For the tenth time in the past 15 years, INSEAD has once again claimed the top spot in Poets&Quants’ ranking of the best full-time MBA programs outside the U.S. This latest victory in our 2024-2025 international MBA rankings comes after the European school—with campuses in Fontainebleau, France; Singapore; Abu Dhabi; and San Francisco—also secured first place last year.
This is an incredible achievement. Since Poets&Quants began publishing its composite rankings 15 years ago, no school has earned the top position more often than INSEAD. The closest competitor is Harvard Business School, which has taken first place in our U.S. MBA ranking seven times.
INSEAD’s 10-month Accelerated MBA program lets students begin in January or August at either its France or Singapore campus. The school enrolls around 1,000 MBA students annually, making it the largest full-time MBA program in the world. With over 80 nationalities in a typical class, students dive into a genuinely diverse and globally immersive experience. A recent curriculum update has placed greater emphasis on sustainability, including a real-world business simulation capstone. The program was named Poets&Quants’ MBA Program of the Year in 2023.
POETS&QUANTS INTERNATIONAL RANKING: ISB STILL LEADS IN INDIA
Rounding out the top five full-time international MBA programs this year were:
- #2 IESE Business School (Barcelona, Spain)
- #3 London Business School (UK)
- #4 SDA Bocconi (Milan, Italy)
- #5 Oxford Said Business School
Both Oxford and Cambridge made the Top Ten, with Cambridge Judge slipping just one spot to eighth place. This ranking follows our 2024-2025 list of the best U.S. MBA programs.
Once again, the Indian School of Business (ISB) outperformed every IIM to secure the highest MBA ranking in India, climbing two spots to 11th. It now sits above IIM-Bangalore (13th) and IIM-Ahmedabad (19th). Only one Chinese school cracked the Top Ten: CEIBS in Shanghai, tying for ninth with Switzerland’s IMD.
This year’s ranking includes a major change—LinkedIn’s MBA ranking, which for the first time included international schools. The Financial Times carries 60% weight, while Bloomberg Businessweek and LinkedIn each contribute 20%. This adjustment led to some shifts, particularly benefiting Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), which all rose in the rankings. IIM-Calcutta jumped 10 spots to 31st, while IIM-Lucknow surged 11 places to 38th.
Double-Digit Gains and Drops
Our ranking blends a wealth of data—from recruiter surveys and alumni salaries to faculty research and employment stats. By combining multiple rankings, we create a more reliable list that minimizes anomalies.
Schools that appear on only one ranking (or avoid lists where they might perform poorly) are penalized. Some institutions highlight a single strong ranking, hoping readers assume consistency across all lists—but the reality often differs. More data means more credibility.
This year, 13 MBA programs saw double-digit changes. Cranfield University’s School of Management made the biggest leap, soaring 31 spots to 20th, thanks to improvements in Bloomberg Businessweek (#13) and strong LinkedIn employment outcomes. Its focus on practical learning and industry connections paid off.
P&Q’s Top 10 International MBA Programs (2024-2025)
Once again, INSEAD’s 10-month MBA leads the pack—a feat achieved 10 times in 15 years.
| Rank & School | Change | 2023 Rank | Cohort Size | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. INSEAD | — | 1 | 1,000 | 75 countries, 110 nationalities, avg. age 29 |
| 2. IESE | — | 2 | 350 | 85% international, avg. age 29 |
| 3. LBS | +1 | 4 | 431 | 65 nationalities, only 10% from UK |
| 4. SDA Bocconi | -1 | 3 | 146 | 20% Italian, 25% Latin American |
| 5. Oxford (Said) | +6 | 11 | 348 | 59 nationalities, 3% UK, avg. 6 yrs work exp. |
Notable Movers
- Oxford Said broke into the Top Five, fueled by stronger Financial Times and LinkedIn rankings. Its reputation for developing globally minded leaders is growing.
- ESADE tied with IE Business School at #6, reflecting gains in FT and Bloomberg.
- ESSEC jumped into the Top 25 (#37 → Top 25), thanks to a strong LinkedIn (#15) performance.
Biggest Declines
- Mannheim Business School fell sharply from #16 to #32, hurt by a drop in FT’s ranking.
- Nanyang Business School and Peking University each tumbled 15 spots, with Nanyang’s stagnant FT scores and absence from LinkedIn dragging it down.
Emerging Trends
- Employment outcomes (via LinkedIn) are now critical. Schools like IIM-Ahmedabad (#19, +9) and WHU (#28, +8) benefited.
- Asia-Pacific growth: While some Asian schools struggled, others like IIM-Calcutta (#31, +10) rose significantly.
- European niche players: EMLyon (#29, +11) and ESCP (#18, +3) gained ground with specialized programs and strong industry ties.
Despite the shifts, INSEAD remains unmatched. Its consistent FT performance and robust LinkedIn presence solidify its status as a global leader in business education.
The 2024-2025 rankings reveal a fast-changing MBA landscape. With schools like Cranfield and Oxford surging—and others like Mannheim and Nanyang slipping—it’s clear that adaptability is key. As career outcomes, technology, and global trends reshape education, these rankings offer a glimpse into the future of business schools.