The University of Porto FEP-PBS, in a world of accelerated digitalisation, advances in artificial intelligence and a growing focus on sustainability, considers it essential that leaders develop a global vision and skills in management, data analysis and digital transformation, reads the press release sent to the newsroom.

Anticipating the need for online programmes, Porto Business School launched, 2020, the Global Online MBA, becoming the first Portuguese business school to offer a 100% online MBA programme. Today, after the first three mandatory years, this bet is reflected in the direct entry to the eighth place in the world and fourth place in Europe in the Financial Times ranking.

Created in 2014, the Online MBA Ranking is an exclusive ranking of the Financial Times, where 17 online MBA programs were admitted in 2025, whose access is determined by nine cumulative criteria, among them: (1) the business school must be accredited by AACSB or EQUIS, (2) the programme must be at least 70% online, (3) be in operation for at least four years, (4) be taught in English and (5) have at least 30 graduates per edition.

Porto Business School's 17-month Global Online MBA, a pioneer in the integration of AI into the curriculum, was considered the eighth best in the world and fourth at the European level in the Financial Times Online MBA Ranking. In the Online Interaction Rank indicator, which evaluates the quality of students' interaction and digital experience, the program leads worldwide, standing out for excellence in online delivery. In the indicator that measures the qualification and experience of the faculty, the Global Online MBA was among the three best institutions in the world.

The University of Porto's commitment to innovation and global challenges is reflected in the strong integration of sustainable practices in teaching. In the ESG & Net Zero Teaching Rank indicator, the Global Online MBA reached third place worldwide, standing out for the incorporation of sustainable principles in the training of leaders prepared to face the challenges of the future.

The diversity of the programme is also a distinguishing factor. In the Programme Diversity macro indicator, the gender balance is exemplary, with 50% men and 50% women, and the cultural representativeness of the Global Online MBA, in its most recent cohort, brings together 19 nationalities in a truly global learning environment. The program ranks second worldwide in the presence of women in the faculty (47%), reinforcing its commitment to inclusion and equity. In addition, in the Sector Diversity Rank indicator, which measures the sectoral diversity of participants, the program won the fourth position worldwide, reflecting its ability to attract talent from different industries and sectors.

In addition to these results, the Global Online MBA also stood out in the Value for Money Rank indicator and in the Career Service Rank indicator, reaching the fifth position in the world, which reinforces the positive impact of the program on the career progression of its students. With regard to overall student satisfaction, measured by the Overall Satisfaction indicator, the program was ranked among the four best in the world, with a score of 9.44 out of 10, reflecting the excellence of the academic experience offered by Porto Business School.

José Esteves, Dean of Porto Business School, says: "Debuting in the Financial Times ranking, in the Top 10 worldwide, reinforces Porto Business School as a global reference in executive education. This recognition validates our commitment to innovation and the integration of artificial intelligence in this MBA, where PBS has been a pioneer, preparing leaders to transform the business world with a digital and future-oriented vision."

"The University of Porto is committed to training those who will imagine our collective future in the most diverse areas of activity, pursuing academic and scientific rigor, and seeking to respond to the practical needs of the community. Schools such as the Faculty of Economics (FEP) and Porto Business School (PBS) allow us to deepen our commitment to pedagogical innovation and excellence in digital training, with results that this ranking fully expresses and recognises", highlights António de Sousa Pereira, Rector of the University of Porto.