Only 2% of business schools worldwide hold triple accreditation from AMBA, AACSB, and EFMD. Porto Business School is one of them, backed by 35 years of executive education experience and the University of Porto. In European rankings, Porto Business School sits 25th in the OPEN European Business School Ranking and 38th in the FT European Business Schools.
That credibility can be felt tangibly by anyone who has pursued its International MBA. This is a programme that delivers on many fronts: diverse cohort, impactful curriculum, career growth.
Over 60% of students come from international backgrounds, with an average of 12 years of work experience. The location is one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech hubs, surrounded by startups and established companies like Farfetch, a global fashion tech platform, and Dentsu, a creative services giant. Two tracks – 11 months and 15 months – both include internships and projects with NGOs or companies. There’s also the AI Business Impact Challenge to solve a real company problem with support from an AI Lab.
This practical focus was what drew Alejandra Llanos Matallana here. After five years working in human resources in Lima, Peru, she wanted a career path with more room to grow beyond her original field. The curriculum, the company-based projects, and the quality of the professors convinced her to join Porto Business School. Below, Matallana answers your top questions about one of Europe’s most dynamic business programmes.
The International MBA blends academic rigour with real business experience through AI labs, strategic challenges, internships, company exposure, and executive insight. Source: Porto Business School
Why should anyone choose Porto Business School’s International MBA?
Porto Business School offers a highly international and practical MBA experience that prepares students for real business challenges. For me, one of the biggest strengths was studying in a 100% English-speaking environment, which pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me improve my communication skills every day. Having classmates from different nationalities has also been incredibly enriching because it exposes you to different perspectives, cultures, and ways of thinking.
Plus, many professors bring extensive professional experience into the classroom and use real business cases, which makes the learning experience much more dynamic and applicable to real life.
What is the cost of living in Porto compared to other European cities?
Porto offers a very good quality of life at a more affordable cost. Housing prices have increased in recent years, but it is still possible to find good accommodation options in well-connected areas. Public transportation works very well, especially the metro system, and because Porto is a relatively compact city, it is easy to move around quickly. Food is also reasonably priced, whether you cook at home or eat out. Overall, I believe Porto offers an excellent balance between lifestyle, location, safety, and living expenses.
Do you wish you had pursued this MBA earlier in your career?
Not really. I believe I pursued my MBA at the right moment in my career. Having several years of professional experience made classroom discussions, group projects, and networking opportunities much more meaningful because I could relate them to situations I had already experienced at work. At the same time, I believe an MBA is valuable at different stages of life because it not only helps you grow personally but also expands your network and strengthens leadership and teamwork skills.
The International MBA cohort brings together multicultural professionals from fields such as leadership, finance, technology, healthcare, strategy, and management. Source: Porto Business School
What is the MBA student community like in Porto Business School?
The MBA student community at Porto Business School is extremely diverse, collaborative, and welcoming. In the International MBA, we are a relatively small cohort of around 42 students, which has allowed us to build genuine friendships and strong personal connections. With more than 19 nationalities in the classroom, there is a constant exchange of perspectives and experiences that enrich both academic and personal growth. The school also creates many opportunities to strengthen these relationships through activities such as Inspire Breaks and International Weeks, which make the experience feel very supportive and community-driven.
Does Porto Business School offer an online MBA programme as well?
Yes. Porto Business School offers a Global Online MBA, which is separate from its on-campus International MBA. It runs for 15 months and is taught fully online in English. You can specialise through concentrations in AI, leadership, entrepreneurship, or sustainability, and choose from over 31 electives across the curriculum.
The programme ranks sixth in the Financial Times Online MBA Ranking 2025, carrying the same triple accreditation as Porto Business School’s other programmes from AMBA, AACSB, and EFMD. It’s built for experienced professionals: students average around 11 years of work experience and 36 years of age, with the cohort split evenly between Portuguese and international participants.
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