EMBA programs offered in partnership use multiple global facilities, and have international outlooks and approaches to business woven into their curriculum; two aspects which candidates can’t help but benefit from when they build an international network. Candidates on a joint EMBA program also have the opportunity to experience first-hand how business operates in different regions and cultures around the world, thus broadening their perspective, while at the same time earning a joint degree from some programs’ partnerships.

However, such experience does come at a cost. Candidates on a joint EMBA program must be willing - and able - to do a considerable amount of travelling, and the overall cost of this type of EMBA degree should be carefully weighed up against the return on investment (ROI).

It is also important for candidates considering a jointly-offered Executive MBA to investigate what type of partnership the institutions have, whether the program is offered as a joint degree (and from which institution) or a dual degree, whether all institutions involved are accredited, and what the respective reputations are of the partnership institutions.

As mentioned earlier, the top spots in the 2013 Financial Times Executive MBA business school rankings are held by those programs offered jointly. The top three ranked joint-EMBAs are:

1.    Kellogg-HKUST - This program is tailored primarily to the needs of senior executives in Asia and offers traditional management education with a particular focus on behavior in learning organizations, international management, and managing groups of cooperating firms. The program’s strength lies in its global reach. With a broad international network of partners in North America, Europe and Asia, the program encourages a ‘global classroom’ where students can complete up to two electives at a partner school abroad. Successful Kellogg-HKUST EMBA graduates come away with a joint degree from the US institution at Northwestern University and Hong Kong’s University of Science and Technology Business School (HKUST).

2.    TIEMBA - A collaboration between China’s Tsinghua SEM and France’s renowned INSEAD has the ambitious goal of providing students with a ‘fast track between China and the world’. The TIEMBA focuses on the ever-increasing in significance of China in today’s economy as well as equipping students with the skills and knowledge to be successful in today’s global business environment. TIEMBA students have the opportunity to study on four campuses in Singapore, Beijing, Abu Dhabi and Fontainebleau, France. Upon graduation of the 18-month degree, students are awarded two EMBA degrees – one from each institution.

3.    Columbia & LBS - At rank number three is the Executive MBA partnership between New York’s Columbia Business School and the UK’s London Business School. Bringing together two business school rankings powerhouses, this EMBA program provides an Americas/Europe focus and, in partnership with a third institution – HKU Business School – the EMBA Global Asia. As with other partnership programs, students have a range of options in terms of where to study and are offered a broad and comprehensive global outlook in their business studies.