To find your dream university campus, consider both academic excellence and campus life benefits that match with your personal goals. Think of campus architecture, student services, and study environment quality to ensure the best MBA campus experience. The campus location, university facilities, and opportunities for student networking are also important.
Why Your University Campus Matters
This will be your home for a year or two and the place to share with peers, friends, and business contacts. So, let us take you on a virtual tour and reveal how truly diverse business school campus environments can be. We hope that this will add a nice flavor to your school selection research, which can sometimes be really overwhelming.
A university campus can provide you with elegant architecture of different styles and ages, the latest facilities for education and research, sports and culture. Overall, your university may be really fascinating, pleasing to the eyes, and located in a unique place with significant campus location advantages.
Although campus facilities are not among the major factors in school selection for most prospective students, they can also be an interesting source of information and can help you decide what the right place is for you. So, for a while let’s forget about test scores, GPA, curriculum, teaching methods, admission requirements, and deadlines and tour some campuses in Europe and North America.
Exploring Unique Campus Environments Across Europe
ESMT Berlin (European School of Management and Technology), Germany
Located in the cosmopolitan town of Berlin, the ESMT campus has a lot to offer its students. You can witness the specific architecture and feel the unique style of the Berlin campus. The building was completed in 1964 and hosted the National Council of the GDR until 1989. After reunification the building was used in many ways until 2002, when the European School of Management and Technology was founded by 25 leading global companies and institutions.
The transformation of the Staatsratgebäude into a modern university campus and learning institution started in 2004, and ESMT started holding classes there in January 2006. Besides being impressive for its size, the building is also famous for its 180m2 stained glass window. It was designed by the socialist artist Walter Womacka and shows the history of the German workers’ movement. The most impressive room is probably the Auditorium Maximum where from its enormous windows you can enjoy the view of the famous Museum Island and Berlin Cathedral.
ESMT used to have a second campus near Cologne. It was hosted in Schloss Gracht – one of the oldest castles in North Rhine-Westphalia, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), Italy
Founded in 1921, UCSC is an Italian private research university, holding the honor of being the largest private university in Europe and is among the largest Catholic universities in the world. Milan is the main and largest campus, but Cattolica has a site in Rome, which holds the medical school, campuses in Piacenza and Cremona, and a site at Brescia in the foothills of the Alps.
The main university campus is elegantly designed and gives students an eccentric feel. It is based in an 8th century monastery, renovated by Bramante in the 1600s, where students can enjoy the atmosphere of its Renaissance architecture. Yet, while it may look antique, the university facilities are highly contemporary as it houses a hi-tech library, a sports center providing opportunities for all types of sports enthusiasts, a language center, and an exemplary musical community, amongst many other campus amenities.
The campus is hidden discreetly within picturesque gardens and courtyards, all of which add to the unique ambience and an environment conducive to study. However, it is also an integral part of the local community of Milan, which is the undisputed financial, commercial, and industrial capital of the country with thousands of registered active, national and international, financial and insurance businesses.
IE Business School, Spain
IE University has three campuses, each with its own distinct identity and advantages – two are in Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, and the third is in the historic city of Segovia, less than an hour from the capital.
Located in the romantic city of Madrid, Spain, IE Business School would be expected to be built to awe. Near the vibrant city center, one of the university campuses – Maria de Molina – is a short distance away from every imaginable facility that students may need. This IE campus currently occupies a total area of some 28,000 sq. m. distributed amongst 17 buildings. Eccentric yet simple Spanish architecture, beautiful weather, and world-class facilities combine to give you an experience of a lifetime. The campus is located in Madrid’s financial district. Equipped with the best library, sports facilities, and lecture and meeting rooms, the university campus does not leave any facility unattended. Exquisitely designed, the university campus is contemporarily furnished and students are sure to be ecstatic about most of these facilities.
The location of this IE campus allows students the opportunity to see and feel everything Madrid has to offer, adding to the overall MBA campus experience. This great city boasts a long list of museums, parks and gardens, palaces, modern and historic architecture, as well as having great nightlife and being a very modern and friendly city. Then again, isn’t it also enough that you are in the center of Spain?
Campus Life and Facilities in the UK That Support Student Success
University of Strathclyde Business School, Scotland, UK
The university campus is situated in the heart of Glasgow – one of Europe’s most exciting cities. It is close to central train and bus stations and only 20 minutes from Glasgow Airport. It’s no surprise that many students choose to live on campus. Strathclyde University is investing hundreds of millions to transform its dynamic, digital campus, offering 1,500 campus PCs in computer labs open 24/7. The university campus also has a library with various different areas suitable for individual or group study work, creating an ideal study environment. The library has around a million print volumes as well as access to over 700,000 electronic books and over 178,000 e-journals.
If you are a sports person Strathclyde’s campus has a lot to offer you. With its excellent playing fields, a sports center with badminton courts, squash courts, an up-to-date fitness suite and changing rooms, weights rooms, and a swimming pool, it doesn’t matter whether you compete at national level or just enjoy sport. Over 50 sports clubs ranging from aikido to volleyball means there is something for everyone. Having all this in mind, there is no doubt that Strathclyde University campus is a great place to study and live.
Cranfield University: Cranfield School of Management, UK
Cranfield is located at the very heart of the UK, between London and the cities of Oxford and Cambridge. Its central location makes it easy to reach from across the world. There is even an airport on the Cranfield campus itself for private executive business travel. Set in peaceful countryside, Cranfield offers a rich, rural landscape complemented by thriving towns and picturesque villages.
