Business and MBA Courses in Europe

Business and management study in Europe

Europe offers a wide range of business and management programmes, from undergraduate degrees and specialised master's to the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Programmes are run by universities and dedicated business schools across many countries, and many are taught in English.

This guide describes how these programmes are generally structured and what they require. It does not rank schools or make claims about salaries or job placement, which vary by country, school, programme, and the individual.

Undergraduate business vs the MBA

An undergraduate business or management degree (often a bachelor's of around three years under the Bologna structure) gives broad foundations in areas like economics, accounting, marketing, and management for students entering after school. A master's in management or a specialised business master's builds on a prior degree.

The MBA is a postgraduate degree typically aimed at applicants who already have some work experience, focused on general management and leadership. Eligibility, format (full-time, part-time, executive), and length differ by school, so confirm the specifics on the official programme page.

• Undergraduate business/management — for students entering after school
• Specialised master's (e.g. management, finance, marketing) — builds on a prior degree
• MBA — postgraduate, often expecting prior work experience

When GMAT or GRE is required

Some business master's programmes and many MBA programmes ask for a GMAT or GRE score as part of the application, while others do not require either. The requirement is set by each programme, and some accept either test interchangeably.

Because policies differ and some programmes waive the test under certain conditions, always check the exact admissions requirement on the official programme page rather than assuming. For English-taught programmes you will usually also need an English test such as IELTS or TOEFL.

• GMAT or GRE is required by some programmes — and waived or optional at others
• Some programmes accept either GMAT or GRE
• English-taught programmes usually also require IELTS or TOEFL
• Verify the exact requirement on each official programme page

Entry requirements and applying

Typical requirements include a relevant prior qualification (a bachelor's degree for a master's or MBA), academic transcripts, a statement of purpose or essays, letters of recommendation, and — where required — a GMAT or GRE score and a language test. MBA programmes often value relevant work experience.

Application is usually directly to the university or business school, with deadlines and any fees set by each institution. Verify the full list of required documents and the deadlines on the official admissions page.

Choosing a business or MBA programme

Decide your goal first — a broad foundation, a specialisation, or a general-management MBA — then shortlist programmes and compare curriculum, format, entry requirements, tuition, and deadlines on official pages. For an MBA, look at the format and how it fits your experience level.

Several European business schools feature in international rankings such as those published by QS and the Times Higher Education (THE), and some publish subject-specific rankings; use these as one input alongside fit and cost, always attributed to the body that issued them.