The MSc in Sustainability Transformation is anchored in the ESSEC Business School RISE strategy and particularly the ESSEC Together pillar which recognizes the imperative of prioritizing ecological and social engagement. The program, launched in 2021, is designed to equip future leaders with the knowledge, tools, and network to make a sustainable impact towards the way business is done, effectuate change in an increasingly volatile world, and capture new opportunities from sustainability.
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1 Year Program: In an international and multicultural environment, to build a successful career focused on social, economic and environmental transformation.
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6 Specializations: To develop your career in sustainability and drive change in organizations across numerous fields of activity in multiple industries.
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4 Learning Expeditions: On-the-ground experiences of alternative organizational models, from local social innovation to living under the energy and food constraints of a low-carbon world.
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4-6 months Professional Mission: Immerse students in real-world scenarios, allowing them to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program.
- 1 Professional Thesis: Under the guidance of an ESSEC Business School professor.
The MSc in Sustainability Transformation is accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles (CGE) as an “MSc – Master of Science”. This rigorous labeling process highlights the quality of the program, which enables graduates to obtain specialist knowledge to pursue an international career in this particular field.
ESSEC Business School has been recognized by Campus France and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for the quality of its international students’ welcome.
The school received the highest level that can be obtained from the "Bienvenue en France" certification, which is the third level.
This certification recognizes the quality of ESSEC's reception in all the criteria provided:
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The quality and accessibility of information
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The welcoming of new international students
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The academic offer
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Accommodations
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Campus life
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The quality of post-graduate follow-up
The academic excellence of ESSEC’s programs is recognized through its international standards in management training, and it holds the prestigious ”Triple Crown'' of accreditations: EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA.
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Term 0 | September: Sustainability Stakes & Management Basics |
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Interactive and Sustainability-Focused Initiatives |
Some Basics of Management |
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Term 1 | October-December: Impact Assessment & Management Fundamentals on Sustainability |
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Impact Assessment |
Management Fundamentals on Sustainability |
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Measuring social and environmental impact |
Such as: Responsible Marketing, Sustainability Accounting & Reporting, Sustainability Performance |
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Option of French Courses (25 hours) for non-French speakers Course level will depend on students’ level in French. |
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Term 2 | January-March: Sustainability Transformation & Specialization |
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Core Learning on Sustainability Transformation |
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Learning Expedition 2 Discover the Provence sustainable ecosystem |
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Specialize through one of 6 majors Anchored in ESSEC Chairs |
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Term 3 | April-June : Practical Applications, Learning Expedition, and Thematic Courses |
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Learning Expedition 3: Chair Trip |
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Learning Expedition 4 |
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"Happy & Fair Frugality": Capstone Seminar at the Transition Campus (Campus de la Transition) |
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Summer: Professional Mission of 4-6 months and Professional Thesis |
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Apply what you’ve learnt throughout the program through a professional experience of 4-6 months and a professional thesis done under the guidance of an ESSEC professor |
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Academic Director
Master in Public Administration, Harvard University
Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, INSEAD
Executive Director
Alumnus, Master in Management,
ESSEC Business School
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"For us to tackle the challenges of today such as climate, inclusion, and social justice, we're going to need the next generation to move into sustainability and sustainability transformation. For that, they need training grounds, where they can build experience, grow, and learn." |
"We need talents who are able to navigate this evolving landscape, who believe in the importance of sustainability and are able to balance business and sustainability objectives; talents with the competencies and passion to take the lead in bringing about real change." |
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Find all the events related to the program here
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Over the years, successive classes of students at ESSEC Business School have founded and managed more than 100 clubs and organizations, with a wide variety of themes: sports, cultural, humanitarian, international or civic, there is something for everyone!
These organizations, often founded and managed by the students themselves, aim to foster student life, promote the school's values, develop students' professional skills, and contribute to the social and cultural life of the campus.
Over the years, the successive batches of ESSEC Business School students have founded and run more than 100 clubs and associations with a wide variety of themes: sporting, cultural, humanitarian, international…: there is something for everyone!
