EBS study programme assessed as being among top 100 in world

Estonian Business School (EBS), the only educational institution of its kind in the country, has announced that its English-language Bachelor’s-level International Business Administration study programme has become the first in Estonia to receive EPAS accreditation – among the highest-level recognition business schools can receive.

EPAS accreditation is only awarded to business and management study programmes that have an extensive international perspective and are marked by the high quality of their studies. “This is enormous recognition for EBS,” said rector Arno Almann. “It shows that the quality of our studies is up there with the very best business schools around the world. Such accreditation represents validation of what we’ve done to date in developing our study programmes and in ensuring the quality of our teaching and the competitiveness of the education we provide. It also boosts the reputation of both EBS specifically and Estonian higher education generally and opens up new opportunities for our students and lecturers for working with recognised European schools, colleges and universities.”

In order to acquire EPAS accreditation the study programme had to undergo a thorough evaluation process, in the course of which such aspects as its position at both the local and international levels, the content and assessment criteria of the programme, the learning outcomes of students, the suitability of the lecturers and the success of alumni were considered.

The accreditation assessment committee comprised representatives of key organisations in the development of the quality of international management education. Vice-rector for International Collaboration Toomas Danneberg, who oversaw the accreditation process on the EBS side, said: “We’ve been working towards the EPAS seal of approval for years, and finally we’ve been recognised for it!” He added that the accreditation process reassured the organisation that the lofty objectives and targets it set for itself were the right ones to aim for.

More than 100 study programmes in 35 countries have been awarded EPAS accreditation. EBS’s programme is the first of its kind at any institution of higher education in Estonia to be accredited in this way. “Our English-language Bachelor’s programme in international business administration is one of our oldest and most popular,” explained Almann. “We’ve had almost 400 people from 14 countries graduate from it over the years. During their three years of studies, the students – including those at our branch, EBS Helsinki – learn all the basics of international business and management and can choose between marketing and finance as their area of speciality.”

EPAS accreditation is awarded by the European Foundation for Management Development, a non-profit dedicated to the development of the quality of international business and management education which has more than 800 member organisations from the academic, business, public and consultation sectors of 81 countries. It is globally recognised as one of the leading quality assessment bodies in management education. EPAS accreditation has also been awarded to these leading schools and universities: L. Bocconi University (Italy); Vienna Wirtschaftsuniversität School of Business and Economics (Austria); Aalto University and Vaasa University (Finland); and Rīga International School of Economics and Business Administration (Latvia).

29 Jun 2016