Cranfield School of Management provides top-class teaching and learning. There are spacious areas – both inside and out – for breaks, work, or relaxation. Cranfield students are exposed to a diverse and dynamic knowledge community, working in small groups, building relationships that last a lifetime through effective student networking. The school is equipped with a computer studio, a television and radio studio, and a School of Management Library that offers access to a wealth of electronic resources for learning and research.
The Cranfield Management Development Centre is also situated in the campus. This is an award-winning, residential management training center. The facility has been designed to create an environment that is conducive to effective learning whilst providing the high standard of accommodation expected by global business managers.
The campus has all the amenities of a small village: a bank, post office, bookshop, general store, social club, and a wide range of social and leisure activities.
Loughborough University: School of Business and Economics, UK
As well as being a well accredited university academically, the Loughborough University campus is nothing less than amazing. The campus occupies an area of 438 acres in the heart of the UK, making it the largest single-site green campus in the country.
Better yet, it is not lagging behind in facilities either. The university has the country’s largest concentration of world-class training facilities across a wide range of sports, available for the enthusiastic amateur as well as elite performers. Students have access to an on-campus indoor athletics center and an outdoor stadium; a 50-metre swimming pool; squash, badminton, and tennis courts; and a state-of-the-art fitness center, amongst numerous other facilities. Some of the facilities are owned and run by the Loughborough Students’ Union.
The locality and amenities at the university add up to a superb venue for both business conferences and private functions. The university campus hosts a variety of events, many of which are open to the local community. These include the annual bonfire and firework display, a variety of musical and theatrical performances, and a series of lectures by Loughborough academics and guest speakers. The university campus benefits from access to banks, shops, and hotel accommodation too, making sure that no facility is left overlooked.
Iconic North American Business School Campuses
University of Virginia: Darden School of Business, USA
Darden School of Business is situated in Charlottesville, consistently named one of the happiest cities in America. The University of Virginia has won much praise for its unique Jeffersonian architecture (the university was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819).
The main university building and the buildings around it are really impressive in style and architecture; the school even has a chapel and rotunda on its campus, also designed by Thomas Jefferson. The campus is referred to as “the Grounds”. Students are active in many aspects of the community, from social organizations, to volunteer opportunities, to sporting events.
The school is well-known for its consistently dominant men’s and women’s lacrosse teams, but it has a lot to offer to other sports’ enthusiasts too. The university even has its own amphitheater and science building.
University of Virginia offers a number of student services, including non-remedial tutoring, a women’s center, a placement service, day care and health service facilities, and health insurance. Life on campus is really safe. The city of Charlottesville is very nice and peaceful and has a lot to offer young students – coffee shops, bakeries, bars, and clubs. As a whole, the campus leaves you with a very positive feeling and admiration for its beautiful architecture.
University of California at San Diego: Rady School of Management, USA
San Diego is a great place to study and a great place to live. As California’s second largest city (after Los Angeles), San Diego has the resources and diversity of a major metropolitan area.
Students at the Rady School of Management benefit from the school’s integration with the campus – you will interact with other UC San Diego students for projects and extracurricular activities, establishing professional and social networks.
The main building of Rady School is called Otterson Hall. It was named after the late William (Bill) Otterson in appreciation for his contributions to the San Diego business community. The facility comprises 4,600 m2 of classrooms, offices, and community space, and serves as the permanent home of Rady School. The building provides views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Salk Institute, Torrey Pines golf course, and the Torrey Pines gliderport. Otterson Hall is powered in part by a rooftop solar photovoltaic system.
A new building, Wells Fargo Hall, was completed in May 2012. This newer five-storey structure connects with Otterson Hall and features pedestrian walkways and a pleasant outdoor seating area. The expansion provides additional classroom space, faculty offices and team study rooms for undergraduate and MBA use. It also includes multi-purpose conference rooms and an expansion of the Centre for Executive Development and the student services center.
University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business, Canada
It’s good to be attending the university campus of the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. The Vancouver campus is surrounded by natural beauty, lush and green, and scenic enough to be right out of a film. More than 400 hectares in size, the campus is surrounded by forest on three sides and ocean on the fourth.
The campus has been located on this site for most of its 100-year history; a location that is the traditional territory of the Musqueam people. The campus also has an additional site right in the center of Vancouver at Robson Square.
Located closely to the heart of Vancouver, the campus provides breathtaking views of the mountains and ocean; features museums, galleries, and art venues; and provides easy access to biking and hiking routes. Equipped with the latest facilities, it provides a complete experience, leaving you mesmerized for years to come.
UBC has another campus in Okanagan. It is a purpose-built facility for the 21st century which opened in Kelowna in 2005. Students and visitors at UBC can enjoy among others the Thunderbird ice hockey and 2010 Winter Olympics ice hockey venue, one of the best and largest Japanese gardens outside of Japan, a botanical garden, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum – home to Canada’s largest blue whale skeleton, and the center for the performing arts with one of the world’s great concert halls.
How to Choose the Campus That Fits You Best
When selecting your ideal business school campus, consider how the study environment matches with your personal learning style and career goals. Research campus life benefits carefully alongside university rankings campus performance. Factors like campus location advantages, available student services, and opportunities for student networking play a role too. Consider whether you prefer a historic university campus with traditional architecture or a modern university campus with cutting-edge facilities. Think about your lifestyle preferences – do you thrive in bustling city centers or prefer serene, nature-surrounded settings?
Finally, consider taking a virtual campus tour or visiting in person to experience the university culture firsthand. After all, the right campus environment can make your MBA journey more memorable and seal your future professional success.
So there you are: beautiful and well-equipped university campuses, each with its individual character. When choosing a favorite, we’ll let you decide!
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