Not sure if you’re aware, but there are b-schools outside of the US, friends. And good ones, at that! Programs that are absolutely worth lookin’ into. (And there's even a forum dedicated to them right here: In fact, for many of you, European MBA programs might even be better than the typical 2-year MBA programs we have here in the states (especially this late in the application game). Why? I’ll give you 5 great reasons: 1) Admissions Can Be Less Competitive (in Some Ways) Look at the stats, my friends. Average GMAT scores tend to be…LOWER. Average TOEFL scores tend to be… LOWER. Even with GPAs, there is more flexibility here. Why is that? Well, lots of reasons. Most relevant is the fact that most folks are often not native US speakers. So as a result, you can afford juuust a bit more leeway on your scores. That should be a relief for lots of folks in the GMAT of 660-710 range… 2) They Tend to Have Older Applicants If you are a tad older than the typical 3-4-5 years out of college range of applicants, then you should take a GOOD look at these programs. Why? Because European programs tend to have older students. This is a GREAT chance for older candidates to get a TOP-NOTCH education, and not be discriminated against by the current trend in the US of students getting younger and younger… 3) They are (mostly) 1-Year Programs Why do older applicants like International programs? Well, here’s one great reason: the programs are shorter! For the young husbands and fathers among us, we can’t necessarily afford to take two WHOLE years off. In those two years, we lose a ton of income and TIME. European MBA programs tend to be just one year long, so older applicants LOVE the ability to get in, and get right out. 4) They have an International Focus Is your goal NOT necessarily to live and work in the US? Then…why bother going to the US to get your MBA? The programs in Europe tend to be MUCH more internationally oriented, with the overwhelming majority of students from OUTSIDE the school’s country. This lends itself to a very different kind of discussion, as you can imagine, than that which happens in the US programs. European (and Asian) MBA programs are MUCH more international in nature. If you are passionate about international business, then give these programs a GOOD look! 5) Many Have STELLAR Job Placement That’s right, folks. Take a good look at the statistics; starting salaries are often HIGHER at European Programs than at US programs. Don’t believe me? Here’s an example: the average starting salary at LBS was $146,000, at INSEAD it was $148,000, and at IE it was $149,000. All these salaries are higher than the starting salaries at NYU Stern ($139,000), Duke ($137,000) and Ross ($137,000). So, as always my friends, investigate the facts before you assume that US programs will get you to a better place upon graduation… Considering a 1-year jaunt in Europe? Maybe you should? If got any questions folks, just post em riiiight here. I'm gonna be popping in to answer them and help however I can.

Last visit was: 12 May 2026, 14:53

It is currently 12 May 2026, 14:53

Toolkit

Business School and MBA

The B-School Applications

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

May 13
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth Coffee Chats
08:00 AM EDT
-
09:00 AM EDT
Meet Tuck at an informal student or staff-hosted coffee chat in a city near you!
May 13
Top MBA Application Tips Guide
10:00 AM EDT
-
11:00 AM EDT
Applying to business school this year? Don’t miss Personal MBA Coach’s Top MBA Application Tips guide
May 12
How to Get into Stanford GSB
09:00 AM PDT
-
10:00 AM PDT
Join us live on GMAT Club's YouTube Channel tomorrow and learn 10 Critical To Dos
May 12
Early Admission Information Session (Online)
12:00 PM EDT
-
12:30 PM EDT
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great and how you can present a strong MBA application. Explore the difference between our One-Year MBA and Two-Year MBA programs, talk to our admissions team, and meet students.
May 14
The Truth About MBA Business School Letters of Recommendations | Applying to MBA in 2026 EP4
10:00 AM PDT
-
11:00 AM PDT
MBA recommendation letters are one of the most misunderstood parts of the application process. Many applicants focus on choosing the most senior recommender — when what actually matters is specificity, credibility, and examples of impact.
May 15
FREE Prospects Evaluation!
05:00 PM PDT
-
06:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
Jun 10
MBA Spotlight Fair
06:00 AM PDT
-
06:15 PM PDT
Register for the GMAT Club Virtual MBA Spotlight Fair – the world’s premier event for serious MBA candidates. This is your chance to hear directly from Admissions Directors at nearly every Top 30 MBA program..

Back to Forum

Create Topic

Making a case (or 5!) for European MBA Programs

1 2

bagdbmba

Retired Moderator

Joined: 27 Aug 2012

Last visit: 10 Dec 2021

Posts: 996

Own Kudos:

4,233

Given Kudos: 156

Posts: 996

Kudos: 4,233

06 Jul 2013, 00:11

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi Jon,
Recently I heard that Internationals(especially Asians/Indians) may find it difficult to secure employment in the UK post-MBA as the UK is currently in the process of tightening it’s working visa restrictions...So, should Indian applicants with career change (re both industry & job function change) mindset be refrain from applying to LBS or any other UK schools like Said/Judge ?

I'd much appreciate your feedback on this!

Admissionado

Admissionado

Joined: 30 Nov 2009

Last visit: 26 May 2024

Posts: 9,229

Own Kudos:

2,075

Given Kudos: 69

Location: Chicago, IL

Expert

Expert reply

Schools: HBS - Class of 2005

Posts: 9,229

Kudos: 2,075

09 Jul 2013, 02:10

Kudos

Bookmarks

Good question. I have also heard some things about that, but on the other hand had a few folks who graduated LBS, and no one has seemed to have that problem. Anyhow, it's to say that most of what I know about the changing visa situation in England is either hearsay or anecdotal. It's a bit out of the scope of my expertise, and I think it's probably better to speak with recent graduates from the specific school you are looking at, as well as consult a work/visa lawyer familiar with the English legal system and the visa requirements.

Admissionado

Admissionado

Joined: 30 Nov 2009

Last visit: 26 May 2024

Posts: 9,229

Own Kudos:

2,075

Given Kudos: 69

Location: Chicago, IL

Expert

Expert reply

Schools: HBS - Class of 2005

Posts: 9,229

Kudos: 2,075

30 Dec 2013, 10:26

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hey folks, as R2 is winding down, and we approach our "Euro days" of applications, I thought it might be nice to bump this baby up and open it up for discussion. Thoughts? Comments? Disagreements? Funny jokes?

Write it aaaaaaaaaalll here…….

bagdbmba

Retired Moderator

Joined: 27 Aug 2012

Last visit: 10 Dec 2021

Posts: 996

Own Kudos:

4,233

Given Kudos: 156

Posts: 996

Kudos: 4,233

30 Dec 2013, 11:59

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hey Jon - great to see it live again!

Which European schools one can consider applying now? Aren't they also having R2 (or even R3 in some cases) approaching pretty fast,like their US counterparts?

BTW, Happy NEW YEAR Sir :-)

MBAbot

Non-Human User

Joined: 01 Oct 2013

Last visit: 01 Oct 2013

Posts: 1,002

Own Kudos:

Posts: 1,002

Kudos: 48

23 Feb 2017, 04:55

Kudos

Bookmarks

Automated notice from GMAT Club MBAbot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.

1 2