HEC Paris has surpassed IESE Business School as the best school in Europe to study an executive MBA in the QS EMBA Rankings by Region 2021.

Released today, the QS Global EMBA Rankings 2021 reveal the top executive MBA programmes both globally and regionally, helping you find the perfect EMBA programme for you, wherever in the world you might like to study.

TopMBA caught up with some of the top performers in this year’s European rankings to find out what makes EMBA programmes unique and what sets them apart in the business education sector.

HEC Paris

Andrea Masini, Associate Dean for HEC Paris’ EMBA programme, ranked the best in Europe and the world said: “EMBA programmes are more important than ever. Our participants learn how to test their ability to make decisions under uncertainty, to be adaptable and agile, to be resilient, and to acquire new competences.

“Companies are more in need than ever of people who are able to manage uncertainty and disruption and our EMBA graduates leave with that ability. The EMBA remains a great option for those looking to make a radical career change and/or start their own company.”

HEC Paris offers EMBA candidates five flexible, part-time tracks to fit their professional needs, as well as eight specialisations in nine different locations, allowing them to expand their knowledge and skills within their preferred industry or sector.

Masini says flexibility and a global mindset are crucial components of the programme, as they help shape the leaders of tomorrow.

He said: “HEC Paris EMBA participants are not only taught skills – the programme combines rigorous academic theory with learning by doing, driving students to stretch their limits. Just as in the real world of business, our students develop an approach to problem solving and decision making that they will use throughout their lives, preparing them to go further than they ever thought possible.

“One of the many benefits of the international mobility option is the way it facilitates exchange between classmates from different regions and highly diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Our EMBA program has 250 students representing 50 nationalities. This option transforms an already international Executive MBA programme into one with even greater global scope.”

Masini adds that another key aspect of HEC Paris’ EMBA programme, and one that makes it stand out in the business education field, is executive leadership.

He said: “Executive leadership is embedded across our EMBA curriculum and covered in many of our core courses, and is further developed through custom projects, such as personalised coaching, the Leadership Development Plan and on-going reviews of achievements during the programme.”

IESE Business School

Arve Utseth, Associate Director of International Executive Programs at IESE Business School, says international exposure is the most important feature of the school’s top-ranked Global Executive MBA.

He said: “The Global Executive MBA at IESE is unique in terms of its global exposure and extremely international nature. The blended learning format allows for participants to live anywhere in the world, and therefore we typically have 30 to 35 different countries represented in the class. Also, this 17-month long programme is itinerant through four continents, as the on-campus periods take place in Barcelona, New York, Munich, Silicon Valley, Shanghai and electives additionally are offered in Brazil, Ghana, India, and Southeast Asia.

“IESE also counts with a very internationally diverse faculty body. Thus, the Global Executive MBA guarantees its participants a strong global awareness, since we also complement the academic learning with locally embedded activities in each city, such as company visits, local panel speakers, and social/cultural activities to holistically understand each local setting. We are one of the very few to offer a truly global Executive MBA that is supervised and delivered by one business school only, guaranteeing a seamless and personalised learning journey throughout.”

IESE’s Global Executive MBA is structured around nine two-month modules, each combining part-time at-home studying and full-time on-campus classes. Participants spend a total of 15 weeks together on campus in blocks of intensive two weeks, which Prof. Utseth believes to be a unique networking experience.

He said: “Above all, we look to build a diverse cohort, where everyone can contribute to the learning of the others. It is therefore important that the class is balanced in terms of age, years of management and leadership experience, and previous international exposure.

“We seek candidates who value participative learning, who are generous in terms of sharing their skills and knowledge with others, hard-working and highly motivated, smart and competent, but also excellent human beings who embrace our vision of good leadership and our ESG focus.”

INSEAD

Rachel Maguer, Global Director of Marketing and Recruitment at INSEAD, says the school’s Global EMBA is ideal for professionals looking for a dynamic learning format.

The programme is highly interactive and varied, combining in-depth theory, soft skills development, management challenges, team-based business simulations and a Leadership Development Programme.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the school has implemented a hybrid model for its EMBA programme, combining in-person and online teaching.

Maguer said: “INSEAD was already leveraging technology to deliver some online content and facilitate interactions around the world to bring our community together online. We have really taken this to the next level this year, bringing VR and AR solutions into our teaching environment. We have made significant investments to ensure that our facilities provide an exceptional dual learning experience for those on campus and peers joining from their homes and that online delivery is not just a retransmission of what would have been planned on-campus.”

INSEAD received a perfect score for employer reputation and one of the highest scores for diversity in the European top 10, a reflection of the school’s commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Maguer said: “The INSEAD EMBA programme is named Global and this is what we feel sets it apart from other programmes. Each year we welcome over 200 participants from over 60 nationalities and 60 percent of the executives who join are working outside their home country. This incredibly diverse cohort brings a wealth of experiences and viewpoints into the classroom and results in exceptional peer-to-peer learning.

“We also have class sections in France, Singapore and the UAE, through which students benefit from regional delivery of their core courses, but also have the opportunity to come together as one cohort throughout the programme through online interactions and in-person for electives.”

Warwick Business School

Hossam Zeitoun, Professor of several EMBA courses at WBS, says a successful Executive MBA needs to combine a great learning platform with networking and career development opportunities.

He said: “Our learning platform my.wbs is unique. Designed by our eSolutions team, it provides a virtual classroom for our students where we run lectures, knowledge groups, online case studies and hosts rich interactive learning resources.

“In a competitive job market where many opportunities are hidden, doing an Executive MBA also gives students access to our highly effective careers service. Our CareersPlus department delivers one-to-one coaching, mentoring, career consultations, workshops, negotiation skills training, assertiveness skills, online job interview simulations, CV preparation, recorded and streamed recruiter presentations, as well as lots of networking events.”

The Wharton School’s executive MBA programme reigns supreme yet again as the number one programme in the QS EMBA Rankings by Region 2021: North America.

Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the school received extremely high scores across all ranking indicators – especially for employer reputation, thought leadership and career outcomes.

