ESCP Business School has been shortlisted in two categories at the 2025 Independent Higher Education (IHE) Awards: Outstanding Collaboration and Inspiring Course.
These nominations recognise the School’s ongoing commitment to working closely with local businesses and communities, co-creating learning experiences, and delivering innovative, inspiring programmes to students.
The shortlists follow ESCP Business School London Campus’ success at the 2024 IHE Awards, where ESCP won the 'Empowering Student Voice' category for its exceptional approach to integrating student perspectives across all levels of governance and leadership.
Outstanding Collaboration
The Outstanding Collaboration nomination highlights ESCP London Campus’s strong integration of industry partnerships, research, and community engagement across its programmes and initiatives.
The School was recognised for embedding real company projects, internships, and consultancy work into its curriculum, giving students direct exposure to over 30 organisations each year. This includes partnerships with global brands like Chanel, L'Oréal and Cartier, which combine academic excellence with industry innovation to co-create a unique learning experience on the School's MSc in Marketing & Creativity and Master in Management programmes.
Through initiatives like the Blue Factory business incubator's collaborations with Camden Council and Brent Cross Town, ESCP takes a proactive role in developing local enterprise and social impact, equipping students with practical skills while helping the local community and businesses to address their challenges.
Happy to see ESCP nominated in the Outstanding Collaboration category! The Cartier research chair exemplifies the rich collaborations that universities and companies can have. Beyond research projects, the Chair has led to collaborations between students and Cartier executives with yearly business challenges, a think tank to research new generations, and collaborations with prestigious outside institutions such as the V&A.
Benjamin VoyerCartier Chaired Professor of Behavioural Science at ESCP Business School
Being nominated for this award highlights the incredible impact our students and ESCP Business School are making in the local community. It shows what’s possible when universities and incubators actively engage with their local ecosystems, turning real-world challenges into opportunities for learning and innovation. By connecting education with experience, we’re helping students open their minds, think entrepreneurially, and create real value beyond the classroom.
Harry McDonoughSenior Manager - Blue Factory at ESCP Business School London Campus
Inspiring Course
ESCP’s Art Thinking course has been shortlisted in the Inspiring Course category, recognising its creative approach to business education. The nomination focused on the School's immersive “Improbable Seminar,” developed by Prof. Sylvain Bureau, which ESCP London first delivered in November 2024, led by Prof. Stela Ivanova and Prof. Chloe Preece.
The seminar encourages students to explore bold, unconventional approaches through a three-day art-based workshop, guiding them to dig deep, let go of what they know, and embrace uncertainty. The course draws on business management, contemporary art and creative industries, and is shaped by students’ own experiences and challenges.
In an era of AI, digital disruption, and societal change, the Art Thinking course trains students in essential skills such as creativity, resilience, and critical thinking, empowering them to innovate where others only optimise.
We’re thrilled that the Art Thinking course has been recognised for its impact. Seeing students embrace uncertainty and transform creative exploration into personal and professional growth is what makes this experience truly inspiring.
Chloé PreeceProfessor of Marketing at ESCP Business School London
This nomination celebrates the courage our students show in stepping outside conventional learning. Through Art Thinking, they learn to navigate ambiguity, and create powerful and authentic impact with little resources - skills truly needed to succeed in today's rapidly-changing world.
Stela IvanovaAssistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at ESCP Business School London
The IHE Awards 2025
The final award winners will be announced on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at the IHE Annual Conference, held at the Royal College of Physicians in London.
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