Canada attracts international students with the opportunity to find work and a simplified procedure for obtaining residency.
As noted by the CMK "Parta", the first four places of study were taken by English-speaking countries. Due to the fact that English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and the lingua franca of business, the English-speaking environment has certainly become an added value for international students.
USA
The United States, where in 1902 students at Dartmouth College first received Master of Commercial Science degrees, is the birthplace of the MBA and remains the most popular place to study business. Nevertheless, this year the country experienced a slight drop in interest from potential MBA students (from 67% to 65%) – the largest among the top 20 countries. It is believed that this is because foreign students now have a greater choice of study destinations.
Despite this decline, it is unlikely that the US will lose its top position as a country for obtaining an MBA degree in the near future. The States are the locomotive of business and commerce, and New York is the most prominent global financial center in the world. This is a strong incentive for those aspiring to enter MBA programs, regardless of the cost of living.
51% of survey respondents stated that the main factor in choosing the US for business school was the possibility of employment after graduation.
The US is home to many of the world's leading business schools, including Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, which jointly topped the QS Global Ranking of the Top 200 Business Schools in the US and Canada. Compared to European ones, MBA programs in the US are more expensive, but this does not deter students from around the world from choosing the US as a study destination.
UK
The UK consistently ranks second after the US in tables of popular study destinations. Some of the world's leading business schools are located here. The MBA hub is London, the second most economically powerful city in the world. Indeed, despite the woes that enveloped major financial cities after 2007-2008, the UK recorded steady growth and in 2015 became the fastest-growing economy among G7 countries.
London, the most competitive city in Europe, offers many opportunities for MBA students from around the world. Its multi-million labor market speaks a hundred languages – it is a city where diversity and commerce are welcomed. London has a relatively light-touch approach to business regulation under the current conservative government's policy and offers one of the lowest tax regimes in Europe. This incentive, which will continue for at least another decade and a half, is aimed at encouraging business growth and entrepreneurial startups.
The highest-ranked UK business schools offering MBA programs include London Business School (No. 1 in Europe), Said Business School, Nottingham University Business School, and Cranfield School of Management. British business schools generally offer one-year MBA programs at lower prices than their American rivals.
Canada
Four Canadian business schools are in the QS Global 200 top 20, and a total of 18 Canadian schools appear among the 90 institutions on the list. Given that Canada's population is about 11% of the US, this is an impressive achievement.
One of the reasons students choose to get an MBA in Canada is the wide opportunities to find work after graduation. According to Canadian law, graduates can instantly convert their study permit into a work permit for the duration of their academic program, which is not possible in the US or UK.
In addition to the opportunity to get a job, international students are also attracted to Canada by simplified residency procedures. According to the latest Migrant Integration Policy Index study, which analyzes how well equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities are provided in countries around the world, Canada currently ranks in the top five.
Canada offers economic stability and a high quality of life for those who want to study there. The cost of living is lower than in the UK and US. Although this indicator is relatively high compared to the rest of the world, the country has high appeal. Cities like Vancouver and Toronto are highly rated by various global rankings as the best cities to live in.
The top Canadian business schools include the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University, the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and the Ivey Business School.
Australia
This year, Australia retained its position as the 4th most popular study destination for future MBA students. Those seeking a global business perspective need look no further. The country has geographic proximity to Asia and strong business ties throughout the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, Australia maintains a Western lifestyle, which extends to education, providing a comfortable link between East and West for students seeking an international business degree.
Another incentive for obtaining an MBA in Australia lies in the career prospects after graduation. According to the latest QS "Job and Salary Trends" report, Australia is the 2nd best country in the world in terms of salary levels for MBA graduates. With average annual incomes of $115,600, they were only outperformed by their counterparts in Switzerland.
Australia is one of the world's largest mixed-market economies and the largest trading partner of the world's fastest-growing economy, China, so an MBA degree earned here will contribute to good career growth.
Among the top Australian schools, we can note Melbourne Business School, University of New South Wales, Australian National University, and La Trobe Business School.
GERMANY
This year, Germany displaced France from 5th place on the QS list. Despite the fact that the country entered the business education arena relatively late, an increasing number of MBA programs in Germany are now taught in English, which is undoubtedly the reason for the country's growing popularity among foreign students.
Germany has the largest national economy in Europe and is one of the founders of the European Union and the Eurozone. The country ranks 7th in the world in terms of salaries for MBA graduates. Currently, they average $89,000.
Despite the fact that Germany is not an English-speaking country, courses taught in English at universities and business schools are very popular among foreign students. Last year, the Berlin-based European School of Management and Technology stated that more than 90% of students studying at the school are foreigners.
The cost of studying in MBA programs in Germany, as well as living expenses, are relatively low, which also attracts foreign students.