TopMBA caught up with the executive MBA team at Wharton, to learn about the importance of EMBA programmes today and what makes the school a top provider of executive education.

The importance of EMBA programmes today

Taking that leap in executive education is one way to see participants progress up the career ladder to c-level positions should they wish. But why are EMBA programmes important today?

Wharton’s EMBA team said: “EMBA programmes are more important than ever. Employers are able to retain their employees while they gain new skills and knowledge. EMBA programmes enable employees to earn an MBA without disrupting their career progression or giving up their salary.

“This past year has taught us that we can’t control the world, but we can control how we deal with it. Preparing yourself to be ready to deal with uncertainty and change is a critical skill for leaders who want to make a bigger impact.”

More than just an executive MBA

Students can sometimes find the choice between undertaking an MBA or an EMBA a difficult one. However, executive MBAs are often aimed at professionals who have been in the business world for longer, and hope to move into c-suite positions.

But Wharton’s executive team said Wharton EMBA students earn the full Wharton MBA – making the decision-making process a little easier.

The team said: “The programme mirrors Wharton’s full-time program in terms of the number of credits, classroom hours, and faculty. In no way is it MBA light.

“The Wharton EMBA is one of the most robust and academically rigorous programmes with the largest selection of elective choices.

“Students have opportunities for hands-on experiential learning through week-long courses around the globe, leadership development, independent study projects, and individual career and executive coaching -- everything you would expect to find in a full-time MBA programme and more.” 

Why students choose Wharton’s EMBA

Wharton’s executive MBA team says there are many things that make Wharton’s EMBA program unique, but there are four main takeaways that students often highlight:

1. Campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, and second-year students can take classes on either or both coasts
2. Wharton embraces lifelong learning; EMBA students can return at any point in their career to audit most elective choices at no charge
3. The experience level of Wharton’s cohorts. EMBA students learn from highly experienced peers as well as from the faculty and coursework
4. The residential component and the diversity of Wharton’s cohorts provides a unique and supportive learning environment. Students from a wide range of backgrounds, industries, life experiences, and geographic areas immerse themselves in the programme together every other weekend, sharing different perspectives and creating tight-knit bonds that last for the rest of their lives.  

Changes made over the past year

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down, with the way we live, learn, and work changing forever.

Business schools and universities across the globe had to scramble to create brand-new delivery modules in the new virtual world we found ourselves.

Wharton’s EMBA team said they achieved executing Wharton’s challenging programme while students remained safely at home. by faculty setting up remote studios to emulate the classroom experience.

From professional sound systems and lighting to cameras allowing them to walk around their space similar to a real classroom, faculty at Wharton made the new online mode work.

The executive MBS team said: “For example, tools such as polling and the ability to view all students’ faces on the screen at the same time versus looking only at one section of a live classroom or an individual speaker have proven beneficial.

“Professors held virtual office hours, talks, course reviews, and advising sessions remotely. We will use learnings from this time period moving forward to further enrich students’ classroom experiences.”

Qualities Wharton’s EMBA team look for

Wharton’s EMBA team says the business school expects candidates to be professionally and academically well-rounded.

The team said: “We look to see what each candidate can contribute to a class in terms of experiences and perspectives. This doesn’t mean the same thing for every student in terms of transcripts and resumes.

“Some students may have had challenges in college or lacked access to opportunities and then excelled in their careers. Others may include years of post-graduate studies in their professional experience, coming to the programme with a PhD or medical degree.”

The team says the EMBA programme is an inclusive one, welcoming students from all types of backgrounds, with applications reviewed holistically. The EMBA team added: “The thing all of our students share is that they are smart, yet humble and demonstrate a desire to make a positive difference in the world and the lives of others.”

Wharton’s admissions team says the EMBA cohort is very much a diverse one, with each candidate’s application considered as a matter of uniqueness. The team said: “This includes personal and professional experiences as well as academic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds, among other things. We believe that diversity adds to the learning experience for everyone.”

Released today, the QS Global EMBA Rankings 2021 reveal the top executive MBA programmes both globally and regionally, helping you find the perfect EMBA programme for you, wherever in the world you might like to study.

HEC Paris surpassed The Wharton School this year with the number one Executive MBA programme in the world in the QS Global EMBA Rankings 2021.

Let’s take a look at this year’s top 10 executive MBA programmes in the world in this year’s EMBA rankings 2021.

What makes each programme popular?

Arve Utseth, Associate Director of International Executive Programs at IESE Business School, says international exposure is the most important feature of the school’s top-ranked Global Executive MBA.

He said: “The Global Executive MBA at IESE is unique in terms of its global exposure and extremely international nature. The blended learning format allows for participants to live anywhere in the world, and therefore we typically have 30 to 35 different countries represented in the class. Also, this 17-month long programme is itinerant through four continents, as the on-campus periods take place in Barcelona, New York, Munich, Silicon Valley, Shanghai and electives additionally are offered in Brazil, Ghana, India, and Southeast Asia.

“IESE also counts with a very internationally diverse faculty body. Thus, the Global Executive MBA guarantees its participants a strong global awareness, since we also complement the academic learning with locally embedded activities in each city, such as company visits, local panel speakers, and social/cultural activities to holistically understand each local setting. We are one of the very few to offer a truly global Executive MBA that is supervised and delivered by one business school only, guaranteeing a seamless and personalised learning journey throughout.”

IESE’s Global Executive MBA is structured around nine two-month modules, each combining part-time at-home studying and full-time on-campus classes. Participants spend a total of 15 weeks together on campus in blocks of intensive two weeks, which Prof. Utseth believes to be a unique networking experience.

He said: “Above all, we look to build a diverse cohort, where everyone can contribute to the learning of the others. It is therefore important that the class is balanced in terms of age, years of management and leadership experience, and previous international exposure.

“We seek candidates who value participative learning, who are generous in terms of sharing their skills and knowledge with others, hard-working and highly motivated, smart and competent, but also excellent human beings who embrace our vision of good leadership and our ESG focus.”

