Seven MBA study destinations in Europe you might not have considered

Beyond the popular study destinations of France, Germany, Italy and the UK, Europe has a lot to offer for the prospective MBA student with top ranked business schools in many other exciting destinations.  

Here are seven more MBA destinations in Europe you might not have considered.

Belgium

Home to Vlerick Business School, ranked 25th in the most recent QS European MBA Rankings, Belgium is nestled between the Netherlands, France, Germany and Luxembourg in Western Europe. Known for its luxury chocolates, waffles and beer, Belgium has a strong reputation for higher education.  

As a multilingual country with three official languages: French, Dutch and German, and most university courses offering courses in English, Belgium is an ideal study location for international students.   

With three campuses in Leuven, Ghent and the capital, Brussels, Vlerick Business School offers Belgium’s highest ranking full-time MBA programme as well as online MBA and executive MBA options. With hands-on learning including workshops, networking, projects and a European study tour, an MBA at Vlerick aims to develop core skills in leadership and entrepreneurship.  

With its strategic location, highly educated workforce and favourable business environment, Belgium has become a hub for many international companies and is a leader in industries including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy. It’s also home to the European Union, NATO and the World Customs Organization.  

Croatia

Croatia boasts a rich history, stunning natural beauty and a booming economy that makes it an ideal location for pursuing an MBA degree. Located in the heart of Mediterranean Europe, Croatia sits along the Adriatic Sea with crystal clear waters and warm temperatures for most of the year. 

In the capital of Zagreb, Austro-Hungarian architecture makes for an interesting contrast to the seaside locations. The city’s historical areas feature medieval buildings including churches, palaces, museums and government buildings popular for tourists.  

Croatia's economy is growing rapidly and the country has a vibrant business environment for entrepreneurs and business professionals. For business students, Zagreb School of Economics and Management offers MBA programmes across seven specialisations including an MBA in accounting, auditing and tax, an MBA in human resource management and an MBA in marketing.  

The school ranks 51-60th in the QS European MBA Rankings and offers a global perspective on business leadership with additional opportunities to study in both Croatia and at partner institutions in France, Taiwan, the Netherlands, China and Japan, for example.  

Denmark 

Consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, Denmark is known for its quality of life that’s reflected in its education and welfare systems, but it’s also a country dedicated to sustainability and innovation.  

In fact, the MBA programme at Copenhagen Business School, ranked 11th in the QS European MBA Rankings, is built around sustainability and innovation – two things that are lived and breathed through Scandinavian culture and business practises.  

Danish companies are more committed to reducing their carbon footprint than Western and Eastern European countries and have adopted sustainable practices across their operations. The MBA at Copenhagen Business School is dedicated to creating future leaders who can implement innovative solutions for sustainable business strategies. There’s even an MBA dedicated to innovation in shipping and logistics.  

Business schools in Denmark offer MBA programmes taught in English, making it an accessible option for international students to immerse themselves in the culture of Danish living while training to become a responsible leader.  

Greece

Greece is best known as a relaxed Mediterranean holiday destination with a hot climate, beautiful cities and beaches, and amazing food. What about studying for an MBA in Greece? With some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe, Greece makes an ideal study destination that gives you both academic rigour and cultural exposure.  

While the economy has struggled in recent years, it is growing again and at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, it’s an accessible place to do business across all regions. Even Coca-Cola and Siemens have offices in Greece.  

As the capital of Greece, Athens is home to two top business schools ranked in the QS European MBA Rankings – Athens University of Economics and Business (ranked joint 33rd) and ALBA Graduate Business School (ranked 61-70th). As a study destination, it’s one of the most affordable countries in Europe for living expenses and tuition fees. 

Athens University of Economics and Business offers multiple MBA options including an International MBA that focuses on entrepreneurship and an international perspective; the Athens MBA in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens; and a full-time MBA which aims to prepare students to lead Greek and international organisations, in collaboration with the Department of Marketing and Communication.  

Ireland

While the UK is one of the most popular study destinations in the world, few consider its smaller neighbour Ireland. Featuring culturally rich cities and stunning countryside, Ireland is beautiful place to study. 

The capital Dublin plays host to two of Europe’s top-ranked business schools – Trinity College Dublin, ranked joint 33rd and UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, ranked 38th in the QS European MBA Rankings.  

Set in a historical campus, Trinity Business School is located in the heart of Dublin. The Trinity MBA provides students with the three consultancy projects working with multinational corporations, small businesses and non-profit organisations. Students also engage in individual and group career coaching throughout their studies. 

At Smurfit, on the outskirts of Dublin’s city centre, students benefit from being a part of the country’s largest university and experience an international programme with 65 percent of the student cohort being international. As a member of the Global Network of Advanced Management (GNAM), Smurfit also offers international study trips, exchanges and action learning through global collaboration.  

Outside of your studies, Ireland makes for an incredible playground with plenty of natural and cultural adventures to be had, from stunning coastlines to arty cities and some of the most traditional pubs you’ll find.   

Monaco

Like Switzerland and France, Monaco is renowned for its hospitality and luxury goods sectors, providing MBA students with an extraordinary opportunity to develop their leadership in these areas.  

Monaco is a microstate on the French Riviera, smaller than its neighbouring French city of Nice, and with a population of around 36,000. It’s the world’s smallest country after the Vatican City and yet it boasts one of the top ranked MBA programmes in the world. 

Ranked 49th in the QS European MBA Rankings, the International University of Monaco gives MBA students an intensive training programme focused in luxury services, wealth management, entrepreneurship and innovation.  

With a crystal clear marina and traditional old town that’s raised up from the rest of the city, students can enjoy a taste of the French Riviera right here, or take a short trip to Nice, Antibes or even Cannes.  

Portugal

In the most southwestern part of Europe, Portugal is a culturally vibrant destination for your MBA studies. Portugal enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, and has the perfect combination of beautiful beaches, lakes and colourful cities. 

Best known for its cuisine, including fresh meat, seafood, wine and world-famous pastel de nata pastries, Portugal is a popular travel destination. For the budding leader, it also offers highly-ranked MBA programmes within the capital of Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto.  

Porto Business School ranks 71-80th in the QS European MBA Rankings and is set in one of Europe's fastest growing technology hubs. With three MBAs including an International MBA, Digital MBA and an Executive MBA, the school caters to all your MBA needs. With the full-time International MBA, students can gain international business exposure at a top business school in the US and choose an additional international track with immersive weeks in China and London.  

In a joint venture between Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics and Nova School of Business and Economics, in partnership with MIT Sloan School of Management, the Lisbon MBA ranks 34th in the QS European MBA Rankings. It’s an accelerated 12-month programme that begins with the foundations of business leadership before an immersive semester at MIT Sloan, live company assignments and elective modules to shape the programme to your goals.  

So that’s seven more exciting European destinations to consider for your MBA studies, each with high-ranking business schools on offer. Find out more about studying in Europe by attending a QS MBA event near you.