So, you’re itching to get that MBA underway and don’t want to wait ‘til fall rolls around? Good news—some of the best business schools out there kick things off in January. I’ve been digging into the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking for 2025, and a few names really pop out for their winter start dates. Most are in Europe, with one big U.S. standout, and they’re all top-notch options if you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Take *INSEAD, for starters. It’s sitting pretty at 4th in the rankings, with campuses in France and Singapore. Their full-time MBA crams a ton into 10 months, and you can jump in either January or August. I like how the January crew gets a shot at internships—pretty handy if you’re looking to hustle back into the job scene fast. Then there’s **HEC Paris*, ranked 9th, also in France. They’ve got a 16-month program starting in January (or September if you’d rather), and it’s got this cool leadership vibe with a solid network to back it up. Europe’s clearly got a thing for flexible start times.

Now, if you’re eyeing the States, *Columbia Business School* is your go-to. Ranked 2nd, their J-Term MBA starts in January and runs 16 months. It’s built for folks who don’t need a summer internship—think career switchers with a plan. You’ll join up with the August crowd later, which is nice for making connections. It’s kind of a unicorn, since most big U.S. schools stick to fall.

Over in Switzerland, *IMD* (22nd) does a full-time MBA with just a January start. Small class—90 people, average age around 31—so it’s tight-knit, with a big focus on leadership. Spain’s *IE Business School, ranked 18th, mixes it up with their International MBA. You can start in January or September, and pick 11, 15, or 19 months, whatever fits your life. Super chill with rolling admissions, too. And don’t sleep on **Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)* in the Netherlands—it’s in the top 100, with a 12-month January program that’s all about innovation and green thinking.

What’s wild is how Europe dominates this list. Top Asian schools like CEIBS? All September. The U.S. mostly sticks to fall, too, except for Columbia. Each of these has its own flavor—INSEAD and Columbia for speed, HEC and IMD for leadership, IE and RSM for flexibility. One catch: January might mean skipping summer internships, so weigh that if it’s your thing. Still, with rankings this high, you’re in good hands. Check their websites for deadlines—some do rolling apps, which is clutch if you’re deciding late.