To complement their academic experience, students can also explore sustainability topics through community and humanitarian-focused student associations ranging from animal welfare to climate change awareness and gender equality, such as NOISE ESSEC, Alma ESSEC, and Enactus ESSEC.
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ESSEC's historic campus is located in the city of Cergy, about 30 km northwest of Paris. The campus covers more than seven hectares and offers modern and spacious facilities. It includes several buildings, a library, a gymnasium inaugurated in 2023, as well as areas for relaxing between classes.
As an MSc in Sustainability Transformation graduate, you can pursue a wide array of careers related to sustainability across numerous fields of activity in multiple industries. Look forward to roles such as:
- Consultant in specialized consultancies or within new sustainability departments of larger consulting firms
- CSR Manager within international or local businesses, NGOs, social enterprises or public administration
- Specialized Project Manager on topics such as carbon emissions, circular economy, or the design of eco-products
- More traditional roles such as marketing manager or financial analyst with a sustainability layer
- Social or green entrepreneurship
“In a world obsessed with progress, how can we restore sustainable values and enforce them in our jobs? At ESSEC Business School, with the MSc in Sustainability Transformation, I was given the opportunity to become a vector of change whilst gaining knowledge on societal challenges.”
MSc ST'23
Throughout the year, between tailored business cases, learning expeditions and visits, you will be in touch with varied organizations from the corporate, entrepreneur, NGO and public administration worlds.
Through your major in particular, you will benefit from the wide network of prestigious partners and recruiters of the relevant ESSEC Chair, including: EssilorLuxottica, L’Oréal, Agence de la Transition Écologique (ADEME), ZACK, Circul’R, Circulab, ENSCi, b.evolve, Axéréal, Bel, Lesaffre, METRO, CY, AXA IM Alts, BNP Paribas, Capgemini Invent, CITEPA, Veolia, MACIF, Malakoff Humanis, MAIF, Carac, 123 Investment Managers, Groupe AÉSIO, devoteam, Logeo Habitat.
Throughout your time at ESSEC, the Career Services will accompany you in defining your career plan and facilitating your entry into the professional world.
Career guidance and advice
Throughout your time at ESSEC Business School, the Career Services will accompany you in defining your career plan and facilitating your entry into the professional world.
Through the support of the Career Services team, you will be able to:
- Learn more about yourself and enhance your experiences.
- Explore career opportunities, reflect and develop your personal and professional project.
- Define your internship/job search strategy and prepare yourself for numerous recruitment events through coaching with specialists
- Prepare your CV, LinkedIn profile and cover letter in an impactful manner, and develop your network efficiently.
- Prepare for different types of job interviews through role-playing exercises (pitching) and learn to position yourself well during salary negotiations.
- 17 000 exclusive job postings : internships, apprenticeships and jobs.
- 430+ meetings with recruiters based in France and all around the world : job fairs, company presentations and case studies.
- 4 000+ individual appointments with career consultants.
- Access to 5 learning platforms and 40+ articles, training and self-teaching modules
- 164 career related workshops.
When you join ESSEC Business School, you join a community and will discover the power of the ESSEC network.
ESSEC Alumni already has 71,000 graduates with diverse profiles dispersed in all corners of the world. With unique personalities, they share a common goal: to achieve their career objectives. As you enter ESSEC, you become a member of ESSEC Alumni and you remain one forever. This is the lifetime membership, that ESSEC has been the first French Business School with a global reach to put in place.
ESSEC Alumni is by your side at every stage of your career:
When you are a student, to guide you in finding professional opportunities through the network, exchanging with graduates, benefiting from various services to launch your start-up, and staying up to date with the latest news from the ESSEC community.
When you are a graduate, to support you throughout your professional life, help you develop your network and exchange with your peers, guide you in benefiting from services for your start-up, and allow you to rediscover the atmosphere of your ESSEC years.
Since its creation, ESSEC has always cultivated a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, which lies at the very core of its educational approach, research, and managerial practices.
- ESSEC Ventures is a structure that supports ESSEC students with business projects. It consists of an incubator, a talent incubator, and a seed fund. It also organizes numerous events bringing together entrepreneurs and investors.
