5 Best Countries to Study Business
Despite the availability of Business degrees at universities in most countries these days, students find themselves thinking about studying it abroad. It helps to know that many institutes are globally oriented and design programs that cater to international students. While it is generally recommended to spend a few months to a year abroad as part of a Business program, finishing a complete degree in a different country brings students to a whole new level.
A Business degree can take two to six years to finish, whether it is an undergraduate or a graduate degree. While a master’s degree can take the least time to complete, a bachelor’s degree takes four years. A Ph.D. degree in Business takes the longest time to accomplish because of its dissertation and teaching requirements.
Staying in a foreign country to complete a degree can be very challenging if taken without careful consideration. Knowing what to keep in mind while studying Business abroad is a significant step to start this journey. In this article, we will be going over the top countries to study business in.
Things to Keep in Mind While Studying Business Abroad
1. Visa Requirements
Most countries that offer Business programs to international students also provide help in a visa application. Requirements for a student visa may differ from country to country. Depending on the country of origin, some even impose stricter rules and requirements for student visa applicants. Checking passport validity is also essential for students to plan for renewal efficiently if needed while staying abroad.
2. Cost
While studying business abroad can be tempting to some, knowing the costs can sometimes be discouraging. Aside from the school tuition and lodging expenses, it is also necessary to get an idea of the cost of living in the destination country. This way, making a budget and sticking to it can be helpful in the long run. On a good note, international students can take part-time jobs abroad to cover some of their school and living expenses. The number of hours allowed for part-time employment depends on the country, and it is best to check this information along with the visa requirements.
3. Scholarships
Studying business abroad can be costly if every expense has to come out of the pocket. But then, one need not be born with a silver spoon to study Business abroad. Luckily, many universities offer scholarships even to international students these days. Aside from that, non-profit organizations are encouraging studying abroad by providing incentives or cash allowances.
Top Countries to Study Business in
1. United States
The United States of America is among the top countries to study business in, with English one of its attractive qualities to international students. Students from non-English speaking countries find the U.S. an excellent place to master the language necessary to excel in the business world. Even native English speakers find the U.S. an attractive destination to get quickly ahead of their competition. Aside from the language, students can choose from its nearly 5,000 institutions for higher learning.
While studying abroad is already an accomplishment by itself to some, studying in a top school abroad is an even more considerable feat. Some of the top schools in the U.S. include Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University. Stanford University does not offer any undergraduate business programs, but the master’s and doctorate programs are the country’s cream of the crop.
Another top school worth considering is Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As the first-ever business school globally, Wharton is all about pioneering and globally impacting Business education. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in Business. Last but far from the least is Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Remarkably, it offers extensive master’s programs, which include weekend and evening MBA. These are excellent choices for international students who are looking to work in the U.S., too.
2. United Kingdom
There are many perks to studying in the United Kingdom, making it another favorite destination to pursue a Business degree. While the opportunity for mastering the English language is a given, exposure to a global business hub is another tremendous advantage to international students. The U.K. is among the best countries to start a business at and the diversity of its capital city, London, allows a seamless adjustment for international students. The U.K. is also home to approximately a hundred business schools. Its top schools received triple-crown accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the EMFD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
Among its top schools are the London Business School, the LSE London School of Economics and Political Science, and the University of Warwick Business School. A holder of the triple-crown accreditation, the London Business School is one of the top ten schools globally and offers graduate degrees in Business. Meanwhile, studying at LSE is an excellent choice, especially for international students looking for a novel way to explore Business by integrating it with Social Sciences. Another triple-crown accreditation holder in the U.K. is the University of Warwick Business School. It offers the perfect blend of research-based teaching and practice-oriented learning to their students.
3. France
France is another top destination to study for a Business degree. The country has a dynamic and energetic economy, and Europe’s largest business district, La Defense, offers endless opportunities and inspiration to Business students. Besides English, French is another popularly spoken language, and its country of origin is the best place to master it. An important note to consider in studying in France is that most of its undergraduate courses require mastery of the French language, while most graduate programs used English. If these aren’t good enough reasons to seek a degree in France, its beautiful countryside, regal urban architecture, and cultural wealth are.
France’s most vital point when it comes to education is its world-renowned Business schools. The HEC Paris, INSEAD Business School, and ESSEC Business School are within its top-tier. HEC Paris is a global leader in Business education, achieving the first triple-crown accreditation in France. INSEAD Business School is another school in France that holds triple accreditation, proving its world-class quality education. Of course, ESSEC Business School provides globally-competitive and cutting-edge education as well. It also has the triple-crown accreditation, being AACSB’s first accredited school outside North America.
4. Singapore
One of Asia’s four tigers, Singapore, is a small yet perfect destination for international students. The city-state has the ideal blend of the East and the West. International students also find the country the safest place to stay and the easiest to adjust to because English is still the primary language. Of course, its business schools are on a different level.
Its top three schools are the National University of Singapore Business School, Nanyang Technological University’s Nanyang Business School, and the Singapore Management University Lee Kong Chian School of Business. While relatively new, Nanyang University of Singapore Business School already produced almost 40,000 alumni and received double accreditation from AACSB and EQUIS. The NTU Nanyang Business School, on the other hand, is the largest in Singapore, with over 7,000 enrollees annually. It also has a double accreditation, a testament to its global-oriented education. Lastly, the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, named after the country’s pioneering philanthropist and businessman, stepped up the Business graduate school with its Doctor of Business Administration offers.
5. Spain
Spain makes it to the list of the top countries to study Business for many reasons. Beneath the country’s beauty and culturally-rich facade, it is also home to excellent Business schools in Europe. Also, there is a talk among the international community about Spain’s less strict rules for allowing international students. While the case may true, it is still worth considering that Spain’s top schools can be highly selective as it has a world-class performance to carry out consistently.
Prospective students can choose from Spain’s business schools. At the top of the list are the ESADE Business School, the IESE Business School, and the I.E. Business School. Both ESADE and, I.E Business Schools, received the triple-crown accreditation. In contrast, the IESE received a double crown accreditation from EQUIS and AACSB, making all three schools par with other international business schools.
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