Corvinus University of Budapest has secured a place among the world’s top 100 institutions in the 2027 QS International Trade Rankings, with its International Economy and Business Master’s programme ranking 99th globally. The university also achieved an impressive 32nd place in the Executive MBA category, becoming the only institution from Central and Eastern Europe to feature in that list.
The rankings, published by international higher education ranking organisation Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on 14 October, assess programmes that prepare students for careers in international business and trade.
Corvinus is the only Hungarian university represented in either of the two rankings.
Corvinus excels in graduate outcomes and career support
The university performed particularly well in several individual indicators in the 2027 rankings. In the Executive MBA category, Corvinus ranked 15th worldwide for graduate outcomes and career support. It also achieved joint 18th place for innovative teaching and 20th for research performance.
Its International Economy and Business Master’s programme performed strongly in graduate outcomes, ranking 58th globally in the Master’s and MBA category, despite placing 99th overall.
These indicators assess different aspects of the programmes, offering prospective students a more detailed picture of their strengths beyond their overall positions.
Bruno van Pottelsberghe, rector of Corvinus University of Budapest, said the rankings provided valuable feedback for students, employers and the university itself. He added that the institution aimed to equip graduates with knowledge and skills relevant to the global marketplace, enabling them to tackle real-world business challenges with confidence.
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How does QS assess international trade programmes?
The QS International Trade Rankings are produced in collaboration with the Hinrich Foundation, with separate lists for Executive MBA programmes designed for experienced professionals and Master’s and MBA programmes.
To qualify, institutions must hold internationally recognised accreditation or an appropriate QS Stars rating. Their programmes must meet specific international trade curriculum requirements, while universities must also demonstrate sufficient research performance and academic reputation. QS assesses a maximum of one programme per institution in each ranking.
The methodology evaluates 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. Graduate outcomes and industry engagement each contribute 15%, while institutional reputation carries greater weight in the Executive MBA category.
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Which universities lead the 2027 rankings?
The top positions went to institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the Master’s and MBA category, the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University took first place with its Master of Global Management programme.
The University of Cambridge led the Executive MBA rankings with its Global Executive MBA programme.
Against this international competition, Corvinus’s 32nd-place finish in the Executive MBA category and its Master’s programme’s entry into the global top 100 mark notable results for Hungarian higher education.