Durham MBA best in the UK for Corporate Social Responsibility

Durham University Business School’s full-time MBA programme has been ranked as the 5^th best in the world for its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2019. The programme is also recognised as 1^st in the UK and 3^rd best in Europe in this category.

The Durham MBA has also entered the world’s top 50 for the first time, climbing more than 30 places, from 75^th in 2017, to 43^rd in 2019. This result also placed the programme as the 6^th best MBA in the UK and 13^th best in Europe.

Professor Susan Hart, Dean of Durham University Business School, said:

“Many business schools around the world responded to the financial crash and its aftermath with a pledge to widen the scope of their MBA programmes to embrace the issues of sustainability, and responsible management. At Durham University Business School, we pride ourselves in a first-class education based on research-led content and this has driven a major review of curricula and wider learning for our MBA students.  It’s rewarding to see these efforts reflected in such a high positioning in those aspects of the Top 50 global ranking. First in the UK and third best in Europe for CSR. But we do so much more. Our classes and projects are infused with speakers and contributors from industry, assignments feature live and topical cases, our simulations involve executives from industry and our college system ensures students are part of the wider community of learners at Durham University.”

The Durham MBA was also recognised as 1^st in Europe, and 2^nd globally for its value for money. Alumni from the programme secured an average salary of $120,556 three years after graduating, and saw an average salary increase of 110% – which is the second-highest of all UK business schools.

Professor Susan Hart added:

“We are also conscious of the investment made by students who decide to embark on an MBA and we seek to add value with differentiating activities, so that our graduates stand out in their job markets and impress prospective employers. I’m pleased to say that these initiatives have resulted in the Durham MBA being ranked 2^nd globally for value for money.”

Dr Julie Hodges, Associate Dean for MBA Programmes, said:

“This fantastic achievement demonstrates how the Durham MBA continues to grow and improve, in line with students’ expectations. Durham University Business School strives to continually improve its MBA programmes – we seek to challenge our students by providing a stimulating, sometimes difficult and transformative learning environment, because this is what builds the capabilities MBA graduates need to lead in a world of accelerating change and complexity. The significant increase in the School’s position in the rankings this year demonstrates not only the ‘value for money’ of studying for an MBA at Durham, but also the School’s strong focus on the key themes of internationalisation and social responsibility and ethics, which run throughout the programme.”

This is the first year that the Financial Times has assessed business schools on their CSR activities. The new section is measured on the proportion of teaching hours on the MBA programme that are dedicated to CSR, ethics, social and environmental issues.

This ranking follows on from the Corporate Knights Better World MBA Ranking, released in November 2018, in which the Durham MBA was also recognised as one of the top 30 business schools in the world for its sustainability efforts.