If you’re deciding which business school to attend, your first resource may be rankings like the Financial Times. After all, rankings can show you which schools have the most intensive research projects, what graduates earn, and how international the schools are. But it’s not just a school you should be researching, but also the destination. So, what are the best countries for business studies in Europe?
To find out, we’ve analysed data from thousands of verified student reviews on EDUopinions. We’ve filtered reviews by business and management programmes (including both bachelor’s and master’s degrees), and ranked countries on their overall rating according to those reviews.
Which country finds itself at the top of the list? Read on to find out.
What are the Best Countries for Business Studies in Europe According to Students?
10. The Netherlands (3.97/5 Rating)
Despite being small, the Netherlands is home to multiple top business schools, including Rotterdam School of Management and Nyenrode Business Universiteit. While studying, students can take advantage of living in cosmopolitan, bustling cities like Rotterdam and Amsterdam, home to thousands of expats who bring global cultures to these quaint destinations.
Reviewers highlight the quality of career prospects after their degrees in the Netherlands – the country scored higher than any other country on this list in the careers category. Considering the high English fluency, the existence of massive Dutch companies (including Heineken and ING), and an attractive work-life culture, there’s no surprise this is one of the best countries to study business.
Student Review
Erasmus University Rotterdam stands out for its exceptional teaching style, led by knowledgeable and engaging professors. Through a combination of interactive lectures, discussions, and hands-on assignments, students gain a deep understanding of their subjects. With a wide network of industry connections, opportunities for real-world experience are endless, making it the ideal place to learn and prepare for future success.
9. germany (4.1/5 rating)
Germany is one of the world’s largest economies, home to multinational companies and multiple top business schools. Known for its affordable tuition and living costs, by studying business in Germany you can get a valuable business degree that grants you access to opportunities in global cities like Frankfurt and Berlin.
EDUopinions student reviewers find the value for money on German business degrees one of the best features of their study experience, which makes sense given that at many universities, international students don’t pay more than €250 per semester for their studies!
Student Review
Frankfurt School provided me with one of the best experiences of my life. I was an Erasmus student for a semester and could learn a lot. I took some mainstream courses like marketing and supply chain management, but also some innovative courses like applied persuasion and event planning. The professors are not only germans but from different parts of the world, mostly with international experience. The student life is great, the FS Bulls are a great community that is definitely worth being a part of. The best part is the campus, newly built with ultra modern architecture located in on the of the best neighbourhoods in Frankfurt am Main. You can find accomodation right next to it, many student residences at a fair price.
8. Italy (4.14/5 rating)
Home of spectacular cuisine, ancient architecture, and beautiful landscapes, Italy may not be your first thought when it comes to a business destination. However, Italy’s economy is currently growing faster than Germany’s, and cities like Milan and Rome have been recognised as emerging startup hotspots. Meanwhile, Turin has also made a name for itself as a top startup destination.
Reviewers of business degrees in Italy gave high (4+) scores to the location of their schools, quality of professors, and value for money. However, the highest-rated aspect of their business studies in Italy was internationality. Given that Italy is home to top-ranked business schools like SDA Bocconi and Politecnico di Milano, it’s no surprise that students from all over the world flock to the country for their studies.
Student Review
The international management master’s program is really interesting. You learn about management from a different perspective. The program is available in both Italian language and English languages, and you have the option to pursue it on campus or online. But trust me the university life experience is worth travelling to Rome. The campus architecture reminds you of the roman background, but the international aspect is really dominant in the university, either within the professors or the students. So you get to meet people from different countries and cultures. As a business school, the program tends to be practical rather than theoretical.
7. Spain (4.15/5 rating)
Why study elsewhere in Europe when you could head to the Mediterranean? Students on business programmes in Spain give high praise to the quality of professors on their degrees and the value for money. Given that Spain is one of the cheapest countries in Europe, the country is a great choice if you want to balance leisure with your studies.
Students are most positive about internationality on their business degree in Spain. At the top-ranked institution IE Business School, 91% of the Master in Management class are international students, with almost 50 nationalities represented in the classroom.
Student Review
My time at ESADE Business School has been beyond remarkable. From the moment of the application process, the staff has been super helpful and responsive on every single email! The faculty are highly engaging, the peers collaborative and the curriculum cutting-edge, encouraging me to push my own boundaries and broaden my understanding of business. With practical learning at its core, ESADE has provided me with crucial skills for success in the real world. Not only is this school an ideal place to develop yourself; it’s also home to so many fantastic opportunities, friendships and growth. If you’re ready for change and want to thrive in the business world then this is definitely the university for you!
6. Ireland (4.15/5 rating)
It might be easy to forget about Ireland, given that it’s not in mainland Europe and is more closely associated with the UK. However, if you’re looking for a destination that is both historic and has a eye towards innovation, then Ireland could be one of the best countries in Europe for your business studies.
In fact, reviewers gave business programmes in Ireland particularly high scores for their career prospects and quality of their professors. At places like University College Dublin you’ll participate in a rigorous academic course while also exploring career opportunities in industries with a strong presence in Dublin like financial services, technology, and professional services – Google, Facebook, and Squarespace all call Dublin home.
Student Review
university with good course content, employment rates and track record was vital. excelled in providing a professional and engaging learning environment, with enthusiastic lecturers actively involved in the industry in which they teach. Highlights also include opportunities to extend skills outside the classroom, which has enabled me to gain additional experience in the field and connect with other experts. highly recommended.
