The ESSCA School of Management, a non-profit business school with 10 campuses worldwide, uniquely positions itself in the business education sector. Dean & CEO, Jean Charroin, talks about how ESSCA sets itself apart.
Boasting ten campuses worldwide, ESSCA School of Management genuinely earns its reputation as a global business institution. Originating from Angers, France, the École supérieure des sciences commerciales d’Angers (ESSCA) now operates six campuses across France and a further four abroad in China, Hungary, Spain, and Luxembourg.
So how does this expansive campus system benefit the students? While students typically kick off their MBA journey at one particular campus, the school actively promotes studying electives or specializations at its other locations. Students may choose to study elsewhere based on the industry they want to work in, the courses they want to pursue, or simply out of personal interest.
Crucially, these campuses are not affiliated schools run by partner institutions. They are all integral parts of ESSCA. Every campus upholds the consistent core values and teaching methodologies that the school is known for. This distinct global approach is something few business schools can rival, and yet, it’s only one of the many facets that make ESSCA stand out.
You could be forgiven for thinking that an MBA program is all about business. Although the ESSCA MBA Business & Technology is a business-centered program, it also features a number of engineering modules. These are delivered in partnership with the French engineering school Arts et Métiers. It means that candidates learn vital technical skills to go with their business acumen.
Jean Charroin, Dean & CEO at ESSCA, says that these engineering-focused modules cover “all the issues related to new technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, big data and of course all the entrepreneurial activities around technologies.” (01:59)
An MBA is well-known for equipping students with business knowledge. But a program that also teaches technical skills is, as Jean puts it, “a highly valuable offer in the global MBA environment.” It means students will come out of the program as well-rounded business leaders, able to master both the business and technical side of an organization. (05:24)
The varied curriculum of the ESSCA MBA attracts a more diverse set of candidates than is typical for MBA programs.
“The essence of the program is to be open to people wishing to work in new technologies or launch an entrepreneurial activity in new technologies,” says Jean. “So that means that in fact, we will welcome participants from different backgrounds, even art and design.” (02:54)
This kind of diversity is vital in an MBA program. A diverse cohort helps students see things from new perspectives and prepares them for working with people from different backgrounds. It’s a key part of ESSCA School of Management’s multi-faceted approach to business education.
By teaching skills beyond the traditional realm of business, ESSCA is preparing MBA candidates for the modern job market. Now more than ever, interdisciplinary skills are vital for MBA graduates to thrive. For example, the fintech sector requires a mastery of high finance, digital technology, and traditional business skills.
This integrative approach is deeply woven into ESSCA’s MBA curriculum. Jean emphasizes that these interdisciplinary skills aren’t only pivotal in business contexts but also indispensable for effective interpersonal collaboration.
“I think that when you understand the vision of the world of other stakeholders, you’re able to manage them and you’re able to manage projects with many different visions of the world – many different people with a different background. So it’s essential in a complex world.” (02:16)
Undoubtedly, being part of an institution like ESSCA, renowned for its diverse student body and international campuses, facilitates cross-disciplinary learning. Throughout the program, students collaborate with peers from varied sectors, cultures, and nations, providing invaluable groundwork for their professional lives.
The idea of a non-profit business school might seem counterintuitive. After all, one of the key aims of a business school is to serve, well, business. But as a non-profit, ESSCA School of Management’s aim is to serve society as a whole rather than just the business community. Jean explains how the school’s non-profit status has led to some pioneering initiatives.
“We were the first French business school to offer fees evolving in proportion to the income of the families,” he says. “So that means that if you come from a very poor background, you will pay nothing. The cost, the fees at ESSCA will be lower than at French universities.” (07:35)
But the school’s commitment to societal upliftment doesn’t stop there. The school has earmarked a special allowance to support students from nations engulfed in war. Last year, the school welcomed more than 20 Ukrainian students. This is an initiative that the school hopes to expand to welcome more students escaping armed conflict.
“Since last year we’ve decided to have a budget dedicated to students coming from countries at war or destroyed by a civil conflict,” says Jean. “So now we have [to] consider that the general interest is also a geopolitical interest.”(09:20)
Truly, this is a testament to ESSCA’s distinct approach to business education. By turning its gaze global, it has established itself not just as a school that serves the citizens of France but one that serves the world.
Interested in undertaking an MBA in France? Engage with MBA candidates and alumni from French business schools via the MBAGRADSCHOOLS Ambassadors page.
