Master in Management or Specialised Master at ESCP: which one is right for you?

When considering a business master’s degree, it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Between short, focused programmes or longer and more flexible ones, deciding which path to take often depends on your goals, your background and how much space you want to leave for exploration. 

Whether your motivation is to deepen your expertise, strengthen your profile, gain international experience or build a global career, the choice between a Master in Management (MiM) and a Specialised MSc is an important one. At ESCP, both degrees offer strong academic and professional opportunities, but in different ways. This article breaks down the differences between both of this options and how to choose the path that truly fits your goals.

What’s the Difference Between the MiM and an MSc?

The Master in Management (MiM), also known as the Programme Grande Ecoles (PGE) in France, is designed as a broad and immersive business education experience over two to three years. Students benefit from international mobility across ESCP’s six campuses, gain professional experience through internships, apprenticeships, or gap years and can tailor their academic path by choosing specialisations. This format is particularly suited for those looking to build both foundational and advanced skills while exploring various fields before narrowing their focus. It’s important to note that for students coming from French “classes préparatoires”, the Master in Management is the continuation of their studies after their entrance exams for the “Programme Grande Ecole”.

In contrast, Specialised Master of Science (MSc) programmes at ESCP are more focused in a specific area of management and last one to two years. From Finance and Marketing to Luxury or Big Data, each MSc is designed to deepen expertise in a specific domain from the very start of the degree. Around half of the teachers are professionals in the sector and all the professors have close ties to industry. These programmes include a targeted final internship aimed at launching students directly into the sector or function they’ve chosen. MSc students hold undergraduate or postgraduate degrees across a variety of subjects but crucially, they have a clear sense of their chosen professional path. 

International Exposure and Experience

International experience is at the core of both the MiM and MSc journeys at ESCP but the way it’s built into each programme differs.

The MiM is designed to be multi-campus and highly international. Students can rotate between up to four of ESCP’s six European campuses  in Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid, Turin and Warsaw. They also have access to academic exchanges at over 40 partner universities worldwide. This structure gives students the chance to experience life, study and business culture in multiple countries during their studies. The MiM cohort is typically large and highly diverse, gathering students from a broad range of academic backgrounds and nationalities, which fosters rich cross-cultural collaboration and networking opportunities.

As the MSc programmes are shorter, the international experience is more focussed. Most MScs are coordinated by one of ESCP’s campuses, and while you may not move around as much as MiM students, most MScs do include dual-campus programmes and an international seminar allowing them to experience the business world in a different setting. The global exposure also comes through the cohort itself, MSc students usually form smaller, more intimate classes with a strong international mix. This smaller scale often allows for deeper connections with peers, professors and industry experts, especially within the specific field of study.

As for language, the MiM is fully accessible in English, with optional tracks or courses in French, Spanish or German depending on the campus. MScs are generally taught entirely in English, although some may be bilingual depending on the subject and local context.

In both formats, you’ll be part of a global and multicultural learning environment. The difference is in how often you move, how big your class is and how tightly your academic journey is tied to a specific country or field. Ultimately, as graduates of both the MIM and the MSc programmes, you become a part of the global alumni network of over 85,000 former students in more than 150 countries. This allows you to continue the international experience of ESCP beyond your studies and throughout your career. 

How and When You Specialise

Specialisation is central to both the MiM and Specialised Master of Science at ESCP, but the timing and focus differ depending on your goals. The MiM lets you explore broadly before specialising, while the MSc offers deep focus from the beginning.

In the MiM, you begin with broad core management courses, giving you time to explore different areas. Afterward, you choose from over 70 specialisations, including consulting, finance, digital business, and entrepreneurship. This gradual approach lets you discover your interests through electives and internships, building a versatile profile.

On the other hand, MSc students specialise immediately, committing to a specific field such as Finance, Marketing & Creativity or Strategy & Organisation Consulting. The entire programme, including projects and the final internship, is designed to develop expert knowledge and skills in that area for a focused career start.

“I chose the MiM over an MSc because i could choose a variety of specialisations based on the following factors: personal interest and talents, specialisation syllabi and courses included, the faculty, and the campus/city where it was taking place.”

“I decided to choose an MSc instead of the MiM because I wanted to turn to a focused programme with specific courses. As my goal is to work in the field of Communication, I wanted to develop my theoretical and practical skills in this specific field turned towards my professional aspirations. This is what the MSc Marketing & Communication offered me.“

Career Goals and Timing

Your professional goals and the timing of your decisions play a key role in choosing between the MiM and MSc. The MiM is a longer and more flexible format that gives you the chance to gain valuable professional experience through internships, apprenticeships, or gap years. This time lets you build your CV, develop practical skills and explore different industries to find what truly fits you. It’s an ideal path if you’re still defining your career direction or want to keep your options open.

On the other hand, if you already have a clear career goal, for example in Luxury Marketing or Sustainable Entrepreneurship, the MScs are very focused and designed so that you can hit the ground running in the sector of your choice once you graduate. The final internship in an MSc should be tailored to your chosen field and often acts as a direct booster into a specialised job or company, making it a fast track to your career!

Type of Industry: How Each Path Prepares You Differently

Many ESCP graduates build successful careers in consulting and strategy, which are among the most common fields chosen after completing a business master’s at ESCP. Both the MiM and Specialised Masters prepare students to compete for roles at leading global companies, including top consulting firms and multinational corporations.

If we take the field of strategy and consulting as an example, the MiM offers specialisations such as International Business Consulting and Strategic Consulting for Business Transformation. This structure allows you to build a strong foundation in consulting while gaining exposure to other areas of business through electives and internships. You’ll be able to develop versatile skills that are well-suited for a wide range of consulting roles before narrowing your focus.

In contrast, the MSc in Strategy, Consulting and Organisation is a highly focused programme designed to prepare students directly for careers in management consulting, digital transformation and organisational change. The curriculum combines strategic frameworks, organisational design and real-life consulting missions, giving you hands-on experience from the start. This targeted approach develops technical  skills that are directly aligned with the consulting profession.

If you want to follow a career in consulting, whether you choose the MiM or MSc, ESCP graduates regularly secure positions at prestigious firms such as Bain & Company, BCG, Deloitte, EY, BNP Paribas and other top employers. Choosing between the two depends on whether you prefer the MiM’s broad base with varied experience or the MSc’s direct path into specialised consulting roles.

Conclusion 

When it comes to choosing an MSc or a MIM, there is no right or wrong choice and that’s a good thing! It really depends whether you’re seeking a broader experience with time to explore your options or a direct path into a specific field. Both the MiM and MSc at ESCP are designed to get you where you want to go and to help you reach your carrer goals. 

Think less about which programme is “better” and more about which one fits your timing, learning style and level of clarity of what you want to do after!