The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova reinforces its position as a global benchmark in executive management education, ranking as the #1 MBA in Portugal and 24th in Europe in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026.

In an increasingly competitive global business education landscape, this achievement highlights the sustained strength of The Lisbon MBA’s positioning and the distinctive value of its academic and international offering.

The Lisbon MBA once again stands out for its strong international dimension, ranking 4th worldwide in International Course Experience. This recognition reflects the program’s truly global academic exposure, anchored in its long-term strategic collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management.

 

This partnership enables participants to immerse themselves in MIT Sloan’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Boston — one of the program’s most transformative components since its inception. During a full month on campus, students engage with world-class faculty across key areas including Entrepreneurship, Technological Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Sustainability. This ensures an evolving curriculum aligned with major economic and technological transformations. The program’s international outlook is further strengthened through partnerships with leading MBA programs across five continents.

 

The Lisbon MBA also demonstrates strong impact on professional outcomes. In the Career Progress rank, which measures graduates’ professional advancement, the program ranks 34th worldwide and 12th in Europe, representing the largest year-on-year increase, rising 38 positions. This performance reflects tangible career impact, with graduates reporting an average gross annual salary of USD 138,232 and a 77% salary increase three years after completing the MBA.

 

Commitment to diversity remains a central pillar of the program. The Lisbon MBA ranks 22nd worldwide and 11th in Europe in Sector Diversity, climbing 21 positions from the previous year. This performance reflects the program’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and international learning environment that enhances critical thinking, stimulates informed debate, and promotes experiential learning — essential elements in developing advanced management and leadership capabilities.

 

The program also strengthens its sustainability credentials, ranking 17th worldwide and 8th in Europe in Carbon Footprint, highlighting its commitment to environmental responsibility.

 

Maria José Amich, Executive Director of The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova, commented: “We take great pride in consolidating our leadership in the Portuguese market while standing among the best MBAs in Europe and globally. This distinction reinforces our commitment to excellence across all dimensions of the program and our ambition to attract increasingly diverse talent. Today, 80% of students in our International Full-time MBA come from abroad, representing 18 nationalities, and 53% are women with highly diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

 

Diversity is not only a strategic priority — it is a true competitive advantage that enriches classroom discussions, drives innovation in solving complex challenges, and fosters inclusive, responsible leadership capable of creating sustainable impact in organizations and society.”

 

Filipe Santos, Dean of CATÓLICA-LISBON, and Pedro Oliveira, Dean of NOVA SBE, added: “The Lisbon MBA’s strong performance in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026 reflects the impact of a rigorous, internationally oriented academic program and the success of the strategic partnership between CATÓLICA-LISBON, NOVA SBE, and MIT Sloan — ranked the world’s #1 MBA in the same ranking. This collaboration, now spanning more than 15 years, has been instrumental in attracting global talent to Lisbon and providing a unique academic immersion experience that accelerates career progression and develops leaders with global vision, entrepreneurial mindset, and purpose.”

 

About The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova

The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova is a joint venture between CATÓLICA-LISBON and NOVA SBE, in collaboration with the MIT Sloan School of Management in the United States. The school offers two programs: a 12-month full-time International MBA and a 20-month part-time Executive MBA, both including an immersion at MIT Sloan in Boston focused on entrepreneurship and technological innovation.

The program’s value proposition centers on the development of management and leadership capabilities through a “learning by doing” methodology. The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova is ranked among the Top 25 MBA programs in Europe, is the leader in Portugal, and ranks 4th worldwide in International Course Experience in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026. The program holds the Triple Crown Accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS), awarded to fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide.

More information: https://thelisbonmba.com/

About the Financial Times Ranking

The Financial Times Global MBA Ranking is a global benchmark for business education, identifying the world’s top 100 MBA programs based on criteria including salary increase, career progression, diversity, and social responsibility. Results are based on alumni surveys and data provided by participating business schools.

More information at: https://rankings.ft.com/