Corvinus University of Budapest is the only Hungarian institution featured in the 2027 QS International Trade Rankings. Corvinus ranked 32nd in the Executive MBA category and 99th in the Master’s and MBA category with its International Economy and Business programme. 

In the QS International Trade Rankings 2027 for Executive MBAs, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on 14 October, Corvinus University of Budapest ranked 32nd worldwide, making it the only institution from Central and Eastern Europe to feature in this category. Meanwhile, its International Economy and Business Master’s programme ranked 99th in the International Trade Rankings for Master’s and MBA programmes. The rankings specifically assess programmes offering education in international business and trade, with separate lists for Executive MBA programmes aimed at experienced professionals and for Master’s and MBA programmes. 

As the QS rankings highlight different aspects of institutional performance, the individual indicators provide further insight when comparing programmes. In the Executive MBA International Trade Rankings, Corvinus placed 15th for graduate outcomes and career support, joint 18th for innovative teaching and 20th for research performance. In the Master’s and MBA International Trade Rankings, the university’s programme ranked 58th for Graduate Outcomes. 

“QS is one of the world’s leading higher education ranking organisations, so its international rankings provide valuable feedback for our students, employers and ourselves on the strengths of our programmes. Our goal is to equip graduates with knowledge and skills that are relevant in the global marketplace and enable them to tackle real business challenges with confidence,” said Bruno van Pottelsberghe, Rector of Corvinus University of Budapest. 

To be eligible for the rankings, institutions must hold an internationally recognised accreditation or an appropriate QS Stars rating. Their programmes must also meet specific international trade curriculum requirements, while the institutions must demonstrate sufficient research performance and academic reputation. QS assesses a maximum of one programme per institution in each ranking. 

QS produces the International Trade Rankings in collaboration with the Hinrich Foundation. The methodology evaluates programmes across six criteria: international trade curriculum content, institutional reputation, graduate outcomes, industry engagement, innovative teaching and research. 

Curriculum content accounts for 30% of the overall score in both rankings, while graduate outcomes and industry engagement each carry a 15% weighting. Institutional reputation is given greater weight in the Executive MBA ranking. 

The 2027 International Trade Rankings for Master’s and MBA programmes are led by the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University in the United States, with its Master of Global Management programme. In the Executive MBA category, the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom secured first place with its Global Executive MBA programme. 

Corvinus is the only Hungarian university represented in either ranking.