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Business schools around the world do not merely offer undergraduate and post-graduate study programs that lead to an academic degree. They also make available executive education courses, which prospective participants—those with experience working in a managerial position or aspiring to such a position—or companies can book individually and without full enrollment. For them, the Financial Times Executive Education Ranking is an important source of information when choosing the program that suits them best.

In the latest edition of the ranking, published today on May 22, 2023, the Executive Education programs of WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management have received excellent scores. The ranking consists of two sub-rankings: one for Open Executive Education Programs, booked by individuals; and one for Custom Executive Education Programs, which are tailored for and booked by companies. The overall list combines the results of both sub-rankings for schools offering both program types.

In this overall list, WHU has placed #31 worldwide and #2 in Germany. In the sub-ranking for the Open Executive Education Programs,WHU stands at #25 worldwide, meaning that the school has risen twelve spots from its #37 position in pre-COVID-19 times (2020). The WHU Customized Executive Education Programs have been able to keep their position at #57 worldwide. “Given the exceptionally difficult market situation for executive education programs both during and after the pandemic, I am very pleased with the positive evaluations from our program participants,” says Professor Christian Andres, Dean of WHU.

Looking at the results in closer detail, it is clear that WHU’s Open Programs have performed particularly well in several categories, including preparation (#14), i.e., the provision of advanced information on program content and participant selection process; course design (#15); follow-up after the course participants returned to their workplace, as well as their networking opportunities with their fellow participants (#16); and faculty, meaning the quality of teaching and the extent to which teaching staff worked together to present a coherent program (#16).

The WHU Customized Programs scored well in the quantity and quality of programs developed or taught in conjunction with other EQUIS- or AACSB-accredited business schools (#37), in the follow-up following the completion of a course (#40), and in the percentage of international clients (#43).

Please click here for a detailed look at the results of the Financial Times Executive Education Rankings for 2023.

Please click here for more information on WHU's Executive Education programs.

People make up organizations. Strategies, innovations, and competitive advantage are all created by people. Therefore, a corporation's growth and advancement depend greatly on the development of its people resources.

WHU’s Open Programs are a perfect starting point for your HR development activities. In this brief interview with Rieka Wienke, Head of People & Culture at KRONGAARD, you will learn about the ways HRD professionals receive support throughout the entire WHU Executive Education journey and what they gained from this enriching experience.

- Ms. Wienke, what goal did you have in mind regarding HR development when coming to WHU?

We want to expand the knowledge within the organization in the long term while continuing to build and expand our own successes through knowledge. As a premium service provider, it is, of course, also important for us to develop premium employees. We believe in the continuous and constant development of everyone and want to promote this from within. For us, knowledge is one of the most important assets for the company's success.

- Why did you choose WHU?

It is important to us that our employees receive a high-quality qualification opportunity. Thinking outside the box is particularly crucial here in order to facilitate lifelong learning. Above all, the networking aspect and the interaction between business and science is very special for us. Insights into existing scientific findings and exchanges with professors and the teaching staff stimulate important starting points, which build up knowledge in the long term.

- Beyond the content WHU offers, what makes it special as an executive education learning provider?

For us, the idea of networking was particularly important. The opportunity to exchange ideas with decision-makers from other companies is a big plus here. Furthermore, because the communication with the WHU staff during the consultation process as well as during the programs is at eye level, we feel understood and receive various formats with different target groups.

- How would you sum up the experience with WHU Executive Education?

As a company, we feel very well looked after here. Here you will find good communication and the possibility to expand our own knowledge. In addition, we get external stimuli that help us internally.

Returning to the daily work routine with new and fresh knowledge provides enormous added value for our managers and executives and increases the long-term motivation of each individual.

On October 31, 2022, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management celebrated the opening of its new industrial building at the Schwanenhöfe complex in Düsseldorf with Dr. Stephan Keller, Mayor of the City of Düsseldorf, in attendance. The new Executive Education Learning Center and so-called “Bogenhalle” now offers managers and executives that are seeking shorter educational formats instead of a full study program at WHU an even more attractive learning atmosphere with 1,600 m2 tailored to their needs. Both Customized Programs, tailor-made for companies, and Open Programs for individual participants, will use the new Executive Education Learning Center to host their programs.

