HomeKnow-HowThe 30 best universities and business schools for entrepreneurship in Europe

The 30 best universities and business schools for entrepreneurship in Europe

While there seem to be some people who are natural-born entrepreneurs, most aspects of entrepreneurship can also be learned along the way. Many universities and business schools across Europe are actually offering quite good courses and curriculums on that topic.

Below we’re introducing you to the 30 best business schools and universities for entrepreneurship in Europe. The listed schools provide some great undergraduate Bachelor or Masters programs about business, management and innovation. For many of those educational institutions we’re also mentioning the entrepreneurship programmes they’re offering as well as some of their notable alumni that succeeded in the entrepreneurial arena.

University-of-CambridgeThe University of Cambridge (UK) is one of the world’s foremost research universities. The University is made up of 31 Colleges and over 150 departments, faculties, schools and other institutions. Its mission is “to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence”. The University of Cambridge runs an entrepreneurship centre, offers a Masters in Entrepreneurship learning program for aspiring entrepreneurs, and much more. Among the University’s alumni are co-founders of tech companies like DeepMind, Improbable, PROWLER.io.

HEC-ParisHEC Paris Business School (France) is specialised in education and research in management and offers a complete and unique range of educational programs for the leaders of tomorrow: Masters Programs (also: Master program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship), MBA, PhD, HEC Executive MBA, TRIUM Global Executive MBA and Executive Education open-enrolment and custom programs. HEC Paris has a permanent faculty of 115 professors, more than 4,000 students and over 8,500 managers and executives in training every year. The impressive list of HEC alumni includes Leetchi Group founder Céline Lazorthes and Doctolib co-founder Stanislas Niox-Château.

University-of-AmsterdamUniversity of Amsterdam (Netherlands): With some 30,000 students, 5,000 staff and a budget of more than €600 million, it is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Europe. Over time, the UvA has risen to international prominence as a research university, gaining an excellent reputation in both fundamental and socially relevant research. Aside of MBA programs and other business-related study programs, the university also offers the Master’s program “Entrepreneurship”. Also, the Uv Entrepreneurship students are organising an annual event called the “UvA Startup Market”. The list of alumni includes co-founders of successful startups like Virtuagym and Lepaya.

Imperial-College-LondonImperial College London (UK) is consistently rated in the top 10 universities in the world and focuses exclusively on science, medicine, engineering and business. Imperial aims at bringing together people, disciplines, industries and sectors to further our understanding of the natural world, solve major engineering problems, lead the data revolution and improve health and well-being. The university also offers the Master program “Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management”.

WHUWHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (Germany) is a mainly privately funded Business School based in Vallendar/Koblenz and in Düsseldorf. It is a leading Business School in Germany and is continuously ranked among the top Business Schools in Europe. The range of courses includes Bachelor Program, the Master in Management and Master in Finance Programs, a Full-Time MBA Program, a Part-Time MBA Program and the Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA Program. Each year, the WHU students organise a great entrepreneurship event called IdeaLab!. The list of WHU alumni includes serial entrepreneur and Rocket Internet founder Oliver Samwer and Zalando co-founder Robert Gentz.

IESE-logoIESE Business School (Spain) aims to give its students a bird’s eye view. The international business school is based in Barcelona. IESE set out to help you become your best self, so that through your business leadership you can change the world. The value of an entrepreneurial mindset is transmitted through all of IESE’s programs’ curriculum. In fact, about 30% of IESE students start a business within 5 years of their graduation. Alumni entrepreneurs received over €1 billion in funding.

London-Business-School-logoLondon Business School (UK) is consistently ranked in the global top 10 for its programmes and is widely acknowledged as a centre for outstanding research. As well as its top-ranked full-time MBA, the School offers degree and award winning executive education programmes to executives from around the world. With a presence in London, New York, Hong Kong and Dubai the School is well positioned to equip students from more than 130 countries with the tools needed to operate in today’s business environment. LBS also provides entrepreneurship programmes like “The Entrepreneurial Edge”, runs an “Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, and also has its own “LBS Entrepreneurship Club”.

IE-Business-SchoolIE Business School (Spain) is an international institution dedicated to educating business leaders through programs based on core values of global focus, entrepreneurial spirit and a humanistic approach. The 500-strong, international IE faculty teaches a student body composed of more than 90 nationalities. IE’s International MBA students can choose from one of four labs that provide uniquely packaged, relevant, and hands-on material not commonly found in an MBA curriculum. The Startup Lab, for example, immerses students in an incubator-like atmosphere that serves as preparation for the IE Venture Lab or a catalyst for launching a company post-graduation.

Cranfield (UK) is an exclusively postgraduate university, creating leaders in technology and management. The Bedford-based university focuses on the specialist themes of aerospace, defence and security, energy and power, environment and agrifood, manufacturing, transport systems, and water. The Cranfield School of Management is one of the world leaders in management education and research. Also, Cranfield offers a Masters programme in Management and Entrepreneurship, an incubation co-working space, as well as entrepreneurial skills development courses and events from the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship.

