The Lisbon MBA continues to lead in the Financial Times and QS rankings. What do these results mean for the programme?

Maria José Amich: The Financial Times rankings list the best MBA programmes in the world, and we are proud to have been included since 2013. To participate, business schools must hold AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, which both schools in our joint venture, Nova SBE and Católica-Lisbon SBE, hold. The Lisbon MBA also holds AMBA accreditation, placing us among the top 1% of MBAs worldwide with Triple Crown Accreditation.

In the FT Global MBA Ranking 2026, we are ranked first in Portugal, 24th in Europe, and fourth globally for International Course Experience. Our Career Progress ranking is particularly notable: 34th worldwide and 12th in Europe, representing the largest year-on-year improvement among all programmes, with a rise of 38 positions. This reflects the career transformation our graduates experience, with International MBA alumni reporting an average salary increase of 77% and a gross annual salary of $138,232, and Executive MBA graduates a 63% salary increase and $208,060, three years after graduation.

Our Executive MBA maintains its strong position in the QS Executive MBA Ranking 2026: first in Portugal, ninth in Europe, and twentieth globally in the Joint Programmes category. Our cohorts are the most internationally diverse in Portugal, with 22 nationalities represented across both programmes. Together, these results confirm our standing as a consistent global benchmark.

The Lisbon MBA highlights a holistic approach to leadership. What does this mean in practice?

MJA: Our holistic model combines rigorous management education with a deep focus on transversal skills: self-awareness, emotional intelligence, analytical thinking, strategic judgment, and the ability to lead and inspire under pressure. We aim to develop Principled Global Leaders who are purpose-driven and equipped to navigate a volatile, complex world. We do this, for example, by placing students under real pressure in an unfamiliar environment, which leads to invaluable personal insights.

AI and ESG are integrated across our entire curriculum, not as standalone modules but as lenses applied in every discipline. An MBA that limits itself to teaching AI tools will quickly become obsolete without humanistic leadership, critical judgment, and a genuine focus on people. Human skills will differentiate leaders in an age of accelerating automation.

Our career outcomes reflect this approach: real transformations involving career changes, new ventures, and advancement into leadership roles that would previously have seemed out of reach.

You offer two post-experience MBA programmes. Who are they designed for?

MJA: The Lisbon MBA International is a 12-month full-time programme starting in January, designed for high-potential professionals with at least three years of experience who wish to accelerate their careers in an international, entrepreneurial environment. It features a one-month immersion at MIT Sloan and two months of Action Learning, with options including in-company assignments, entrepreneurship accelerators, or ESG consulting projects. Leadership development is a core component, supported by coaching and mentoring.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: The Lisbon MBA;

The Lisbon MBA Executive is a 20-month part-time programme starting in October, tailored for experienced professionals averaging 15 years of experience who seek senior leadership roles while balancing work and personal commitments. The international experience includes a one-week immersion at MIT Sloan in Boston, a leadership development week at Vlerick Business School in Brussels, and an optional Study Mission in Singapore. This year’s programme features 45 national and international CEOs mentoring students over six months.

Both programmes hold Triple Crown Accreditation, the clearest external signal of the rigour and quality students can expect.

Why should candidates choose The Lisbon MBA?

MJA: We offer a distinctive combination of world-class academic rigour, comprehensive leadership development, global exposure, and personal transformation. We prepare professionals to advance their careers, lead with purpose, and create positive impact.

Lisbon itself enriches the experience. One of Europe’s most vibrant cities, recognized for innovation and entrepreneurship, and ranked sixth globally for English proficiency, it offers an exceptional quality of life and safety that makes it an ideal setting for a transformative year.

We look for candidates who are curious, collaborative, values-driven, and eager to challenge themselves. We value diverse backgrounds and perspectives and welcome individuals who aspire to make a lasting impact on people, organisations, and society.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: The Lisbon MBA;

You have collaborated with MIT Sloan for over 15 years. What does this partnership add to students?

MJA: Our collaboration with MIT Sloan is a cornerstone of our global strategy. During the Boston immersion, students engage with world-class faculty in courses such as Disciplined Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation for Disruptive Strategies, and connect with the broader MIT entrepreneurial ecosystem, including the Martin Trust Center. The FT ranking reflects this value: fourth globally in International Course Experience.

A distinctive benefit is that graduates receive MIT Sloan Alumni Affiliate Status, granting access to the MIT Sloan alumni directory and global events – a lifelong connection to one of the world’s most powerful professional networks.

Executive MBA students can also deepen their international experience through exchange programmes with partner schools across five continents, including St. Gallen, ESADE, Fundação Dom Cabral, Cape Town University, and Vlerick Business School.

How does the programme support career development?

MJA: An MBA is a powerful catalyst for professional transformation. Our Career Management Center offers workshops, mentoring, CEO talks, and networking with senior executives. The results are measurable: 12th in Europe for Career Progress in the FT Global Ranking 2026, the largest annual increase in that category. Three years after graduation, alumni consistently reach the salary levels that make The Lisbon MBA one of Europe’s strongest performers for career progress.

Graduates also join a dynamic alumni network spanning The Lisbon MBA, Nova SBE, Católica-Lisbon SBE, and MIT Sloan Affiliate alumni – a lifelong source of professional support with active chapters in markets including India and Brazil.

Contact: The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova | www.thelisbonmba.com | admissions@thelisbonmba.com | WhatsApp: +351 936 143 473