Recently, GMAC, the organizer of the GMAT exam, released a list of global business programs favored by Chinese GMAT test-takers, providing an effective reference for choosing a business program for graduate studies.
This list is derived from GMAC data on score-sending by Chinese GMAT test-takers in 2021 and includes five popular business program types: full-time MBA, Master in Management, Master in Finance, Master in Accounting, and Master in Business Analytics.
*The ranking only measures program popularity, not educational quality.
Full-Time MBA Popularity Ranking
In the full-time MBA popularity list, Harvard Business School's full-time MBA program ranks first, followed by Stanford Graduate School of Business and Columbia Business School's full-time MBA programs.
In the top ten, MBA programs from the US occupy nine spots, indicating that pursuing an MBA in the US remains the mainstream choice.
Master in Management Popularity Ranking
In the management direction, the most popular Master in Management program among Chinese students is from the UCL School of Management, followed by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and then the University of Sydney.
Institutions from the US, UK, France, Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore all appear in the top 10, indicating diverse student choices.
Master in Finance Popularity Ranking
The Master in Finance program at the National University of Singapore Business School was most favored by Chinese GMAT test-takers in 2021, followed by the programs at The Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School and Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School.
Unlike previous rankings, in this list, finance programs from Asian business schools account for half of the spots. This shows that finance, as a traditional business program, has developed maturity in Asia and ranks equally with European and American institutions in applicants' minds.
Students interested in pursuing a Master in Finance may consider mixing applications with Asian schools when selecting programs.
Master in Accounting Popularity Ranking
In this list, the Master in Accounting program at The Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School took first place; the programs at the National University of Singapore Business School and the University of Hong Kong Business School ranked second and third.
Accounting, also a traditional business program, is relatively mature in Asia. Many international students now prioritize renowned schools in Hong Kong, Singapore, and other locations when choosing a Master in Accounting.
Master in Business Analytics Popularity Ranking
In the business analytics direction, the program at Nanyang Technological University's Business School was most popular among Chinese GMAT test-takers in 2021, followed by programs at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.
As an emerging interdisciplinary field, the application heat for Business Analytics continues to rise, and many programs are being updated and integrated with areas such as risk management and marketing.
The ranking is for reference only. Rankings alone should not be the sole basis for university applications.
Business programs at top global business schools each have their own strengths. We hope everyone can find the program that suits them best by considering their own situation. We also wish everyone will achieve their desired standardized test scores soon and successfully gain admission to their dream school!
