Overview
Practical information
PROGRAM DURATION
One academic year (on campus) + Final Management Project (can be completed remotely while working)
KEY DATES
September through June (10 months on campus) + final paper based on a capstone consulting project (remotely or while working) + 3-6 month professional experience (may be waived)
Online Application Deadlines
CAMPUS & LANGUAGE
• Full-time MBA: Grenoble
• Executive Part-time MBA: Tbilisi
Courses are taught entirely in English
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Masters or 4-year Bachelor degree with 240 ECTS in any subject. Fluency in English. At least three years of full-time work experience
DEGREE LEVEL
Master's degree (90 ECTS credits)
FULL PROGRAM FEES
€33,900 / Sept 2023 intake (Grenoble Campus) - Study trip** included for Grenoble Campus students. See overseas campus pages for local fees
Objectives
Boost your International Career in a Stimulating Environment
Are you looking for a way to take your international career to the next level? Our MBA offers a 500-hour general management program in a top ranked triple-accredited International Business School. The MBA is highly applied in content, delivered by a team that brings together academic specialists, managers, and consultants from a wide range of sectors.
Skills Acquired:
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Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:
- • Carry out internal and external analyses to propose strategic direction.
- • Set objectives and clear action plans.
- • Structure a transformation project by defining objectives, means, budget, and duration
- • Pilot a project using tools and clear processes
- • Communicate clearly and effectively in order to motivate teams and obtain managerial support
- • Understand and take into account the impact of global, local, and intra-organizational interplay and impacts
- • Map out key stakeholder interests, risks, and leverage points
- • Learn how to build, motivate, and create resilient teams
- • Explore innovation methodologies, become a collaborative leader
Our Strengths
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Give an extra boost to your international career
- Study at a top business school in France:
Our MBA program is well-ranked within several international rankings. Grenoble Ecole de Management is a triple-accredited institution, which means that it belongs to the top 1% of business schools worldwide. - Increase your international exposure and network:
You will study in a classroom of multiple nationalities taught by international faculty and have several opportunities to expand your network. - Accelerate your career development:
You will have the possibility to participate in personal and professional development workshops organised by our dedicated Career-centre.
- Study at a top business school in France:
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Follow an intensive and stimulating academic curriculum
- Strengthen both “hard” and “soft” management skills:
Learn about management both theoretically and in practice and collaborate with peers from all over the world. - Tailor your education to your professional goals with a wide selection of elective courses:
You can choose one of our specialisations and get the additional boost you need to complete your professional goals. - Complete an extensive management project:
During your second year, you will complete a final management project on a topic of your choice linked to the program and your professional interests.
- Strengthen both “hard” and “soft” management skills:
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A Word from the Program Director
“Unprecedented change requires a new kind of leader – agile, but also generative, responsible, and resilient. You are a high-performer who wants to boost their career and drive strategic transitions, be they Sustainable, Digital, or Organizational. Gain the applied skill-set from our tripleaccredited institution to accelerate your career while living in Grenoble, at the heart of technological innovation and sustainable-focused ecosystems. Incorporating our unique glocal community and a rich diversity of international professors and participants, we provide a cross-pollination of experience and ideas. Apply your learning in and out of class, collaboratively, in an intercultural and international environment. Serious participation is required. Join the GEM MBA: Envision change, gain the tools, make an impact.” - Chahndra Dal Pont
Program
Program
The first year of the MBA is a full-time year in Grenoble. The course modules are taught over one academic year from September to the end of June. The class sessions take place on a regular basis from Monday to Friday. Upon successful completion of these modules, participants will begin their Final Management Project. Students normally work part- or full-time during this phase and can be based anywhere in the world.
Program Content*
Year 1 - Campus Year
The program is a balanced and challenging one, equipping participants with numerical and analytical skills, communication and interpersonal skills, plus insights into current managerial issues in geopolitics, macroeconomics and governance. Through regular group work on cases and individual assignments on management dilemmas, students will develop their expertise in budgetary and financial management as well as in people management. Strategic analysis and negotiation skills are developed through face-to-face team negotiations to resolve authentic and complex cases.
*The content of the program may be adapted from year to year to take into account the needs of industry. Class attendance is compulsory.
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CORE COURSES
Conducting an internal and external analysis
- • Microeconomics for a Transforming World
• Sustainability Transition in International Business
• Global Business and Macroeconomics
• Geopolitical Risk Management
• Global and Digital Marketing
• Strategic Management
• HRM Practices: Empowering Managers
• Accounting and Auditing
• Operations Management
• Data Analysis and Digital Transformation
• Consultancy : Business Analysis and Processes
• Research Methodology in Practice - • International Legal Systems
Defining your transformational project and action plans
- • Corporate Finance
• Innovation Management
• Risk Management
• Project Management: Methods and Tools
• Organisations and Change Management
Steering and leading the transformation project
- • Leadership Through Change
• International Negotiations
• Managerial Accounting
• Developing Intercultural and Collaborative Intelligence
• Managing Crisis Situations
• Contractualizing External Partners
• Consultancy and Applied Research Project
- • Microeconomics for a Transforming World
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SPECIALIZATIONS**
Students can personalize their MBA program by selecting from three specializations offered. Specializations represent 45 hours of the total in-class time, plus work in Research Methodologies and the Applied Research Project. The International Full-Time and Georgian Part-Time students from the different MBA sites are brought together to work and study on a GEM campus (Paris of Grenoble, depending on the specialization). The content is focused on managing both process and operational specificities in line with strategic or business priorities. For many participants, the specialization choice will be aligned with the focus of their Applied Research Project: for example, choosing a Finance elective can lead directly to a project in the area of Finance.
