Welcome to EDHEC MBA new class of 2017

Isn’t it incredible that one MBA classroom can hold all four corners of the globe ? That one class can bring together talented and creative minds from 39 different nationalities and from sectors as diverse as Media & Entertainment and Architectural Design? Welcome to the EDHEC Global MBA class of 2017.

Admissions process

This MBA class has been selected from around the world through a competitive admissions process including two interviews, one through Sonru, an online video platform used by many top recruiters. The class average age is 31, with an average of 7.5 years work experience, 39 nationalities and hailing from various educational and professional backgrounds such as Oil & Gas, Law, IT, Consulting, Marketing and HR to name but a few. The gender ratio is well-balanced with 42% women represented in the classroom compared to an average of 36%* in other MBAs around the world.

10 months programme

These strangers will graduate 10 months from now, but before that, there is much to do and these new faces will soon form a close-knit group. For the first time this year, the group of 89 participants has been carefully split into two smaller groups, each with equal diversity.

What’s new ?

The EDHEC Global MBA class of 2017 benefits from new class facilities such as a new modular amphitheatre, a new course on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence and a new specialisation track in Economic Crime Management with a week-long residential in Silicon Valley to examine cyber threats and security.

Diversity

On the  first day of the term Haitham Al-Shami, a 36 year old Yemeni from the mobile telecom sector expressed amazement at the diversity of the class. “I’ve never been in contact with so many different nationalities in one place before! The diversity of the class was one of the reasons I chose EDHEC,” he explains. “The class demographics was a big draw as I wanted to be in a more mature class and learn from experienced professionals. Value for money was also an important factor and EDHEC is well ranked for this. ”**  He is particularly looking forward to the trip to South Africa to satisfy his interest in sustainable development.

Community

Ryou Nagai, 26, commented on the ease of his move from Japan to the campus “I had already connected with several classmates through the EDHEC Global MBA Facebook group before arriving. Now that I’m here, I find the class very welcoming with many people interested in learning more about the non-profit sector that I come from. They’re contemplating a possible career-shift and I’m looking forward to interacting with them and sharing my experience.”

French Riviera

Danielle Robertson, a 35 year old Canadian from Oil & Gas industry, gave her first impressions of Nice. “It’s a gorgeous city! The people here have been so helpful, helping me with buses and getting around. I found my accommodation through an English-speaking estate agent recommended by the EDHEC International Student office and I’m living in the centre, just one train stop from the campus. It’s so practical and my train card costs just €22 per month!  Of course I’m enjoying the sunshine too. It’s a big contrast to Calgary!”

We wish the best of luck to all our new candidates in the MBA class of 2017.

*according to a report from Forté Foundation, a non-profit consortium of companies, business schools and the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC)
** 2016 Financial Times Rankings : EDHEC Global MBA ranks 3nd in the World for Value for Money