as Barcelona. The program culminates in a four-month, in-company project. The course costs US$108,053, candidates have around 15 years’ professional experience and students can expect a huge 64% salary increase after graduation.

5. IE Business School, IE University: Global Executive MBA (Madrid, Spain)

The Global Executive MBA at IE Business School in Madrid is an intensive, 15-month program aimed at high-level executives whose focus is to manage transnational business. Students of the program spend residential periods in Spain, Singapore, the US and Brazil. The course costs US$75,000, most candidates have about 15 years’ experience and students see a 52% salary increase on average after completion.

6. Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London: Executive MBA (London, UK)

Imperial College Business School in London offers a 23-month EMBA program, with all-day Friday and Saturday classes set as a requirement for the first year only. Students travel to institutions in the US, Europe and China for international residencies. Imperial College Business School prides itself on its strength in entrepreneurship. Tuition fees for the course total US $67,100, most applicants have 13 years’ professional experience and can expect a 49% salary increase after graduation.

7. Warwick Business School, University of Warwick: Executive MBA (Warwick, UK)

Warwick Business School (WBS) recommends that participants complete its executive MBA in around two years, but up to four years is permitted. The school boasts strength in big data and behavioral science, and embeds these subjects into its program. EMBA candidates at WBS can tailor their studies to specialize in finance, healthcare, entrepreneurship or strategic leadership. Fees for this course total US$52,765, students have around nine years of experience and can expect a huge 74% salary increase after completion.

8. IMD: Executive MBA (Lausanne, Switzerland)

Students of the EMBA program at IMD in Switzerland can complete their study in as few as 15 months. The course (as is the case with many leading EMBA programs) blends face-to-face learning with online learning – this means that, at IMD, EMBA candidates need only be away from the office for around nine weeks. The IMD curriculum includes modules in India, China, Brazil, Silicon Valley and at its main campus in Lausanne. Students on this course usually have 16 years of work experience and receive around a 29% salary increase after completion. The course fees total US$101,921.

9. ESCP Europe: Executive MBA

The executive MBA at ESCP Europe catches the eye for the 73% salary increase it reports for its graduates. ESCP is a multi-campus school, a factor which allows EMBA candidates to opt for different geographic tracks, including the 'itinerant study track' in which students rotate between five locations; in Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid and Turin. Fees for this EMBA total US$58,240, students have around 13 years’ experience and graduates can expect a 70% salary increase after completion.

10. SDA Bocconi School of Management: Executive MBA (Milan, Italy)

Milan’s SDA Bocconi School of Management offers prospective EMBAs a flexible 20-month program in both Italian and English, and a Global Executive MBA program which is taught entirely in English. Students usually have around 11 years’ professional experience before starting this EMBA, the course fees total US$40,560 and graduates can expect a salary increase of 36%.

*INSEAD is omitted from the 2017 ranking.

Location listed is main campus.