IÉSEG School of Management

The IESEG MBA is a relatively new MBA, having graduated its first class in 2015. France is an ideal location for MBAs – the country ranks third in Europe in gross domestic product and is the second-largest European market (IMF 2018, Eurostat 2015). Also, according to the latest barometer published by international accounting firm EY in 2020, France has risen to first in the rankings of European countries most attractive to international investors.

The full-time MBA is delivered at IÉSEG’s Paris-La Défense campus, located within 30 minutes of Paris. La Défense attracts both large global groups as well as SMEs and start-ups. The campus is composed of three buildings totaling about 245,000 square feet and offers students more than 80 classrooms equipped to offer immersive hybrid teaching solutions, multimedia rooms, one trading room, a library, and meeting rooms for clubs and associations.

An intimate cohort of 22 prospective MBAs were accepted into the 13-month program this year.

The IESEG MBA is organized into modules, with an emphasis on practical learning through case studies, simulations, experiential activities, class discussions and group projects. The program culminates in a capstone project that can take various forms, such as a 4-6-month internship, a job assignment, an entrepreneurial project, a consulting assignment, or an academic thesis.

Being a generalist program, there are no specializations, but the program offers a large number of electives. This helps participants to structure the program in a manner that aligns with their interests and career objectives.

Twice per year, the MBA International Track cohort embarks on a Learning Expedition to discover new ways of doing business in other countries and cultures, and cement bonds among IESEG MBAs. The first is the Learning Expedition (with the two other tracks), and the second is with an international track cohort only. The destinations are ever changing. In the past few years, cohorts have traveled to Milan, Zurich, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich, South Africa, the United States of America, with companies such as Google, Gessi, BMW, EY, GSK, Coca-Cola, etc. The costs for participation are also included in the tuition fees.

Outside the required curriculum, IESEG students often participate in conferences, seminars, workshops, and other interactions with practicing managers from various organizations on emerging themes of significance. MBAs have access to personal coaching sessions as well as French language training.

“The program is designed to meet the needs of change-oriented individuals seeking to improve themselves and expand their network. This design involves a broad-based approach that provides key managerial inputs considering current global organizational challenges. A diverse group of expert faculty members facilitates modules all the while applying a judicious mix of both theory and practice,” says Dr. Jacob Vakkayil, Academic director and Associate Professor in HRM