While Luxembourg may be a small country, and its educational offerings potentially more limited compared to larger European counterparts, several top-notch business schools provide Luxembourg MBA programs of excellent quality and reputation.
Wait, what exactly is an MBA?
As we mentioned in our article about studying in Luxembourg, the Grand Duchy is increasingly attracting students. In 2022 alone, 633 individuals arrived in Luxembourg for study-related reasons, with some coming to pursue an MBA. But what exactly is an MBA? Before moving on to the list of MBAs in Luxembourg for international students, let's clear up these questions.
MBA or Master of Business Administration
This is a postgraduate degree focused on business management and administration. Typically designed for professionals seeking to develop advanced skills in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, operations, and business strategy, MBAs are often practical and application-oriented programs. They typically span two years and are offered in both on-campus and online formats.
A master's degree is a more general term referring to a postgraduate degree awarded after completing an advanced academic program in a specific field. While its duration is similar, ranging from one to two years, its focus differs significantly. Master's degrees can span various disciplines, including social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, or engineering, among others. Unlike an MBA, which specifically focuses on business management and is typically practical, a master's degree may have a more academic or research-oriented approach in its field of study.
The primary difference lies in the focus and objective of each program: the MBA is geared towards business management and administration, while a master's degree may encompass a variety of academic and professional areas.
An MBA can be a highly appealing and suitable option in multiple cases.
Top MBA programs in Luxembourg
Now that we've clarified the distinctions between an MBA and a master's degree and identified who might benefit from pursuing an MBA, let's find out more about why Luxembourg is an ideal location for studying an MBA. Some of the most compelling reasons include.
With ample reasons to pursue an MBA in the Grand Duchy, the next question to address is: Where to obtain it? MBA programs are typically offered by business schools rather than universities. If you're seeking an MBA at the University of Luxembourg, you won't find one.
Now you are probably wondering what's all this about MBAs and business schools in Luxembourg, let's clear things up a bit. The primary difference between a university and a business school lies in their educational focus and program offerings. While a university encompasses a wide range of academic disciplines, a business school specializes in business and management education and research. Business schools offer programs specifically designed to prepare students for careers in business, such as the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA), as well as specialized programs in areas like finance, marketing, and human resources.
An important point to note is that public universities, like the University of Luxembourg, often offer master's programs for a few hundred euros, while private universities, such as business schools, typically have much higher tuition fees.
With these common questions and important points covered, we will now explore the best institutions to pursue an MBA in Luxembourg and other important details such as Luxembourg MBA fees, the duration of the programs and other important details.
MBA at LSB
The Luxembourg School of Business (LSB) was founded a decade ago, in 2014, and is Luxembourg's only accredited graduate business school. LSB is the sole Luxembourgish institution that is a member of AACSB International, and it is currently in the process of accreditation with AACSB. Situated in the historic Château de Septfontaines, formerly the Faïencerie Villeroy & Boch porcelain factory, the LSB campus is located in a picturesque area near the center of Luxembourg City.
LSB offers two MBA programs, one full-time and the other exclusively during weekends, making it a great option for those seeking a part-time MBA in Luxembourg. Both MBA programs have a general management focus, equipping students with both hard and soft business skills within a global context. These programs prepare students to tackle challenges, work in teams, develop critical thinking, behavioral and technological skills, facilitate intercultural learning, and networking.
The two MBA programs are similar in content, but the Weekend MBA is designed to offer maximum flexibility to full-time working professionals, providing all the advantages of an on-campus program. Faculty for these MBA programs come from some of the world's best business schools, including MIT, Cornell University, ESADE, and SDA Bocconi, among others.
- Full-time MBA: 12 months.
- Weekend MBA: 24 months with classes two weekends per month (Fridays from 18:00 to 21:00 and Saturdays from 9:00 to 17:00).
Candidates with degrees in all disciplines who meet any of the following requirements are admitted:
- A bachelor's degree of 240 ECTS or a 4-year bachelor's degree and two years of work experience.
- A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and at least 5 years of relevant business professional experience.
- For EU students: 37,000 euros.
- For international students requiring a visa or residence permit: 39,000 euros.
Full-time MBA students have the opportunity, upon course completion, to opt for a minimum 15-week internship and earn an additional 10 ECTS credits.