The building, made of steel, concrete, and glass, which was originally a factory floor for Henkel before being used by the fashion brand G-Star RAW, completes the grounds of the Schwanenhöfe on the northwest side. After a complete renovation, it now boasts two lecture halls, eight group workrooms, a meeting space on the upper floor, a catering and bistro area downstairs, and a glass courtyard for a little relaxation. Behind the spacious and open reception area, the wall of green moss creates a modern, feel-good ambiance and brings a bit of nature into the studio-like building. On the steel girder above the reception area stands a piece of art by Stefanie Welk: a human figure constructed of sheet metal strips reflecting courage and dynamism. Visitors will also catch sight of some colorful and powerful paintings on the upper floor. On loan from the artist Bernd Schwarzer, these pieces focus on Europe and the war playing out in Ukraine.

The WHU Foundation financed the acquisition and renovation of the building. In his speech, Dr. Toni Calabretti, Chairman of the Foundation, took the audience back to 2009, when the decision was first made to open a second location for the school and to do so in Düsseldorf. He showed his joy at how quickly the Bogenhalle, with construction work starting only in March of this year, was able to be converted.

“I’m thrilled that our Executive Education Program has found a new home in this radiant building and its inspiring atmosphere,” said Professor Markus Rudolf, Dean of WHU. “WHU has always committed to excellence and must expand its offerings in order to compete with other top business schools around the world. The addition of this modern academic space for continued managerial education will help us achieve our goal.”

Executive Education at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, with a variety of cooperative open programs already globally recognized by the Financial Times (#15 in the 2022 Ranking), continues to diversify its portfolio. WHU knows that it is more important than ever for any executive to take a 360° view of their field of practice to prepare themselves for the future. A core part of that is paying mind to how an industry can and ultimately does evolve—and understanding the potential strategic changes that new technology may bring. To date, the world of sports has secured itself a connected future and earned the reputation of being an industry well ahead of the curve. On October 3, WHU Executive Education will debut the new Transformational Technologies: Applied Lessons from Sports course running as a part of the MIT xPRO series. This brand-new curriculum uses the sports industry as an example of where the world of business is headed.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA (USA) started offering their xPRO series of courses in 2016, seeking to combine a student’s business acumen with the technical expertise necessary for the future. In line with this approach, this new asynchronous course, developed together with WHU, is the first of its kind to center around the sports industry and how it has adopted new technology—including virtual reality, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and Web 3.0. Designed for business professionals across all industries, the program will show how technological breakthroughs could forever change the way business is conducted and enable participants to apply this freshly gained knowledge to their own professional lives.

Professor Sascha L. Schmidt, holder of the Sports and Management Chair at WHU, is spearheading the course and explained, “This is a chance for business professionals to learn more about today’s technology revolution—and how it affects both their private and professional environment.” Upon successfully completing the course, participants will receive an official certification from WHU and MIT xPRO.

Those interested in enrolling in the program can find more information on the official course website.

In recent years, there have been substantial shifts in the medical profession, and today’s practicing physicians increasingly need to consider aspects of business, financial planning, and leadership in their daily routines. Typically, such topics are not a part of their medical training, neither while studying nor while interning. As such, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, in conjunction with MLP School of Financial Education, has conceived a specialized Executive Education program for physicians scheduled to start on October 1, 2022.

The Advanced Management Programm für Aerztinnen/Aerzte [Advanced Management Program for Medical Doctors] is a compact, intensive course that combines interactive online trainings and in-class sessions, the latter of which will be hosted first on WHU’s Duesseldorf campus and then later on MLP’s campus in Heidelberg. The program has been tailored to fit a medical professional’s often tight schedule. The modules, which are held exclusively in German, will enhance a participant’s ability to make managerial decisions within the context of the medical profession.

Over the course of two in-person modules, reinforced by a series of shorter online workshops, participants will take a comprehensive view on a wide range of topics that touch upon everything from practical matters (e.g., taxation, finance, and the sale of practice) to more recondite subjects (e.g., leadership skills and coping mechanisms). “WHU and MLP SoFE are confident that these highly specialized experts will benefit from all that is on offer. We want to ensure that we address their specific needs with this new curriculum,” says Executive Education Director Rebecca Winkelmann. “With a mix of face-to-face and online sessions, we offer physicians a distinctly flexible format with the latest insights from health economics and leadership.” Those interested in enrolling in the program should submit their applications through the program website by mid-September at the latest.

WHU is one of Germany’s top business schools, specializing in all topics relevant to finance, entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, and much more. With a series of open enrollment programs already globally recognized by the Financial Times, as well as numerous partnerships with institutions both inside and outside of Europe, Executive Education at WHU continues to expand its course selection. From programs in advanced management skills and specialized coaching to branding and negotiations, WHU’s catalog has been designed with today’s leaders and managers in mind.

Prospective participants can find out more information here.