The full-time MBA offered by the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) was today recognised as one of the finest in the world in the Financial Times (UK) 2013 ranking of the top 100 MBA programs globally.

The AGSM MBA Program at the Australian School of Business received a ranking of 48. This is the 14th consecutive year it has ranked in the top 100 MBA programs worldwide and the seventh year running it has ranked in the world’s top 50 MBA programs.

Professor Chris Styles, AGSM Director and Deputy Dean of the Australian School of Business, said students, alumni and staff of the AGSM could take great pride in being part of a school ranked among the top 50 in the world.

"The business school market is increasingly competitive and we understand students have a great variety of choice when they are selecting an MBA. We consider the ranking to be a reflection of the high calibre of students who are attracted to our program and the strength of the alumni who have gone before them. It also highlights the impact the AGSM MBA has on them personally and how they, in turn, use it to have impact in their organisations and communities,” explained Professor Styles.

The Financial Times surveyed MBA alumni who graduated three years ago (2009). These alumni earned an average salary of just over USD118,000 representing an 81% increase of their average salary compared with their pre-MBA salary.

Professor Mark Stewart, Academic Director, AGSM MBA Programs said:  "What is really pleasing for our students is the strong showing on criteria such as career progress, where the AGSM is ranked 27th globally, and the high score in ‘aims achieved’, with a rank of 34.

This strong career progress by AGSM MBA Alumni is consistent with the performance of the AGSM Careers Services team that helps graduating students to find employment resulting in typically 90% of students gaining employment within three months of graduation.

Professor Stewart added: “Our consistent inclusion in the FT Top 100 Business School ranking reflects our mission to be the premier graduate school of management in Australia, a leader in the Asia Pacific region and a peer in good standing with top tier graduate schools of management globally.

“The demand for entry into the full time AGSM MBA program continues to be strong and the quality of the new 2014 class is very high.

"Last week marked the arrival of new students starting in the full time AGSM MBA. The group – selected from a strong set of global applications – has a high level of diversity with students from 16 different countries, with a range of backgrounds including science, finance, engineering, manufacturing and telecommunications and comprises approximately 30% female students.

“The MBA continues to attract a diverse group of highly talented students who are sought after by employers in a range of sectors. The standard of the students admitted into this year’s cohort is again exceptional.  They are joining an elite group from around the world who have come together to create a rich and rewarding learning environment and who will become the core of their professional network throughout their career.

"Many of the AGSM's student exchange partner schools are also included in the Top 50 ranked business schools including Wharton, London Business School, Chicago Booth and Kellogg. These exchange agreements enable AGSM students to undertake about a quarter of their MBA program at another of the world’s leading business schools thus enhancing their learning experience, said Professor Stewart."

Media contact: Marie Kelly, Australian School of Business, 0408 256 381