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VIDEO: FT Global MBA Rankings | 5 Trends To Spot

This year's Financial Times Global MBA Rankings are out. Here's five trends we spotted

Thu Feb 13 2020

BusinessBecause

The Financial Times Global MBA rankings are out. 

For schools, they’re a measure of how they’re performing against their competitors. For applicants, they’re a good way to distinguish the top schools from each other. 

From skyrocketing schools to continental shifts, in this video we show you five trends you should look out for in 2020’s FT Global MBA rankings.


WATCH THE VIDEO



US schools still dominant

Unsurprisingly, US schools remain the dominant force in the business school rankings. 

51 of the top 100 schools can be found in the US, including the top three schools - Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford. It seems, despite plummeting international applications, the US remains the pinnacle of business school achievement.


Asian schools on the rise 

In a year when nearly two thirds of Asian schools reported an increase in applications, Asian schools continue their rise into the Global MBA top 100. 

From just seven schools in 2010, there are now 18 schools from Asia overall. China alone accounts for nine of those schools, three more than last year. 

Asian schools have particularly stood out in the rankings for graduate salary increase, as high as 216% in some cases, as well as female student representation. But more on that later. 


Big climbers

It was a year to be proud of for some schools, who shot up in the rankings. 

Chinese schools were high performing with three schools joining the top 100, with Renmin coming in at 38th place having not been in last year’s rankings. Renmin also finishes first in the career service rank. 

But 2020’s rankings capped off a great year for HEC Paris, who rose ten places into ninth place overall. This joins their gold medal finishes in the European and Executive MBA rankings. 


CSR rankings

2020 is the second year where the FT has included corporate social responsibility, or CSR, in their methodology. 

It carries a three percent weighting in the overall ranking, and measures the number of teaching hours from core courses dedicated to CSR, ethics, social and environmental issues. 

IESE Business School in Spain finished top, with Darden School of Business at University of Virginia finishing in second.


Female representation

Female representation remains an important aspiration for all MBA programs, in the drive to achieve equal representation and inclusion at business school and beyond. 

The proportion of female students is clearly on the increase. Eleven schools now have at least 50% female students in their MBA class, up from five last year, and zero in 2010. 

Essec topped the list with 68% female students in their MBA class.

It’s also worth celebrating Asian schools on this front. Six out of these eleven schools are found in China and South Korea. 


It’s clear that while rankings may be changing, they remain a strong insight into the way that schools are performing on a variety of different metrics. For MBA applicants, this can be a great tool to make your business school decision a little easier. 

Student Reviews

ESSEC Business School

Student

Verified

5/12/2023

On Campus

The best intercultural university

There are more than 50 nationality in the grade, so there are opportunities to interact with people from all around the world. In terms of academics, the BBA course offers diverse courses for the 1st

Student

Verified

6/04/2022

On Campus

Creativity, adaptability and entrepreneurship

The Master in Management program at the ESSEC Business School allows the students to choose their courses accordingly to their preferences and their professional targets. We can also go through international exchange and take part in internships with companies that are also partners with the school. The school is also next to the city of Paris.

Prithwiraj

Verified

17/11/2021

On Campus

Top business school in France

Doing PhD in essec took some time, to be precise about five years. But the experience was very good and cost effective too. There are opportunities for the student for teaching assistantship and that helps both financially and in career. In the final year I could manage to teach marketing to M1 students and this helped shape my career

Student

Verified

30/10/2021

On Campus

Great college

The program is well suited for early professionals with an engineering degree preferably or a degree in economics. I would suggest taking the ceasure irrespective of the experience level as it helps you take your time to adjust to the job market.

Student

Verified

30/10/2021

Blended

Good school in France

I am currently enrolled in M2 in Essec business school. I am specialising in marketing management. The Grande Ecole programme is valued in France and my school ranks very high up. There are a lot of opportunities for internships and CDD.

Student

Verified

9/02/2020

The program curriculum

BBA program. The program is really practical and useful, provide us many international opportunities. Like internship and humanitarian experience, and the flexibility is also really cool, we can choose different campus and tracks as we want.

Véronique

Verified

11/12/2019

International Course

This school is very international and business oriented. Highly recognized by the companies The campus has been renovated and is very functional and modern from now on. Excellent atmosphere. Reputation of essec is a plus

kevin

Verified

11/11/2019

Friends, Career opportunities.

The program I did gave me the opportunity to start in Singapore. I got the chance to know all the students that started there and we bonded and made some friends for life. The career opportunities that ESSEC also gave me were unbelievable.

Student

Verified

25/09/2019

Practical and useful

I think the best thing about Essec is that it's not focusing on academics rather it emphasizes on future job mindset and professional experiences.. The classes are interesting and we have plenty of workshops attributing to different sectors.. The campus is very nice with a good cafe and wonderful library. The only problem is the location of the campus. It's quite far from Paris.

Kartik

Verified

14/02/2024

On Campus

Amazing experience! Must try

I think its a very amazing school with great and experienced faculty. Also the alumni network is very solid and useful. The school has a great balance of studies and work experience which is really essential for a student.

Ali

Verified

28/05/2024

On Campus

GBBA: Diverse, Enriching, and Career-Boosting

My experience at ESSEC Business School has been outstanding. The Global BBA program offers a rich academic curriculum and diverse learning opportunities. I appreciated the chance to study on different campuses, including an international exchange, which broadened my perspective. The social environment is culturally diverse and vibrant, enhancing both my personal and professional growth. The administration is attentive, constantly offering new academic and student life opportunities. The campus facilities and classrooms are excellent. I highly recommend ESSEC for its excellence, global exposure, and career opportunities.

Maximilien

Verified

5/06/2024

On Campus

ESSEC BS BBA REVIEW

The English track BBA program at ESSEC is simply exceptional. Courses are taught by internationally renowned professors who are experts in their field. The subjects taught cover a wide range of disciplines from marketing to finance, strategy and entrepreneurship. The English track is a major asset because it allows you to develop perfect mastery of professional English, essential in today's globalized business world. Some students love student life at Essec, which is one of the best in France, but it all depends on taste.

Clément

Verified

14/06/2024

On Campus

Great program, incredible school

I love almost everything about this school, from the student life to the academic program and the opportunities it provides. I'm currently at the Paris campus, in Cergy, and I'm really enjoying it. The BBA program is very rich and diversified, you can start with geopolitics and then finance, what I mean is that there's a great balance between the subjects in this program. I was also lucky enough to spend a semester at the Singapore campus, and I loved that experience on the other side of the world. ESSEC is also known for its dynamic and rich student life, with access to several parties a week and the various associations within the school. If I could recommend just one school, it would be this one - I'm 100% satisfied.

Rayane

Verified

21/10/2024

On Campus

Great experience

First of all, what I appreciate the most is the academic environment. The courses are extremely stimulating and are taught by high-level professors, often experts in their field. The diversity of subjects offered, ranging from marketing to finance, including entrepreneurship, allows you to acquire a complete and versatile education. The group projects, although sometimes stressful, are also an opportunity to learn to work in a team, which is essential in the professional world. One area that I feel could be improved is the management of student events. Although many activities are organized, I have noticed that some events can lack organization or communication, which can frustrate those who want to get involved. Better coordination between the different student associations and the administration could really improve the overall experience.

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