Despite cultural similarities and rules, studying at a European business school can be a very different experience depending on whether you choose Britain or Belgium, France or Finland, Spain or Switzerland. The FT asked international students and graduates, admissions tutors and faculty about their experiences — and what to bear in mind when choosing schools.
Teaching styles
Cultural differences shape the academic environment, says Guillaume Blaess, vice-director of international partnerships at Audencia, in France. “Some countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, focus on theoretical lectures, while others, such as France and Spain, emphasise interactive, discussion-based learning,” he notes.
Although many courses at European business schools are taught in English, students learning the local language can significantly enhance their academic and social experiences. “Understanding French is essential for daily life in France,” says Emilie Lagorsse, head of admissions at IÉSEG, which offers free French lessons to all international students.
The approach in Italian universities can be traditional, with a focus on lectures and individual exams, notes Rossana Camera, head of recruiting for the masters division of SDA Bocconi. But she insists that her own school, in Milan, “has a strong focus on teaching innovation, group work and collaboration, case studies and practical applications”.
At Nova in Portugal, the educational style also emphasises practical applications and group work, says Alexander Michael Schmidt, a German student. “Compared to more traditional, lecture-focused methods elsewhere, there is more emphasis on collaboration and real-world problem-solving. Case analysis and presentations are an important part of the curriculum.”
Cultural differences
Norms and practices, of course, vary widely across Europe, in study and in life. Kai Stenzel, chief marketing officer at Mannheim Business School in Germany, for example, stresses the importance of punctuality and reliability for graduates who go on to work in the country.
“You never talk about your salary with colleagues — and professionals in Germany generally have a great deal of loyalty to their employer,” he notes.
Eeva Liinamo-Liukku, senior specialist in international recruitment at Aalto University, says: “In Finland, we tend to be direct and honest and, in social situations, we respect each other’s personal space and privacy. While we might seem a bit reserved at first, once you get to know us, you’ll find warmth and openness.”
Looking south, “I’d say Spain has a more relaxed pace of life compared to northern Europe,” explains Sebastiaan Kloppenborg, a German masters in management graduate of Iese, in Madrid. “Also, food and family are very important in the local culture.”
Similarly, Portuguese people also tend to give more attention to their private and family time, explains Maria Camila Segura Camacho, a Colombian student at Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon. “They will prioritise it over work and that shows when you’re in group projects with Europeans and Americans,” she notes. “It’s a healthy boundary they have, and I have embraced it.”
The emphasis on etiquette in France struck Shema Kazubwenge Emmanuel, a Rwandan at Essca School of Management. “The French focus on work-life balance, with longer meals and a more relaxed pace, was a refreshing change from the fast-paced lifestyle . . . in Rwanda,” he says.
Healthy differences
Healthcare differs in accessibility and cost across European countries, so it is important to check in advance. The UK’s National Health Service, for example, is available to all international students, points out Liam Kilby, associate director for MBA admissions at Oxford Saïd. “There’s an annual fee of £776 that is paid as part of the student visa process that gives you access to all health services at no extra cost for the duration of your visa eligibility.”
Similarly, students studying for a bachelors or masters degree in Finland are provided basic health and dental care services by the Finnish Student Health Service, says Liinamo-Liukku at Aalto, who explains the service is covered by a small student union fee all degree students pay.
Taxing questions
Taxes and other expenses also require research. International students in France should be aware of the CVEC, an annual fee that supports campus services, says Kazubwenge Emmanuel at Essca. Depending on accommodation, students might also be liable for the taxe d’habitation. Similarly, in the UK, if you choose not to live in college accommodation you will be liable to pay council tax on any privately rented property, notes Kilby.
In Italy, non-EU students need a permit to stay, at a cost of about €100. If you rent private accommodation, you will be liable to pay a yearly waste collection tax, says Camera.
Staying on after study
In France, graduates can apply for the Recherche d’emploi/création d’entreprise permit, says Kazubwenge Emmanuel. This allows them to remain in France for up to a year while seeking employment or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.
In Italy, students can extend their permit to stay for up to six months from graduation, says Camera. After that, they can apply for Attesa occupazione, which would allow them to stay in Italy for one year while job-hunting.
In the UK, international students can stay on for two years as part of their student graduate visa, but there is an £822 fee and a £1,035 health surcharge. “This allows candidates to locate paid employment with companies who would take on ownership of sponsorship of more permanent visas without the time pressures of having to arrange that employment before you graduate from your course,” says Kilby.
After two years, alumni would need a skilled worker visa, the salary threshold for which was raised in April to £38,700.
The Finnish “stay back visa” for international students lasts two years, says Liinamo-Liukku, allowing time to look for work or to start a business. If students already have a job upon graduation, they can apply directly for a residence permit before their student residence permit expires.
