Despite strong demand for lifelong learning among business school graduates, most alumni are looking beyond their alma maters to meet those needs, according to a new global study.
The Alumni Matters report, released by education consultancy CarringtonCrisp in partnership with EFMD, surveyed 2,130 alumni across 87 countries. It found that while nearly half (46%) of respondents are eager for more learning opportunities, only 30% plan to return to their business school for further education.
Instead, alumni are calling for more tailored support from their former institutions. Seven in ten (70%) want business schools to create specific learning programs for alumni, while 64% are seeking online access to faculty content and 61% are looking for preferential rates for additional study.
“Lifelong learning is one of the priorities for alumni, and there is a clear indication that they expect favorable rates and access from their business schools,” says Andrew Crisp, co-founder of CarringtonCrisp and author of the report, in a news release accompanying it. “If they are not able to get this, they are very willing to go elsewhere.”
The findings suggest a missed opportunity for business schools but also point to a potential path forward. Crisp says that institutions could develop partnerships with external providers to broaden their lifelong learning offerings.
More than half of respondents (51%) expressed interest in pursuing another full-time degree, such as an MBA, EMBA, or other master’s. Postgraduate certificates or diplomas (45%) and short non-degree executive education courses (43%) were also popular. A majority (51%) preferred either fully online or blended learning formats.
Beyond academic learning, alumni are seeking deeper engagement with their business schools. Nearly half (45%) would like to attend annual community events combining networking and learning. Others expressed a desire to contribute to student career development (42%) and curriculum design (41%). Some 39% are interested in collaborating with fellow alumni on charitable or NGO projects.
Career support remains a top priority. Just under half (48%) of respondents want improved alumni career services, with 46% asking for easier ways to connect with fellow graduates and the same number requesting more learning opportunities.
Entrepreneurship also emerged as a major theme. Four in ten alumni (41%) want support for starting a business. Among this group, 62% are looking to invest in new ventures, 52% are in the early planning stages of launching a business, and 45% are already founders seeking a stronger entrepreneurial network.
