Ever thought about studying in Greece? Between the sunny weather, incredible history, and breathtaking coastline, you could also get a top business school degree – like these students who study at Alba Graduate Business School.
Located in the heart of Athens, Alba Graduate Business School is home to over 500 students. Offering specialised Master’s degrees as well as an MBA programme, Alba Graduate Business School combines traditional business school rigour (the school is a part of the American College of Greece and accredited by AMBA and EFMD) with the unique experience of studying in a historic country at the border between the Middle East and Europe.
Want to find out why students are choosing Alba Graduate Business School for their business degrees? Just take a look at EDUopinions’ verified student reviews.
Alba Graduate Business School has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5, with almost 100 reviews from current and former students. We’ve analysed these reviews to find out students’ highlights of studying at Alba Graduate Business School – and included their reviews in this article!
Why Study at Alba Graduate Business School
Our five reasons to study at Alba Graduate Business School have come directly from EDUopinions student reviews. All our reviews are verified and come from real students or graduates of schools across Europe.
So, let’s hear what students say about studying at Alba.
1. High-Quality teaching and faculty
One of the top things that students mention about their experience at Alba Graduate Business School is the quality of the teaching. Faculty members at Alba have studied and taught at top business schools around the world including INSEAD, Duke Fuqua School of Business, and ESSEC Business School.
Alba’s resident professors also regularly publish research in high-calibre academic journals such as the Journal of Finance, Management Science, and Review of Financial Studies. Additionally, the school is host to a number of visiting professors from international universities – so you may find yourself in a classroom with a professor from Harvard Business School or London Business School.
The MBA programme at Alba Graduate Business School is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and incorporates faculty’s real-life experiences in the business world. So, students get to learn from real examples from business, with insights from top-class professors.
Student Review
Excellent, distinguished professors are coming to Athens for the program therefore there are focused to the students and there is great interaction, a lot of awards in international contest ie best business plan etc competing with top global
Universities.
2. Lower tuition costs
It costs far less money to study in Greece than other countries in Europe, and this means that you can start to capitalise on your learning almost immediately after graduating. Greece is considered one of the cheapest countries in the world for international students, where you can get by on just €450-€750 per month.
Tuition fees to study at Alba Graduate Business School are also lower than at other business schools in Europe. For example, Alba’s full-time MBA programme costs €19,750 – compare this to the average cost of tuition at a top MBA in Europe, which is $107,127 (€98,590), five times as much. Factoring in the lower cost of living, your one-year business school experience here will cost far less than in other destinations.
Student Review
Alba is good value for money when compared to other MBA schools in Europe and their programs are indeed run entirely in English. However, I do feel the ‘Business Unusual’ is just clever marketing as it’s a traditional business school with a few ‘unusual courses’ thrown in which turned out to be disappointing. As with many schools, they have a few great, many decent and a few terrible lecturers. What makes it frustrating is that despite course evaluations, nothing really changes and it does not seem feedback from students is valued at all. The academic office is also very rigid and not very flexible to student needs. It’s a very formal and distant relationship. You never really feel a part of Alba. The career office services is targeted mainly for junior professionals though they run many useful workshops. Overall, it’s not a bad choice but it’s wise to talk to people and shop around to ensure you get what you’re looking for in an MBA.
3. Student Life in Athens
Of course, a study experience isn’t just about your course – it’s also about the life that happens outside of the classroom. When you study at Alba Graduate Business School, you’ll live and learn in Athens, one of the most vibrant capital cities in Europe.
Alongside getting to discover Greek cuisine (Keftedes? Dolmades?) and a more relaxed way of life, you’ll also be able to explore some of the city’s cultural gems. These include archaeological sites such as the Acropolis and the Parthenon, plus museums like the Acropolis Museum and the National Archeological Museum. Students of Alba say that the opportunities outside of the business school classroom are an obvious highlight of studying at this particular school!
Student Review
The courses available and the method of delivery is really amazing. I love how the lecturers communicate and try their possible best to make you understand their viewpoint as as listen to yours. I also love the location of the university. It is located close to the city centre which offers a lot of fun activities because as much as I am a student, I need to blow off steam now and again and having various ways to do this is amazing.
4. Theory combined with practice
Business is naturally a theoretical study – there are financial equations to learn, business models to explore, and marketing strategies to investigate. However, it’s also important that business studies courses are practical, and that students get experience in those skills before they graduate.
Many students on EDUopinions state that the practical learning element of the courses at Alba Graduate Business School was a highlight. For example, in the MSc in International Business and Management, practical workshops are a key part of the course, allowing students to work in groups to explore topics like entrepreneurship, business feasibility, and startup flexibility. Other programmes with a focus on a function (like finance) or an industry (tourism) benefit from this immersive approach.
Student Review
Alba is a business shcool which prepared students for corporate environments. During my studies we had a) presentations in campus by business executives presenting and explaining relevant strategies in their organisations, b) in most courses we studied business cases linked to theory taught and c) career days are organised frequently to connect students to organisations, Most professors master their area and there was good balance between theory and practice. Facilities are very pleasant and in general it is a very organised institution with helpful administrative staff. Overall the course met my expectations and as I working at the same time on the topic of my studies I found it very helpful to implement the knowledge gained and also helped my very much to put my work in context. In addition there have ongoing career services to the alumni and networking activities.
5. Networking Opportunities
Athens is a hotspot in the Mediterranean for entrepreneurship, thanks to a high proportion of startup accelerators and a government that offers lots of incentives for entrepreneurs. Alba Graduate Business School has strong links with the business community in the city, and students can expect to find lots of opportunities to meet with professionals in Athens at networking events – the business school organises 30 career-related events annually.
Plus, some programmes at Alba Graduate Business School have advisory boards, a group made up of professionals from the specific industry or sector. In this way, students can interact with highly knowledgeable professionals during their studies. However, it also means programmes are designed with industry in mind, giving students more industry-applicable skills.
On each of the Master’s and MBA programmes at Alba, students also have the opportunity to take part in an internship either in Greece or elsewhere in the EU. Plus, the Alba Graduate Business School alumni network totals over 4,000, and students will find previous graduates of Alba working across Europe.
Student Review
The networking for the local market is amazing. The quality of lectures is another factor that adds extra value to the course. Finally, career office support during the studies as well as the career forum in the end of the studies are among the highlights of the whole program.
Conclusion
If you haven’t considered Greece for your business studies experience, then now’s the time. The country has developed rapidly since the Covid pandemic, and there are now considerable opportunities for business graduates in cities like Athens. However, after a degree from a business school like Alba, you’ll also be prepared to work in an international organisation anywhere in Europe – and have some incredible memories of studying in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries, too.
If you’re thinking of applying to business school this year, read our blog on 5 things to remember when applying for business school.
Recent Posts
The moment you transfer the first tuition fee payment to your university, you'll be thinking of how you can recoup that investment. This is ...
For professionals with a few years' experience already, an MBA can be a great way of boosting your career prospects. From changing jobs or industries ...
Studying abroad for a semester or a full year can be an incredibly enriching experience. You'll get to experience a new culture, meet new people, and ...