Hi forum,

I’m in the process of choosing between two MBA programs—Kozminski University and the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH). My background is in finance, and I’ve been working in the banking sector for over five years, primarily in risk management. I’m looking to pivot into a more strategic management role, possibly in consulting or corporate finance.

Both schools are, as far as I know, similarly regarded, but I’m particularly interested in the networking opportunities and international exposure they offer. For anyone here who’s attended or considered these programs:

Which program provides better connections to the international business community?
How do the teaching methods compare between the two schools (e.g., case-based learning, internships, etc.)?
Any advice on post-MBA job placements from either university?

Where do you want to work? If you want to work outside Poland, then study outside Poland. The only possible alternative there would be if ESCP's MiM on the Kozminski campus attracted you.

I’m open to working outside Poland, but I’m not ruling out opportunities within the country either. I’ll look into ESCP’s MiM as well—thanks for the suggestion. Do you know how well-regarded it is compared to MBA programs for international career prospects?

In general, are there schools that open more doors internationally than others, or would the standard aim be to work in the country where the school is in? Thanks!

The ESCP MiM is more powerful internationally than a Polish MBA but less powerful than a MBA from a world class school like ESCP.
The norm is to work where you have studied. The few programmes that place internationally are generally working inside the same language families, like Vlerick placing into the Netherlands.

Let me remind that ESCP is not known for their MBA programs. They are just recently ranked on FT. You will need to wait 20-25 years to have an alumni into a top position. It works like this... Just to note as I think this point is crucially important.

That's the same ESCP that the FT ranks number 3 worldwide? https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2950/emba-2023

Stuart I am talking about the fulltime MBA :)

Here's ESCP in the FT full time MBA ranking in 1999. https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/601/global-mba-rankings-1999

ESCP-EAP was one of the first European MBA programmes in 1973.

Thanks Stuart for the further clarification. It's a bit scary sometimes thinking of how a certain MBA in a certain language/country will limit your path virtually forever. But I guess it just goes to emphasise how important it is to have clear goals beforehand. :)

What I was saying Stuart they were among the last for many years :) 99th is not a great ranking imo

I'm not sure what your recommendation is for the other person. Is there a higher ranked school operating in Poland? Being in the top 100 world wide is pretty amazing for a domestic market leader that teaches mostly in a language or than English. Escp and HEC were the highest ranked such schools in the 1999 rankings: the only ones in the top 50. ESCP is now in the top 25 for the full time MBA.