Alumni contribute to NHH’s position in the Financial Times ranking
What NHH alumni go on to achieve after their studies also shapes the school’s international standing. In the annual Financial Times ranking, alumni experiences play a significant role.
Each year, the Financial Times conducts a comprehensive ranking of Europe’s leading business schools. A key part of the assessment is based on how graduates progress in the years following graduation, including:
- How quickly they secure relevant employment
- Their salary and career development in the first years
- The international impact of their education
Insights from former students therefore provide an important indication of NHH’s real-world impact — and feed directly into the ranking.
Alumni contributions are essential
Rector Helge Thorbjørnsen emphasises that participation from former students is necessary for the ranking to present an accurate picture:
`Financial Times requires a certain response rate from alumni. This makes the contributions from our former students particularly important for NHH, ´ he says.
The Financial Times evaluates NHH across several sub-rankings, but the ranking of the full-time Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration carries the greatest weight for the school’s overall international position.
Koivisto from Finland
For many applicants — particularly international ones — the FT ranking is one of several factors considered when choosing where to study.
Finnish student Rasmus Koivisto says that NHH’s position in the ranking formed part of the basis for his decision to apply:
`I was aware of NHH’s strong position in the Financial Times ranking and the school’s reputation in the Nordic region. It played a role in my choice,´ he says, adding:
`I had also heard very positive things about NHH from friends I met during my exchange semester and at joint events during my bachelor’s studies.´
FT ranking
- Those receiving questionnaires from FT have completed their education three years earlier.
- FT requires a significant proportion of alumni to respond to the survey.
- FT has adjusted its rankings over time. For example, in recent years, carbon footprint, teaching hours about ESG, how to achieve zero emissions goals, and the importance of the alumni network have been included.
- International accreditations are also increasingly important quality indicators. NHH holds the so-called Triple Crown, which consists of the three accreditations EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA.