Essex Business School benefits from Essex University’s rebel image. Here’s how the Essex MBA program is maintaining Essex’ rebel spirit by fostering socially responsible entrepreneurs and promoting sustainability.
The University of Essex in the UK exudes a rebellious spirit. “[It’s] a university that is known for its progressive values around the world,” Nicolas Forsans, the MBA Director at Essex Business School, says. “Students and staff in the university used to be at the forefront of the riots that happened in the 1960s, demanding a better world.” (00:36)
During Nicolas’ tenure as MBA Director, the MBA program’s class size grew from nine to ninety. He argues this is partly because of the University of Essex’s historic commitment to progressive ideals such as diversity, equality, and inclusion. Essex’s focus on values isn’t just a marketing tool to attract new students and set it apart from other schools. Nicolas says the school’s history of protest has influenced every part of the university. It is a continuation of what he calls the school’s “rebel image”. (01:31)
He elaborates, “Because of what happened in the 1960s, we’ve got a very strong department of government. We’ve got a very strong human rights department within the University,” he says. “That is very consistent with the story and the brand of the University of Essex.” (01:34)
In the end, the relatively new Essex Business School leverages the legacy of the University of Essex to inspire its graduates to make a positive impact in the world through business. “Business as a force for good,” as Nicolas puts it. And it’s not the only way that Essex is breaking down barriers in business education. (02:27)
Essex Business School is the UK’s first zero-carbon business school. Ten years ago, the University of Essex completed the first phase of its Colchester Campus, which included the building slated to house the university’s new business school.
According to Nicolas, the Business School building reflects the school’s commitment to sustainability. “We try and embed these values of sustainability [and] positive impact on the community in all the forms that we teach and in everything that we do,” he says. (01:18)
The Business School is just one element of the university-wide focus on sustainability. The University of Essex has already cut its emissions by 28% since 2005 and aims to be net zero by 2035. Although sustainability is a buzzword for many schools, Essex practices what it preaches.
While the Essex Business School maintains some traditional elements in its curriculum, it’s their distinctive approach that sets them apart. In the Essex MBA, soft skills are as crucial as business fundamentals.
“Anybody can train themselves in analytics, in marketing strategy. Soft skills, it’s something that needs to be nurtured over time,” says Nicolas. “In the program, [students] work with the faculty but also some external professionals to develop those soft skills. Making them aware of themselves, aware of others, and mindful of the impact they have on the people around them.” (02:40)
External professionals often teach at Essex as part of the school’s Director’s Workshops. This integral aspect of the program bridges course content with real-world business challenges, as presented by industry professionals. During these business challenges, students are encouraged to reflect on the broader implications of their decisions. It all relates back to one of the school’s key principles, which is to use business as a force for good. This isn’t an empty platitude; it’s a principle embedded in everything the school does.
Essex Business School also places a strong focus on entrepreneurship. The Essex startup ecosystem allows MBA students to develop their business ideas after graduating. It includes 1:1 business support, personalized workshops, and access to a business incubator.
“A lot of MBA students who want to be entrepreneurs after the MBA go and take part in those sessions before working on their MBA project, making it a business plan that will set the foundations of their next venture in the UK,” says Nicolas. (08:45)
In keeping with the University of Essex’s holistic approach to education, these resources are available to all students regardless of their program of study.
“So they may be studying human rights, but still the Essex startup will support them to develop their own business after graduation.” (07:46)
The Essex startup ecosystem is a continuation of the school’s commitment to doing business for good. It gives students a platform to create their own impact in the world through entrepreneurship. Which, after all, is what Essex has always been about. From the protests in the 1960s to its pioneering zero-carbon campus, it’s a school which has never done things by the book. The rebel school may have mellowed a little in its old age, but its spirit lives on.
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