For those seeking a business-driven educational institution, the choices all around the world are endless. However, every year, the Financial Times publishes its Executive Education ranking. This list is final and cumulative, based on 2 others, the Open and Custom rankings. The former analyses schools offering open-enrolment courses, while the latter focuses on courses specifically designed to the training needs of the organisations that commission them. In the 2023 edition, the Financial Times ranking highlights Portugal, which features in the Top 50 list with 4 institutions of higher education of worldwide renown.
Best Business Schools in Portugal – The Newest Ranking
According to the Financial Times, one of the most respectable news outlets, the best business schools in the world are in Europe, revealing the continent to be the best destination in the world for those pursuing a business-driven higher education. Portugal, in particular, is among the best countries in Europe to obtain a business and executive education, featuring 4 Business Schools and Universities in the Financial Times ranking.
Out of the 75 schools evaluated to produce the ranking of the best business schools in the world, 44 of them can be found in Europe. The 4 Portuguese schools all feature in the Top 50, ahead of certain schools located in countries like Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
This distinction sheds light on Portugal’s superior calibre of higher education. With considerably lower costs of education, Portugal becomes a serious contender for anyone seeking higher education at more affordable prices.
NOVA School of Business and Economics (NOVA SBE)
2023 Ranking: 18
The NOVA School of Business and Economics is located in Carcavelos, Cascais, just a few minutes from the city of Lisbon, and the seaside. Set in a modernist building structure, and it has 40 years of commitment to an attitude of positive transformation for the world. The institution offers various programmes such as bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Ph.Ds., executive master´s, post-graduate courses, exchange programmes, and summer school.
Nova SBE entered the Top 50 at the 18th position and is the Best Business School in Portugal, revealing an increase of 4 positions from its 2022 Ranking.
Get to know more about Lisbon and Cascais.
Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics (Católica SBE)
2023 Ranking: 24
Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics is located in the capital of Portugal, and is part of the Catholic University of Portugal, recognised as a concordatory university in Lisbon. The very first undergraduate program in management was established in 1972. Nowadays, Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics has a full-service business school, offering students undergraduate, Master of Science, executive master’s, MBA, and Executive Education programmes.
Católica Lisbon SBE is in the 24th position in the 2023 edition of the Executive Education ranking from the Financial Times, revealing an increase of 3 positions.
Get to know more about the capital city of Lisbon.
Porto Business School / Faculdade de Economia do Porto
2023 Ranking: 34
The Executive Education Ranking distinguishes two schools in a single ranking: Porto Business of School, and Faculdade de Economia (School of Economics) do Porto. Together, they form UPBE – University of Porto Business & Economics, which is the institution represented in the ranking.
The Porto Business School is in Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos; within close distance of the second-largest Portuguese city: Porto. Created by a group of 36 national and multinational organizations, along with the University of Porto, with its sole mission to prepare individuals and companies to be inspired to work towards change.
Faculdade de Economia do Porto is nearby the Porto city centre and is a public school in the University of Porto, dedicated to training and educating responsible citizens and preparing them for socioeconomic challenges, and to actively contributing to the advancement of society.
Get to know more about Porto.
ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management
2023 Ranking: 47
Located in Santos, The Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão (ISEG - Lisbon Institute of Economics and Management) is part of the University of Lisbon´s higher education, focused on economics, finance, and management, and is considered one of the oldest faculties in economics since its foundation by the Marquês de Pombal in 1759 with the “Aula do Comércio”. Offering high standards degrees recognized by international educational entities, and programme degrees such as undergraduate, master’s, Ph.D., ISEG MBA, and executive education.
Get to know more about the buzzing Lisbon neighbourhood of Santos.
The Best Business Education in the World: Only One of the Many Reasons to Move to Portugal
Besides featuring 4 noteworthy institutions in a ranking produced by a renowned publication, Portugal boasts a variety of other compelling reasons to convince people to relocate. Continuing the topic of education, tuition is often regarded as a major obstacle along the way for people around the world. Besides tuition, people often have to consider other matters, including room and board fees, book expenses, transportation costs, plus whichever supplies may be necessary, which all adds up the final estimate.
In the United States, the average for a public university in tuition is around US$ 20,000. When considering fees and other expenses, the amount easily balloons to the US$ 30,000 to 40,000 range. Considering degrees in the United States are instructed for 4 years, more or less, the final bill comes around to US $120.000 to US $160.000 for a degree. Most people, to get a college degree, have to enter into debt to pursue a college degree.
In comparison, Nova SBE, the best Business & Executive Education school in Portugal, charges international students' tuition for €7,500 (approximately US $8.140) per year for a bachelor’s degree, paving the way for people to pay only €30,000 (around US $32.550), not including board, rooming, and other expenses, but already marking a substantial difference.
This alone makes Portugal an extremely enticing destination for students seeking the best executive education at a considerably more affordable price.
Besides business education, Portugal holds an attractive position worldwide, with an amazing healthcare system, high quality of life, warm climate, and the distinct honour of being one of the safest countries in the world, ranking in the 7th place according to the 2023 Global Peace Index. Portugal is an excellent country to relocate, especially for young families, and international students looking to study abroad.
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