5. Belgium (4.19/5 rating)
Just breaking into the top five best countries for business studies in Europe is Belgium, an impressive achievement for such a small country. However, Belgium has business influence that goes beyond its size; four of its business schools feature in the Financial Times top 90 schools in Europe. With easy links to the rest of Europe and the chance to explore career opportunities in Brussels – headquarters for the EU –Â students in Belgium have lots available to them.
It’s clear that business students in Belgium and there for more than just the career opportunities in Europe and networking opportunities. For example, reviewers praise the value for money of their degrees, as well as the accommodation available for students.
Student Review
I highly recommend KU Leuven as it will provide you with a high-level education at a very affordable price and in a great location. It is an excellent choice for both undergraduate and master programs. The university provides a huge selection of programs and is full of international students, which creates a great environment for self-development.
4. France (4.27/5 rating)
France is one of the most popular destinations for international students in all of Europe. Drawn to the history and career opportunities available in places like Paris or Lyon, student reviews prove that France really is one of the best places to study business in Europe. In fact, France gained higher rankings for the location of business schools and student life than any other country on this list!
It’s no surprise that students enjoy the French way of life and work. The relaxed nature of business practices in the country means there’s a strong work-life balance – something that’s even embedded in law. The country attracts people from all over the world who want to work at French companies like AXA, Renault, or L’Oréal.
Student Review
During my studies in the Digital Marketing & CRM Master’s programme, I shared the classroom with classmates of more than 20 nationalities. This allowed me not only to learn essential topics in the world of marketing and customer service. But also to get to know other points of view. This has allowed me to work as part of a team in a different and innovative way. I would definitely repeat this experience and I would also recommend it to anyone who is looking for a multicultural study place.
3. The United Kingdom (4.28/5 rating)
London is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world for startups and professional businesses. But don’t forget about the rest of the UK – wherever you study, you’re going to find top-quality business schools and a thriving culture of innovation. Manchester and Liverpool rank among the top 10 emerging startup ecosystems in the world, where you can study at institutions like Alliance Manchester Business School.
The UK ranks highest among countries on this list for facilities for business degrees, while reviewers also praise the internationality of programmes and their career prospects after graduating. Notwithstanding the effects of Brexit, the UK is still one of the world’s biggest economies, attracting companies from all over the world. If you want to study in an established business superpower with plenty of culture to keep you occupied on the weekends, the UK could be the destination for you.
Student Review
I personally really like KCL. Other than the incredible people that I met, I have been involved in many sports and other societies from which I learnt a lot and had a lot of fun. From an academic perspective, I think it can be as challenging as students want it to be. There is a lot of material to go beyond the minimum knowledge required to pass the course. From a career perspective I think it is a good place, I lent a lot of interviews and I think the name of the school helped me quite a bit. Although it is not the best name out there (behind 3 other schools in the UK I would say) it is good enough to open many doors. I am a 3rd year now and I really loved my undergrad at King’s, especially for the people that I met, the chance that I had to be involved in a million things and the vibe of the business school that is growing like crazy.
2. Poland (4.41/5 rating)
Poland is a rising star among European student destinations. The country ranked sixth on our ranking of the top countries in the world for students, beating established destinations like Germany and the Netherlands, and now we rank it one of the best countries for business studies in Europe! Poland beat every other country on this list in the category of internationality, proving that students from all around the world are seeing this Central European country as the perfect place for their studies.
However, aside from internationality, students also rank the quality of professors and value for money highly. Poland is one of the cheapest countries in Europe, and Warsaw appeared on our ranking of the most affordable cities. Students also rated the facilities at their universities – so this is an all-round top destination.
Student Review
The University of Warsaw provided me with all the knowledge and resources I needed to achieve my career goals. I was especially impressed by the university’s career development services, which helped me develop my personal skills and connect with professionals in my field.
1. Portugal (4.47/5 rating)
So, here it is: Europe’s best country for business studies. It’s not one of the big 3, UK, Germany or France. It is Portugal, the historic Atlantic nation and has lots going for it: Lisbon is leading the world in remote work and it’s an affordable place to study abroad given its low cost of living. But when it comes to business studies, Portugal can also claim to be a top destination with renowned institutions like Nova School of Business & Economics and Porto Business School.
While Portugal received high ratings across the board, our student reviewers particularly highlighted the value for money in business programmes, the internationality of courses and student life. In quality of professors and career prospects, Portugal beat every other country on this list.
So, if you’re looking for somewhere you can get a top-ranked business degree for a fraction of the cost while enjoying world-class culture and cuisine, then explore a vibrant jobs market when you graduate: Portugal is the place.
Student Review
Loved my experience
Nova is for sure one of the best unis in the world. I was so happy there. The weather in Portugal is so good. Nova combines academics, employability and more importantly is cheap. You pay for your master 13 000 and if you go to an IE which is not nearly as good you pay 4 times more. Go to Nova that’s my advice
Conclusion
Student reviews can be one of the best sources of information for when you’re still deciding where to go for your studies. Since business courses are often more expensive than other subjects, it helps to be sure that you’re studying somewhere that’s actually valuable. All the countries on this list have been highly rated by real students on EDUopinions, and regardless of which destination you choose, you can be confident that you’ll have an enjoyable experience.
Now that you’ve thought about which country you want to study in, check out our ranking of the top universities for international students in Europe.
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