Nova School of Business & Economics (Nova SBE) Executive Education has reached a historic milestone by entering the global Top 10 of the prestigious Financial Times Executive Education ranking for Custom Programs. The school rises from 15th to 9th place worldwide, positioning itself alongside institutions such as London Business School, IMD, and INSEAD.
This result confirms a consistent upward trajectory and establishes Nova SBE Executive Education as the only Portuguese-speaking – and Iberian – business school to rank among the world’s top 10 in Customized Executive Education.
In Open Programs, Nova SBE also records a significant rise, moving from 30th to 20th place globally – an improvement of 10 positions that reflects growing international recognition of the quality and impact of its educational offering.
At the national level, the leadership is once again confirmed: Nova SBE maintains 1st place in Portugal in both program categories, reinforcing its position as the country’s undisputed leader.
Real impact: from classrooms to the corporate world
In the ‘Future Use’ criterion, which evaluates participants’ confidence and satisfaction as reflected in their likelihood to choose the same school again, Nova SBE rises from 3rd to 2nd place worldwide. In the ‘Follow-up’ indicator, which measures post-program support, Nova SBE Executive Education climbs to 6th place globally.
These qualitative indicators reinforce the practical and transformative dimension of Nova SBE Executive Education, consolidating the School’s commitment to long-term impact and lifelong engagement with the business community.
‘This result reflects a collective effort built over many years. It is the outcome of an extraordinary team that challenges traditional approaches to executive education on a daily basis; of faculty and experts who connect academic rigor with real organizational impact; of clients who constantly push us to think differently and design transformative solutions for complex challenges; and of national and international partners who trust in our vision and walk alongside us in this global ambition. More than a ranking position, this recognition shows that Portugal can stand among the world’s best schools when there is innovation, collaboration, and a focus on impact. The work we do at Nova SBE Executive Education seeks to contribute not only to the individual development of leaders, but also to more competitive, more human organizations better prepared to transform both the national and international economy. Being in the global Top 10 today is, above all, confirmation that this ecosystem of people, companies, and partners is generating real impact’, says Pedro Brito, CEO of Nova SBE Executive Education.
‘The results we have now achieved confirm that Nova SBE does not merely keep pace with the world’s best schools – it stands out among them. At a time when institutions are increasingly challenged to consistently prove the relevance of their work, we have chosen to remain focused on what truly defines us: academic rigor, international ambition, and tangible impact on organizations and society’, says Professor Pedro Oliveira, Dean of Nova SBE, adding that ‘our achievements reflect that consistency and our ability to continue delivering results with a long-term, forward-looking vision. Today, we are, in every sense of the word, a world-class school’.