Top GMAT Accepting Masters Colleges In Europe

A business master’s in Europe opens up a wealth of opportunities in a multicultural, exciting continent. Whether you're an international student looking for a chance to experience life in another country or a domestic candidate look for a chance to increase your employability in your home continent, a Masters in Europe might be the perfect choice for you.

While the US is home to the world's largest number of top MBA programs, it is European business schools that have a hold on the top Masters programs.

Of the 2023 Financial Times Masters in Management ranking's top 10, only one school sat outside of Europe, and of the top 20, 18 are located in the continent.

Alongside the top-ranked business schools, there are plenty of advantages to studying in Europe. First, Europe is home to history, culture, and industry—ensuring you get the most out of your business school experience. You can travel easily across the continent and explore a plethora of European countries, from Ireland to Sweden to Greece.

What is the GMAT Focus?

So, how do you go about getting into one of these prestigious European business schools?

A great start is to take the GMAT Focus Edition, which tests students' management abilities across three sections. These categories are Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights, and the test measures key skills such as communication, verbal reasoning, critical reasoning, and data analysis.

Many top schools in Europe require an admission test score, such as the GMAT Focus Edition, for acceptance But even for ones that don’t, having a good result can help to compensate for otherwise weaker aspects of your application.

If you’re looking to complete a Master’s in Europe, then you may be wondering which programs accept the GMAT Focus exam. Here’s our list of the top Master's programs in Europe accepting GMAT scores, based on the FT’s ranking. 

10. EDHEC Business School

The first on our list is EDHEC Business School, located in the exciting city of Paris, France, Edhec is 11th in the FT ranking.

EDHEC offers various specializations and tracks for students on the Master in Management, such as Finance, Business Management, and Data Science and AI for business.

All tracks are taught over two years and include an apprenticeship option, which gives you the opportunity to study while gaining valuable professional experience and being financially independent.

The MiM costs €41,000 for EU students and €47,200 for non-EU students. To be eligible for the Masters program, candidates need a minimum three year bachelor's degree, an acceptable English proficiency tests/certificates (TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS), and a strong scores in the GMAT, GRE, or CAT (for Indian students).

9. Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

Located in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Rotterdam's MSc in International Management is 10th in the FT ranking.

The full-time, 12-month program gives a comprehensive understanding of general management and business administration. It promotes a combination of academic theory, interactive classroom sessions and team assignments with a diverse cohort, to help students evolve into business professionals.

The success of this is shown through its rank as number two in international mobility.

The MSc's tuition is €2,530 for those in the European Economic Area (EEA) and €22,500 for non-EEA. To be eligible for this program, you need a bachelors degree in any discipline, an English proficiency at a C1 level, a GMAT focus test result with the minimum score of 605 and an above average GPA.

7. Esade Business School

Located in Barcelona, Spain, Esade Business School's MSc in International Management is joint seventh for top GMAT focus accepting Master Colleges in Europe.

The program boasts at giving students an environment to build ties and networks with your cohort who hail from varying backgrounds. It also looks to build students' skills, understanding, insights, and hands-on business know-how to navigate a global career.

The high placement is largely due to the top salary and career progression of alumni, Esade's emphasis on ESG and net zero teaching, and students' global exposure: 99% of graduates were employed with three months, earning average salaries of $112,100 in their careers. 

The program's tuition fee is €35,000 and applicants need a bachelors degree, a proficiency in English, and GMAT Focus or GRE score.

7. SDA Bocconi

The only business school in Italy on our list of the top gmat focus accepting European business schools, SDA Bocconi is located in Milan.

SDA Bocconi's MSc in International Management requires students to take part in an experience abroad, which can either be an internship or a six-month study abroad program. Students can also pursue specializations in whatever program they decide to choose, making the course highly customizable. 

Those applying need a valid bachelors degree and to submit their GPA, and a valid GMAT focus, GRE or Bocconi test score.

6. emlyon Business School

Located in Lyon is the second-largest student city in France and a well-established business hub across industries like banking, chemical and pharmaceuticals. 

Students on the Master in Management program can opt to study for two or three years in a cohort comprised of 70 nationalities and 46% women. 

The MiM costs €13,000 for the full year. To be eligible to apply to the program candidates must have a bachelors degree and formal written test scores, from either the GMAT focus edition or GRE.

5. Essec Business School

The two-year Master in Management program is taught from both the school’s French campus, near Paris, and in Singapore. 

Essec's MiM is the fifth The highly flexible curriculum includes a variety of specializations and elective classes in Sustainability and Impact, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Digital Business. After honing their career interests, grads can expect to earn large salaries of around $108,000 within three years. 

The MiM costs €39,000 for the one year intensive track and €49,800 for the flexible track, however, there are several scholarships on offer for students. The school accepts the GMAT, GMAT Online or the GMAT Focus Edition in the admission process.

4. ESCP Business School

Another top French MiM offered, ESCP Business School’s Master in Management gives students the chance to study at six different campuses in Europe including Berlin, London, or Madrid. The programs cohort is highly diverse with a total of 57 nationalities located across the world

Students on the program take part in internships and apprenticeships which see them graduate with nine month’s professional experience under their belt. This skills and experience gained during these elements of the program means that 99% of ESCP MiM students secure roles three months after graduation.

The program costs €22,200 for EU citizens per year and €25,800 for non-EU citizens per year.

To enter ESCP requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any discipline, English fluency (level B2, advanced), and be an internationally-minded student with proven academic excellence including GMAT focus.

3. London Business School

A consistent performer across all of its business masters programs and the most popular business school in the UK, London Business School offers an intensive, one-year MiM program. 

It is one of the more expensive business schools on the list with tuition fees of £47,500 ($59,000), however the average salaries make up for this expense as students earn an average of $114,438 three years after graduation.

LBS requires a GMAT Focus, GMAT, or GRE test score and makes clear that a strong score helps it assess the quality of an application and the students' ability to succeed on the program.

2. University of St Gallen

Knocked out of its number one spot from last year’s ranking, University of St Gallen’s world-renowned MA in Strategy and International Management is still a hugely impressive and affordable MiM degree.

The program is also one of the cheapest in this list, costing just $11,190 for international students for the 18-month duration. For domestic Swiss residents, the figure is even less at around $4,800. Such cheap fees mean St Gallen SIM students see incredible return on their investment, with average salaries of $129,200 within three years of graduation. 

It also stand at the top of the FT rankings in terms of career's services.

1. HEC Paris

Taking the top spot in this year’s ranking as one of the most prestigious French Grandes Ecoles, HEC Paris offers a two-year MiM which is highly customizable with 20 specializations and 20 dual degree options. 

The highly-ranked career service helps HEC students secure roles in popular industries including consulting, finance, and technology. Some of the top recruiters of HEC Paris MiM students include Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Boston Consulting Group. 

These impressive connections don't come cheap however, the MiM costs around $57,000, making it one of the most expensive program on the list. 

At these business schools, you don't have to worry that your GMAT score won't be accepted, as all of these top-ranked colleges accept the GMAT. If you want to research more GMAT accepting colleges, check out the complete list here. 

If you're currently in the midst of GMAT preparation and want to improve your chances of a high score, read our top advice for mastering your revision.