- ESSEC Antropia is a structure that supports ESSEC students with social enterprise projects so that social, environmental, and economic considerations can come together to create a better world.
A domain-specific career fair gathering organizations with social and environmental objectives, ranging from consulting firms to companies working on responsible finance, as well as start-ups and CSR departments of large corporations such as Accélérateur d'Innovation Sociale de la Croix-Rouge Française, Accenta, Circul'R, Deloitte, GreenYellow, Groupe ARES, and ZACK - Groupe Manutan International.
A domain-specific career fair gathering companies and organizations engaged in social and environmental transition, such as Alter Equity, Birdeo, Castalie, Carbon4 Finance, Green Soluce, InnovaFeed, Phenix, Redman, and Vendredi.
During this recruitment fair you will establish exceptional contacts with financial institutions such as: Ardian, AXA, BNP Paribas, Bpifrance, Candriam, Centerview Partners, Crédit Agricole CIB, Hines, Moody’s, ODDO BHF, Qonto, Rothschild & co, Société Générale, UBS, etc.
This recruitment fair brings together around hundred companies. You will establish contacts with companies from all sectors of activity, such as: Air Liquide, Amazon, Bouygues, Carrefour, Ekimetrics, Groupe Casino, Henkel, L’Oréal, LVMH, Metro, Orange, Saint-Gobain, Le Groupe TF1, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Unilever, Vinci, etc.
During this recruitment fair you will establish exceptional contacts with consulting firms such as: Accenture, Accuracy, Bain & Company, BearingPoint, BCG, Capgemini Invent, KPMG, Mazars, McKinsey & Company, Roland Berger, Wavestone, etc.
This fair brings together start-ups for a pitch and speed recruiting day.
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Have you obtained or are currently pursuing a 4-year Bachelor’s degree at the minimum, or a Master degree in any field of study (engineering, science, mathematics, business, law, humanities & social sciences, economics, etc.)?
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Are you a high-potential candidate looking to develop your career in sustainability?
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Are you engaged in social responsibility, invested in making an impact, internationally oriented and have leadership potential?
EXEMPTIONS
Candidates without the above-mentioned qualifications may also apply if they have at least 5 years of professional experience and wish to finance their tuition fees with their personal funds. Such applications will be examined on an exceptional basis (Maximum 40% of total admitted candidates). Candidates applying on this basis will be evaluated through the Validation des Acquis Professionnels et Personnels (VAPP) procedure.
You will need to provide:
- 1 English test score - mandatory. The English test is not required if the applicant has spent at least 3 years in a higher education program completely taught in English
- The management test (TAGE MAGE, GMAT or GRE) is optional but can add value to your application.
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TEST |
VALIDITY |
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The English tests must not be older than 2 years at the application deadline (application round you choose to apply in) |
Minimum score 95 Institution Code: 0520 |
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Minimum score 6.5 |
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Minimum score 175 |
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Minimum score 850 |
It can take several months to prepare and register for an exam slot for the test.
Keep this in mind before starting your application as without this test score uploaded in your application file, it will be incomplete.
For students applying to the specializations taught in French, please keep in mind that a minimum level of French equivalent to C1 is necessary.
This test is not mandatory for your application, and eligible candidates will have their level of French assessed during the interview.
A complete application file includes the following items. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
All documents must be provided in English. Official translations must be provided for documents in other languages by a certified translator.
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Curriculum Vitae (CV) |
1 page max - in English |
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Degree(s) obtained |
Authenticated copies of accredited degrees since high school (school leaving) |
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Transcripts / Grade Sheets |
Official or authenticated copies from all colleges and universities attended since high school, including exchange programs (simple copies will not be accepted).
Grading Scale details must be provided. |
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2 References |
One academic and one professional reference is highly recommended. |
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2 x Recommendations |
One academic and one professional reference is recommended. It is the applicant's responsibility to enter details of both the referees as soon as possible to allow them to complete the online recommendation on time. Once you enter their details and save, a link is sent to them immediately to fill out the recommendation online. |
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1 English Test |
Copy of official score (test taker version) |
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1 Identity Card |
Passport or National Identity Card, only for EU students (double-sided) |
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1 Photograph |
A recent ID photo |
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Application Fee |
100 euros non-refundable and payable online only |
All documents must be provided in English or French except the Curriculum Vitae (CV), which should be in English.