ESMT-BerlinESMT Berlin (Germany) is one of the highest ranked business schools in Europe. Founded by 25 leading global companies, ESMT offers master’s, MBA, and PhD programs, as well as executive education on its campus in Berlin, in locations around the world, and in online blended format. Focusing on leadership, innovation, and analytics, its diverse faculty publishes outstanding research in top academic journals. The school’s Master’s in Management (MIM) program also provides a specialization in “Entrepreneurship & Innovation”. Additionally, the international business school runs an Institute for Endowment Management and Entrepreneurial Finance, as well as an ESMT Berlin Entrepreneurship Club.

Esade (Spain) is a global academic institution driving meaningful change through social commitment and innovation. The Barcelona- and Madrid-based university set out to educate and carry out research in the areas of Management and Law, by means of the integral education of people, creation of relevant knowledge and contribution to the social debate. Esade offers a Masters in Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme and has several other entrepreneurship initiatives like the Esade Entrepreneurship Institute.

TU-BerlinTechnical University Berlin (Germany) is a large and internationally renowned technical university and counts about 34,000 students, 100 course offerings and 40 Institutes. Outstanding achievements in research and teaching, imparting skills to excellent graduates, and a modern service-oriented administration characterize TU Berlin. TU Berlin’s seven Faculties forge a unique link between the natural and technical sciences on the one hand, and the planning, economics and social sciences and humanities on the other. The university offers Masters programmes like “Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship & Sustainability” and “ICT Innovation”. Also, TU Berlin runs a Centre for Entrepreneurship and offers a Berlin Startups Stipendium.

Insead-logoINSEAD (France) is an international Business School with locations in France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco. The School counts 1,300 degree participants annually in their MBA, Global Executive MBA, specialised Master’s degrees (Executive Master in Finance and Executive Master in Change) and PhD programmes. Also, more than 11,000 executives participate in INSEAD Executive Education programmes per year. INSEAD also has an Entrepreneurship Club, and with ‘Entrepreneurship at INSEAD’ the business School offers one of the most comprehensive lists of courses in entrepreneurship among peer institutions. Last but not least, there is the INSEAD Centre for Entrepreneurship (ICE) which offers a Startup Bootcamp, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence program, Venture Competitions and much more.

ESCP-logoESCP Business School (France, etc.) was established in 1819 and is literally the world’s first business school. With its five urban campuses in Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid, and Torino, ESCP has a true European identity which enables the provision of a unique style of business education and a global perspective on management issues. ESCP offers a Masters programme in Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation, an executive Masters programme in Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership, and much more.

TUM-MunichTechnical University Munich (Germany) combines top-class facilities for cutting-edge research with unique learning opportunities for 42,000 students. The university’s goal is it to create lasting value for society through excellence in education and research, the active promotion of next-generation talents and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. As an entrepreneurial university, Technical University of Munich fosters a supportive environment for innovation with a market-oriented approach. With TUMentrepreneurship as a comprehensive plan of action, TUM and UnternehmerTUM GmbH inspire students and alumni to awaken their entrepreneurial spirit. TUM provides entrepreneurship education, TUM Venture Labs, and Entrepreneuship Center and also hosts an annual event called TUM Entrepreneurship Day.

EU-Business-SchoolEU Business School (Spain) is an international, professionally accredited, high-ranking business school with campuses in Barcelona, Geneva, Montreux and Munich. The school provides small, dynamic classes in English, with the best of both North American and European academic curricula. Their pragmatic approach to business education prepares students for a career in today’s rapidly evolving and globalized business world. EU Business School offers a Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship programme and an MBA in Entrepreneurship.

TUDelft-logoDelft University of Technology (Netherlands) is a modern university with a rich tradition. Its eight faculties and over 30 English-language Master programmes are at the forefront of technological development, contributing to scientific advancement in the interests of society. The university’s entrepreneurship courses are free electives taken by MSc and PhD students across all TU Delft faculties, and beyond. Master students who are interested in Technology-based Entrepreneurship can opt for the Master Annotation Entrepreneurship program. Not to forget: Together with scientists, teachers and entrepreneurs from TU Delft, the tech-incubator YES!Delft, the Valorisation Centre and Delft Enterprises, the Delft Center for Entrepreneurship (DCE) engages engineering students to contribute to the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of TU Delft.

Harbour-SpaceHarbour.Space University (Spain) is Europe’s state of the art university for technology, entrepreneurship and design. The innovative private university is based in Barcelona and combines science and design taught by industry leaders from around the world. Harbour.Space offers distinct progressive university programmes including “High-Tech Entrepreneurship”. All Harbour.Space degree awarding programmes are designed for full-time, almost year-round intensive study so that the programme can be completed in less than three years for Bachelor and two years for Master degree.

University of Oxford (UK) is a truly international university, bringing together some of the best and brightest minds from around the world. The university’s 22,000 students come from a wide range of backgrounds and over 140 countries and territories, making Oxford a diverse and dynamic place to work and study. Also, Oxford is one of Europe’s most entrepreneurial universities, ranking first in the UK for university spin-outs, with more than 150 companies created to date. At the university you can develop your entrepreneurial skills through a range of amazing resources and opportunities from the “Building a Business” lecture series, a social impact conference and startup incubators, to the Oxford Foundry space, innovation challenges, ideas and competitions, all the way to Enterprising Oxford.

