Top European Business Schools in HealthTech

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Sep 16, 2025By Nelson Advisors

Leading European business schools with strong HealthTech ecosystems are often located in major innovation hubs and have dedicated programs, research centers, and partnerships with the healthcare industry. These schools foster a collaborative environment, bridging the gap between business acumen and technological innovation in the health sector. ⚕️

Top European Business Schools in HealthTech

The following institutions are recognised for their robust HealthTech offerings and ecosystems:

Imperial College Business School (UK): Located in London, a major global hub for technology and finance, Imperial has strong ties to Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The school offers specialized programs like the MSc in Global Health Management and courses on topics such as "Leading Systemic Innovation in Healthcare" and "Digital Transformation in Healthcare." Its ecosystem is supported by the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE), which focuses on bringing medical technologies to market.

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (UK): As part of the prestigious University of Oxford, Saïd Business School leverages the university's deep expertise in medicine and life sciences. It offers an MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership, collaborating with experts from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. The school is part of the "golden triangle" of research universities (Cambridge, London, Oxford), a leading region for health innovation.

IESE Business School in Barcelona (Spain): IESE has a robust HealthTech ecosystem, primarily driven by its Center for Research in Healthcare Innovation Management (CRHIM). The school is a key partner in EIT Health, a major European network for health-related innovation, which connects IESE with other top universities and companies. This collaboration strengthens its programs and provides students with a wide network.

University of Cambridge, Judge Business School (UK): Situated in the Cambridge cluster, a major European biotech and HealthTech hub, Cambridge Judge leverages its location. The school has an active entrepreneurship center that supports ventures in the life sciences and healthcare, often in collaboration with the university's science and medical departments.

EDHEC Business School (France): EDHEC offers an Executive MBA (EMBA) with a specialization in Healthcare Innovation & Technology. This program is designed to equip leaders with the skills to navigate digital transformation in the healthcare sector, covering modules on topics like "Data and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare" and "Medical Devices and Diagnostics."

SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy): Situated in Milan, a key city in Italy's business landscape, SDA Bocconi offers a Master's in International Healthcare Management, Economics and Policy (MIHMEP). The program is continuously updated with learnings from the institution's research centers, ensuring that topics and case studies are current and relevant to the evolving healthcare industry.

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (Germany): This school provides an MBA in International Healthcare Management tailored for working professionals. The program focuses on providing business acumen and leadership skills needed in a globalized healthcare sector. Germany, along with the UK and France, is one of the top-performing countries for healthcare and HealthTech innovation in Europe.

Aalto University (Finland): Aalto University offers an Aalto Health MBA and an Executive Health MBA, developed in collaboration with the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim. These programs focus on key challenges in Finland's healthcare sector, such as an aging population and the interaction between public and private healthcare organizations, preparing leaders to address real-world issues.

HEC Paris (France): HEC Paris is a top-ranked European business school with a strong focus on innovation. It runs an incubator and accelerator and has an active ecosystem that supports various tech startups, including those in the healthcare sector. Their location near Paris provides access to a vibrant French and European tech scene.

ESMT Berlin (Germany): Located in Berlin, a burgeoning European startup hub, ESMT benefits from Germany's strong engineering and pharmaceutical industries. While a general business school, its close ties to the German tech scene and the city's robust startup ecosystem make it an important player in HealthTech.

HealthTech Ecosystems in Europe

Europe's HealthTech ecosystems are thriving, supported by a combination of public and private initiatives.

EIT Health: The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Health is a key player in the European HealthTech ecosystem. It's a network of leading businesses, research centers, and universities across Europe. EIT Health's mission is to foster innovation and grow new businesses that create products and services to advance healthcare. They provide funding, training, and networking opportunities for startups, helping them navigate the complex regulatory and commercial landscape.

Geographical Hubs: HealthTech innovation in Europe is concentrated in several key regions. The UK, Germany, and France are considered leaders, with a high number of successful HealthTech startups and accelerators. Other notable regions include the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark) and Switzerland, known for their strong university and research spin-offs.

Public-Private Collaboration: The success of these ecosystems often hinges on the collaboration between business schools, universities, hospitals, and private companies. This model allows for the translation of academic research into commercially viable products and services. For example, business schools partner with local hospitals to offer students hands-on experience and live projects, ensuring that their innovations address real-world patient needs.

To discuss how Nelson Advisors can speak at your business school, mentor students, run a MedTech or Healthtech event, please email [email protected]

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