Global recognition for BI’s executive education in FT rankings
2 June 2025The Financial Times ranks BI’s executive customised and open-enrolment programmes among the best globally in its Executive Education rankings 2025.
“Programmes included on these prestigious lists are uniformly recognised for their outstanding quality and serve as an international benchmark which is used to attract elite faculty, students, and global corporate partners. Programmes are evaluated on a set of indicators that are important for us to build BI's brand identity and its growing presence in the international executive market”, says President of BI Karen Spens.
Financial Times’ Executive Education Ranking consists of two categories, one for customised programmes offered to corporate clients and one for open-enrollment courses. The rankings are based on surveys of alumni, corporate customers and school data.
BI ranks as number 62 in the world for open-enrolment courses and number 66 for customised programs. Both categories take into account a range of 14 factors, including the extent to which the courses met participants’ expectations (aims achieved), proportion of international participants, quality of teaching programmes, relevance of the skills gained to the workplace, and course design.
BI’s open-enrolment programmes have the highest share of female executive education participants, at 64 percent. Both of BI’s programmes score particularly well for their international network of partner schools, which is measured by the FT as the quantity and quality of programs developed or taught in conjunction with other Equis or AACSB accredited business schools.
“Collaborating with other renowned international partner schools enhances the learning experience for our students, fostering cross-cultural understanding and innovation. These relationships are vital for creating a dynamic academic environment that prepares our graduates to excel in an international job market”, says Marius Eriksen, Executive Vice President of BI’s business unit.
For the open-enrolment programmes, London Business School tops this year’s ranking ahead of HEC Paris and Iese Business School.
IMD tops the list for Customised programmes ahead of London Business School and SDA Bocconi School of Management.
Facts:
- The Financial Times has nine rankings throughout the year, of which BI normally participates in five: Masters in Finance, Masters in Management, Executive Education Open and Customised programmes, Executive MBA, and the European Business Schools Ranking.
- Executive education usually comprises shorter, non-degree programmes.
- For open programmes, schools submit one or two general management courses of at least three days, and one or two advanced management courses of at least five days.
- Some 351 points separate the top open-enrolment programme at London Business School to the school ranked 85.
- Custom courses are tailored to the training needs of the organisation that commissions them. Each school must have a minimum of 15 clients, of which at least five must complete evaluations.
- Some 334 points separate the top customised program at IMD from the school ranked 95.
- List of schools on the Financial Times Executive Education Custom ranking 2025
- List of schools on the Financial Times Executive Education Open-enrolment ranking 2025