3. Australia

Australia is considered one of the world’s top 10 most liveable countries due to its excellent education system, high standard of living, relaxed lifestyle, natural beauty and vibrant city life. There are around 75 internationally recognised MBA programmes in Australia, many of which have global accreditation from the AACSB and EQUIS Australia has five universities in the top 100 – QS Global MBA Rankings 2023 – including Melbourne Business School, UNSW, Macquarie Business School, Monash Business School and UQ Business School. Melbourne Business School, located in Carlton, between Melbourne’s CBD and rapidly developing knowledge precinct, often hosts business leaders and thinkers who speak at events such as the Dean’s Leaders Forum and Women and Management Dinner. Over in Canberra, the Australian National University offers the world’s first Evidence-Based management MBA programme, which equips students with the skills to identify, evaluate and apply the best available evidence to inform more effective decision-making.

4. France

France was the first country in Europe to offer MBA programmes. Its top-class business schools, including HEC Paris, INSEAD, ESSEC Business School, and ESCP Business School, provide internationally recognized programmes and excellent pan-European networking opportunities. These schools rank in the top 50 according to QS World University Ranking MBA 2023. Pursuing an MBA in France opens world-class opportunities for international students, with specialised niches in Marketing, Finance, Accounting, and Human Resources Management. For instance, at HEC Paris, the MBA programme is consistently ranked in the top 20 worldwide. Here, students learn in a dynamic, hands-on learning experience and have seven specialisation options. They benefit from the financial and business hub of Paris, close links to many of Europe’s other major political and economic cities, and the ability to learn one of the world’s most important languages.

5. Canada

Canada remains a popular destination for potential MBAs thanks to the quality of its business schools and the employment opportunities available post-graduation. In fact, six of the top 100 business schools in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2023 are located in the country. Canada has some of the top-ranked MBA programmes in the world offered by prestigious schools such as Toronto, Queen’s, and McGill, among others. If you prefer a two-year MBA programme, then Canada is a great choice. The two-year MBA allows specialisation in the second year after studying core subjects in the first year. Some universities offer accelerated MBA programmes, completed in 16-18 months. Graduates benefit from Canada’s generous Permanent Residency programme, facilitating easy immigration and settlement, especially in major business hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Additionally, the Post Graduate Work Permit enables students to stay and work in Canada for three years.

6. Singapore

Singapore has positioned itself as a reputable financial and regional trading centre. The country ranked seventh in the Global Innovation Index 2017 and is home to companies such as DBS Bank and Singapore Airlines. What’s more, it houses some of the best universities to pursue an MBA. INSEAD, the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, Nanyang Business School, and Singapore Management University (SMU) all rank in the 2019 Financial Times Global MBA rankings. Students can stand out in an increasingly competitive job market by pursuing MBA programmes with niche specialisations. NUS Business School, for example, allows students to choose from nine MBA specialisations (ranging from consulting to innovation and entrepreneurship) or select from more than 50 academic and experiential electives.

7. Spain 

Spain has become a popular favourite for students from Latin America or those who wish to work with a Spanish-speaking nation after completing their MBA. Many of Spain’s cities are significant financial hubs, including Barcelona, — one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean Sea. Spain’s low living cost makes it affordable for international students to pursue an MBA. On average, you can expect to pay 900 euros a month to cover the cost of rent, food, drinks, and utilities, according to Erudera. Depending on the school, the path to admissions may be easier in Spain than in other Western countries due to less stringent entry requirements. The best part? You can spend some time learning Spanish. Some business schools incorporate Spanish language training.

8. Netherlands

There is plenty to love about the Dutch lifestyle, famed for the local’s obsession with “gezellig” (a state of cosiness and togetherness). People are warm and welcoming; it won’t surprise you to see random strangers starting up a conversation on the bus or the tram. The Netherlands is well-represented in global university rankings — nine of the country’s 20 universities are in the top 200 institutions in the world. Much of this has to do with the quality of its business teaching, which is largely influenced by the large number of global companies that have offices here, which includes

• Shell
• Heineken
• Unilever
• Philips
• ING

What’s more, the Netherlands ranks fourth in terms of startup value creation in Europe. Among cities, Amsterdam is one of Europe’s fastest-growing startup hubs.

9. UK

Currently, London is ranked as one of the world’s most competitive financial centres in the Global Financial Centres Index. This edge makes the UK attractive for future MBA students. Many of the country’s top-performing institutions, such as the London Business School, the London School of Economics, and UCL, are based in the capital — providing students with experience and connections in the financial heart of Europe. What’s more, many MBA programmes in the UK can be completed within a year and thus cost relatively cheaper than a two-year programme in the US, for example. It costs 15,800 pounds to pursue a one-year MBA at the University of Worcester.

10. US

You can’t mention the best countries for MBA without talking about the US. As the country that first offered this postgraduate degree, it’s no surprise to see business schools such as Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton consistently top MBA rankings. An MBA in the US will expose you to the latest research and industry insight from a broad faculty base that often combines academia with industry experience. Most notably, the Harvard Business School welcomed Toto Wolff, team principal and chief executive officer of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One (F1) team, as a guest lecturer and executive fellow. Wolff is well-known for his leadership skills that resulted in Mercedes winning eight consecutive constructors’ titles (one of two championships in an F1 season) between 2014 and 2021.