INSEAD

Rachel Maguer, Global Director of Marketing and Recruitment at INSEAD, says the school’s Global EMBA is ideal for professionals looking for a dynamic learning format.

The programme is highly interactive and varied, combining in-depth theory, soft skills development, management challenges, team-based business simulations and a Leadership Development Programme.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the school has implemented a hybrid model for its EMBA programme, combining in-person and online teaching.

Maguer said: “INSEAD was already leveraging technology to deliver some online content and facilitate interactions around the world to bring our community together online. We have really taken this to the next level this year, bringing VR and AR solutions into our teaching environment. We have made significant investments to ensure that our facilities provide an exceptional dual learning experience for those on campus and peers joining from their homes and that online delivery is not just a retransmission of what would have been planned on-campus.”

INSEAD received a perfect score for employer reputation and one of the highest scores for diversity in the European top 10, a reflection of the school’s commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Maguer said: “The INSEAD EMBA programme is named Global and this is what we feel sets it apart from other programmes. Each year we welcome over 200 participants from over 60 nationalities and 60 percent of the executives who join are working outside their home country. This incredibly diverse cohort brings a wealth of experiences and viewpoints into the classroom and results in exceptional peer-to-peer learning.

“We also have class sections in France, Singapore and the UAE, through which students benefit from regional delivery of their core courses, but also have the opportunity to come together as one cohort throughout the programme through online interactions and in-person for electives.”

Wharton

As the top EMBA programme in the US and second in the world, there are a number of reasons as to why students choose the prestigious school. But what makes the programme appealing?

According to Wharton’s EMBA team, there are a number of things that make the programme unique – but there are four main takeaways:

1. Campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, and second-year students can take classes on either or both coasts
2. Wharton embraces lifelong learning; EMBA students can return at any point in their career to audit most elective choices at no charge
3. The experience level of Wharton’s cohorts. EMBA students learn from highly experienced peers as well as from the faculty and coursework
4. The residential component and the diversity of Wharton’s cohorts provides a unique and supportive learning environment. Students from a wide range of backgrounds, industries, life experiences, and geographic areas immerse themselves in the programme together every other weekend, sharing different perspectives and creating tight-knit bonds that last for the rest of their lives.  

When asked what sets Wharton’s programme apart from the rest, Wharton’s EMBA team said: “Wharton EMBA students earn the full Wharton MBA. The programme mirrors Wharton’s full-time programme in terms of the number of credits, classroom hours, and faculty.

“In no way is it MBA light. The Wharton EMBA is one of the most robust and academically rigorous programmes with the largest selection of elective choices. Students have opportunities for hands-on experiential learning through week-long courses around the globe, leadership development, independent study projects, and individual career and executive coaching -- everything you would expect to find in a full-time MBA programme and more.” 

MIT Sloan

MIT Executive MBA Faculty Director, Georgia Perakis says the MIT Executive MBA not only connects a distinctive cohort of students with each other but also with distinguished, world-renowned faculty.

She said: “The programme is inherently mid-career focused, with a curriculum designed to highlight the science of management.

“Each of our courses features elements of applied learning, are data-driven, and connected to research all due to the programme being a part of the MIT ecosystem. The learnings will help students develop an edge in their management capabilities and build a network that lasts a lifetime.”

Perakis admits the MIT Executive MBA was the first programme at MIT Sloan to move to a virtual format, pivoting course delivery from in-person to online on the first weekend of the pandemic in March 2020.

She said: “Our faculty and instructors were dedicated to providing the same quality of education students expect and hope to receive from MIT Sloan but also opportunities to network and interact despite being online.

“They were also more accessible than ever, ready to engage through extended office hours and breakout sessions to ensure that students gain a better understanding of the curriculum and are able to continue applying their learnings into their professional career. Faculty also engaged with students virtually in a social way through virtual mocktail hours.”

Sponsored by Lingnan University

Over the past few decades, China’s rise and prominence as an economic and geopolitical powerhouse has influenced and redefined its relationship with other regional powers in East and South East Asia.

But what can we learn from this and can different perspectives give a more comprehensive understanding of China’s dominance in international affairs?

In September 2021, Lingnan University’s School of Graduate Studies will launch a new MA in China and Regional Studies.

“China has a vision for a new world order,” explains Programme Director Professor Yu Kar Ming. “But we would like to get our students thinking ahead about the types of changes that will come about due to the rise, and influence, of China.”

What you will learn

To enrich its analysis of China's engagement with its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as with African nations, the MA in China and Regional Studies offers courses in a range of disciplines, including political science, cultural studies, sociology, economics as well as urban studies.

The programme has been designed to touch upon current issues – both longstanding and new – according to Professor Yu. To provide a deeper understanding of such issues, students will have the opportunity to examine them in-depth in the context of international relations theory and take part in a related simulation exercise.

“Students will play a role – for example, as the UN, the United States or China – to discover how a crisis should be handled,” said Professor Yu.

The programme also introduces students to the cultural differences and similarities between China and other regions. During the programme, students will have the choice to specialise in China and Africa studies, or China and East Asian studies. This underlines the importance of understanding how such cultural principles “influence international relations as well as person-to-person engagements and activities”, explained Associate Programme Director, Dr Padmore A. Amoah.

In this regard, Lingnan University’s ideal location – both physically and culturally – in Hong Kong with its fusion of Eastern and Western traditions and easy access to mainland China, offers unique benefits to students who study there.

How you will learn

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lingnan has introduced a comprehensive hybrid learning system giving students the opportunity to pursue their learning online or on campus. In addition, students have the choice to complete the MA in 12 months or 24 months which offers even greater flexibility when it comes to their learning.

The MA comprises of lecture-based modules and experiential learning opportunities – some of which focus on international academic conferences where scholars are invited to speak about and share their latest research.

When it comes to the students’ own research projects, they will be able to undertake relevant fieldwork and site visits in the Asia-Pacific region to expand their academic horizons and academic development – circumstances permitting. Should international travel not be possible, virtual tours and online alternatives will be arranged.

