The Top One-Year MBA Programs in Europe

MBAs come in different formats, from online to in-person and part-time to full-time.

While the most common program choice has long been a two-year, full-time, in-person course, more schools have started to introduce one-year formats, making the process of completing their degree much faster, meaning less time is spent out of the office.

Other perks of a one-year format include lower tuition costs, more summer internship, greater opportunities and less rigid eligibility requirements.

Here are 10 one-year MBAs from top b-schools in Europe to think about.

INSEAD

The first program on the list is INSEAD’s accelerated MBA, conducted on the school’s two campuses in Europe and Asia.

The 10-month program allows professionals to gain their degree in half the time. The first part of the MBA is built around 14 core courses that give candidates a strong foundation for an executive career. During the second half of the degree, students can choose from over 75 different electives to customize their curriculum according to their career aspirations.

Saïd Business School

The Oxford MBA is a one-year program aimed at giving students the tools to tackle 21^st century challenges.

The program begins with a two-week MBA Launch, helping students connect and develop the skills needed for core courses. For the remainder of the degree, candidates will tackle traditional business topics such as Accounting, Finance, Leadership and Technology, as well as elective modules surrounding innovation in business.

IE Business School

Next on our list is the International MBA from IE Business School, the school’s flagship full-time MBA based in Madrid.

The one-year program blends core business knowledge with a highly customizable curriculum. Students can personalize their learning experience by choosing from nine concentration areas: Marketing, Finance, Technology & Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Operations, Strategy, Accounting, and Organization Behavior & Leadership Skills.

Imperial College Business School

The Imperial Full-Time MBA combines traditional business teaching with political relevance.

During the first half of the program, students take core modules covering a wide range of business activities, including Corporate Finance, Marketing, Operations and Strategy. In the second half, Imperial offers additional modules that help candidates tailor their curriculum. These include Leadership, Managing Negotiations and Digital Business.

Judge Business School

The one-year Cambridge MBA is divided into four terms, and consists of 16 compulsory modules and a personal selection from 48 elective courses.

Electives are grouped under concentrations, including Finance, Marketing and Digital Transformation. Each student can choose one concentration to customize their learning journey in a way that best suits their career ambitions.

IMD

The IMD MBA is an intimate program of just 90 students designed to help professionals become global leaders.

The program offers eight core courses – including Accounting, Business & Society and Economics – and a wide range of electives students can select based on their interests. These include Digital Transformation, Leadership & Communication, and Sustainability.

SDA Bocconi School of Management

The one-year full-time MBA from SDA Bocconi is a highly international, entrepreneur-focused program based in Milan.

Aside from core courses, students can choose two specific managerial areas to focus on for the remainder of the degree. Bocconi also offers a special concentration in Luxury Business Management, held in collaboration with top fashion brands Gucci, LVMH and Valentino.

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

The International Full-Time MBA from RSM focuses on building the foundations of business and a personal leadership style.

During the first half of the program, students take core business courses and focus on building their skillset through concentration areas. In the second half, RSM offers international exchange opportunities and over 30 MBA electives for students to specialize in their preferred fields.

Copenhagen Business School

The full-time MBA from Copenhagen Business School is a one-year program that attracts a highly international cohort.

Through an accelerated learning experience, candidates will have the opportunity to learn strong business skills, build responsible management styles and learn holistic approaches to business. In addition to core courses, the school offers four concentrations: Digitalization, Entrepreneurship, Finance and Governance & Sustainability.

ESSEC Business School

ESSEC’s Global MBA is a 12-month full-time program delivered in France and Singapore.

Students can choose from three majors – Strategy & Management, Luxury Brand Management, and Strategy & Digital Leadership – to gain industry-specific knowledge and advance in their career.