Financial Times MBA Ranking 2022: EDHEC Global MBA exels in ESG Education

The EDHEC Global MBA steadily climbs higher and higher in the yearly Financial Times ranking. For the second year in a row, the programme has been ranked among the Top 3 in the world for ESG (environmental, social and governance) education.  

EDHEC Global MBA again #3 worldwide for ESG – and for a reason 

The EDHEC Global MBA is ranked #3 worldwide for ESG (environmental, social and governance) education for the second year in a row by the Financial Times.

Subjects as diverse as Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainable Finance or Diversity and Inclusion are integrated every step of the way throughout the one-year experience. The recently updated EDHEC Global MBA programme now includes even stronger emphasis on ESG because “our goal is and has always been to bring out well-rounded, values-driven, inspirational and reflective leaders who make a positive difference to business and society. Business is a powerful lever for global improvement that should benefit future generations and this is why our MBA students learn from sustainability content in core, elective and specialiation track courses.” explains Sandra Richez, EDHEC Global MBA Programme Director.

In a new monthly speaker series on “The Future of Finance”,  EDHEC addresses the most recent advances in the financial industry and discusses how finance can be a powerful tool for tackling key economic and social challenges. 

Focus on ESG Education – an important factor for students 

"I am happy with my choice as I now see how much EDHEC is committed to reducing its carbon footprint in all sectors. I know that today we can apply ESG and CSR applications to all sectors. The technology and methods have been created and proven to work, now we must train a new generation of business leaders to apply them, and I believe EDHEC is one of the schools committed to doing so"

With students becoming ever more aware of and passionate about the subjects, diversity & inclusion, sustainability and ESG education are now important criteria for choosing an MBA. And EDHEC delivers: “I did take these factors and the strides that the different schools were taking into consideration” confirms Julian Boucherat who, after a career in sales, in now part of the current MBA cohort.  

But for students, it is not only about the curriculum. A Business School that actually walks the talk is all the more appreciated. Thus, EDHEC Executive Education aims to become carbon neutral by 2030.  

“I am happy with my choice as I now see how much EDHEC is committed to reducing its carbon footprint in all sectors. I know that today we can apply ESG and CSR applications to all sectors. The technology and methods have been created and proven to work, now we must train a new generation of business leaders to apply them, and I believe EDHEC is one of the schools committed to doing so.” says Julian. 

Learning about diversity and inclusion through an incredibly diverse cohort was invaluable for Global MBA Alumnus Scott Perry: “While economics, finance and marketing subjects complemented my previous business experience perfectly, intercultural exposure and diversity was what I benefitted most from. Today I lead a global team and thanks to my MBA experience that incorporated not only leadership and personal development, but most importantly intensive cooperation with a truly diverse cohort, I lead and coach with ease today and enjoy learning with and from international colleagues.”  

Julian agrees “I feel that we are taught a lot about social impact and diversity. And with a cohort of ~30 different nationalities along with a ratio of 46% women, we are exposed to very diverse perspectives.” 

Sustainability expedition to see ESG policies in action 

The Global MBA programme includes a week-long sustainability expedition to learn first-hand about how individuals, businesses, cities, regions and governments can incorporate ESG and sustainability into their policies and make a lasting, positive impact. During this business trip, MBAs visit companies, consultants environmental and social organisations. s. They get the opportunity to discuss environmental, societal and business challenges with executives, government and municipal representatives, professors, even Nobel Peace Prize laureates. But during the expedition they also have to apply what they have learned in real-life case studies that they have to tackle as teams.  

Applied Sustainability  

Throughout the Global MBA curriculum, social, societal and environmental challenges are woven into the programme. For example during the Global MBA Business Challenge Hackathon 2022, MBAs were asked to make a warehouse more energy efficient or challenged to integrate more electric cars into a commercial fleet. The current cohort has even set up a “Social Impact and Diversity Club” that organises or participants in lectures, speeches and discussions and will soon be hosting a Ted X conference.   

Another highlight of the Global MBA programme is the new, unique 5-month Sustainable Impact Challenge. EDHEC has partnered with Groupe SOS and Astarte Capital to develop projects that show how complex and dynamic sustainability is for the business environment, and to give students a new perspective from the view of stakeholders. Launched in December 2021, the challenge will be concluded in March when the teams will present their projects to the cohort and a jury panel.  

Julian summarises EDHEC’s take on ESG education as follows: “The different projects and the MBA sustainability expedition illustrate how EDHEC integrates ESG education throughout the curriculum, and not just through classroom teaching! I loved our trip to Slovenia. We saw wonderful examples of how we can integrate ESG practices into the business world like at IEDC.  With my working group we are also tackling fantastic projects, such as our Sustainability Challenge with Astarte in which we have the opportunity to take a deep dive into different sectors and create white papers”. 

“I am delighted that the Financial Times confirms our Global MBA’s position among the Top 3 in the World in terms of ESG education. Our aim is to provide MBA participants a unique learning experience and help them develop into leaders that can take on the major social, societal and environmental issues facing companies and societies today which is well recognised by current students and alumni alike.” says Stéphane Canonne, Director of Executive Education & MBAs, EDHEC Business School. 

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