With a dedicated teaching and learning center to support the programme’s blended learning structure and online teaching delivery, there is also a quality assurance committee in place to oversee and monitor the overall teaching quality, according to Professor Yu.

Graduate with the skills and knowledge to pursue an international career path

Students who graduate with the MA in China and Regional Studies will be equipped with the specialised knowledge to critically analyse China’s global and regional political, economic and technological relations spanning East Asia and Africa.

As a result, the opportunity to pursue an international career path in a range of fields is a real possibility – including the civil service, journalism, public relations, private or public sector organisations including NGOs, education and tourism.

Sponsored by Széchenyi István University

In recent years, Hungary has become an increasingly popular study abroad destination. The small country is not only rich in history, culture and beautiful scenery, but it’s also home to several universities offering top undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

TopUniversities caught up with three international students from China studying at Széchenyi István University – a three-star rated institution in the QS Stars University Rankings – to find out what makes studying in Hungary, and especially in the university town of Győr, so special.

A hub for diversity and culture

While Hungary might not often be recognised for its cultural diversity, it has recently become a vibrant hub for international students from all continents. In fact, since 2013 the number of international students enrolling into programmes at Széchenyi István University has grown substantially – a trend that reflects the country’s commitment to becoming top recruiters of global talent.

Ziyu Zhang is a master’s student studying violin performance. She said: “Széchenyi István University is a wonderful university that fully welcomes and accepts international students.

Shaofeng Guo who studies vehicle engineering, echoes Ziyu’s sentiments.

He said: “The main reason I came to Hungary was because the culture is very attractive. The people are very polite, the Hungarians are open to foreign cultures.”

Great student cities

According to all three international students, one of the biggest perks of studying in Hungary is being able to experience a different culture but also have fun while living in student-friendly cities like Győr.

Guangming Wang also studies vehicle engineering. He said: “The people here are nice and helpful. I haven’t faced any particular problems in my daily life.

Ziyu Zhang agrees: “Studying and living here makes me feel safe and comfortable. I felt the richness and diversity of culture. Hungarians are very friendly and I’ve got to make a lot of Hungarian friends.”

The university’s ideal location in one of the largest green areas of the city on the banks of the world-famous Danube river which flows through the heart of Győr and was the inspiration behind Johan Strauss II’s classical masterpiece, The Blue Danube.

Ziyu Zang says the city’s renowned reputation as the “cradle for maestros such as Franz List and Joseph Joachim” was a major attraction for her to study violin performance here.

“Győr is a beautiful city and the Danube river flowing through it makes it all the more charming and lively. The scenery along the river is magnificent.”

International students can enjoy the green parks and calmness of the campus, and explore the city’s unique architecture, castles, abbeys and museums, the old town and market squares where you can find an array of independent cafes and boutiques.

Shaofeng said: “I think international students are very happy living in Győr as they have a quieter study environment than in other cities.

“Every corner of the city is filled with my idea of a beautiful European city. Whether it is the rivers that run through the city or the modern campuses or the classical squares with their sculptures and historic cathedrals.”

When he’s not studying or exploring the city, Guangming enjoys playing sport and exercising with friends. 

He said: “The student lifestyle is great, we can play basketball with students from different countries, work out in the gym and run along the river.”

High quality, English-taught degree programmes

Széchenyi István University offers 34 English-taught degree programmes at all levels – from vehicle engineering to business and management, computer science, architecture, marketing, instrument performance and much more.

Being able to study in English at an international university which offers high-quality teaching at a more affordable cost was a major attraction for all three students.

Shaofeng said: “The school had the specialisation I was most interested in. They have the Audi School of Automotive Engineering, which is comparable to the German automotive programme. The teachers are very good and the labs are very well equipped.”

Supportive and affordable university environments

Whilst Hungarian universities are known for their variety of degree offerings – many of which are in English, making it easier for non-Hungarian speakers to study locally, what you might not know is that they also provide a highly welcoming, supportive and affordable environment for international students, with low tuition costs and plenty of initiatives to encourage integration within student communities.

At Széchenyi István University, for example, the Student Foreign Affairs Committee has set up a mentor system where international applicants get paired with a mentor who will personally guide them throughout their degree, whether by offering career advice or helping them complete administrative tasks.

Lead image credit: Keszthelyi Timi on Unsplash

The online MBA at GBSB Global Business School has the smallest class size of all the online MBA programmes featured in the QS Online MBA Rankings 2021, with only 32 students enrolled.

Released today, the QS Online MBA Rankings 2021 assess the online MBA offerings of 57 business schools worldwide, demonstrating just how easy it is to earn your MBA remotely.

You can find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings here.

Let’s take a look at the full top 10…

10) Curtin Graduate School of Business

Kicking off our top 10 is Curtin Graduate School of Business’s CGSB MBA.

International students make up just two percent of the programme, with nine nationalities represented. Participants have an average of 14 years’ work experience, with students taking an average of 35 months to complete the programme. Since its inception in 2004, the programme now has 518 graduates.

Students can opt for the generalist MBA or study one of two majors: oil and gas (in partnership with Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University) or leadership.

Tuition equals $37,157.

9) Clarkson University

Clarkson University’s Online MBA boasts the highest proportion of female students in this year’s global ranking with 65 percent. The programme also scored very highly for the class experience indicator.

The Online MBA at Clarkson runs on quarter-based terms that usually start in September, January, March and June. Clarkson's Online MBA consists of 14 3-credit courses (10 core courses and four electives) giving students a balanced educational experience.

Of the 122 students enrolled, nine percent are international with six nationalities represented, and students have an average of 9.5 years work experience.

Established in 2010, students usually take an average of 21 months to complete the programme. Tuition is US$49,308.

There are four award levels associated with the online MBA at Clarkson: Fellowship (at least 15 percent); Dean’s (at least 25 percent); Presidential (at least 40 percent); Trustees (at least 75 percent)

8) Georgia Southern University (Parker)

Students on the online MBA programme at Parker tend to complete the programme in an average of 21 months.