Choice of one specialization (elective) composed of 3 intensive one-week sessions:
Entrepreneurship: Leadership for transformation
• Entrepreneurial leadership for innovation and change
• Business modelling for sustainable value creation
• Resources and processes for growing venturesFinancial Management & Advisory – Valuating
• Company Valuation in M&A
• Financial Advisory
• International Financial Management
• Digital Finance
• Cash Management and Bak Negotiations
• Financial modelling using PythonTransformation of Luxury for Digital and Sustainable Age
• Designing New Luxury Experiences
• Managing Transformation of Luxury Brands
• Changing Marketing & Communication Trends for Luxury Brands**Specializations require a minimum number of participants.
Year 2 - Final Paper
To complete the program, students have to write a final paper under the supervision of a tutor. Students are encouraged to choose a subject related to their future career as this will strengthen their employability. It may be completed remotely and while working in parallel.
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Pedagogy & Evaluation
Pedagogy
Taught part: 450-core hours through concepts, theory and real-world examples of written and live cases, 90-hours chosen elective with practitioners from several professional areas and a study trip to Berlin. Final Paper: applied in-company project with an individual and group written report.
Evaluation
Each block of competencies is assessed by one or more case studies, based on a real or fictitious company case or situation scenarios. Each case study includes a written and/or oral, individual and/or collective production. The different components of the assessment methods can be carried out in a global or split manner, depending on the case.
Foreign Languages
The program is taught in English but provides the possibility to learn a foreign language at the same time. No prior knowledge of French is required to attend the program. Learning a foreign language is a recommended program option for all students who are looking to work internationally. Non-French speakers have the option of studying French (beginner to advanced level), a recommended option for students looking to work in France following their studies. French speakers may choose from a number of other languages at beginner level.
Global Management Challenge
Students will participate in this team simulation – a high point of the program. Strongly motivated and culturally diverse teams compete for the best results for their company.
MBA Networking and Grenoble Discovery Week**
GEM MBA students are invited to attend this week-long session in Grenoble, enabling students from campuses in Grenoble and Tbilisi to come together to network and attend seminars and conferences on key management issues. The week includes company visits, networking events, and an alumni evening. Topics and events covered typically include Conflict Resolution, Interview Techniques, Radical Career Change, Salary Negotiations, and Effective Leaderships.
Study Trip**
The full-time program in Grenoble includes a week’s Study Trip organized with our partners in normally taking place in June towards the end of the program. There are corporate & academic speakers, company visits some cultural sight-seeing and a GEM post-graduate Alumni meet-up. Assignments for Strategy and HRM modules are related to some of the Study Trip content. Flights and hotel accommodation are included in the Grenoble program fees.
Study trip available for Grenoble students only.
** International Study Trip is contingent on global conditions and travel restrictions
Personal and Professional Development Workshops
In addition to the core courses, students have the opportunity to attend personal and professional development workshops led by professionals, industry and subject matter experts. These will strengthen the employability profiles of graduates to help them achieve their career goals. Students will also have access to individual counselling sessions, interaction with corporate partners and online resources with jobs and internship opportunities as well as access to specific in house sectorial career focused communities.
Faculty
Classes are taught by GEM faculty, visiting professors from the best universities around the world, and top business professionals. Most of the permanent faculty are engaged in applied research, with teaching linking theory to practice through business cases. Their diverse cultural and international background lends a strong international dimension to the program.
View all Faculty
Recognition
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More Information
Higher education in France is divided between Grandes Ecoles and public universities. GEM is a Grande Ecole which is recognised and accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles (CGE) and as such has degree awarding powers. The CGE is an official association which encompasses the Grandes Ecoles, engineering schools, architecture, design and public administration institutions which are recognized by the French state.
The Grande Ecoles are widely recognized by industry in France and GEM is amongst the top 10 business schools in the leading French rankings (le Point, le Figaro Etudiant, …), holding 6th place in 2019.
GEM also holds triple accreditation by EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA. These three accreditations are international recognition of the quality of the organization, its programs and the degrees it delivers and is only given to the best Business Schools in the world.
Our Masters programs are equivalent to a level 7 degree on the European Qualifications Framework and are in compliance with the Bologna Agreement for a master’s degree, comprised of 90 ECTS credits.
