Why Study an MBA in Europe?: TopMBA Mentor

By QS Contributor Updated Jul 19, 2014

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Introduction
MBA research, diversity and teaching at European business schools
Bringing real-life experience to the classroom

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Over the past two decades, leading European business schools have invested heavily to close the gap with top US MBA providers. This is reflected in the high caliber faculty that have been recruited and the networks that have been built with employers, both for research projects and student recruitment

These schools have certainly enjoyed a return on their investment. While there are still fewer European business schools represented in the QS Global 200 (the top 200 business schools in the world according to 3,300 actively hiring MBA employers) than from the US & Canada, the difference – 65 compared to 84 – is not overly substantial. And when it comes to the global recognition of the top 20 or so schools, they are scoring as highly as leading US institutions – irrespective of the country in which the employers are based.

MBA research, diversity and teaching at European business schools

Of course, it’s not just about how similar these schools are, but what makes them unique, in which their strength lies.

One of the key ways in which European business schools are unique is their diversity, both in terms of student body and faculty. Around 77% of the former and 42% of the latter are international. The range of professional backgrounds of students at European schools also tends to be wide.

This diversity is a well-known fact. What is perhaps less celebrated is the strong impact of European business schools in terms of MBA research, from the Black-Scholes model pioneered at London Business School 30 years ago, to the recently-published Global Innovation Index produced by INSEAD along with Cornell University and WIPO. The latter has achieved global recognition as a landmark piece of business research, measuring global innovation output by drawing on multiple data sets, including the QS World University Rankings.

European business schools also stand apart in their approach to teaching and learning. Entrepreneurship as a taught discipline has its origins in Europe, with many schools building on a local tradition of family businesses. These schools lead the way in engendering a global mindset in these small businesses. There is less of focus on technology than there is in the US.

The real-life consulting assignment also has its origins in Europe, and has been well adopted by schools to ensure that classroom experience is practical and applied.

Bringing real-life experience to the classroom

One of the key reasons that European schools are so highly regarded by employers is that they tend to ask for more work experience in their candidates, rather than focusing on test scores. This means that graduates are closer to the finished product, more capable of fitting into a non-MBA business culture.

The greater maturity of MBA cohorts is also advantageous to those within them. It can’t be said enough that you learn as much from your classmates as from your professors. The more experience your classmates possess, the more you can learn from them.

Courses at European business schools tend to be shorter, lasting 10-18 months on average. Therefore, the opportunity cost is lower, which can be a great draw for older, more experienced candidates who may not want to spend two years out of the workforce.

This may not suit all candidates, though. For every argument, there is a counter argument. Perhaps you want to spend longer studying a course with more academic rigor, perhaps you might want to get your qualification earlier in your career. Every candidate should do a self assessment, and your final decision – if you are geographically independent – ultimately, must be based on finding a specific school that meets your requirements and fulfils your needs.

Learn more about European business schools >