Top British business school wins prestigious AACSB business accreditation

Ashridge Business School, UK, has maintained its business accreditation by US-based AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accreditation reinforces Ashridge’s position as an elite international business school for working professionals.

AACSB accreditation is a hallmark of distinction in business education, and is held by less than five
percent of the world’s business programmes. Reaccreditation is granted following a rigorous review and visit conducted by peer AACSB accredited institutions.

The AACSB panel commends Ashridge in a range of areas, including its understanding of executive education in the UK and internationally, growing research output, community spirit and atmosphere, culture of learning and innovation in rigorous and relevant qualifications.

Since achieving degree awarding powers in 2008, Ashridge has developed its portfolio of degree programmes, including its new online Executive Masters in Management, redesigned MBA and new qualifications tailored for specific organisations.

Dr Martin Lockett, Dean of Academic Development, Ashridge Business School, said: “AACSB accreditation is testimony to the quality of Ashridge’s programmes and ensures that the degrees that students receive from us are recognised as amongst the world’s best.

“Since our last review, we have redesigned our MBA to make it even more relevant to business leaders today. It is highly interactive, backed up by a world-class online ‘Learning Zone’. Ashridge qualifications are informed by our extensive work with executives and address the real-life challenges faced by managers and organisations.

“AACSB and other reviews have praised our strategy to help students and organisations develop sustainable business models for the future – and our research and teaching which focuses on making a tangible difference to businesses. As competition for the best students intensifies, endorsement by accreditation bodies is essential if a business school wants to be known as world-class.”

Ashridge holds the ‘triple crown’ of accreditations from the three main bodies – AMBA (the Association of MBAs), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) and the AACSB – a level of recognition achieved by less than one per cent of business schools worldwide.

Ashridge holds a number of other plaudits, including:
· Third in Europe and fourth globally in the International Graduate Forum’s (IGF) global MBA league table 2013
· Number one in the UK and 11th globally for customised programmes (Financial Times, 2012)
· Ranked in the global top 20 for both open and customised programmes (Business Week, 2011)