👋 Hey there,
Welcome back to AccioAdmit Weekly, your no-fluff, high-value dose of strategy, sanity, and support for your European MBA journey. This week we’re diving into some of the most underrated MBA programs in Europe.
Most applicants when they think of Europe are swooned by HEC, INSEAD and LBS. But there are a lot of other schools delivering value that are often overlooked.
Today we look at some of these schools and why exactly they stand out.
“Always bet on the dark horses”
Before we dig in, here’s the criteria based on which we have selected these schools:
Consistently ranked in the top 25 in the FT and QS Rankings (Although not a big fan of rankings, they are an easy filter)
Strong post MBA outcomes - salary increase, global placement, career switch opportunities
Under applied relative to performance
Great academic quality and career support
Now onto the juicy bits:
🇪🇸 IESE Business School, Spain
🌟Why its underrated
Despite consistently being in the top 5 of Europe, it is often overshadowed by its consulting big brother, INSEAD.
🌟What stands out
💼 Customisable 15-19 month format with internship opportunities
💼 25-30% of students get into MBB consulting
💼 Median post MBA salary of $130k
🏷️ Industries known for: Consulting
🇮🇹 SDA Bocconi, Italy
🙌Why its underrated
Lower tuition fees and living costs while having great heritage in luxury and fashion industry outcomes.
🌟What stands out
📈 Deep ties in luxury and pharma
📈 Reported salary increase of 120%
🏷️ Industries known for: Luxury, pharma, strategy
🇩🇪 ESMT, Germany
🚀 Why its underrated
Newer program, but still consistently ranked in the top 25 globally
🌟What stands out
👥 Small, intimate cohorts
👥 90% employed in 3 months
👥 Median post MBA salary of $90k
🏷️ Industries known for: Tech, product management
🇪🇸ESADE Business School, Spain
🧠 Why its underrated
Overshadowed by IESE, but is known for helping graduates switch careers. Design thinking driven courses.
🌟What stands out
🌍 12-18 month flexible program with internship and exchange opportunities
🌍 85% switch function/industry
🌍 Strong focus on diversity
🏷️ Industries known for: Tech, entrepreneurship
🇳🇱 Rotterdam School of Management, Netherlands
🌱 Why its underrated
While known for its sustainability focus, the school also has a rich entrepreneur alumni base with startups in various fields including sustainability.
🌟 What stands out
📊 95% grads employed in 3 months
📊 Taps into pro-immigration and business friendly ecosystem of the Netherlands
📊 Strong focus on diversity
🏷️ Industries known for: Sustainability, ESG, Logistics
🏅 Honorable mentions: Oxford Said School of Business, UK and IE Business School, Spain
As grads of these schools, we did not want to be patronising by taking up 2 spots. But both these are quality schools which do deserve a mention in this list as well.
💬 We are here to help.
We are Oxford & IE grads helping you apply to Europe: calmly, clearly, confidently. Got a question? Feeling stuck? Just reply. We actually read every email.
If you’re ready to get started:
👀 Coming Next Week
🎯 10 of the most powerful questions to ask MBA alumni. Understand how you can unlock the actual answers that you are looking for
✨ Share this with a friend applying to MBA in Europe.
