In May, The Portugal News reported that six Portuguese business schools were ranked on the Financial Times’ Executive Education Ranking 2026, which featured 90 schools in the Open Programs category and 100 in the Customised Program category.

In both Financial Times’ rankings, respectively the Master’s in Finance and the Executive Education, the Nova School of Business and Economics placed 8th worldwide.

Exclusive ranking

The five other Portuguese business schools, which excelled globally for offering the best Master’s in Finance programmes, were Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics in 19th place, Lisbon School of Economics and Management in 33rd, University of Porto in 43rd, Iscte Business School in 47th, and Católica Porto Business School in 54th.

The ESCP Business School and Skema Business School, both located in France, secured the two top positions on the ranking, with Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in China taking third place in the world’s best Master’s in Finance programmes.

Standing out

The ranking was created based on performance indicators such as international career opportunities, salary progression and value for money. Out of the Portuguese business schools on the ranking, the Lisbon School of Economics and Management showed the strongest salary progression of 70 percent on average, according to ECO News.

Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics graduates’ salaries rose by more than 50 percent within three years, and the University of Porto ranked first in Portugal and seventh worldwide for value for money for the second consecutive year, according to ECO News. Supported by stronger employability indicators, Católica Porto Business School showed the greatest improvement, climbing nine places from last year.

Global standards

The Financial Times ranking is based on two surveys: one sent to business schools and the other to alumni. Schools must meet quality criteria, including international accreditations, and the surveys include measures such as career progress, pay, environmental sustainability and diversity, ECO News reports.