The online curriculum consists of 10 courses/30 credit hours with students completing two courses each semester for five consecutive semesters. A mandatory two-day orientation prior to the first week of classes enhances in Atlanta for US residents to meet fellow students and faculty, and also discover their learning style.

The online programme uses Desire2Learn (D2L) Brightspace as its learning management software (LMS) system. Students can begin classes in either autumn or spring.

Students on the programme have an average of 10 years’ worth of work experience, and women make up 41 percent of the cohort.

Tuition is US$22,170.

7) OBS Business School

OBS Business School’s online Global MBA has a standard duration of 12 months and is the fourth cheapest programme in the world with tuition of US$16,550. OBS was founded in 2006 as the first 100 percent online business school in Spanish.

The programme has a highly diverse class profile, with 40 percent female students, 96 percent international students and 14 years’ average work experience.

6) Kent State University

The online MBA programme at Kent State University is 37 credit hours. Applicants with two or more years of full-time work experience, post-bachelor's degree, will have 1 credit hour (professional development) waived.

Of the 93 students on the online MBA programme, 48 percent of students are female, but only one percent are international with two nationalities represented.

The programme offers five start dates – spring, summer and autumn. Courses are in 8-week modules.

Tuition is US$31,524. A limited number of competitively based $500 academic merit scholarships are available to admitted Online MBA students.

5) Vlerick Business School

This year, Vlerick Business School’s online MBA programme scored a 73.30 for employability – with the programme also scoring highly for the faculty and teaching indicator.

The programme is made up of 12 courses, a practical Knowledge in Action Project and an interactive game.

Vlerick’s online MBA programme has a standard duration of 24 months, but can be shortened to 12 or lengthened to 48 months depending on your needs.

Of the 76 students in the cohort, 40 percent are international and female respectively.

Total fees are €37,500 (approx. US$43,990).

4) Naveen Jindal School of Management

Naveen Jindal School of Management’s Global Leadership MBA – ranked 16th in the overall ranking – scored high for class experience.

The programme lasts 21 months on average. The class profile is diverse compared to other US-based online MBA courses: 43 percent of students are women, while 17 percent are international, but with a smaller cohort, it’s easy to see why.

3) Pacifico Business School

Pacifico’s online MBA only has one start date in May 2021 this year – with classes taking place on Thursday and Friday between 6:30pm and 10:30pm, and Saturday between 9am and 6pm.

Themes on the online MBA programme are: Business Fundamentals; General Management; Strategy; Leadership; Transformation. Pacifico has partnerships with the following headhunters: Highered, Thomas, Michael Page, GENES, DNA Human Capital.

Of the 60 students enrolled on the programme, 34 percent are female, two percent are international (with only one nationality represented) and students have an average of 10 years work experience. Students complete the programme in 26 months on average. Tuition is $18,000.

2) La Trobe Business School

La Trobe’s online MBA programme is built on the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), so you'll gain the skills and knowledge to balance economic and sustainability outcomes.

Sample first year courses include Critical Skills for Success, Managing People and Culture, Sustainable Development for Business; Responsible Leadership. And second year courses include Innovative Strategies for Change, Corporate Governance, and electives.

Students can complete the programme anywhere between nine months and 53 months – with the average being 24 months. Of the 56 students in this year’s cohort, 45 percent are women, two nationalities are represented, and students have an average of 10 years work experience.

Tuition for the programme is $45,003 – and 80 percent of students are completely self-funded.

GBSB Global Business School

GBSB Global Business School’s online MBA programme not only reigns supreme in this top 10 for the smallest cohort – it’s also in joint first place as the shortest online MBA programme in the world – with a study period 10 months.

This year’s cohort is 100 percent international, with 27 nationalities represented, 45 percent women, and an average six years’ work experience.

The course has three annual intakes in September, January and April, and a flexible approach to learning, with classes pre-recorded and available to students at all times.

Tuition for the programme is €15,050 (approx. US$17,919).

The online MBA cohorts at the Kogod School of Business and the University of Memphis’ Fogelman College of Business and Economics have the fewest years of work experience on average among the global 2021 cohorts.

Released today, the QS Online MBA Rankings assess the online MBA offerings of 57 business schools worldwide. You can find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings here.

Read on to find out more about the 10 business schools across the globe that allow MBA candidates with less than seven years of experience in the job market to upskill online.

=9) West Texas A&M University

In joint ninth place for lowest average years’ work experience is the online MBA from West Texas A&M University. Students from the 2021 cohort averaged seven years’ work experience in the job market.

The programme usually takes 24 months to complete, combining electives, specialisations, and remote group activities.

The class profile includes 49 percent female students and 7 percent international students. The course is also the second cheapest among those ranked in the QS Online MBA Rankings, with a total cost of US$9,900.

=9) Chapman Graduate School of Business – FIU

Next we have the third-best online MBA from a US business school: the Professional MBA (PMBA) Online from the Chapman Graduate School of Business at the Florida International University, which scored particularly high for class profile and employability. The 2021 cohort has an average seven years’ work experience.

The course is highly customisable: students can choose from three different pacing tracks (33 months, 21 months and 18 months), five term starts (January, March, May/June, August and October) and eight specialisations. It also includes a two-day in-campus residency, seminars, industry nights, virtual meetings, and business career management opportunities.

Tuition for the entire programme is US$42,000 for both in-state and out-of-state students.

8) University of Florida – Warrington College of Business

In eighth place is the online MBA at UF Warrington College of Business, which takes 21 months to complete and is ranked fourth among programmes provided by US schools.

The programme’s 2021 cohort of 378 students has an average of 6.42 years’ work experience. 37 percent of students identify as female, while four percent are international, accounting for 11 nationalities represented.

Fees are US$58,000.

7) University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Business

In seventh place with a 6.23 average work experience rate is the online MBA from the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Business.

The programme can be taken on campus, online or through a combination of the two. Students can also choose whether to enrol on a full or part-time basis in September or January.

The course includes nine core courses, four Applied Integrated Management (AIM) focus areas and three elective courses and optional concentrations. Out of the 215 students in the 2021 cohort, 42 percent are women. Tuition is US$49,680.

