European MBA Guidelines
European Quality Link (EQUAL)
Launched and hosted by the Brussels-based
European Foundation for Management
Development (efmd), EQUAL is the international
association of quality assessment and
accreditation agencies in the field of European
management education.
Preamble
The European Quality Link (EQUAL), the European association of
national accrediting bodies, has as its main objective the continued
improvement of quality in business schools. As part of this activity,
EQUAL aims to agree common standards for programmes, where
appropriate, and to establish benchmarks. The Master of Business
Administration (MBA) is the first widely accepted international
degree, but there are variable interpretations of the nature of this
degree. The members of EQUAL have therefore agreed
unanimously on a European MBA framework. The following
guidelines are intended to assist business schools,
inform
participants and employers, and also contribute to the European
Quality Inprovement System (EQUIS) process. They reflect a
common interest in creating transparency in the market and
encouraging the convergence of such degrees. In addition, these
guidelines may be used to influence governmental regulatory
initiatives.
Guidelines
1.The MBA is a postgraduate degree at the Master's level and
must correspond to minimum intellectual and academic standards
for such degrees. Admission to an MBA programme will normally
require a first degree or equivalent. This requirement can only be
lowered in the case of candidates with substantial and proven
professional experience.
2.The MBA is a postexperience degree seen as a career
accelerator or a means to make a career shift after a minimum of 2
or 3 years' professional experience. Programmes designed to help
young graduates prepare for their entry into professional life should
normaly carry an alternative title
3.The MBA is a generalist degree in business administration. In line
with the previous guideline it