The FT's hidden ranking of second-tier MBAs


Duncan

The FT publishes a ranking of the top 100 full-time MBAs but, of course, it has to consider more than 100 schools to find the best 100. In its European Business Schools ranking, published annually, it ranks the major MBA programmes, including around a dozen or so that didn't get into the top 100, but did have notable numbers of responses from alumni. https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2954/european-business-school-rankings-2023

Many of these are world-class schools whose falling out from the top 100 may be short-term, such as Cranfield (which rejoined the top 100) and Edinburgh (which slipped out of the top 100). Admissions to these schools will generally be much easier after one or two years out of the top 100. 



In the current European ranking, it uses the Global MBAs 2023 ranking's full-time MBA data. The schools that didn't get into the 2023 Global ranking are listed below. Before each school, you'll see the pan-European ranking.

At the bottom of the rankings, the schools are very tightly clustered. Overall ranking could be a better guide to the selectivity and quality of the schools than the small differences between their full-time programme scores in one year.



There are other schools which the FT does not show. Often these are schools with smaller MBAs that stuggle to get the high response numbers needed for its methodology. I think that includes ESMT and Lancaster.



# School
36 Politecnico di Milano School of Management

47 Copenhagen Business School (CBS)

67 University of Edinburgh Business School

77 University of Glasgow: Adam Smith

42 Nyenrode Business Universiteit

62 University of Strathclyde Business School

33 Grenoble Ecole de Management

66 Bologna Business School

53 University of Porto – FEP | PBS 
PS I updated this list after the 2023 European ranking came out at the end of 2023.

[Edited by Duncan on Dec 07, 2023]

The FT publishes a ranking of the top 100 full-time MBAs but, of course, it has to consider more than 100 schools to find the best 100. In its European Business Schools ranking, published annually, it ranks the major MBA programmes, including around a dozen or so that didn't get into the top 100, but did have notable numbers of responses from alumni. https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2954/european-business-school-rankings-2023 <br><br>Many of these are world-class schools whose falling out from the top 100 may be short-term, such as Cranfield (which rejoined the top 100) and Edinburgh (which slipped out of the top 100). Admissions to these schools will generally be much easier after one or two years out of the top 100.&nbsp; <br>
<br>
In the current European ranking, it uses the Global MBAs 2023 ranking's full-time MBA data. The schools that didn't get into the 2023 Global ranking are listed below. Before each school, you'll see the pan-European ranking.<br><br>At the bottom of the rankings, the schools are very tightly clustered. Overall ranking could be a better guide to the selectivity and quality of the schools than the small differences between their full-time programme scores in one year.<br>
<br>
There are other schools which the FT does not show. Often these are schools with smaller MBAs that stuggle to get the high response numbers needed for its methodology. I think that includes ESMT and Lancaster. <br>
<div><br>
# School<br>36 Politecnico di Milano School of Management<br>
</div><div>47 Copenhagen Business School (CBS)<br>
</div><div>67 University of Edinburgh Business School<br>
</div><div>77 University of Glasgow: Adam Smith<br>
</div><div>42 Nyenrode Business Universiteit<br>
</div><div>62 University of Strathclyde Business School<br>
</div><div>33 Grenoble Ecole de Management<br>
</div><div>66 Bologna Business School<br>
</div><div>53 University of Porto – FEP | PBS</div><div>&nbsp; </div><div>
PS I updated this list after the 2023 European ranking came out at the end of 2023. </div>
quote
Larry

Thanks, Duncan, this list is very interesting!

EDHEC did make its way into the Global MBA Ranking this year.

We also see a lot of the schools that have left the main ranking in recent years, like Bath, Copenhagen and Strathclyde, which isn't too surprising.

Thanks, Duncan, this list is very interesting!

EDHEC did make its way into the Global MBA Ranking this year.

We also see a lot of the schools that have left the main ranking in recent years, like Bath, Copenhagen and Strathclyde, which isn't too surprising.
quote
Rayaan100

I am considering Leeds and Bath. Which one is better for an Indian citizen who already has experience in the UK?

I am considering Leeds and Bath. Which one is better for an Indian citizen who already has experience in the UK?
quote
Duncan

It's hard to think that either of these are the best options available. Bath has had higher employment and international mobility: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2018

It's hard to think that either of these are the best options available. Bath has had higher employment and international mobility: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2018
quote
John Snow

It's hard to think that either of these are the best options available. Bath has had higher employment and international mobility: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2018


I got an offer from both Bath and Strath. Both have given me the same amount of scholarships too. From an Indian perspective, which one would you recommend? Ps. I have 5.5 years of work experience in mostly banking and investment banking and have pretty strong extracurriculars. I need to make a decision soon.

