A woman and two men around a laptop studying for the Executive MBA

Climbing higher: Warwick Business School's Executive MBA is one of the best in the world for career progress

The Executive MBA at Warwick Business School has been ranked second in the UK and 19th in the world for ‘career progress’ by the Financial Times.

It follows higher education analysts QS ranking the School’s Executive MBA number one in the world for career progress as well as the Financial Times Online MBA ranking putting WBS top for boosting job prospects.

Overall WBS was ranked fifth in the UK and 39th globally in the Financial Times Executive MBA 2026 Rankings. The School's strong showing in career advancement, a key metric for participants, was emphasised with it being second in the UK and 23rd in the world for ‘aims achieved’, which measures the extent to which students’ main study goals were fulfilled.

Why an Executive MBA helps your career

Andy Lockett, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Dean of WBS, said: “This ranking once again reflects how successfully the programme delivers on the ambitions that motivate executives and senior managers to undertake our MBA.

“The part-time nature of the Executive MBA allows people to put what they learn directly into the job and organisation. We see many participants use an Executive MBA to move from management roles into leadership positions.

“The programme develops strategic thinking, financial literacy, decision-making, and leadership skills that are often required at executive level.

“As a School for the Change Makers and with a global network of more than 65,000 alumni across 177 countries, an MBA opens doors to help participants progress their careers."

How the Financial Times assessed WBS

The Financial Times ranking is made up of multiple dimensions, including salary increase, career progression, diversity, internationalisation and the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG).

Alumni reported strong levels of satisfaction scoring the course 8.92 out of 10, while WBS continued to demonstrate its international outlook with 86 per cent of its faculty from overseas.

The School also performed strongly on sustainability measures, ranking 19th globally and first in the UK for ‘carbon footprint’.

What salary does an Executive MBA lead to?

The Financial Times ranking revealed WBS alumni of the course are earning on average $205,111 three years after graduation.

It also calculates the average ‘salary increase’ for the cohort at WBS after taking the Executive MBA and found it gave participants a 62 per cent boost to their pay packet.

Alum spotlight: Why take an Executive MBA

Abigail Manson used her Executive MBA to carve out a position at engineering consultants Arup, moving from a career in film production to be a Senior Consultant in the firm’s Stakeholder Engagement & Consultation team.

“That wouldn’t have been the case if I hadn’t done the dissertation,” she said. “Not just because it connected me to Arup, but because it gave me the opportunity to hone and develop skills that underpin the job I now do.

“If I hadn’t walked through the doors of The Shard for the MBA orientation a year earlier, my career would have gone in a totally different direction.” 

The Executive MBA can be studied at the School's Warwick campus or at WBS London at The Shard, which recently celebrated its 10th year at the iconic building.

 Why is an Executive MBA worth it?

Hossam Zeitoun, Professor of Strategy and Behavioural Science and Course Director for the Executive MBA, said: "An Executive MBA is an investment in your future. As well as world-class academics, we bring in guests from industry to make sure theory is married to real-world application.

“This is something WBS excels in. Our CareersPlus and Employer Relations team ensure we have relationships with some of the leading businesses in the world like Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Jaguar Land Rover, and Unilever.

“Participants have access to a wealth of careers services. They receive unlimited coaching on areas such as career change, leadership, networking and interview preparation, plus access to our new Empower platform for job opportunities, employer events and career resources.

“The course helps students build influential networks through alumni groups, industry events and global case competitions, including challenges run by McKinsey and Nespresso.

“We remain focused on delivering not only a world-class education but also on helping students reach their career dreams."

Discover Warwick Business School's Change Makers. 

Find out more about the Executive MBA and Executive MBA (London).