Where in China is best for business school?

Embarking on business education in China opens you up to endless opportunities and possibilities. China boasts renowned universities, breathtaking natural landscapes, a vibrant culture, and an array of exciting extracurricular activities.

The Chinese business school sector, much like the technologically advanced nation itself, is rapidly evolving to equip students for the modern global economic landscape. Business schools in China are embracing technology, innovation, and social responsibility within the curriculum. 

We delve into the diverse range of business schools across China, outlining the unique offerings and advantages that each city presents. 

1. Hangzhou

Located on the far east of China, just a two-hour drive from Shanghai, Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang—China’s ancient silk-trading province.

In 2022, The Economist named Hangzhou as the Chinese city with the highest growth potential.

More recently, Hangzhou ranked among the top three cities in the “technology and innovation”, “intellectual capital”, and “major regional cities” dimensions in the PwC Chinese Cities of Opportunity 2023 report. 

Testament to these accolades, in Hangzhou you’ll find the ‘Hangzhou Future Sci-Tech City’—the innovation and venture incubator created by the Zhejiang government in partnership with Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba.

The city is also home to the fintech capital of XiXi Valley Internet Finance Town, which is home to 250 companies.

Zhejiang University School of Management

When it comes to business schools in Hangzhou, Zhejiang University School of Management, embraces the innovative atmosphere the local area is immersed in.  

“The program is designed to cultivate future leaders with global perspective, innovative capability, entrepreneurial spirit, and social responsibility," says Lili Wang, Zhejiang University Global MBA program director. 

The Global MBA curriculum aims to redefine digitalization, innovation, and global competence, she adds. 

Around 62% of MBA students stay in Hangzhou after graduation, which proves the attractiveness and breadth of opportunities that the city offers its business school talent. 

Finance is the top industry for Zhejiang graduates (20%), followed by IT/technology (17%) and manufacturing (17%). 

2. Beijing 

The ancient capital of China, Beijing offers business school students a thriving, global hub to embark on their business education. 

Steeped in cultural heritage, Beijing is home to famous landmarks such as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. 

Beijing is at the forefront of employing cutting-edge technology in business—from artificial intelligence to ecommerce services—which leads to exciting tech opportunities for MBA grads in China. 

The country’s thriving technology sector plays a major part in its growth.

Across the years, China’s digital economy has expanded to account for almost 30% of its GDP. China’s technology economy will continue to expand, with the government focused on innovation, expanding entrepreneurs, and a rapidly developing consumer market. 

Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management

In the Tsinghua Global MBA at Tsinghua University, students can learn about the implementation of tech in business in courses such as ‘Global Technology Strategy’ and electives in ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘Internet+’.

Kyrgyzstan-born Chyngyz Sher, an alumnus from Tsinghua Global MBA describes the need for this modern skill set in China.

“I realized that companies in China need someone with tech knowledge and an understanding of business development,” he says.

In the flagship MIT Sloan course, students also learn about business beyond Chinese markets to give them an advantage when joining the workforce.

Tsinghua Global MBA grads enter a range of industries with an 87% employment rate. The top industries that grads enter are finance (39%), closely followed by technology, media, and telecom (TMT) (31%). 

Renmin Business School, Renmin University of China

Another Beijing-based business school, Renmin Business School  is an internationally recognized institution.

The school has seven academic departments, including General Management, Organization and Human Resources, Marketing, Management Science and Engineering, Trade Economics, Accounting, and Finance. 

Among the 138 full-time faculty members, 30% hold overseas PhD degrees awarded by Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Rutgers University, among others.

Ugur Kilicarslan from Turkey is a graduate of the Renmin International MBA (IMBA). He explains that the Renmin IMBA has had a large influence on his interpersonal skills.

“I have seen an improvement in my business communication skills,” he says. “Understanding the culture has been beneficial to my career.”  

For Renmin grads, real estate is the top industry students go into (26% of grads), this is followed by finance at 18%, and accounting and consulting at 15%. 

Peking University Guanghua School of Management

Peking University’s (PKU) Guanghua School of Management allows students to immerse themselves in the thriving business world of Beijing. 

During the MBA, students can experience the Chinese economy first-hand through company visits and real-world consultancy projects.

PKU Guanghua Global MBA alum, Aminu Ibrahim Hashim, pursued a career at tech giant Huawei as an associate product manager after being exposed to the technological advancements flourishing in Beijing. 

“Who wouldn’t want to be in China when entering the business world?” he says.   

According to its recent employment report, Peking Guanghua Global MBA grads mainly enter the finance industry (34%), however tech and IT come a close second (30%), followed by consulting at 12%. 

3. Shanghai

The largest city in China, Shanghai has the highest GDP of any mainland Chinese city. It’s a popular destination for investment, as half of its economy is made up of non-public enterprises.

The financial hub is also a core port for domestic and international trade, with the value of its imports and exports accounting for 20% of the country’s total.

This makes Shanghai an excellent place to study and launch a career after business school. 

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Antai College of Economics and Management is a top business school that exposes students to the bustling scene of Shanghai.

The Antai MBA program at Jiao Tong offers a curriculum combining business fundamentals and focuses on students becoming familiar with both Eastern and Western standards in business.

Steven Yang moved from Canada to study for the IMBA at Shanghai Jiao Tong University as he wanted to learn more about his Chinese heritage, as well as boost his understanding of the business world.

“During my two-year stay in China, I was also able to travel to many different cities, and I was very impressed by the amount of development that has happened,” he says.

Previously, a trip from Shanghai to Beijing took 12 hours but with the introduction of the high-speed rail system, this trip now only takes around six hours.

Jiao Tong Antai's MBA class sees impressive employment stats, with 100% hired within three months of graduation, an average salary of $120,000, and a 160% graduate salary increase.

Fudan University School of Management

Students who study on the International MBA program at Fudan University School of Management often stay and launch careers in Shanghai after graduation. 

Companies that recruit from the Fudan IMBA include investment banking and asset management firm Caitong Securities; venture capital fund Tianxin Capital; and tech firm Hesai Technology. 

Fudan prioritizes varying points of view and an international student-base. 

For David Wong, a Fudan University alum, collaborating with his classmates on different assignments proved to be the perfect opportunity to experiment with both Western and Eastern management styles.

“If I landed a job in China and aligned with the Western style of working with people and communicating, I probably would have made various mistakes,” he explains. “In a classroom setting, it's just one project. There's no real career impact.”

Of Fudan’s IMBA grads, 21% go into the finance industry, 15% go into IT and tech, 13% go into consulting, and 11% go into manufacturing. 

China is home to a number of vibrant and innovative cities—take some time to research each one and think carefully about your career goals and the companies you want to work with when deciding on the right business school in China for you.

This is a sponsored article, paid for by the featured business school(s).