[quote]It's hard to think that either of these are the best options available. Bath has had higher employment and international mobility: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2018 [/quote]

I got an offer from both Bath and Strath. Both have given me the same amount of scholarships too. From an Indian perspective, which one would you recommend? Ps. I have 5.5 years of work experience in mostly banking and investment banking and have pretty strong extracurriculars. I need to make a decision soon.
quote
Duncan

What does "From an Indian perspective" mean? Which of the FT ranking criteria are most relevant to your goals, for example? What do the values ofr those schools suggest to you?

What does "From an Indian perspective" mean? Which of the FT ranking criteria are most relevant to your goals, for example? What do the values ofr those schools suggest to you?
quote
John Snow

What does "From an Indian perspective" mean? Which of the FT ranking criteria are most relevant to your goals, for example? What do the values ofr those schools suggest to you?


For me the. most important factor is the career services support during/post MBA. Also would the Value of an MBA brand name in the future. Can you please advice.

[quote]What does "From an Indian perspective" mean? Which of the FT ranking criteria are most relevant to your goals, for example? What do the values ofr those schools suggest to you? [/quote]

For me the. most important factor is the career services support during/post MBA. Also would the Value of an MBA brand name in the future. Can you please advice.
quote
Duncan

I think salary is a strong proxy for careers support and brand value.

I think salary is a strong proxy for careers support and brand value.
quote
Duncan

I've just updated this post with the 2020 data published last month. There's a chart at http://bit.ly/HiddenFTrank 

Three things stand out to me:
- Risers. 
Vlerick, EADA and Frankfurt are well ranked and the first two can be reasonably expected to enter the top 100 with no missteps since they have good salary

- Arbitrage possibilities. There are some schools with high salary that are not effective at gaming the rankings for whatever reasons. Cranfield, Trinity and Strathclyde do very well and it's probable that applications will fall at these schools despite their great outcomes. 

- Possibly over-valued schools. Lancaster, Copenhagen and Nyenrode are more highly ranked than their salaries would suggest. 


I've just updated this post with the 2020 data published last month. There's a chart at http://bit.ly/HiddenFTrank&nbsp;<br><br>Three things stand out to me:<br>- Risers.&nbsp;<br>Vlerick, EADA and Frankfurt are well ranked and the first two can be reasonably expected to enter the top 100 with no missteps since they have good salary<br><br>- Arbitrage possibilities. There are some schools with high salary that are not effective at gaming the rankings for whatever reasons. Cranfield, Trinity and Strathclyde do very well and it's probable that applications will fall at these schools despite their great outcomes.&nbsp;<br><br>- Possibly over-valued schools. Lancaster, Copenhagen and Nyenrode are more highly ranked than their salaries would suggest.&nbsp;<br><br><br>
quote
laurie


- Arbitrage possibilities. There are some schools with high salary that are not effective at gaming the rankings for whatever reasons. Cranfield, Trinity and Strathclyde do very well and it's probable that applications will fall at these schools despite their great outcomes.

Sounds like these could be (very) good values, especially (for Trinity and Strathclyde) considering the locations. 

[quote]<br>- Arbitrage possibilities. There are some schools with high salary that are not effective at gaming the rankings for whatever reasons. Cranfield, Trinity and Strathclyde do very well and it's probable that applications will fall at these schools despite their great outcomes.<br> [/quote]<br>Sounds like these could be (very) good values, especially (for Trinity and Strathclyde) considering the locations.&nbsp;
quote
Duncan

I have updated this post with the 2021 ranking data. I only just noticed that Edinburgh is out of the top 100! Wow. And I was happy to see that EADA, as I predicted, got into the global top 100. 

I have updated this post with the 2021 ranking data. I only just noticed that Edinburgh is out of the top 100! Wow. And I was happy to see that EADA, as I predicted, got into the global top 100.&nbsp;
quote
Duncan

One observation: what this must mean about how well schools understand the rankings and manage their submissions actively. Comparing average salary, a key metric, how does Lancaster at 97k get the top 100 in when Cranfield, whose salary is 20% higher, has not been in the ranking for years. Similarly Strathclyde at 107k versus EMLyon at $91k.

