Recent global occurrences and the challenges created by global warming have reaffirmed the pressing need for us to redefine not only our priorities, economic models, and our organizations, but also our societies and individual behaviours.
Recognizing the imperative of prioritizing ecological engagement, ESSEC Business School launched the ESSEC Together initiative in 2020, putting the school’s vision into practice through various aspects such as integrating courses on environmental challenges and ecological transitions into all programs - from the Bachelor's to Master 's level, as well as implementing environmentally-friendly processes across its global campuses.
In 2021, ESSEC took this initiative a step further with the launch of the MSc in Sustainability Transformation, 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.
Sustainability is no longer an option but an imperative; transformation has to permeate all aspects of organizations in order for meaningful change to occur. To meet these goals, there is an increasing need for talents who can balance the business and environmental aspects in corporations.
Through a mix of academic and professional experiences, the MSc in Sustainability Transformation will provide students with a blend of management knowledge as well as an understanding of today’s social and environmental issues. Proximity to the professional world of corporations, entrepreneurs, NGOs and public administration through learning expeditions, as well as a final internship or academic thesis, will immerse students in real-world scenarios, allowing them to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program.
Associate Dean for Global Strategy and Sustainability Professor, Public & Private Policy Department Alumna, Master in Management, ESSEC Business School Master in Public Administration, Harvard University Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, INSEAD
Alexis DE LA TOUR DU PIN
Executive Director
Executive Director, Digital Disruption Chair and Chaire Talents de la Transition Écologique Alumnus, Master in Management, ESSEC Business School
Hand in hand with industry leaders - Patrons of the Program
"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."
Kat BORLONGAN
Patron, MSc in Sustainability Transformation Chief Impact Officer, Contentsquare
Florent ANDRILLON
Patron, MSc in Sustainability Transformation Global Head of Climate & Energy Transition, Capgemini Invent
Benefit from a career-focused academic curriculum
Through a blend of academic courses and experiential learning, the MSc in Sustainability Transformation will equip you with the knowledge and competencies needed to drive the prioritization of sustainability in organizations, balancing business and sustainability objectives while creating meaningful value.
You will be able to specialize through one of six majors, which will provide you with exposure to an extensive network of partners and recruiters. These will enable you to develop your career in sustainability, driving change in organizations.
Please note that: - The Sustainable Finance major requires students to have a strong academic background in finance either through a prior degree in finance or having taken multiple finance courses as part of their prior degree. - The Climate & Biodiversity as well as Social Innovation majors are taught in French. Please refer to the Admissions Tab (Step 1)for more information regarding the French level required.
Term 0 | September: Sustainability Stakes & Management Basics
Interactive and Sustainability-Focused Initiatives
Some Basics of Management
• Objective 2030: Understanding Sustainability Challenges • Business & Society • Climate Day (Climate Fresk) • Diversity Fresk
• Introduction to Data-Related, Decision and Management Practices • Introduction to Negotiation • Cost Analysis • Team Building & Leadership • Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Term 1 | October-December: Impact Assessment & Management Fundamentals on Sustainability
Impact Assessment
Management Fundamentals on Sustainability
Measuring social and environmental impact
Such as: Responsible Marketing, Sustainability Accounting & Reporting, Sustainability Performance
Option of French Courses (25 hours) for non-French speakers Course level will depend on student's initial level in French.
Term 2 | January-March: Sustainability Transformation & Specialization
Core Learning on Sustainability Transformation
• Strategy and Business Models • Operational Change Management • Sustainability Transformation: From Inner Transition to Collective Change
Deepen your knowledge through the different majors anchored in ESSEC Chairs, specializations that are developed and managed in close collaboration with industry partners. Thanks to your major of choice, you will gain access to an extensive network of prestigious partners and recruiters
Term 3 | April-June : Practical Applications, Learning Expedition, and Thematic Courses
• Self-managed Sustainability Course • Continuation of Specialization courses with applied seminars and research, as well as field visits • Thematic courses on Managing a Social Enterprise, Cleantech Entrepreneurship, Agri-Food Sustainable Development etc.
Chair Trip
• Most majors will have a trip with the corresponding Chair
Learning Expedition 2
• "Happy & Fair Frugality": Capstone Seminar at the Transition Campus (Campus de la Transition)
Summer: Professional Mission of 4-6 months and Professional Thesis
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
MSc, Master of Science accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles
The MSc in Sustainability Transformation is accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles (CGE) as an “MSc – Master of Science” from the 2022 intake onwards. This rigorous labelling process highlights the quality of the program, which enables graduates to obtain specialist knowledge to pursue an international career in this particular field.
'Welcome to France' - 'Bienvenue en France'
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:
The quality and accessibility of information
The welcoming of new international students
The academic offer
Accommodations
Campus life
The quality of post-graduate follow-up
Triple Crown Accreditation
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.
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:
