Studying at business school can fast-track your career by expanding your international network and providing you with the knowledge base and skill set required to make an impact.
Choosing to pursue a degree at a top business school in Europe can connect you with global employers and place you in the center of some of the world’s most dynamic business hubs. This in turn can significantly increase your earning potential.
Of course, any master’s program requires a substantial investment of time, energy, and money. But for many African students, studying a business master’s in Europe has delivered exceptional returns.
Here, we speak with students and alumni from leading European business schools who share how their master’s experience has provided value for their careers and lives.
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Studying in Europe will build a strong professional foundation
Whether your interests lie in consulting, finance, or marketing – or you plan to launch a business of your own – studying at a business school in Europe can help you develop you the skills and global perspective needed to thrive in your career.
Nigerian professional Chinye-Nwoko Oghenefejiro, who earned her Executive MBA at ESADE Business School, in Barcelona, reflects: “I’ve had many lightbulb moments learning outside my field. I’ve gained tools in management, strategy, innovation, and global markets.”
Since graduating from the program in 2023, she has been able to implement her learnings within her career as an executive within the health and social development sectors. Assuming more strategic responsibilities has allowed Chinye to enhance her ability to make an impact.
“It has helped me build strategy for my organisation and helped me streamline operations, which has made me very efficient,” she adds.
Studying in Europe can transform the way you think about business
Europe is home to many of the world’s largest multinationals, as well as startup and innovation hubs. Across the continent you’ll find areas where opportunities in particular sectors are abundant, such as London where finance prevails; or Paris where students can find opportunities in the luxury sector.
Morenike Kemi Ogunnowo, who studied at Madrid’s IE Business School, credits her MBA with shifting her mindset toward the wealth of different job opportunities available.
“I used to think joining an established company was the only path,” she says. “But my degree opened my eyes to start-ups and innovation.”
Her studies led directly to her next role—at a company that used the same business model she had analyzed in a case study. “I’m grateful I did my master’s when I did. It was a game-changer. The value it delivers goes far beyond borders.”
Studying in Europe prepares you to lead with confidence
Leadership is a cornerstone of the value that studying at business school can bring in helping you progress during your career. It’s also a key focus of teaching across many of Europe’s top business schools, where modules seek to sharpen your strategic thinking abilities and refine your management knowledge.
At London Business School, Alex Mwangi Wambugu has found the leadership modules offered during his MBA program particularly powerful.
“I have really enjoyed the leadership and management courses which have allowed me to critically evaluate what makes individuals and teams tick,” he explains. “They have helped me understand how to build and manage teams—skills that will serve me long into the future.”
By studying in Europe you’ll develop soft skills that set you apart
Beyond technical and strategic skills, the typical business master’s curriculum also hones emotional intelligence, communication and resilience – all skills that are highly valued by employers, even in a world of evolving artificial intelligence and technological innovation.
Business schools weave into the study experience practical opportunities to work alongside classmates during consulting projects and other team-based business simulation exercises. Within the highly international classroom you’ll often find in business schools across Europe, this allows students to refine their soft skills.
“The classes were very interactive, with lots of case studies and I had a diverse group of students that exchanged their experiences,” explains Donald Muchiri Kariuki, from Kenya, who graduated from the MSc in Business at Oslo’s BI Norwegian Business School in 2020.
“Working with classmates from all over the world taught me to approach problems from different perspectives and adapt quickly,” agrees Marianne Keketso Mbatha from South Africa, who chose to study her MBA at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.
“The case method has sharpened my critical thinking and decision-making, and overall, I’ve grown a lot—both personally and professionally—in how I lead, communicate, and collaborate in diverse teams.”
Studying in Europe will improve your career prospects and earning potential
Of course, perhaps one of the most important measurements of the value of business school is the return you’ll see on your investment—both in terms of new roles and financial gain.
Here, the results are tangible. Nigerian student Blessing Ehinomen Ebare saw her MBA at UCD Smurfit unlock new leadership opportunities and fast-track her career. Prior to beginning her MBA program in 2022 she held a role as a compliance officer at Access Bank in Nigeria. Since graduation, she has remained in Ireland and embarked on a new journey, now taking on a role as a senior technology consultant with EY, one of the Big Four accounting and professional services firms.
"The MBA has catalyzed my career advancement, unlocking doors to higher-level opportunities and enabling me to progress along the professional ladder as I had envisioned,” she says.
“The MBA helped facilitate a smooth career transition in a new country, expanding my skill set and professional opportunities. It cultivated a diverse and dynamic network, offering invaluable connections across various industries and cultural backgrounds,” she adds.
So, from career growth and global exposure to personal transformation, African students are seeing powerful returns on their investment in European business education.
For more info about what it's like to study in Europe, the opportunities for personal and professional development, and tips on how to make it a reality, download our BusinessBecause Study In Europe Guide
