ESCP-EAP: New name and new structure

According to Marion Festing, Head of the European Executive MBA at the ESCP Europe in Berlin, the reason for the name change is to simplify the name and strongly emphasize Europe. The program structure of the “European Executive MBA” has also been changed. Instead of studying trans-nationally as was the case up to now and taking modules at the various locations, now each location is offering a “regional track.” This means that students complete the core subjects at one location. For the electives, they can choose 12 courses from 36 subjects on the focus areas of Management and Leadership and Marketing and Finance, which are only offered at certain locations.

40 participants are already studying in the new “regional track” in Paris, while the number in Turin is at over 50. In Berlin, where the new structure was first started in January, there are only 16 participants as of now. But there is great interest in Berlin, especially among prospective students from Eastern Europe, explains Festing. That’s why the “Central European MBA” will soon be merged with the new “European Executive MBA.” Up until now this program has been taught in German. But the time when many Eastern Europeans had poor English language skills is over.

In addition to the five “regional tracks,” there is still an “itinerant track” in which the participants take the core courses in six four-day modules and rotate among the five locations. All six variants registered a plus of 20 percent in 2008
   
It remains to be seen what effect the financial crisis and the Bologna Process will have in Germany, says ESCP Professor Festing. The number of applicants for the consecutive “Master in Management” – that is, the replacement for the current business degree "Diplom Kaufmann", – has doubled. The question however is whether this isn’t also an effect of the financial crisis. It’s too soon to see proof regarding demand for the Executive MBA because most of the Bachelor’s graduates do not yet have the required five years work experience necessary for the Executive MBA.

The ESCP Europe, which belongs to the Grandes Ecoles in France, has 3,500 students from 90 countries in its academic programs. The school has a triple accreditation from AACSB, Equis and Amba.   

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