The unique language at LSB is English. French, German, or Luxembourgish are not necessary to join the program.
The curriculum focuses on developing a broad range of business competencies, preparing you to excel in various leadership roles across different industries. If you're a motivated professional with a clear goal of accelerating your ascent into leadership positions within a global business landscape, the LSB MBA program offers a compelling path with its streamlined format, emphasis on general management expertise, international exposure, and unique leadership development. opportunities.
MBA at UBI
UBI Business School (formerly known as United Business Institutes) is a private institution of higher education located in Brussels, Luxembourg, and Shanghai. It offers Bachelor of Science (BSc), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs in Business Studies and Administration. Established as a non-profit organization in Brussels in 1992, the Luxembourg site is nestled within the picturesque and historic Wiltz Castle in the city of Wiltz in the north of Luxembourg.
The MBA program at United Business School in Luxembourg provides a comprehensive approach to professional development, blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills for a globalized business landscape.
- Emphasis on Business and Technology Synergy: Addresses challenges of technological integration, global perspective, and responsible citizenship to create value in technological environments.
- UBI Entrepreneurship Lab: Through mentorship from entrepreneurs and work with simulators, students learn to develop the skill sets and management teams needed to create innovative technology-based companies.
- Industry Connections: Facilitates internships and employment through extensive industry connections.
- International Exposure: Provides global partnerships with institutions such as LSE and Babson College for an international experience.
- Small Class Sizes: Ensures personalized attention and tailored support for professional growth.
- Diverse and Experienced Faculty: Offers a blend of highly experienced professionals with over 15 years of professional experience in leading international companies and academics from renowned global universities.
- Undergraduate degree with at least 3 years of professional experience. Outstanding candidates without a university degree with at least 5 years of management experience may be considered for an interview after two rounds of interviews and evaluation of professional achievements.
- English with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL IBT score of 7.2
12 or 24 months, adapting the pace of studies to students' personal and professional needs. The MBA consists of 180 hours of real-time classes and 180 hours of asynchronous learning. Real-time classes are held every two weeks on Fridays from 13:30 to 18:30 and Saturdays from 9:00 to 13:00.
- For EU students: 19,950 euros.
- For non-EEA students: 28,500 euros.
The language of study is primarily English, so it can be great for international students.
UBI's Luxembourg MBA is a contender, but consider your priorities. It emphasizes digitalization and global business skills, aligning well with today's market. Their faculty is impressive, combining practical experience with academic backgrounds.
International MBA at HEC Liège Luxembourg
HEC Liège is the Business School of the University of Liège (ULiège). The University of Liège actively participates in a network of over 900 international universities that promote student exchange, research, and competencies. Meanwhile, HEC Liège stands as one of Belgium's leading business schools offering graduate programs.
The HEC Liège Business School offers an International MBA in Luxembourg, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce. This MBA program boasts the following features.
The MBA program comes in two formats, with and without internships:
- With Internship: Tailored for individuals seeking new opportunities in Luxembourg. Finding a new opportunity in a new country can be challenging. This program is designed to enable students to integrate directly into companies and start contributing from day one.
- Without Internship: Geared towards candidates already engaged in full-time employment, whose primary motivation for pursuing an MBA is to accelerate their career or develop interpersonal skills.
- Holding a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- 2 years of work experience.
- Proof of English Proficiency at a minimum level of B2 (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, or professional experience).
The average duration of the program is 2 years.
- MBA with Internship: 39,000 euros.
- MBA without Internship: 29,000 euros.
The language of study is primarily English, so it can be great for international students.
This program seems ideally suited for working professionals with some experience who are looking to take the next step in their careers. It caters well to those seeking a comprehensive MBA that integrates academic rigor with practical learning. The option to forego an internship is particularly attractive for those already committed to full-time work.
How to enroll?
If you would like to know more about how to enroll in these programs, or in general what you need to do to enroll in a business school or university, we recommend you read our article "How to study in Luxembourg" where we discuss these topics in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Source: luxsb.lu, luxsb.lu, ubi.edu, heculiege.lu, heculiege.lu, heculiege.lu
We took photos from these sources: Luxembourg School of Business, masterstudies.com, HEC Liège Luxembourg, Antenna for Unsplash