The master in management has gone global. But France has always had a strong tradition of excellence in the degree. And nowhere more so than HEC Paris, which received a staggering 10,000 applications for its MiM, up by 14% last year.MiMs are accelerating the career progression of liberal arts or technical degree subjects’ graduates. At HEC Paris, 40% go into the consultancy sector; around 25% flock to financial services.
Among the star-studded alumni are Jean-Paul Agon, chief executive of French cosmetics group L'Oréal; François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Kering, the luxury conglomerate that owns Gucci; and industrial champion Lafarge’s chief, Bruno Lafont.
Julien Manteau, director of development at HEC Paris, predicts further global take-up of the MiM in the years to come.
Is there now a growing global recognition and acceptance of MiM degrees?
This trend can be observed in the number of GMAT takers worldwide: the biggest growth is in master in management GMAT takers.
The US business schools like Kellogg or Duke or Michigan Ross have launched a master in management. It’s really going global: we can see this in Asia with National University Singapore, or Tsinghua in China.
Major business players and universities are really launching such products everywhere, even in Brazil. It’s clearly a major trend.
Why is this popularity growing?
It’s a response to the needs of today’s young graduates. I think that they feel that to boost their employability it’s useful for them to complement their first degree, whether it be in engineering or liberal arts, with a management degree. And it will help them have faster career progression.
How have applications to your MiM degree faired over the past three years?
There has been a strong increase in terms of applications. Last year we had more than 14% progression compared with the year before.
We can see the market developing. It’s especially true with international applicants: every year we have more.
In France there is a tradition of the master in management. If you look at the FT [MiM] rankings a few years ago, there was almost no other business school outside France who proposed such a program. Now it’s gone global, so we have major players from the UK, India, and all over the world. But France has always had this tradition.
What impact are MiM degrees having on other programs in your portfolio? Is it detrimental to your MBA?
For last three years we have had the opposite. The number of MBA applicants have increased, as well as the quality of the pool of applicants.
Our market is a brand market. There are some incredibly strong brands in education and this is why when one segment is growing its beneficial to the whole portfolio of programs because it enriches the brand.
Which sectors are employing your MiM graduates?
There are two major sectors: consulting firms hire around 40% of our graduates, and then the financial sector, around 20-25%. All in all these two sectors account for around 60% of our graduates and then it’s very well distributed among all [the other] sectors.
Is competition for jobs among MiM graduates intense, as they are competing with both undergraduate and postgraduate talent?
I don’t think so. We can beat the competition with undergraduates very easily because they [MiM graduates] are more prepared for the professional world. Our students have a lot of experience that they acquire during the program.
And they don’t compete with MBA students.
Student Reviews
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
