Henley Business School is the only South African institution named on the Financial Times Executive MBA 2025 ranking.

The school, which is also based in the UK and Finland, ranked 33 in the world, jumping 19 places.

The Financial Times evaluated 129 Executive MBAs, with 100 included in the final ranking.

The rankings are based on metrics such as candidate earnings, career progress and the amount of high-quality research.

Participation is voluntary, and the US Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or the European Foundation for Management Development, the leading global accreditation agencies, must approve the schools.

Programmes must also be cohort-based, with students enrolling and graduating together, with at least 30 graduates per year required.

Schools are assessed in 19 categories, including graduates’ career progress, the school’s diversity and its research and CSR activities.

The Executive MBA is famously demanding and is typically studied part-time in more than one country by experienced working professionals while they are still working.

Henley Business School ranked in the top 10 globally on several measures, such as 8th for the calibre of its students, based on pre-programme work experience and seventh for the international dimension of the programme.

It was also applauded for its commitment to diversity, ranking in the top 30 globally and number 1 worldwide for women on the school advisory board.

It was also applauded for its improvement across all student demographic measures. Henley also ranked at the top in the UK and Africa.

It was also named in the top 30 globally for its carbon footprint measure, highlighting the school’s green credentials and commitment to working towards net-zero carbon emission targets.

“This ranking reflects not only the exceptional talent we attract from around the world but also our dedication to creating a diverse, global community of dynamic leaders, while leading the way in responsible and sustainable business practices,’ said Jon Foster-Pedley, dean of Henley Business School Africa.

“We are committed to advancing innovative education that prepares leaders to navigate and positively impact a complex, interconnected world.”

Henley Business School may have its campus in Johannesburg, but it is part of the University of Reading. The Executive MBA is offered in both the UK and South Africa.

Only launched in 2024

The ranking is especially impressive considering that the Global Executive MBA was only introduced to Africa in 2024 to complement Henley’s Flexible MBA offering.

The programme is unique as the South African cohort joins up with groups from the Nordics and the UK.

There are five international immersions in strategic business hubs, which give candidates’ insights into global commerce, innovation, and strategic international business.

The degree is also priced to suit the local market, as students in Johannesburg can enrol for about 70% of the cost of enrolling in the UK.

Critically, the degree has been priced for the local market, meaning that students can enrol via Henley’s Joburg campus at around 70% of the cost of enrolling in the same degree in the UK.

This is not the first accolade that the Henley Global Executive MBA has received, with the school ranking 64th in the world in the QS Global MBA rankings earlier this year. (Business Tech)