Articles / Where to Study Leadership: Best Universities and Programmes
Development, Training & CoachingDiscover where to study leadership. Explore top business schools, MBA programmes, and leadership development options from Harvard to online alternatives.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Sat 10th January 2026
Leadership can be studied at elite business schools like Harvard, Wharton, and London Business School where MBA programmes integrate leadership development through case studies, team experiences, and executive coaching; at dedicated leadership programmes within universities offering specialised degrees; through online MBA programmes from accredited institutions providing flexibility for working professionals; and via executive education programmes designed for experienced leaders seeking concentrated development. The best choice depends on your career stage, learning style, and professional goals.
Where should you study leadership? This question confronts aspiring leaders seeking formal education to accelerate their development. From prestigious business schools to flexible online programmes, options abound. The challenge lies not in finding programmes but in selecting the right one for your circumstances and aspirations.
This guide examines where to study leadership, comparing top business schools, online options, and alternative pathways to help you make an informed decision about your leadership education.
World-class leadership education.
"Harvard places MBA students in the role of the decision-maker in case studies, believing this is the best way for them to acquire leadership skills. The core MBA program kicks off with courses encompassing personal leadership activities."
Harvard leadership approach:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Case study decision-making |
| Core courses | Personal leadership activities |
| Fellowship | 10+ year leadership fellowship programme |
| Focus | Developing decision-makers |
"Wharton places students into teams of five or six from different career and international backgrounds before the MBA starts. Central to this is the core MBA course 'Foundations of Teamwork and Leadership.'"
Wharton distinctive features:
"Leadership development is 'at the heart of everything that we do.' One way London Business School approaches this is through the Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy, which attracts experienced decision-makers."
LBS leadership offerings:
"Your growth as a leader is central to your Chicago Booth MBA experience. The MBA journey begins with LEAD, a hands-on, experiential course designed to help you identify your strengths as a leader."
Booth approach:
"The Vanderbilt MBA Leadership Development Program is a pillar of Owen's leadership experience and is considered among the best offered by business schools."
Vanderbilt strengths:
Flexible options for working professionals.
"99% of students at Indiana University–Bloomington (Kelley) are already employed when they enroll."
Top online MBA programmes:
| Institution | Notable Feature |
|---|---|
| Indiana University (Kelley) | 99% employed students |
| UNC Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) | Research excellence |
| Arizona State (Carey) | 98% employed students |
| USC Marshall | Network strength |
| UT Dallas (Jindal) | Top business school ranking |
Why consider online leadership education:
Online advantages:
Evaluate online options carefully:
Evaluation factors:
Focused leadership education options.
"Oakwood University's MBA in Leadership explores the concept of 'servant leader' and the online program of 36 credits takes only 12-18 months to complete."
Specialised programme types:
Accelerated and intensive options:
Format variations:
Targeted leadership education:
Sector focus areas:
Development for experienced leaders.
Concentrated leadership development:
Executive programme types:
Why experienced leaders choose short programmes:
Executive education advantages:
Where to find executive education:
Executive education sources:
What shapes modern programmes.
"MBA candidates are placing increasing value on purpose-driven careers. Sustainability, social impact, and global relevance are becoming essential components of successful leadership development programs."
Emerging priorities:
Modern programme additions:
Contemporary elements:
Evolving programme content:
Inclusion focus:
Decision-making framework.
Evaluate your needs:
Key questions:
Compare options systematically:
Comparison criteria:
| Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Reputation | Rankings, alumni outcomes |
| Methodology | Case study, experiential, theoretical |
| Format | Full-time, part-time, online |
| Cost | Tuition, opportunity cost |
| Network | Alumni strength, industry connections |
| Outcomes | Career advancement, skill development |
Final selection process:
Decision steps:
Beyond formal programmes.
Independent development options:
Self-directed approaches:
Learning through doing:
Experiential options:
Workplace-based learning:
Organisational options:
You can study leadership at elite business schools like Harvard, Wharton, London Business School, Chicago Booth, and Vanderbilt through MBA programmes. Online options include Indiana University (Kelley), UNC Chapel Hill, and Arizona State. Executive education, specialised programmes, and self-directed learning provide additional pathways.
The best business school for leadership depends on your goals and circumstances. Harvard excels at case study decision-making, Wharton offers distinctive team-based learning and executive coaching, London Business School provides global perspective, and Chicago Booth pioneered experiential leadership courses. Research multiple options to find the best fit.
Yes, numerous accredited institutions offer leadership-focused online MBA programmes. Top-ranked options include Indiana University (Kelley), UNC Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler), Arizona State (Carey), and USC Marshall. Online programmes allow career continuation during study while providing flexible, practical leadership education.
Leadership study duration varies by programme type. Traditional MBA programmes take two years full-time. Accelerated online programmes can be completed in 12-18 months. Executive education programmes range from several days to several months. Leadership development is also an ongoing, lifelong pursuit beyond formal education.
An MBA is not necessary for leadership development but provides structured learning, credentialing, and networking opportunities. Many effective leaders develop through experience, self-directed learning, executive education, mentoring, and organisational development programmes without formal MBA education.
Leadership programmes teach strategic thinking, decision-making, team leadership, organisational behaviour, communication, change management, and personal leadership development. Top programmes combine theory with experiential learning, case studies, coaching, and practical application to develop well-rounded leadership capability.
Choose a leadership programme by clarifying your goals, assessing your career stage, evaluating time and budget constraints, researching programme reputations, understanding methodologies, engaging with alumni, and considering format preferences. Match programme strengths to your specific development needs and career aspirations.