Financial Times European Business School Ranking 2023: Top Ten

The Financial Times (FT) European Business School Ranking for 2023 highlights the prominence of Europe’s leading institutions in business education. Here are the top ten schools:

  1. HEC Paris
  2. London Business School
  3. IESE Business School
  4. ESCP Business School
  5. SDA Bocconi School of Management
  6. University of St.Gallen
  7. EDHEC Business School
  8. IE Business School
  9. Essec Business School
  10. EMLyon Business School

This article will first look at the significance of the FT ranking and the methodology they use. If you would prefer to read our analysis of the 2023 ranking, feel free to scroll down to the bottom of the article.

What is the Financial Times European Business School Ranking?

The FT European Business School Ranking is an annual list of the top business schools in Europe. This is the 20th edition and contains a total of 90 schools. FT calculates the ranking by rerunning the analysis from their rankings for Global MBA, EMBA, MiM, and Executive Education.

The Financial Times also publishes an Online MBA and Master of Finance ranking, but these are not included in the European Business School Ranking.

What Is the Ranking Methodology?

The European Business School Ranking takes the data already compiled in four of the FT’s program rankings to arrive at the final list. Each program ranking makes up 25% of the total weighting of this list. 

FT removes non-European schools from each program ranking before compiling the ranking. Schools that entered a program ranking but finished outside the listed range are still considered for the European Business School ranking. In the case of joint programs, each school receives a proportional share of the weighting. 

The European Business School Ranking includes data on current salaries and salary increases from other rankings for informational purposes only.

MBA (25%)

The Financial Times Global MBA Ranking accounts for 25% of this ranking.

EMBA (25%)

The Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking accounts for 25% of the European Business School ranking. 

Masters in Management (25%)

The Financial Times Masters in Management (MiM) Ranking accounts for 25% of the European Business School Ranking. 

Executive Education (25%)

The FT Executive Education Ranking accounts for the final 25% of the European Business School Ranking. Custom programs and open-enrolment programs both makeup half of the category. 

Custom programs are commissioned by employers and customized for their employees. Open-enrolment programs are centered around specific topics and are typically targeted at professionals rather than organizations.

Key Takeaways From the 2023 FT European Business School Ranking

First off, all of these schools exemplify the highest standards of education quality, innovative teaching, and career advancement opportunities. This ranking reflects the diverse strengths and specializations of European business education.

Like previous years, HEC Paris and London Business School retained their top two positions, demonstrating consistency in high-quality education. 

IESE Business School, known for instilling an entrepreneurial mindset, saw a significant rise, moving from sixth to third place. Another school on the rise is IE Business Schools. The school climbed two places to the 8th position after being ranked 10th in 2022. Meanwhile, ESMT Berlin dropped out of the top ten, replaced by EMLyon Business School.  

These shifts highlight evolving dynamics within European business education, reflecting changes in offerings, employer recognition, and other performance indicators. 

Notably, France and Spain are best represented in the top 10. Meanwhile, despite their vibrant student communities and international opportunities, Dutch, German, and Belgian schools are not included in the top 10.  

Now you know which schools are on the rise and which ones may have slipped, let’s discuss how to maximize this information for your benefit. 

How To Use the FT Ranking To Find the Best Master’s Program

The 2023 FT European Business School Ranking can guide you in finding the master’s program that aligns with your career goals and academic interests. This ranking illuminates the excellence of Europe’s top business schools, emphasizing their strengths in alumni salary growth, faculty diversity, and program quality. 

Remember, the right program for you goes beyond rankings to match your personal aspirations and professional objectives. 

Do you want to learn more about utilizing rankings to determine a suitable program? Check our guide to business masters rankings.