Top Business Schools For Beaches

MBA students know that choosing a business school is not just about the ranking. The school’s location and the lifestyle outside class are just as important.

With the summer vacation approaching, BusinessBecause has found five top business schools for beaches. Whether you prefer the deep ocean or the calmer Mediterranean, we have a business school for you!

AGSM (Australia)

The Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), certainly benefits from its excellent location in Sydney, on Australia’s south-east coast. In 2010, its MBA program was ranked first in Australia and 36th in the world by the Financial Times and fourth in Asia Pacific by the QS Global 200 Business Schools Report. The school also has received both AACSB and EQUIS accreditation.

But AGSM is also surrounded by gorgeous bays: Coogee beach, one of the most popular beaches in Sydney with its numerous bars and cafes, is just at 20-minute walk from its campus. Bronte beach, famous for safe swimming and surfing, is also really close.

IESE Business School (Spain)

In Europe there is IESE Business School. The Spanish institution, which has campuses both in Madrid and Barcelona, is considered one of the best business schools in the world. In 2010, its MBA program was ranked first in Europe by The Economist and ninth in the world by the Financial Times.

IESE students in Barcelona can easily reach the Costa Brava and the Balearic Islands, or enjoy the Barceloneta, one of the most acclaimed urban beaches in the world, famous for its vibrant nightlife and Frank Gehry's Peix d'Or (Golden Fish) sculpture.

IAE Aix-en-Provence (France)

Another great business school on the Mediterranean is IAE Aix-en-Provence – Graduate School of Management, which is situated a one-hour drive from Cassis, one of the most stunning towns on the French Riviera. Cassis is famous for its calanques, coves characteristic of southern France, and its sandy beaches.

IAE – Aix-en-Provence has been awarded the EQUIS and the AMBA accreditation and its Euro*MBA program, run by six top European business schools, was rated as one of the top four distant learning programs in the world by The Economist in 2010.

UCLA Anderson School of Management (California)

Love the US West Coast atmosphere? Then consider UCLA Anderson School of Management’s MBA programs. Located between Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, the school is always ranked among the best business schools in the US. And after class, you can hit the Pacific Coast Highway and enjoy the Santa Monica State Beach Park, a surfer’s paradise, or appreciate the sunset from the Venice Beach Park.

University of Miami School of Business Administration (Florida)

Finally, on the other side of the US, there is the University of Miami School of Business Administration. Florida beaches have a reputation as good as the School’s, which is the 16th best business school in the US according to the Wall Street Journal.

Good luck with your MBA. And don’t forget the sun lotion!