NHH holds the line against increased competition

The Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) has been ranked in a solid 46th place in this year's prestigious ranking of the world's 70 top pre-experience business masters programmes, the Financial Times Masters in Management 2012.

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The school has been ranked three places down from last year but has held its relative position, as the number of programmes ranked has been increased to include five new entrants, reflecting the increased competition amongst institution trying to get on the list.

NHH is ranked in the same group as, amongst others, Aalto University in Finland, Copenhagen Business School in Denmark and Warwick Business School in the UK.

The CEMS Master in International Management programme, offered by NHH in partnership with the leading, international business schools in the CEMS network, has been ranked third amongst the 70 programmes ranked this year.

Increased diversity

The Financial Times ranking gives weighting to factors such as international orientation, career opportunities and student and faculty diversity. Rector Jan I. Haaland is happy with NHH's position.

"The fact that the proportion of female students and academic staff has increased at the school has counted positively in this ranking, as does the steady increase in the number of international students. We have been working systematically to achieve improvements in these areas," says Rector Jan I. Haaland.

Planning for the long term

Haaland points out three factors that limit NHH's progress up the rankings, namely average salaries adjusted for local price levels, career progress and international mobility. Some of this is outside of the schools control, but working to increase students' international career mobility is high on the agenda for NHH.

"The board has decided to establish an international career centre at NHH. The centre will work to encourage and motivate students to think internationally when considering their career options after graduation. It will open in the spring term 2013", comments Haaland

Deputy Rector Gunnar E. Christensen adds that there are no quick fixes.

"Long term strategies and hard work are what is required", he emphasises.

A strong position is important

Both the Rector and the Deputy Rector agree that rankings like those published by the Financial Times are important for raising NHH's profile internationally.

"We know that international students often look at these rankings before they decide which school to apply to. It is therefore important for us to build up a good position", they both say.

This year's list is topped by the Swiss University of St. Gallen.

See the whole ranking here