The Association of MBAs (AMBA) is one of the most prestigious international accreditation bodies in the world in the field of management and business education. Together with the American AACSB and the European EQUIS, it forms the so-called “Triple Crown”, which is currently held by only around 1–2% of business schools worldwide.
AMBA specialises in evaluating postgraduate programmes – primarily MBAs, MBMs (Master in Business and Management) and DBAs. It assesses the quality of a specific programme in detail: its strategy, curriculum, learning outcomes, staff qualifications and development, student support, international dimension, graduate employability and social impact.
Why is AMBA accreditation important for our university?
- For the university and the faculty: It enhances international prestige and visibility. Programmes with AMBA accreditation are recognised by employers and partners abroad.
- For students: A degree from an AMBA-accredited programme carries greater weight in the job market, offers better opportunities when applying for jobs in international companies, provides greater access to alumni networks, and often leads to better remuneration.
- For staff and lecturers: It opens doors to international projects, grants, research collaborations and mobility schemes, and enhances the faculty’s appeal to new, high-calibre lecturers.
What does AMBA assess during the accreditation of the MBM programme?
AMBA assesses the programme comprehensively according to clearly defined criteria. Here is an overview of the most important areas:
- Institution and strategy
The overall strategy of the faculty/university, its mission, programme management, financial stability and links to industry are assessed. - Quality of teaching staff
- Teachers’ qualifications and research activity
- Practical experience
- Systematic professional development of teaching staff
- Team diversity
- Students and their experience
- Selection and composition of students
- International and generational diversity
- Support for students during their studies
- Student life and engagement
- Programme content and learning outcomes
- Structure and content of the curriculum
- Clearly defined learning outcomes (what students can do upon graduation)
- Balance between theory and practice
- Methods of student assessment
- Programme impact and graduate employment
- How the programme affects students and graduates
- Career development and employability
- Long-term benefits for graduates and society
- Sustainability, ethics and social responsibility
- How the programme responds to current global challenges, ethical issues and the principles of sustainable development.
AMBA does not seek perfection, but consistent quality, authenticity and a clear commitment to continuous improvement. The first self-assessment form we completed helped us to get our house in order in precisely these areas and to identify priorities for the future.
What is the situation in our region?
Several renowned universities in Central Europe hold AMBA accreditation, for example:
- Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) – a Triple Crown holder,
- Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE) – Faculty of Business Administration – also a Triple Crown holder,
- Corvinus University of Budapest in Hungary,
- SGH Warsaw School of Economics in Poland;
- Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick in Ireland, with which our faculty has a partnership as part of a dual-degree programme at undergraduate level.
Why is our faculty applying for AMBA accreditation?
“Our faculty is applying for AMBA accreditation because we aim to elevate our MBM programme to the highest European standards of quality. We want to obtain an objective and rigorous international assessment that will show us where we stand in comparison with leading business schools. It is not just about obtaining a certificate. Above all, we are seeking serious feedback from international experts, which will help us systematically improve the quality of education, strengthen the link between theory and practice, and further develop the international dimension of the programme. Our long-term goal is to be a recognised faculty in Central Europe, offering students a modern, relevant and internationally competitive programme. We want our graduates to be even better equipped to succeed in the dynamic labour market both at home and abroad. At the same time, we want to create an attractive environment for our teaching staff – with greater scope for international collaboration, research and professional development. We know that the process is demanding and the outcome is not guaranteed in advance. However, even if we do not succeed in obtaining accreditation at the first attempt, the very process of evaluation and self-reflection brings us great value and moves us forward.”
Doc. Ing. Anita Romanová, PhD., Dean of the Faculty of Management and Business Administration (FPM) at EUBA
