What is a Master in Management?
The Master in Management is the flagship programme of French business schools. It is a benchmark qualification in higher education in management, designed to train future leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs capable of operating in complex and globalised environments. Recognised by the French State and assessed by the CEFDG (Commission for the Evaluation of Management Degree Programmes), it awards a Master’s degree equivalent to a five-year higher education qualification (Bac+5) to its graduates.
At EDC Paris Business School, the Master in Management spans five years, corresponds to 300 ECTS credits, and is structured into two complementary cycles: a three-year pre-master cycle focused on core management fundamentals and international exposure, followed by a two-year master cycle dedicated to specialisation and professionalisation. This integrated pathway makes the Master in Management far more than a standard postgraduate degree: it is a long-term career investment aligned with a clearly defined professional ambition.
Definition and objectives of the Master in Management
The most accurate definition of a Master in Management is straightforward: it is a Bac+5-level management programme, leading to a State-accredited diploma and awarding a Master’s degree following CEFDG approval. This qualification places graduates at the same academic level as university Master’s degree holders, with the added value of a highly profession-oriented and internationally focused education.
The pedagogical objective of the Master in Management at EDC Paris Business School is explicitly ambitious: to train entrepreneurial leaders equipped with a cross-disciplinary understanding of management, capable of leading projects and making decisions in uncertain environments. The programme goes beyond the transmission of knowledge to develop operational skills, critical thinking abilities, and a broad understanding of management enriched by major contemporary transformations such as artificial intelligence, big data, entrepreneurship, geopolitics, sustainable development, and business ethics.
Key facts about the Master in Management at EDC Paris:
Duration: 5 years
Credits: 300 ECTS
Level: Bac+5 / RNCP Level 7
Recognition: State-accredited Master’s degree, EFMD accreditation
Teaching languages: French or English (full English track available)
Intakes: September or February (mid-year intake available)
Structure and content of the Master in Management
The Master in Management at EDC Paris Business School is organised into two distinct but complementary cycles, each with its own pedagogical objectives and milestones.
Pre-master cycle (years 1 to 3): fundamentals and international exposure
The first three years are structured by semesters, each with a specific pedagogical identity and clearly defined objectives. From the first semester, the interdisciplinary project Business Exploration requires students to simultaneously apply knowledge in economics, management, law, and communication—an action-based approach that underpins the entire philosophy of the programme.
Each subsequent semester includes at least one interdisciplinary project, ensuring a coherent and progressive development of skills. The third year is largely dedicated to international experience: a mandatory semester abroad, required for degree validation, which serves as a major stepping stone for cultural and academic openness.
Master cycle (years 4 and 5): specialisation and professionalisation
In the fourth and fifth years, students choose a specialisation from three main pathways:
Finance, Audit & Accounting Expertise
Marketing, Data & Business Intelligence
Business Development, Entrepreneurship & International
The programme can be completed in full-time initial training, including a full English track, or through a work-study scheme with a rhythm of three weeks in company and one week in academic training.
This master cycle represents the intensive professionalisation phase of the programme, where ECTS credits are combined with hands-on professional experience that is directly transferable to the labour market.
Recognition and value of the degree
The recognition of the Master in Management is based on a robust institutional framework that guarantees the value of the qualification both in France and internationally.
The Master in Management at EDC Paris Business School is registered with the RNCP (National Directory of Professional Certifications) under code no. 38062 at Level 7, equivalent to Bac+5 within the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). This registration, effective since 28 September 2023, is issued by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, co-awarding the qualification alongside EDC Paris. The school also benefits from EFMD accreditation, an internationally recognised mark of academic quality.
What this means for graduates:
Easier access to further studies: the Master’s degree enables access to doctoral programmes or international specialisation courses without additional recognition procedures;
Strong visibility for employers: the State-recognised degree and Master’s qualification are clear quality signals for HR professionals and recruiters, both in France and in countries that follow the LMD system;
Eligibility for funding schemes: RNCP Level 7 status enables access to certain continuing education and work-study funding mechanisms.
Why is this programme strategic for your career?
Choosing a Master in Management at EDC Paris Business School means choosing a programme focused on action rather than knowledge alone. The advantages of the Master in Management are numerous and evident throughout the entire career journey.
In terms of employability, the combination of rigorous academic training, interdisciplinary projects, progressive internships, and the possibility of work-study in the master cycle equips graduates with immediately operational skills. They enter the job market with a dual legitimacy: academic qualification and professional experience.
In terms of networking, access to the Force EDC alumni network, active across all sectors and internationally, provides a long-term professional resource. Mentoring, co-optation, and job opportunities shared within this community act as strong career accelerators rarely matched by other programmes.
In terms of international opportunities, the integrated semester abroad, the possibility of international internships from the first year, and the school’s global university partnerships open up significant prospects for geographical and sectoral mobility, highly valued by global organisations.
The Master in Management at EDC Paris Business School is an accessible, recognised, and action-oriented excellence pathway. Whether you are a high school graduate or a student with two or three years of higher education, there is an entry route suited to your profile.
Download the Master in Management brochure to explore the programme in detail, or arrange a meeting with an admissions advisor to review entry requirements and build your application.