Official translations must be provided for documents in other languages by a certified translator.
Once you have completed your online application and have attached all the supporting documents, the final step is to submit your online application.
Please keep in mind that there are several rounds of admissions. The deadlines to submit your application are listed in the table at the top of this page.
Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the admission committee. Each part of your application is taken into account, hence the need to complete it conscientiously. Kindly note that in case of clarification is needed, an interview may be scheduled.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview via videoconference.
The objective of this interview is:
- To understand you better: your personality and your values
- To evaluate your professional and personal project and its coherence with the program
Your application will be assessed by the Academic Directors and an admission committee. You will be notified about the result by email (refer to the above-mentioned timetable).
If you have been successful, you will then be contacted by the Admissions Office to inform you how to confirm your place in the program.
Following your admission, make sure to secure your seat in the program by paying the non-refundable deposit within 2 weeks.
This amount will be deducted from your tuition fee.
Welcome to ESSEC!
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Valid for 2024 Intake |
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EU citizens |
NON-EU Citizens |
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Total Tuition |
€23,200 |
€26,200 |
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Deposit The non-refundable deposit is payable within two weeks from the day of admission and is deducted from the total tuition fee |
€5,000 |
€5,000 |
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Remaining Tuition Fee The remaining tuition fee is payable before August 31st of the academic year |
€18,200 |
€21,500 |
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Service Fee The service fee is payable once in addition to the total tuition fee before joining ESSEC (irrespective of the duration of the program) |
€1,980 |
€2,080 |
Students can access one or more of the following options to finance their studies or cover their living expenses.
Description: To sustain the academic excellence of the program and enhance the education and experience of our students, ESSEC Business School offers the Academic Excellence scholarship to outstanding candidates and the Diversity Scholarship to students with varied cultural perspectives and backgrounds.
Eligibility: Open to all applicants and awarded on the basis of the overall quality of their application i.e. academic excellence demonstrated in the file: outstanding Management test scores, strong motivation, etc.;
Diversity Scholarship - Demonstrate academic excellence and bring diversity in terms of citizenship, prior education or background.
Amount: Can cover up to 50% of total tuition fees.
Procedure: Scholarship decisions are made during the application procedure. There is no additional application to fill out or request to make. Selected students will be notified upon being offered a place on the program.
International Students from 150 different nationalities admitted to the MSc in Sustainability Transformation may now apply to Prodigy Finance loans. Contrary to the banks in France, Prodigy does not require collateral or a co-signer. These loans are granted on the student's future earning potential and do not take into account credit history. Students may apply online on the Prodigy website. There is no hidden fee or early repayment fee. Interest rates may vary depending on individual profiles. Funds are directly disbursed to the school in euros (€) so no exchange rates are borne by the student. Disbursement starts in September and loan application processing time may go up to a month and a half. The sooner you apply, the better. We advise you to read the Prodigy website carefully to check your eligibility before applying.
As an ESSEC student, you can take out a preferential rate bank loan with the Cergy branch of the bank LCL, which covers full tuition and is repaid starting at the end of your first year of work.
Loan applicants are required to have a guarantor living in France. According to the banks, the guarantor must earn enough to cover the monthly loan payments but also either be a French citizen, a close family member and/or both. Additional fees and expenses will be the responsibility of the student.
Many US citizens or permanent residents opt to take out the US Federal Stafford and private Sallie Mae loans. These loans can cover up to the full cost of attendance and all applicants having a co-signer in the US are eligible for these loan programs. ESSEC is listed as “ESSEC Business School", and has a code number of G30959.
On-campus missions
ESSEC employs its students in a wide variety of functions which can help towards everyday living costs. These are part time short-term contracts in for example taking up the role of a student ambassador, assisting teachers, carrying out market research, helping out at conferences and events, contributing to social media, etc.