Copenhagen-Business-SchoolCopenhagen Business School (Denmark) counts approx. 23,000 students, 670 full-time faculty members, 220 PhD students and 650 administrative staff. It’s a unique business-oriented university with a full portfolio of Bachelor, Master’s, MBA/EMBA, PhD and Executive programmes delivered in English and Danish. For students interested in entrepreneurship CBS offers a Masters programme in Organizational Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Also, the business school’s entrepreneurship platform connects CBS’ resources in entrepreneurship research and education, including CBS’ global networks to business leaders and experts, with entrepreneurship in the Danish society and in the Nordic Region.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) in Stockholm is one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. The university’s educational programmes foster a new generation of engineers, architects, teachers, undergraduate engineers and entrepreneurs. The five KTH campuses in Greater Stockholm gather more than 13,000 full-time students, more than 1,700 PhD students and approximately 3,600 full-time employees. KTH offers a renown Masters programme in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management.

Erasmus-UniversityErasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands) is not only an internationally oriented university, it is also well embedded in the city of Rotterdam and the region. Its expertise is focused on Economics and Management, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Law, Culture and Society. The university also provides Bachelor and Masters degrees in Business Administration that are taught by specialists in the field of management, business, and entrepreneurship. The Erasmus University offers exchange programmes and internships by cooperating with other highly-ranked business schools mainly in Europe. The list of alumni includes many successful entrepreneurs and business leaders like Jeroen van der Veer, the former CEO of Royal Dutch Shell.

Vlerick-logoVlerick (Belgium) is a leading international business school based in Ghent, Leuven and Brussels. The school is an academic institution with a strong tradition of innovative and independent research. The Vlerick spirit is defined by openness, vitality and a passion for innovation and enterprise. Vlerick offers a renown Masters programme focused on “Innovation and Entrepreneurship”. Also, there is Vlerick Venturing, the Vlerick Venture Coaching Network, the school’s Changemaker podcast and many more innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Trinity-College-DublinTrinity College / Business School (Ireland) is an internationally focused school in Dublin which provides life-long education focused on careers and business performance. The school’s full suite of challenging business programmes span undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education. Founded in 1925, Trinity Business School has had an innovative role in management education and research which both serve and influence industry. Trinity offers a Masters programme in Entrepreneurship, which equips students with the specialist knowledge and practical ability needed to start or support new and existing businesses.

Politecnico-MilanoPolitecnico di Milano (Italy) is a scientific-technological university which trains engineers, architects and designers. The University has always focused on the quality and innovation of its teaching and research, developing a fruitful relationship with business and productive world by means of experimental research and technological transfer. Politecnico di Milano takes part in many research, sites and training projects collaborating with the most qualified European universities. The University offers Masters programmes like “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” as well as “Entrepreneurship and Startup Development”.

The University of Manchester (UK) is highly respected across the globe as a centre of teaching excellence and innovative research. With 25 Nobel prize winners among its current and former staff and students, the University has a history of world firsts and brilliant discoveries, from splitting the atom to giving the world graphene. The University of Manchester also offers a Masters in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship programme, as well as a student union called “Manchester Entrepreneurs” with a community of future business and society leaders.

Lund University (Sweden) was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has 42,000 students and 7,400 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. Lund University offers one of the broadest ranges of programmes and courses in Scandinavia, based on cross-disciplinary and cutting-edge research. The compact university campus encourages networking and creates the conditions for scientific breakthroughs and innovations. The University also runs a Masters programme in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, as well as the Sten K. Johnson Centre for Entrepreneurship.

University-of-EdinburghUniversity of Edinburgh (Scotland) is committed to making an impact in the world of business through high quality research addressing new and emerging business challenges. The Business School is developing the next generation of leaders who will guide organisations through a business world shaped by economic uncertainty and fluctuating resources. The University also offers a Masters programme in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which prepares you for a wide range of careers in business including business development and running a startup.

University-GroningenThe University of Groningen (Netherlands) is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands, founded in 1614 the university ranks amongst the top 100 universities in the world. It’sa research intensive institution offering a wide range of highly regarded bachelor, master and PhD programmes in all fields, completely in English. Currently, The University of Groningen has a student body of 30,000 – almost 5,000 of which are international. The University runs its own Centre for Entrepreneurship, which offers education for and about entrepreneurship, research on entrepreneurship, and it actively supports future entrepreneurs with VentureLab weekends, workspace, and much more.

JonKoping-UniversityJönköping University (Sweden) is one of the most international universities in Sweden, attracting students from all over the world. Jönköping University has about 1,500 international students from more than 65 countries worldwide. The University also offers a Strategic Entrepreneurship programme which provides you with specialist competence and with a Master’s level in Business Administration, with a focus on venture creation, venture management and business renewal.

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Thomas Ohr
Thomas Ohr
Thomas Ohr is the "Editor in Chief" of EU-Startups.com and started the blog in October 2010. He is excited about Europe's future, passionate about new business ideas and lives in Barcelona (Spain).
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