Kicking off in Berlin, you’ll lay the theoretical groundwork essential to evaluating and addressing the status quo in business. You’ll get an introduction to sustainable development and organisational strategy, and gain the understanding needed to effectively tackle unsustainable business practices and develop entrepreneurial solutions. Expect case studies, group work, debates and a variety of exercises to connect theory to practice.

You’ll also start a unique 1-year journey with the Sustainable Lifestyles Venture (co-developed with the UN Environment Programme). In this hands-on project course, you’ll apply design thinking and customer development methods to create market-ready sustainable business ideas. The project starts with ethnographic research and analysis of a sustainability challenge.

This term at the Paris Campus equips you with a comprehensive toolkit for sustainable business management. You’ll develop practical skills in financial decision-making, sustainability performance measurement, brand and product development, and venture creation, all while learning to balance profitable business operations with positive social and environmental impact.

The Sustainable Lifestyles Venture continues as you identify a compelling problem and solution. Experienced mentors serve as guides as you develop and refine your idea for the market. You’ll advance to the next level in your language course.

Courses

• Entrepreneurial finance
• Sustainability accounting
• Entrepreneurial methods
• Sustainability marketing
• Language course
• Project: The Sustainable Lifestyles Venture

At the Berlin Campus, this term combines practical training in financial tools, KPIs, and sustainable business planning with the development of essential soft skills for navigating intercultural work environments. You’ll be immersed in hands-on learning approaches including real consultancy projects, business modelling, and interactive simulations.

The Sustainable Lifestyles Venture concludes this term as you create a concrete business plan, refine financial estimates, and pitch your idea. You’ll continue advancing to the next level in your language course.

Courses

• Sustainability metrics and green finance
• Advanced business modelling for sustainability
• Leadership, teams & collaboration in intercultural contexts
• Intercultural management
• Language course
• Project: The Sustainable Lifestyles Venture

After a summer break, your cohort will take part in a 1-week trip to Oslo, Norway to get forward-thinking insights and practical experience with the Norwegian Model of sustainable and regenerative food system transformation. The visit consists of company visits, case studies, guest speakers, and group activities.

On campus, you’ll prepare to critically evaluate research and conduct your own scientific work, while learning about the multifaceted aspects of driving significant societal change. You’ll also take 3 electives of your choice.

A key element of this programme takes place this term — the Company Consultancy Project (CCP). Over 2 months, you and your peers will collaborate on a real-time challenge provided by a company or organisation. This project challenges you to put into practice the concepts you’ve learned in class and gives you valuable experience employers are looking for.

Courses

• Research methods
• Managing complexity

Electives (choose 3)

The selection of elective courses varies every year. Recent electives include:

• Business modelling for flourishing enterprises
• Technology entrepreneurship
• Serious gaming
• From Idea to Exit: A clean tech startup journey
• Digital technologies & sustainability
• Social entrepreneurship
• Quantitative entrepreneurial finance and private equity
• Strategic design thinking

Company Consultancy Projects (CCPs)

The CCP will require significant commitment and focus. Your group is expected to deliver a high-level analysis and make actionable recommendations that can realistically be implemented by the company.

You’ll learn how to work effectively as a team and hone your skills in:

• Project planning and management
• Data collection and analysis
• Development of hypotheses and recommendations
• Customer service & client interaction
• Public speaking and presentations

Throughout the project, guidance is provided by business experts with support from ESCP professors.

Company Consultancy Projects (CCPs) | ESCP Berlin Campus

You’ll have 12 weeks to complete an individual Master's Thesis in consultation with an academic advisor. A Master's Thesis demonstrates advanced research, analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills—highly valued in competitive job markets. As you develop expertise and contacts in your desired industry, a thesis can also serve as a launch pad for your career.

You’ll finish your Master's journey with either an internship (or a full-time permanent position!) or a Business Development Project, all of which must be a minimum of three months.

The internship, which you can do anywhere in the world, is an excellent opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge, get more hands-on experience, and build professional connections, all aimed at jumpstarting your career. ESCP’s European Career Centre provides support as you look for the right internship opportunity.

Here are some examples of companies and organisations at which students have obtained internships:

Nike – Atlantic Food Labs – Active Giving – SAP – Brussels Beer Project – Siemens Mobility – C4 Ventures – Emma: the Sleep Company – Digital Career Institute

A unique feature of this programme is the possibility to do a Business Development Project (BDP) instead of an internship. The BDP allows you to work on your own business projects, for example writing a business plan, launching a marketing campaign, doing market research, applying for funding, and much more. Many MSEI students make use of the BDP to sharpen their entrepreneurial ideas and skills, with the aim of kicking off their venture after graduation.