=3) GBSB Global Business School

In joint third place is the fifth-shortest programme in the world – the 10-month online MBA from GBSB Global Business School. The 2021 cohort of 32 students – the smallest in this top 10 – has an average six years’ work experience.

The course has three annual intakes in September, January and April, and a flexible approach to learning, with classes pre-recorded and available to students at all times.

Tuition is US$17,919.

=3) Amity Directorate of Distance & Online Education (EDDOE), Amity University

Next, we have the most affordable programme in the world, the online MBA from Amity University, which boasts high scores for class experience and class profile.

Amity’s online MBA offers systematic and structured PCP (personal contact point), live interactive lectures, virtual recorded sessions, books, and study material received via courier. The average length is 24 months.

This year’s cohort is the largest of all the online MBA programmes available in our global ranking with 28,110 students. It includes 61 nationalities – accounting for 31 percent international students – and 41 percent women. Tuition is US$3,300.

=2) Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland

In joint second place is the online MBA from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, whose cohort of 360 students has an average 5.6 years’ work experience.

The programme – which scored high for class experience – is built in seven phases, which can be enhanced with seminars, networking events and coaching initiatives. The course has an average length of 24 months and is conducted fully live.

Fees are US$88,776.

=2) Sawyer Business School

Next, we have Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University, whose 2021 cohort includes the highest percentage of women on this list: 64 percent.

The programme can be taken part-time and completed in as little as 20 months. It includes 14 to 20 courses – depending on whether students choose to take electives or not – which take place fully online and are enhanced by a series of interactive and collaborative sessions with other candidates and local companies.

Tuition is US$43,668.

=1) University of Memphis – Fogelman College of Business and Economics

In joint first place – with an average of 5.5 years work experience within its cohort – is the online MBA from the University of Memphis.

The programme – which is the 10th cheapest in the world – offers students the opportunity to take all 36 credit hours either synchronously or asynchronously. The course is characterised by small cohorts with high percentages of female students (53 percent).

Fees are US$24,552.

=1) Kogod School of Business

Also reigning supreme in this top 10 is the online MBA from Kogod School of Business at the American University, which scored high for class experience.

The Kogod online MBA has a standard course duration of 24 months, but can also be completed on a 12, 15 or 18-month track. The curriculum features two in-person immersions, 13 core courses and two elective courses.

The programme has the second highest percentage – 51 percent – of female students in the US top 10. Tuition is US$86,976.

The online MBA from Kelley School of Business at Indiana University has been ranked the best in the United States in the QS Online MBA Ranking 2021.

Released today, the QS Online MBA Rankings assess the online MBA offerings of 57 business schools worldwide. You can find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings here.

Read on to find out more about the top 10 US programmes setting the standard for exceptional online MBA provision worldwide.

10) Poole College of Management

Kicking off the top 10 is the online MBA from NC State University Poole College of Management, one of the top programmes in the world for employability.

The course offers an integrated core curriculum with a focus on technology, business processes, and practical applications. Students can choose between a range of electives and specialised concentrations to meet their interests and career needs.

The 2021 class of 394 students has an average of 10.7 years’ work experience and 40 percent of students identify as female.

Tuition is US$46,155.

9) CSU College of Business

Coming in ninth is the 21-month online MBA from Colorado State University College of Business, which scored high for class experience and class profile.

The course has five start dates: August, October, January, March and May. This year’s cohort is the largest in this top 10 with 960 enrolled, with an average 10 years’ work experience. 43 percent of students identify as female, but only one percent are international.

Fees are US$42,615.

8) Kogod School of Business

In eighth position is the online MBA from Kogod School of Business at the American University, which was one of the top overall scorers for class experience.

The Kogod online MBA has a standard course duration of 24 months, but can also be completed on a 12, 15 or 18-month track. The curriculum features two in-person immersions, 13 core courses and two elective courses.

The programme has the second highest percentage – 51 percent – of female students in the US top 10. Tuition is US$86,976.

7) Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland

In seventh place is the online MBA from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business – another top scorer for class experience.

The curriculum is built in seven phases, which can be enhanced with seminars, networking events and coaching initiatives. The programme has an average length of 24 months and is conducted fully live.

Tuition is US$88,776.

6) George Washington University School of Business (GWSB)

Next we have the online MBA from the GW School of Business, which received high scores for class experience and class profile.

This year’s cohort of 355 students includes the highest percentage of female students on the list (alongside the UF Warrington College of Business): 54 percent. International candidates make up 11 percent of the class profile, for a total of 15 nationalities represented.

The programme has three intakes: August, January and May. While all coursework is completed fully online, students can participate in in-person global and experiential opportunities.

Tuition is US$103,635.

5) Naveen Jindal School of Management – UT Dallas

Halfway through the list is the Global Leadership MBA from Naveen Jindal School of Management, which scored high for class experience.

The programme, which lasts 21 months on average, has a small cohort of 75. The class profile is diverse compared to other US-based online MBA courses: 43 percent of students are women, while 17 percent are international.

Online MBA candidates have access to fully live classes, international experiences, and career support.

Fees are US$53,000.

4) University of Florida – Warrington College of Business

In fourth place is the online MBA at UF Warrington College of Business, which takes an average 21 months to complete.

This year’s cohort of 378 students has an average 6.4 years’ work experience. 37 percent of students identify as female, while four percent are international, accounting for 11 nationalities represented.

Tuition is US$58,000.

3) Chapman Graduate School of Business – FIU

Taking home the bronze medal is the Professional MBA (PMBA) Online from the Chapman Graduate School of Business at Florida International University, which scored particularly high for class profile and employability.

The programme is highly customisable: students can choose from three different pacing tracks (33 months, 21 months, and 18 months), five term starts (January, March, May/June, August and October) and eight specialisations. It also includes a two-day in-campus residency, seminars, industry nights, virtual meetings and business career management opportunities.

Tuition for the entire programme is US$42,000 for both in-state and out-of-state students.

2) Marshall School of Business

The second-best online MBA programme offered by an American university is the OMBA at Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, which is ranked eighth best in the world, which also scored particularly high for the class experience indicator.