One observation: what this must mean about how well schools understand the rankings and manage their submissions actively. Comparing average salary, a key metric, how does Lancaster at 97k get the top 100 in when Cranfield, whose salary is 20% higher, has not been in the ranking for years. Similarly Strathclyde at 107k versus EMLyon at $91k.
quote
Duncan

PR it's Interesting to see the long-term shift since 2014, when I first made this analysis: https://find-mba.com/board/europe/which-mbas-almost-made-the-ft-top-100-38555 Since 2014

=== Rising ===
Birmingham
EADA
EDHEC
Edinburgh
Liverpool
Politecnico di Milano

=== Sliding ===

HHL
Neoma

=== Big falls ===
Aston
Bradford
Leeds

PR it's Interesting to see the long-term shift since 2014, when I first made this analysis: https://find-mba.com/board/europe/which-mbas-almost-made-the-ft-top-100-38555 Since 2014<br><br>=== Rising ===<br>Birmingham<br>EADA<br>EDHEC<br>Edinburgh<br>Liverpool<br>Politecnico di Milano<br><br>=== Sliding ===<br><br>HHL<br>Neoma<br><br>=== Big falls ===<br>Aston<br>Bradford<br>Leeds
quote

Hello Duncan, 
Please guide me.
I've full time MBA offers from RWTH Aachen University (Germany), Strathclyde, Aston, Newcastle University..... 
I'm torn between RWTH MBA and Strathclyde MBA.... Please shed some light if you may, as to which one is better wrt to getting a job post mba.

Hello Duncan,&nbsp;<br>Please guide me.<br>I've full time MBA offers from RWTH Aachen University (Germany), Strathclyde, Aston, Newcastle University.....&nbsp;<br>I'm torn between RWTH MBA and Strathclyde MBA.... Please shed some light if you may, as to which one is better wrt to getting a job post mba.
quote
Duncan

RWTH if you can work in German already. Strathclyde if you cannot. 

RWTH if you can work in German already. Strathclyde if you cannot.&nbsp;
quote

Hi Duncan 

I am a software engineer with 9years experience and heading towards management roles. I decided to do MBA and got offers from leeds and university of Birmingham.

Can you suggest which school will be better and kindly mention average salaries of both schools.

Thank you

[Edited by Pavankalyanm on Mar 31, 2022]

Hi Duncan&nbsp;<br><br>I am a software engineer with 9years experience and heading towards management roles. I decided to do MBA and got offers from leeds and university of Birmingham.<br><br>Can you suggest which school will be better and kindly mention average salaries of both schools.<br><br>Thank you
quote
Duncan

Take a look at How to use LinkedIn to find the best school www.find-mba.com/board/33571 Obviously "management roles" is not a very specific form of words. Other things being equal, Birmingham is a safer choice because it gets into the FT ranking while Leeds does not. You can google for average salaries as easily as I can. 

Take a look at How to use LinkedIn to find the best school&nbsp;www.find-mba.com/board/33571 Obviously "management roles" is not a very specific form of words. Other things being equal, Birmingham is a safer choice because it gets into the FT ranking while Leeds does not. You can google for average salaries as easily as I can.&nbsp;
quote
abhyshek

Hi Duncan,

Based out of Mumbai, I work in a Global Ed tech firm, and have been a Creative Director with over 9 years of experience. I want to move to Product Marketing/ Growth Marketing role, and therefore am looking at an MBA as a launchpad to have a better grasp at Business. I applied in Strathclyde, Bath, Leeds, Aston, and Edinburgh. I got through at Strathclyde and am waiting for the rest. Not applying to Tier 1 schools as I couldn't take the GMAT, and we're already at the fag end of the application rounds. I want to start in September this year. 
What should I aim at? From what I read in your forums, Strathclyde sounds like a reliable, respectable option.

Hi Duncan,<br><br>Based out of Mumbai, I work in a Global Ed tech firm, and have been a Creative Director with over 9 years of experience. I want to move to Product Marketing/ Growth Marketing role, and therefore am looking at an MBA as a launchpad to have a better grasp at Business. I applied in Strathclyde, Bath, Leeds, Aston, and Edinburgh. I got through at Strathclyde and am waiting for the rest. Not applying to Tier 1 schools as I couldn't take the GMAT, and we're already at the fag end of the application rounds. I want to start in September this year.&nbsp;<br>What should I aim at? From what I read in your forums, Strathclyde sounds like a reliable, respectable option.
quote
StuartHE

What are your goals? To get a better grasp at business, you could start an online MBA now with someone like Amity, Deakin or UoP.  

What are your goals? To get a better grasp at business, you could start an online MBA now with someone like Amity, Deakin or UoP.&nbsp;&nbsp;
quote
abhyshek

I want to live and work in the UK; therefore, an on-campus MBA. I’d like to get into a Product Marketing role. 
Would like an opinion about the aforementioned schools!

[Edited by abhyshek on Apr 24, 2022]

I want to live and work in the UK; therefore, an on-campus MBA. I’d like to get into a Product Marketing role.&nbsp;<br>Would like an opinion about the aforementioned schools!
quote

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