Testimonials
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Adrien jordan
" Undertaking an MBA has been a game-changer in my career trajectory. It empowered me to bridge the gap between my technical expertise in nanotechnologies and the business acumen required to excel in the corporate world. Through the program, I gained a comprehensive understanding of key management concepts, strategic planning, and effective communication, which have proven invaluable in my role as a Business Development Manager for the esteemed CICOR group in Switzerland. The MBA experience not only broadened my horizons but also honed my critical thinking abilities, enabling me to analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and drive sustainable growth for my organization. Overall, the MBA has been instrumental in positioning me as a versatile professional capable of navigating and thriving in the competitive business landscape.” Adrien Jordan, PhD, MBA, Business Development Manager at CICOR Group.
Employability
Careers
Employment Statistics*
Employment found in less than four months: Full-Time MBA: 83% / Part-Time MBA: 87%
Rate of graduates working internationally: Full-Time MBA: 41% / Part-Time MBA: 100%
Annual salary after graduation:
Full-Time MBA: <40k€: 13% / >40k€ - <55k€: 44% / >55k€: 44%
Part-Time MBA: <40k€: 37% / >40k€ - <75k€: 43% / >75k€: 20%
*Based on 2021 graduates
Admission & application
Admission
BA candidates are experienced professionals from diverse sectors who display a high level of maturity and intellectual curiosity. Candidates should have excellent written and oral communication skills, and should be open to cultural diversity. Special attention will be paid to a candidate's motivation for an international career.
All candidates should have at least three years of significant full-time work experience. GMAT may be required on a case-by-case basis if your work experience is unsufficient.
Please note that it is possible to submit your application prior to providing us with your test results and/or your final transcripts or degree certificate.
If the rest of your application meets our standards we can then make you a conditional offer of a place on the program. These conditions will be lifted once you have obtained and sent us with the required documentation.
Application
To apply for this program, candidates must complete the online application form and include scanned copies of all original supporting documents. All documents must be in English or be submitted with a certified translation into English if written in another language.
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Application Submission Requirements
- Official copy of undergraduate degree equivalent to minimum 240 ECTS or certificate of enrollment with an approximate graduation date
- University transcripts: front/back with grading scale
- CV/Resume
- 3 short essays (relating to your academic/professional experience, your reasons for choosing this program and your intercultural awareness)
- 2 professional references. Colleagues or friends are not acceptable as referees
- Scan of passport
- Internationally recognized passport picture
- Fluency in English (TOEFL, PTE, IELTS or CPE):
- TOEFL IBT: 90 (minimum of 21 in all bands). TOEFL Institution code: 8973
- IELTS Academic/IELTS Indicator: 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in all bands)
- Cambridge English (Proficiency/Advanced/Business Higher) level C1: Grade A,B or C
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A) Online/Offline: 63 (minimum of 59 in all bands)
- Duolingo English Test: 110 (minimum of 90 in all bands)
- Not accepted: TOEIC, Institutional/ITP TOEFL
- English test waiver may be granted if Bachelor’s degree was fully taught through the medium of English (official proof required)
Please note: English test scores must be communicated to GEM by the beginning of July for September programs.
Please note that for your initial application we ask only for copies of documents. If you are accepted, we will then request to send digital certified copies that you will be asked to present during the induction week. More details about certified copies per nationality are explained on the application form.
To ensure GEM is the right fit for you, you may be asked to participate in an interview. You will be notified if an interview is necessary after the Admission Board meets.
Note: All academic qualifications, including those earned at Grenoble Ecole de Management , are recognized at the discretion of each country or university. Students seeking admission to a further course of study or who wish to work in another country after their Grenoble Ecole de Management program may need to have their GEM degree certified through a process specified by the receiving authority. Before starting a GEM program, students who know that they want to work or study in another country or university are advised to verify whether their intended GEM degree will be recognized.
Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please consult our online application deadlines.
Student Programs Fees 2022 intake
MBA Full-time
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| Please refer to our partner campus websites for off-site tuition fees and scholarships. | |
| MBA Part-time - Georgia: | Tbilisi partner campus |
Grenoble Campus Program fees include:
- Tuition, project supervision, and access to GEM facilities
- Travel and accommodation for the International Study Trip** for Grenoble campus students. Please note that students are responsible for the payment of a visa if necessary.
Program fees do not cover accommodation, meals, insurance, visa, and personal expenses.
Please read the policy concerning the refund of tuition fees.
Financial Aid / Scholarships
GEM offers a dedicated online platform - The Funding Place - to help you find financing solutions, simulate a student loan and understand everything about student loans.
We advise students to research financial aid opportunities as early as possible. Please note that it is necessary to submit your application and secure a place on a program first, before applying for scholarships and visas.
Scholarship descriptions and application guidelines.
This program can be partly financed with CPF (requires working experience in France).
Note
All academic qualifications, including those earned at GEM, are recognized at the discretion of each country or university. Students seeking admission to a further course of study or who wish to work in specific country after their GEM program may need to have their GEM degree certified through a process specified by the receiving authority.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Visa requirements may apply to International Students in order to study or work in France. All international students are expected to verify requirements with their local French consulate and plan accordingly. Grenoble Ecole de Management has no influence over this process.