Managers at Oxford University's Said Business School are "delighted" after it improved its position in a key league table.

The school, which last year opened its controversial new building in the city, moved from 34th to 28th in the Financial Times MBA2002 rankings of the top 100 international MBA programmes.

It also managed to retain its position as the seventh top school in Europe and has broken clear of UK rivals such as Cranfield School of Management, Manchester Business School and Edinburgh University Management School, all of which slipped down the table.

But the newly-opened Judge School, at Cambridge University, made an impressive debut at 22.

The survey covers a range of criteria including how many students get jobs or improve their careers, and win salary rises. The Said Business School topped the list for course value for money.

Marketing manager Louise Hutchinson said: "We're very pleased with the results, especially as some of our rivals have fallen back this year."

Ms Hutchinson added the school expected to make strong progress this year: "We're really working hard in terms of faculty recruitment and expansion.

"The number of applications is already up considerably on last year."

The Dean, Professor Anthony Hopwood, said: "I'm delighted that the Oxford MBA continues to be recognised as a leading programme both in Europe and throughout the world."