While Personal MBA coach still strongly believes that a US business school degree will be a strong choice for international students long-term (and is still a strong choice for many now), we understand that given the current political climate, some international applicants may be looking to expand their MBA target list to include top programs outside of the US.
In fact, international MBA programs have been growing in popularity in recent years and Personal MBA Coach successfully supports many applicants applying to European business schools each year.
European business schools may not be talked about as widely as those in the US, but it does not in any way make them less reputable. For instance, as we wrote in February, half of the top 10 business schools in the world, according to The Financial Times, are European. Furthermore, just last year Personal MBA Coach visited INSEAD, HEC Paris, and IESE during the 2024 AIGAC Conference, an annual conference with admissions directors from top business schools. Make sure to check out this blog to find out more about our experience.
So if NOW is the right time for you PERSONALLY to pursue an MBA, instead of letting the political environment and visa concerns hold you back, consider adding an international MBA program to your list.
To help you, this week we have put together a spotlight blog on the top international business schools.
Top 5 Reasons Why You Might Actually Prefer a European Business School
1. Shorter Program Duration
- European MBA programs often last 12 to 18 months, compared to the typical 2-year programs in the USA.
2. Diverse Student Body & Global Outlook
- European business schools (e.g., INSEAD, LBS) are known for having extremely international cohorts—sometimes 90%+ international students.
- The focus is often on global business, making it attractive for those seeking international careers.
3. Cost of Education
- Tuition fees at top European schools can be significantly lower than their American counterparts.
4. Access to European & Emerging Markets
- Studying in Europe provides geographic proximity and better access to hiring networks across the EU, Middle East, and Africa.
- It can be an advantage for those targeting multinational firms or regional hubs like London, Paris, Frankfurt, or Dubai.
5. Less Reliance on Standardized Testing
- European programs often place less emphasis on GMAT/GRE scores than US schools.
- They may also focus more on professional experience and international exposure, rather than just academic metrics.
Now that we have established some of the benefits of pursuing an MBA in Europe, let’s take a deeper dive into the top international programs.
Top international business programs according to The Financial Times
IESE Business School
Part of the University of Navarra, IESE Business School offers 15- and 19-month-long full-time MBA program options. Currently, full-time faculty represent 20 nationalities, so if learning from international perspectives is a priority for you, IESE could be a strong choice.
Furthermore, IESE would be a great option for aspiring entrepreneurs. It has been teaching entrepreneurship as part of its MBA program since 1974. According to their recent employment report, 30% of graduates start their own business within 5 years of graduation.
INSEAD
Personal MBA Coach visited the beautiful Fontainebleau campus last year, and we could probably write a whole blog on that alone. Although it ranked fourth this year, it consistently ranked second in 2023 and 2024 according to The Financial Times, so this school has been historically recognized as a top choice. Furthermore, Poets & Quants ranked INSEAD as the top International MBA program of 2024.
According to INSEAD’s latest career report, 72% graduates changed sector, country, or function, and 19% changed all three dimensions.
INSEAD’s January 2026 Intake is still open, and the deadlines for the August 2026 Intake are also live. Check out this blog for the deadlines and stay tuned for the essay updates. Reach out today if you are interested in applying to join the January 2026 cohort!
SDA Bocconi
Located in Milano, SDA Bocconi offers full-time MBA program duration between 12 and 15 months. SDA Bocconi ranked third for salary increase in the Global MBA Ranking 2024, according to The Financial Times. It also offers an opportunity to study with over 30 partner schools across the world and reports that approximately 30% of applicants receive scholarship money or tuition waivers.
According to their latest career report, 91% of graduates seeking employment found a full-time job within three months of graduation, with the top industries being consulting, financial services and manufacturing/industrial.
London Business School
London Business School regularly reports over 90% international students in each cohort, representing 60-70 countries every year. Aside from ranking in the top 10 according to The Financial Times, its two-year MBA program ranked #1 in the international rankings by Forbes. Although we do not know the deadlines for the upcoming cycle yet, you can check out our last year’s blog to get an idea of what dates to expect and what kind of essays are included in the London Business School MBA application.
