US reclaims top spot as preferred study destination for business students

Carried out in association with EFMD, the survey found that more than two-fifths of respondents (42 per cent) selected the US ahead of the UK (32 per cent). This compares to 40 per cent choosing the UK as the top study spot in the 2022 survey, when the US came in at second place with 35 per cent of the vote.

The US is most popular with those considering an MBA (44 per cent), as well as among men (41 per cent). Canada is more popular among women (29 per cent) and was favoured by 25 per cent of male respondents. The UK and Germany are more popular with prospective postgraduate students than undergraduates; 23 per cent and 13 per cent chose each country for undergraduate study respectively, but this figure rose as high as 34 per cent among prospective postgraduates.

However, study author Andrew Crisp suggested that things may change again before too long. “The comparison with the previous study shows that countries' perceptions can alter quickly, with politics having a big influence. Negative headlines about UK government policy on international students impacted sentiment in 2023”, Crisp commented.

He continued: “With the new government in the UK making more positive noises around international students and a potentially divisive US election in November, attitudes to these two countries as study destinations may change again.”

In the survey, conducted among 1,934 prospective business school students from over 30 countries, the next most popular destinations were Canada (30 per cent), Australia & New Zealand (26 per cent) and Germany (18 per cent).

 “Recently announced international student number caps in Australia may mean more students look to the UK again, but they may consider other locations, such as Canada, which also offers courses taught in English”, noted Crisp.

The UK is viewed as the most welcoming to international students at 45 per cent, followed by Canada (44 per cent), the US (41 per cent), Australia (32 per cent) and Germany (31 per cent). The countries perceived to be least welcoming are China and India (both 16 per cent).

The US is perceived by nearly half (49 per cent) to be the most expensive study destination along with the UK (41 per cent), with Germany bringing up the rear at 26 per cent. In comparison, the countries perceived to be the least expensive are India (11 per cent), China (13 per cent) and Spain (16 per cent).

The study also analysed student perceptions of what aspects of business schools are the most valuable. International study opportunities (27 per cent) are perceived as the most important, followed by business start-up/small business accelerator programmes (25 per cent), working on live consulting projects with businesses (24 per cent), undertaking an internship/work experience (24 per cent) and acquiring digital skills, such as coding (21 per cent).

“The most important aspects are all career-related and it is noticeable that development in coding and other digital skills is in demand”, said Crisp. “This is reflected in other studies we have carried out that show students are looking to business schools to help them with the technology knowledge that many employers are seeking”, he concluded.