The programme includes an integrated curriculum that spans across five cross-disciplinary courses, through which students acquire essential knowledge about core subject areas of business such as marketing, finance, management, and entrepreneurship.

34 percent women make up this year’s cohort, which is also the least international on the list, with only three percent international students and three nationalities represented.

Tuition is US$106,596.

1) Kelley School of Business

The online MBA programme offered by Kelley School of Business is this year’s best US-based online MBA. The course scored high for class experience and employability.

The programme was the first online MBA offering from a top school and it’s highly customisable. Students can enrich up to 50 percent of their curriculum with electives and choose from seven major specialisations including Business Analytics, Marketing and Finance. Students can also participate in international experiences, consulting projects, fully live classes and group discussions.

This year’s class profile is made up of 17 percent women and 41 percent international students with an average of 13 years’ work experience.

Tuition is US$74,520.

Which schools offer their online MBA graduates the best chance in the current job market? For yet another year, IE Business School’s online MBA programme earned the top spot for employability.

Released today, the QS Online MBA Rankings 2021 assess the online MBA offerings of 57 business schools worldwide, demonstrating just how easy it is to earn your MBA from the comfort of your home.

One of the indicators included in the ranking is the employability indicator, revealing the top business schools for graduate employability.

By collecting data from QS surveys and schools themselves, the ranking gives a comprehensive outlook about the institutions employers prefer to hire from.

You can find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings here.

10) Alliance Manchester Business School

Kicking off our top 10 for employability with a score of 72.00 is the online MBA programme from Alliance Manchester Business School. The Manchester Global Part-time MBA combines live-taught core courses, electives, applied learning and in-person interaction opportunities.

The cohort is highly diverse, with 80 percent of international students coming from 70 different countries, 30 percent female students, and 12 years’ average work experience. The two-year flexible programme costs £30,000 (approx. US$37,293) or £27,500 (approx. US$34,177) for the accelerated Finance pathway.

9) Poole College of Management

Coming in ninth – and gaining a spot from last year’s rankings – is the online MBA from NC State University Poole College of Management, which improved its score to a 72.80. The 2021 class of 394 students has an average of 10.07 years’ work experience and 40 percent of students identify as female.

The programme offers an integrated core curriculum with a focus on technology, business processes, and practical applications. Students can choose between a range of electives and specialised concentrations to meet their interests and career needs.

Tuition is US$46,155.

8) Chapman Graduate School of Business – FIU

Next is the online MBA from Chapman Graduate School of Business at FIU, which received an employability score of 73.10 and a high score for the class profile indicator. The course has the highest percentage of female students in the top 10: an impressive 54 percent.

The programme is highly customisable: students can choose from three different pacing tracks, five term starts and eight specialisations. It also includes a two-day in-campus residency, seminars, industry nights, virtual meetings, and business career management opportunities.

Tuition for the entire programme is US$42,000 for both in-state and out-of-state students.

7) Vlerick Business School

In seventh place is Vlerick Business School, which scored a 73.30 for employability. Vlerick’s online MBA programme has a standard duration of 26 months, but can either be shortened or extended depending on candidates’ needs.

This year’s class profile includes the smallest cohort on this top 10 list – 76 students – with 40 percent international and female students respectively. The programme is made up of 12 courses, a practical Knowledge in Action Project and an interactive game, and received high scores in the faculty and teaching and employability indicators. Total fees are €37,500 (approx. US$43,990).

6) MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business

In sixth place, losing a spot from the 2020 ranking, is MIP, whose online offering received an employability score of 77.00 out of 100.

The 24-month programme requires applicants to have at least six years of professional experience, with current students having an average of 13 years’. 29 nationalities are represented in the cohort – accounting for 41 percent of international students – and 17 percent of candidates are women.

Fees are €37,000 (approx. US$43,375).

5) Kelley School of Business

Halfway through the list, sliding back two spots from last year’s third position, is Kelley School of Business. Kelley’s online MBA programme scored high for both employability (78.90) and class experience.

The course is highly customisable: students can build up to 50 percent of their curriculum with electives and choose from seven major specialisations including Business Analytics, Marketing and Finance. This year’s class profile is made up of 17 percent women and 41 percent international students, and students have an average of 13 years of work experience under their belt.

Tuition is US$74,520.

4) Warwick Business School

Gaining significant ground from last year’s rankings – jumping from ninth to fourth position – is Warwick Business School. The WBS online MBA received an excellent score of 83.00 for employability.

The programme takes between 12 and 24 months to complete, combining eight required modules, two “Warwick Weeks” on campus, four elective modules and a consultancy project. The cohort is diverse, with 79 percent international students and 33 percent female students.

Fees are £34,150 (approx. US$47,000).

3) AGSM @ UNSW Business School

Kicking off the top three for employability is the only Australian school on the list, which scored 87.30 in the category.

The school’s online MBA includes a compulsory starter course, followed by five core courses, five specialisation courses, and a capstone course within an elective area of study – Change, Social Impact, Technology or Finance. The class profile includes the second-highest percentage of female students in its cohort in the top 10 with38 percent.

Tuition is US$44,588.

2) Imperial College Business School

Earning the employability silver medal for yet another year is Imperial College Business School’s online MBA, which received a near-perfect score of 99.20.

The Global Online MBA cohort is the second-most international on the list, with 85 percent international students and 62 nationalities represented. 36 percent of candidates are women. Most of the teaching during the programme is conducted through The Hub, a virtual learning platform developed by Imperial’s award-winning Edtech lab. Students complete pre-study modules, then attend a five-day compulsory in-person induction week, as well as four core module periods followed by an optional global experience week. The course ends with a capstone business game.

Fees for the 24-month programme are £41,350 (approx. US$56,974).

1) IE Business School

Retaining the top spot with a perfect score of 100 for employability is the world’s number one online MBA programme, the Global Online MBA at IE Business School.

The programme is made up of three core online periods, one Global Immersion Week (locations include Shanghai, Los Angeles and Mumbai), plus three face-to-face weeks in Madrid. Teaching includes working in interactive small groups on real-world and industry-based case studies.

