Selecting the right MBA program is a deeply personal choice and can be a life-changing step for candidates. It’s important to get to know the curriculum and career prospects at each potential business school. At the same time, it can be just as crucial to get a feel of the organizational culture which shapes the overall experience and impacts how students learn, grow, and connect. For those considering the Copenhagen MBA at Copenhagen Business School (CBS), understanding its cultural norms and practices offers valuable insights into this program and institution.
Scandinavian values in action: balance and equality
A hallmark of Scandinavian organizational culture is the strong emphasis on equality, where every voice is valued. The goal in CBS is for students to become part of a supportive, inclusive community and to have a faculty that is approachable and open. At the end of the day, this culture develops confidence among students, enabling them to share ideas and feedback without fear of judgment. This is similar to how CBS sums up the workplace culture in Denmark:
“Danish companies are known to have a very flat hierarchical structure and the culture is described as having a low power distance where people expect and accept power relations that are more consultative and democratic. People relate to one another as equals regardless of job titles and formal positions.”
The Scandinavian concept of “hygge” – a sense of cozy togetherness – also has its influence on the local study environment. As with most business programs, the Copenhagen MBA can be intense and time-consuming, but not at the expense of the personal well-being of students. Participants know to seek balance and maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout their studies.
Learning beyond the classroom
Copenhagen Business School is well-known for its emphasis on action-based learning and experiential approaches to teaching. Beyond textbooks and lectures, it focuses on practical, real-world applications of business knowledge. Through partnerships with leading Danish and international companies, the Copenhagen MBA opens up opportunities for students to participate in real projects and propose working solutions to real challenges.
Sophie Munck, Full-time MBA Class of 2023, took part in the world’s largest venture capital competition where MBA students emulate the life of venture capitalists. “Starting with transferring knowledge into practice, my team and I had the opportunity to apply what we had learned in corporate finance in a real investment opportunity,” she says of the experience. “One thing is to learn how to evaluate a company in class, another one is to evaluate an early-stage startup.”
Social impact projects are especially important within the Copenhagen MBA and reflect its commitment to responsible business practices. Class participants often focus on sustainability and ethical leadership throughout their consulting and group projects.
Sustainability woven throughout the program
Copenhagen Business School was one of the early signatories of the UN’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) back in 2008. The school has since been making responsible management integral to all educational practices at CBS, as well as to its organizational identity. The idea that students should learn how to be socially and environmentally conscious leaders is central to the program.
Professionals from around the world often choose the Copenhagen MBA precisely for the way it weaves the topic of sustainability into the study experience. Jaimie Rose Mingming, Full-time MBA, Class of 2024, highlights: “Conversations with CBS alumni and the MBA team reinforced my decision, as I found that CBS aligns with my values and aspirations to contribute to driving sustainable business transformations. I was especially drawn to the Governance and Sustainability concentration and the Leadership Discovery Process […].”
Innovation and entrepreneurship
The spirit of innovation is strong within the school as students are encouraged to question traditional business models and think creatively about future possibilities. Copenhagen itself reinforces this focus as a thriving city for startups and tech innovation and the capital of Denmark’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
At CBS, MBA students have access to different opportunities for developing their business ideas and entrepreneurial skills. The school has its own center for practical and applied entrepreneurship called Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship (CSE). It is designed to provide support to current students, graduates, and researchers who want to test their ideas or scale their startups. CSE has an Incubator and Accelerator, it offers free mentorship, and has a varied event program for the community.
The school’s close ties to the city’s startup community also mean that students can connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and incubators outside of the Copenhagen MBA if they need additional external support.
A supportive environment for growth and well-being
Like any MBA program, studying in Denmark and at CBS can be demanding for aspiring leaders and requires dedication. At the same time, Copenhagen Business School understands that this shouldn’t come at a cost for students’ well-being and personal and social life. The school’s culture promotes a healthy studies-life balance, giving students the time and space to unwind and make the most of Copenhagen’s high quality of life.
Especially for international students, it is essential to be able to explore their personal interests through clubs and events at the school as they might find it more difficult to find those opportunities elsewhere at first. The community is supportive and it helps MBAs manage the pressures of an intensive curriculum while looking out for one another.
For those seeking an MBA program with a balanced approach to business and social impact and a collaborative spirit, studying in Denmark provides the right cultural fit through Copenhagen Business School. It’s a place where students don’t just learn about business, but how to become responsible, innovative leaders.
Comments