The Strivers

Tiffany Stecker

Europe's elite MBA programs are among the top-ranked, and best known, in the world. But dig a little deeper in Britain, Ireland, and around the Continent, and you'll find plenty of less renowned but highly successful and effective programs. There's England's Ashridge Business School, which boasts the world's highest post-graduation average starting salary. And Germany's Mannheim, which admits only 12% of applicants to an intimate class of 40 students. These and other schools can offer excellent value for the money and often more personal attention.

Our annual European B-schools report draws on interviews and a variety of published sources to derive a loose ranking of the Old World's best institutions. Click on for a look at the schools we call The Strivers, those just below the traditional top tier, arranged in alphabetical order.