Known for its diverse cohorts, the class profile for IE’s 18-month course is made up of 95 percent international students (up from last year’s 86 percent), 40 percent women (up from last year’s 34 percent), and an average 10 years’ work experience. Tuition is €51,200 (approx. US$60,094).

The online MBA programme at Spain’s IE Business School has been ranked the best in the world - for yet another year - in the QS Online MBA Rankings 2021.

Released today, the QS Online MBA Rankings assess the online MBA offerings of 57 business schools worldwide. You can find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings here.

Read on to find out more about the top 10 programmes setting the standard for exceptional online MBA provision worldwide.

10) Chapman Graduate School of Business – FIU

Kicking off our top 10 – falling down one place from last year’s ranking – is the Professional MBA (PMBA) Online from the Chapman Graduate School of Business at the Florida International University, which scored particularly high for class profile and employability. The course has the highest percentage of female students in the top 10: an impressive 54 percent.

The programme is highly customisable: students can choose from three different pacing tracks (33 months, 21 months and 18 months), five term starts (January, March, May/June, August and October) and eight specialisations. It also includes a two-day in-campus residency, seminars, industry nights, virtual meetings and business career management opportunities.

Tuition for the entire programme is US$42,000 for both in-state and out-of-state students.

9) Vlerick Business School

In ninth place is new-entry Vlerick Business School, the only Belgian school on the list. The school’s online MBA programme – with a standard duration of 26 months – can be shortened to just over a year through a Fast Track option or extended to a maximum of five years if needed.

The programme is made up of 12 courses, a practical Knowledge in Action Project and an interactive game, and received high scores in the faculty and teaching and employability indicators. This year’s class profile includes the smallest cohort on the list – 76 students – with 40 percent international and female students respectively.

Total fees are €37,500 (approx. US$43,990).

8) Marshall School of Business

Retaining the eight position from last year’s ranking is the 21-month online MBA (OMBA) at Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. This year’s cohort is made up of 34 percent women, however, it has the least international cohort on the list, with only three percent international students and three nationalities represented.

The programme includes an integrated curriculum that spans across five cross-disciplinary courses, through which students acquire essential knowledge about core subject areas of business such as marketing, finance, management, and entrepreneurship.

Marshall School of Business’ OMBA scored particularly high for class experience. Total tuition amounts to US$106,596.

7) Kelley School of Business

Next we have the online MBA programme offered by Kelley School of Business, which dropped down a spot from last year’s rankings but still scored high for class experience and employability. This year’s class profile is made up of 17 percent women and 41 percent international students with an average of 13 years’ work experience.

The programme was the first online MBA offering from a top school and it’s highly customisable. Students can enrich up to 50 percent of their curriculum with electives and choose from seven major specialisations including Business Analytics, Marketing and Finance.

Total tuition amounts to US$74,520.

6) MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business

In sixth place is MIP’s online iFlex/Flex EMBA offering, which has a standard duration of 24 months. The programme was among the top scorers for class experience and faculty and teaching.

The course requires applicants to have at least six years of professional experience, with current students having an average of 13 years of industry experience. 29 nationalities are represented in the cohort – accounting for 41 percent of international students – and 17 percent of candidates are women.

The programme costs €37,000 (approx. US$43,375).

5) Alliance Manchester Business School

Gaining two spots from last year is Alliance Manchester Business School, the first of three British schools on the list. The Manchester Global Part-time MBA combines live-taught core courses, electives, applied learning and in-person interaction opportunities.

The two-year flexible programme has tuition fees of £30,000 (approx. US$37,293) or £27,500 (approx. US$34,177) for the accelerated Finance pathway. The cohort is highly diverse, with 80 percent international students coming from 70 different countries, 30 percent female students, and an average of 12 years’ work experience.

4) AGSM @ UNSW Business School

Just missing out on a top three spot is the only Australian school on the list: the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the University of New South Wales Business School.

The school’s MBAX has the second-highest percentage of female students in its cohort within the top 10 at38 percent. It earned high scores across the board, especially for employability and class experience. The programme includes a compulsory starter course, followed by five core courses, five specialisation courses, and a capstone course within an elective the area of study – Change, Social Impact, Technology or Finance.

Tuition costs amount to US$44,588.

3) Warwick Business School

WBS kicks off the top three for the second year in a row, achieving high scores in the employability, class profile and faculty and teaching indicators.

The Distance Learning MBA cohort is diverse, with 14 years’ average work experience, 79 percent international students and 33 percent female students. Fees for the programme are £34,150 (approx. US$47,000).

Warwick’s program takes between one and two years to complete. It combines eight required modules, two “Warwick Weeks” on campus, four elective modules and a consultancy project.

2) Imperial College Business School

In second place once again is the Global Online MBA at Imperial College Business School, which received the second-highest scores in the top 10 for employability and faculty and teaching.

Most of the teaching during the programme is conducted through The Hub, a virtual learning platform developed by Imperial’s award-winning Edtech lab. Students complete pre-study modules, then attend a five-day compulsory in-person induction week, as well as four core module periods followed by an optional global experience week. The course ends with a capstone business game.

The Global Online MBA cohort is the second-most international on the list, with 85 percent international students and 62 nationalities represented. 36 percent of candidates are women. Fees for the 24-month programme are £41,350 (approx. US$56,974).

1) IE Business School

Retaining the top spot for yet another year is IE Business School, whose Global Online MBA programme once again achieved a perfect score for employability, as well as high scores across all other indicators.

Known for its diverse cohorts, the class profile for IE’s 18-month course is made up of 95 percent international students (up from last year’s 86 percent), 40 percent women (up from last year’s 34 percent), and an average 10 years’ work experience.

The programme is made up of three core online periods, one Global Immersion Week (locations include Shanghai, Los Angeles and Mumbai), plus three face-to-face weeks in Madrid. Teaching includes working in interactive small groups on real-world and industry-based case studies. Total fees amount to €51,200 (approx. US$60,094).