October 9, 2024

Smith Partners with Top 10 Business Schools Across the World for Student Exchange

Photo of Melbourne, Australia
The Robert H. Smith School of Business partners with top-ranked global universities, such as Bocconi University and Peking University, to offer student exchange programs. These exchanges provide students valuable global business experience, earning academic credit while enhancing adaptability and cultural awareness.

Bocconi University is considered the leading university in Business and Economics in Italy, and its School of Management is ranked 3rd in Europe by Bloomberg BusinessWeek and 5th by the Financial Times. Why does this matter? It’s just one of the top-ten universities worldwide that the Robert H. Smith School of Business partners with through its Center for Global Business (CGB) to offer and facilitate academic exchanges each semester.

This fall, the school is welcoming 23 international students and facilitating the exchange of 16 UMD students with 13 top-tier international partners across the world. These 13 global universities span three continents and include ten countries: Lund University (Sweden), Bayes Business School (United Kingdom), University of Melbourne (Australia), SKEMA Business School (France), IE Business School (Spain), Guanghua School of Management (China), and WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management (Germany). These universities are recognized consistently in global rankings for their prestigious academic and business programs. A glimpse of these include:

  • The University of Melbourne in Australia: The highest-ranked university in Australia, ranked 27th among the best global universities based on U.S. News and World Report.
  • SKEMA Business School in France: Ranked 71st in the 2023 European Business School Rankings and ranked 30th globally in the Financial Times Masters in Management rankings.
  • Peking University in China: Ranked 14th in the world and is listed as the top university in Asia according to the ​​QS World University Rankings 2025.

Through these BMGT exchange programs, students have the opportunity to study at international universities and gain a comprehensive understanding of the global business environment. Students develop skills applicable to their future careers including adaptability, cultural awareness, and communication, and enhance their academic career through earning credits towards their major. Exchange programs are an affordable option for studying abroad for a semester or an entire academic year. Through these business exchanges, students can take courses directly related to their major(s) and stay on track for graduation. 

Oliver Miller, a current UMD senior studying finance at Bocconi University in Italy, describes his exchange program experience “I decided to study abroad because I've always loved traveling and having the opportunity to explore different cultures while meeting people from around the world. So far I've had an incredible experience and have been able to make friends from Italy as well as other exchange students from parts of the world to which I've never been, so it's been an incredible learning experience.”

Interested in learning more about BMGT semester exchange and study abroad opportunities? Visit the Center for Global Business website or schedule an advising appointment to learn more. 

Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

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