Your career, your choice
Choosing the right Master in Management specialisations at ESCP
With nearly 70 specialisations to choose from, the Master in Management (MiM) programme at ESCP empowers students to craft a personalised learning experience. Combining foundational knowledge with specialised expertise, ESCP’s MiM prepares graduates to excel in an ever-evolving global job market. But how do students choose from such a vast array of options? We spoke to Jeanne Weckler, Group Marketing Manager of the MiM programme, as well as student Katharina Bettels and alumnus Bechir Thabet, for their insights on how to choose the right specialisations for you.
What makes the MiM Programme at ESCP special?
One of the defining features of the MiM programme is its flexibility. “What makes the MiM unique is that 75% of it is customisable. All students take the same core courses during the first semester of the four total, but after that, they have the freedom to choose what they want to study and in which location, amongst ESCP’s six campuses and our 150 partner institutions,” says Jeanne.
This level of customisation is designed to balance foundational managerial studies with specialised knowledge that can help students launch their careers. “When redesigning the programme a few years ago, we consulted both students and companies to identify their needs. Companies wanted graduates with specialised knowledge who could be operational from day one rather than requiring extensive additional training,” Jeanne explains.
What makes the MiM unique is that 75% of it is customisable. All students take the same core courses during the first semester of the four total, but after that, they have the freedom to choose what they want to study and in which location, amongst ESCP’s six campuses and our 150 partner institutions.
Jeanne WecklerGroup Marketing Manager for ESCP's MiM programme
The nearly 70 specialisations that the programme offers span a diverse and comprehensive range, typically organised by job function or industry sector, such as finance, consulting, or real estate management. This variety allows students to personalise their studies to suit their professional aspirations and explore fields they hadn’t initially considered.
Diverse paths to success for diverse students
Katharina Bettels, a current second-year MiM student from Germany, offers a great example of how MIM specialisations can lead to meaningful outcomes. For Katharina, the most rewarding aspect of personalisation is studying subjects she’s passionate about.
“Working on projects with companies like Cartier gave me the chance to engage with experts who are already where I aspire to be. It’s a great way to test whether a field truly aligns with your goals,” she reflects.
Katharina chose specialisations in Digital Project Management and Luxury Management while working as an apprentice at a financial services start-up in Hamburg. “The diversity of my specialisations has helped me develop a structured and analytical approach to projects, which is very practical and applicable,” she shares. “For example, I’m working in the co-founder’s team at my start-up, where I conduct industry research on various innovative projects, such as cellular agriculture.”
For alumnus Bechir Thabet, the MiM programme offered a great opportunity to build a well-rounded skill set. He selected three specialisations: International Business and Sustainability, International Business Consulting, and Managing Oneself and Others.
“My choices were driven by both career aspirations and personal interests. Sustainability is a crucial factor in modern business, and it has always been an area of interest for me. Consulting was a natural fit based on my professional goals, while Managing Oneself and Others added a leadership dimension to my skill set,” he explains.
Bechir credits the combination of specialisations with helping him excel in his consulting internship. “Together, they helped me understand the business environment and dynamics in a comprehensive way. For example, my consulting studies taught me how to approach problems strategically, while sustainability and leadership provided the tools to adapt to different challenges and environments,” he adds.
The diversity of my specialisations has helped me develop a structured and analytical approach to projects, which is very practical and applicable, for example, I’m working in the co-founder’s team at my start-up, where I conduct industry research on various innovative projects, such as cellular agriculture.
Katharina BettelsESCP Master in Management student
How to choose the right MiM specialisations
Jeanne identifies three common approaches students take when selecting their specialisations:
- Clear Career Goals: Some students know exactly what they want to pursue, such as consulting or finance, and tailor their choices accordingly.
- Exploratory Approach: Others aren’t sure what they want to do and use the MiM programme to experiment with different fields. “The combination of the core curriculum and the wide variety of specialisations allows students to discover what suits them best,” Jeanne notes.
- Internship-Driven Decisions: Some students choose specialisations based on the internships they aim to secure. For instance, those targeting investment banking often select related specialisations available across ESCP campuses.
To help students make the right choices, Jeanne advises asking the right questions, such as:
- What impact will this specialisation have on me?
- Will it help you land an internship or pursue a personal interest?
She also recommends considering campus-specific options, as some specialisations are tied to particular locations. “Choosing a location strategically can help students build connections and use the campus as a springboard for job opportunities in that region,” she explains.
Both Katharina and Bechir highlight the importance of seeking advice. Katharina suggests reaching out to alumni or peers: “This helped me understand the effort required, the type of assignments, and the overall fit.” Bechir adds that connecting with ESCP students on LinkedIn before joining the programme can also offer valuable insights.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Narrowing one’s focus too much can be a mistake. “If you have experience in two distinct fields, it opens up more opportunities after graduation,” Jeanne advises. The MiM is designed to strike a balance between depth and breadth, allowing students to diversify their academic portfolios. Exploring complementary areas allows students to gain both expertise and flexibility, ensuring they are equipped for a wide range of career paths.
Students should also take advantage of the programme’s networking opportunities as they can make a difference later on. “As part of one of our specialisations, a guest speaker from a well-known FMCG company led a discussion. After the session, one of our students reached out to the speaker, which eventually led to an internship opportunity. These connections really can open doors to top companies,” Jeanne says. In addition to networking, Jeanne encourages students to approach their choices with an open mind. While it’s tempting to focus exclusively on perceived career necessities, she suggests that personal interests should not be overlooked. “Sometimes, the most unexpected choices lead to remarkable opportunities,” she notes, emphasising the importance of balancing passion with practicality.
Whether focused on exploring new interests or building on existing skills, specialisations help students tailor their studies to their aspirations. As Bechir advises, “Be curious, take advantage of the expertise of professors and guest speakers, and of all of the ESCP ecosystem. It’s essential to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve after graduation and to identify the most personalised path to reach that goal.”
“Be curious, take advantage of the expertise of professors and guest speakers, and of all of the ESCP ecosystem. It’s essential to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve after graduation and to identify the most personalised path to reach that goal.”
Bechir ThabetESCP Master in Management alumnus
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