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IESE’s MBA ranked no. 1 in the world by The Economist
Educational experience, potential to network and career opportunities for graduates highlighted
The magazine noted the exceptional educational experience at IESE, which is based on close collaboration with diverse classmates and faculty, innovative learning methods and personalized feedback.
January 21, 2021
IESE’s MBA program has been ranked the best MBA program in the world, according to The Economist’s WhichMBA? 2021 Full-Time Ranking.
The Economist’s ranking assesses full-time MBA programs across four broad areas: the creation of new career opportunities, personal development opportunities and educational experience, salary enhancement, and the potential to network. IESE’s position at the top of the list reflects its high scores across all four categories.
In particular, the ranking highlighted the exceptional educational experience that IESE’s MBA offers its participants, which is based on close collaboration with diverse classmates and faculty, innovative learning methods and personalized feedback. It also highlighted the rich opportunities for networking, due to the global reach of IESE’s international alumni network of more than 50,000 executives across the globe.
IESE’s program also scored well for the post-graduate salary of its MBA alumni, and for the new career opportunities that are opened up for graduates after studying an IESE MBA. In fact, 96% of IESE’s MBA Class of 2019 received a job offer within three months of graduation, according to MBA CSEA reporting standards. This reflects the work of the school’s Career Development Center, which organizes numerous activities, resources, support, career forums and fairs throughout the year for students.
“At IESE, our focus is on creating a transformational educational experience for students, one where they get stretched and challenged both in and outside the classroom,” said Marc Badia, IESE’s Associate Dean for MBA programs. “This result is a confirmation of our ability to maintain the highest standards across all aspects of our MBA. It takes a tremendous team effort to make the MBA so transformational for students, and it’s great to see that recognized.”
This is the fourth time that IESE’s MBA has been ranked no. 1 in the world by The Economist. The result also follows a continued strong performance in other international rankings for IESE’s MBA and other programs in recent years, including being ranked no. 1 in the world for a record sixth straight year by the Financial Times for Executive Education.
When IESE launched its full-time MBA program in 1964, it was Europe’s first two-year MBA program. Since its inception, it has continually innovated. Today, the program offers students a unique international experience, with roughly 85% of the class coming from abroad. The curriculum also covers the latest business topics such as AI and big data, and allows students to customize the program further to their needs by earning a concentration in specific topics (such as Data Analytics & Digital Business or Entrepreneurship & Innovation) along with their MBA diploma.
IESE’s full-time MBA is taught in English from the school’s campus in Barcelona, with the option of completing the program in either 15 or 19 months, offering even greater flexibility and choice to participants.
More information on IESE’s latest rankings.
Full information on The Economist’s WhichMBA? 2021 Full-time ranking.
