BusinessWeek Unveils Special Report on European B-Schools

According to a BusinessWeek special report on the “hidden gems” among European business schools, MBA class numbers are increasing at top European b-schools as students realize that in a bad economy, return on investment may be the most important criterion for choosing a program. Top b-schools in Europe, include INSEAD, IE, and HEC Paris are receiving an increase in application numbers, applicant quality, applicant diversity, and female candidates.

Smaller schools have also done exceedingly well lately at drawing large number of students to their programs, especially schools that put a strong focus on entrepreneurship, including EM Lyon in France and Vlerick Leuven Gent in Belgium.

In short, schools all over Europe are implementing various innovations to boost their return on investment and to consequently increase their appeal.

A second article in the BW report, “Admission Trends at European B-Schools,” further elaborates on some of the tactics European b-schools are employing to increase program size. Here is a summary of a few of the article’s main points:

A new economy requires people interested in the future of the business world to “reskill”—to learn new skills in new areas to allow for greater job flexibility. B-schools are aware of this trend and are catering more to students who wish to switch careers or “reskill” even within their own fields.
Another trend: the rise of entrepreneurial pursuits over traditional corporate career paths. Cranfield, IESE, Imperial, IE, INSEAD, LBS, RSM, and Manchester, in addition to those entrepreneurially-minded programs listed above, have implemented changes in their programs to cater to this trend.
Another growing trend that European b-schools have a vested interest in is the fact that businesspeople are now seeking socially responsible careers. IE alumni, for example, are seeking career paths in fields such as renewable energies and other “green” industries.
International students are seeking the skills and experience needed for them to return to their home countries (usually developing economies) and set up shop on home ground. This is increasingly true as it becomes harder and harder to acquire a work visa in the U.S.

A third article in the BW series explains that the European b-schools have become increasingly popular as a result of the international drive to go global. As business becomes internationalized, so does business education, and Americans are recognizing that a wider global perspective is available at top European MBA programs like London Business School, INSEAD, IMD, IE, ESADE, and IESE. Also, a strong global presence brings along with strong links to use international employers.

BusinessWeek lists the top 23 European b-schools (unranked):