Head to head
ISCTE Business School vs ISM University of Management and Economics
The ISCTE Business School and ISM University of Management and Economics Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
| Metric | ISCTE Business School | ISM University of Management and Economics |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | — | — |
| QS ranking 2025 | — | — |
| Tuition | €7,350 (EU/EEA, 2026/2027 — latest published) | EUR 3,450 per semester for EU/EEA/EFTA citizens and Ukrainians, EUR 3,675 per semester for everyone else — four semesters, so EUR 13,800 and EUR 14,700 across the degree. ISM prices only the semester and publishes no programme total, and attaches no academic year to either rate (read at source 2026-09-07). Outside tuition: a EUR 100 application fee and a EUR 500 place-reservation payment credited to the first semester |
| Salary (~3yr) | — | — |
| Employment rate | — | — |
| GMAT range | — | — |
| Duration | 1.5 years | Two years full-time (120 ECTS, four semesters — one September intake a year) |
| Class size | — | — |
| Average age | — | — |
| International | — | — |
| Female | — | — |
| Location | Lisbon, Portugal | Vilnius, Lithuania |
The short version
- On tuition, ISCTE Business School is the more affordable option at €7,350 (EU/EEA, 2026/2027 — latest published).
- Geographically they are a different bet entirely: ISCTE Business School in Portugal, ISM University of Management and Economics in Lithuania.
Rankings and salary are only part of the decision — fit with your target career, location, language, and cost of living usually matter more. Read each program in full before deciding.
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Frequently asked
Which is more affordable, ISCTE Business School or ISM University of Management and Economics?
- Tuition is €7,350 (EU/EEA, 2026/2027 — latest published) at ISCTE Business School and EUR 3,450 per semester for EU/EEA/EFTA citizens and Ukrainians, EUR 3,675 per semester for everyone else — four semesters, so EUR 13,800 and EUR 14,700 across the degree. ISM prices only the semester and publishes no programme total, and attaches no academic year to either rate (read at source 2026-09-07). Outside tuition: a EUR 100 application fee and a EUR 500 place-reservation payment credited to the first semester at ISM University of Management and Economics. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Lisbon versus Vilnius, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Do you need the GMAT for ISCTE Business School or ISM University of Management and Economics?
- ISCTE Business School has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE; ISM University of Management and Economics has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE. Test policies change each cycle, so confirm the current requirement on each school's own admissions page before assuming you can skip it.
Should I choose ISCTE Business School or ISM University of Management and Economics?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Lisbon, Portugal versus Vilnius, Lithuania), the language of instruction, and your budget. Read both full profiles, weigh fit over a handful of ranking places, and if you are still torn, our admissions guide walks through building a shortlist you can defend.