SKEMA’s Global Executive MBA ranks fourth worldwide in the Financial Times and leads French business schools

Fourth worldwide, first in France and ranked first globally for career progress: SKEMA’s Global Executive MBA has reached a new milestone in the 2026 Financial Times ranking. This performance highlights the program’s impact on the professional trajectories of the managers and executives who have completed it.

In its third appearance in the Financial Times ranking of the world’s 100 best Executive MBA programs, published on October 12, SKEMA Business School has risen to fourth place.

Having climbed nine places since 2024, the program continues its ascent. It now leads the 13 French institutions featured in the ranking.

“The power of an Executive MBA is considered through the lens of what its graduates go on to achieve. Being ranked No. 1 in the world for career progress shows that SKEMA’s Global Executive MBA truly changes professional paths and confirms our decision to focus the programme around “leading with purpose in the age of AI.” 

Technology is transforming every aspect of society. In this context, insightful, confident, and globally minded leadership rests on human qualities: self-awareness, an understanding of one’s values and a sense of purpose in one’s actions. In short, our leadership trajectory takes participants on a holistic journey from self to system” say Anke Middelmann, Program Director, and Marine Hadengue, Executive Director of the Global Executive MBA

A career accelerator

The most notable result is in career progress: SKEMA ranked first worldwide for this indicator, up two places in one year. This criterion measures graduates’ advancement in seniority and the growth of the companies where they work. The distinction highlights the program’s ability to help participants take on greater responsibilities, undergo personal transformation and develop their leadership skills.

A network that opens doors

Another area where we progressed is the alumni network, which ranked fifth worldwide, up six places from 2025, while alumni satisfaction stood at 9.77 out of 10. These results reflect the value graduates place on their education and the professional connections they build throughout the program.

Putting sustainability at the heart of management

SKEMA also ranked third worldwide for ESG and net-zero teaching, up two places. This indicator assesses how extensively courses cover environmental, social, and governance issues, corporate social responsibility, and the transition to net-zero emissions.

Preparing leaders for global challenges

The program addresses an increasingly demanding set of challenges most executives face: integrating artificial intelligence, anticipating geopolitical shifts, transforming business models, and mobilizing talent while ensuring their decisions support a sustainable future.

This international ambition is reflected both in the cohort, with international participants accounting for 90%, and in the program’s structure. Spanning 20 months, the Global Executive MBA includes four residential weeks: in Brazil (Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro), the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), France (Paris), and China (Shanghai and Suzhou).

For experienced managers and executives, this immersion in different economic and cultural environments is designed to broaden perspectives and strengthen their ability to analyze, decide, and act.