The Financial Times released its 2009 European Business School Rankings this week. Take some time to read up on FT's ranking methodology and to play around in the extensive databases and charts which rank the top European B-schools programs as well as graduate salary rankings.

Top 10 European Business Schools
1.    HEC Paris, France
2.    London Business School, UK
3.    Insead, France
4.    IMD, Switzerland
5.    IE Business School, Spain
6.    Iese Business School, Spain
7.    Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Netherlands
8.    Esade Business School, Spain
8.    EM Lyon Business School, France
10.    Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School, Belgium

Top 10 European MBA Programs
1.    London Business School, UK
2.    Insead, France
3.    IE Business School, Spain
4.    Iese Business School, Spain
5.    IMD, Switzerland
6.    University of Cambridge Judge, UK
7.    Esade Business School, Spain
8.    University of Oxford Said, UK
9.    Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Netherlands
10.    Lancaster University Management School, UK

Top 10 European EMBA Programs
1.    HEC Paris, France
1.    London School of Economics and Political Sciences, UK
3.     London Business School, UK
4.     Insead, France
5.     IE Business School, Spain
6.     IMD, Switzerland
7.    Iese Business School, Spain
8.    City University, Cass, UK
8.     Essec Business School, France
8.    Mannheim Business School, Germany

So how are graduates of these schools doing, amidst a global recession? And how are they responding to the recession? According to Della Bradshaw, author of FT's "Business as Usual?," the economic recession has actually benefited most MBA programs. While those programs that could "no longer stand the heat" have been "weeded out," other top European business schools have reported a 20 percent increase in applications. Some b-schools are even expanding their programs to make room for the eager MBA prospects.

On the downside, more MBAs and fewer jobs do not always make for the best equation. Recent reports show that only 75 to 85 percent of MBA students are employed, down 10 percent from last year.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best