Well you certainly sound like a TOP consultant.  Your private diploma works for you, so all private diploma work unless they are not like yours, in which case you don't want to discuss them. 

You are a role model for the TOP consulting firms. 

I pride myself on being effective in my work, precisely because I leave no detail unexplained and always address the subject to the end. Let me address all of your concerns once again as a finalization. I don't think that all private diplomas are of high quality, particularly a private diploma with only 30 ECTS, which does not meet the standards for a master's degree. If ESCP has issued such a diploma, I believe it was an error, and for that reason, such a diploma no longer exists - they learned a lesson. I have no problem expressing this view openly in this and previous posts because I am a transparent person. However, I do think that the EMIB program at ESCP is a commendable master's degree program, as it meets the 60 ECTS requirement mandated by EU law and upholds a challenging standard. French universities, like ESCP or HEC, offer a much higher level of education in their executive programs than standard, state-recognized universities. Even Financial Times started publishing a ranking of top executive education universities from this year, and that's the sign of a change in an old, ossified system of education. @Duncan, I'm not sure where your frustration is stemming from. After all, we are simply engaging in a discussion and presenting our respective viewpoints. Comparing EMIB to an MBA at ESCP or INSEAD doesn't make much sense, because we are talking about a Master's degree vs a Master of Business Administration, and these are completely different, though similar-sounding, types of degrees. In the end, I am happy that I have explained thoroughly all the aspects of the situation on my side, and there is no ambiguity or anything left unsaid. P.S. - And yes, I believe I am an excellent consultant, as evidenced by my streak of continued success with the company. Thank you. 

I guess the only mystery remaining is, if the EMIB is better than the state degrees issued by ESCP, why does it cost less, have fewer ECTS and not lead to a state degree? 

Comparing EMIB to an MBA at ESCP or INSEAD doesn't make much sense, because we are talking about a Master's degree vs a Master of Business Administration, and these are completely different, though similar-sounding, types of degrees.

I guess the only mystery remaining is, if the EMIB is better than the state degrees issued by ESCP, why does it cost less, have fewer ECTS and not lead to a state degree? 

Comparing EMIB to an MBA at ESCP or INSEAD doesn't make much sense, because we are talking about a Master's degree vs a Master of Business Administration, and these are completely different, though similar-sounding, types of degrees.

An MBA *is* a masters' degree. The difference is that ESCP and other universities in France, Spain and Italy have issued a wide range of things called degrees, which vary massively, most notably in whether or not they lead to awards that are recognised as state-accredited academic degrees. 

rwanchis is so busy defending his own choice, that he can't see this is a real discussion. For example, I've been getting a lot of Upgrad adverts recently for an online doctorate from ESGCI, a French school that isn't accredited to award doctorates: https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?threads/my-dba-journey-at-esgci.62247/

The sharpest examples of these are the  "titulo propio" awards in the Spanish-speaking world. https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?search/36095502/&q=%22titulo+propio%22&o=date 

Again, you refuse to engage with what is written. Academic state degrees are more accepted than private diplomas and vocational qualifications. There's ambiguity, reflected by the fact that ESCP has issued degrees with 30 ECTS and ESGCI awards "doctorates". Your response to these examples is that you're not interested in discussing them. Okay, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. 

I understand you can't want to discuss the ESCP EM in project management. Since you raise the HEC EMs, are you happy to discuss them? One of their Coursera options leads to a master's degree, the other to a non-academic vocational diploma. Indeed, these are legally issued. Is this difference also unimportant? If so, why is there a difference?  

Again, you refuse to engage with what is written. Academic state degrees are more accepted than private diplomas and vocational qualifications. There's ambiguity, reflected by the fact that ESCP has issued degrees with 30 ECTS and ESGCI awards "doctorates". Your response to these examples is that you're not interested in discussing them. Okay, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. 

I understand you can't want to discuss the ESCP EM in project management. Since you raise the HEC EMs, are you happy to discuss them? One of their Coursera options leads to a master's degree, the other to a non-academic vocational diploma. Indeed, these are legally issued. Is this difference also unimportant? If so, why is there a difference?  

You still need to address the questions posted to you earlier in this thread. Why should I take time to contact the education ministry of every canton or Bundeslander when you can't address questions where the facts are easy to spot. For example: HEC doesn't award private masters degree after its "executive masters", but a vocational diploma: https://www.hec.edu/en/executive-education/executive-masters/msc-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/executive-master-innovation-entrepreneurship 

ESCP is one of the top business schools in France, and arguably, Europe.  From a North American viewpoint, the EMIB is more comparable to a graduate certificate than a full fledged masters degree.  Why do I say that?  EMIB is a legally authorized qualification from a legit university, but it does not represent the same achievement as a "regular" state authorized masters degree from ESCP.   I am in no way diminishing rwanchi's achievement since a graduate certificate from a top school is a significant accomplishment indeed, but just sharing how North Americans might view the qualification - YMMV.  Cheers everyone.  

[Edited by MKennedy on Aug 15, 2023]

Hey everyone! 

I’ve been closely following an engaging discussion on this subject in our alumni forum and felt it was about time I added my toonie's worth. The dialogue between the OP and other members has been notably vibrant. 

Just to give a brief intro – I’m Canadian and a recent graduate of EMIB. This experience grants me substantial insight into the program, its processes, and crucially, the distinctions between a “master” and a “mastère,” nuances which the OP didn’t elaborate on. To start off, it’s important to note that here in Canada, ESCP enjoys a high level of recognition. If one is looking to secure a position in a renowned, multinational company, holding an ESCP diploma is indeed a golden ticket. 

Before my enrollment, I engaged in extensive discussions with the EMIB Dean, the recruitment staff, and even representatives from the Canadian Ministry of Education. Here’s the crux: EMIB is designated as a Mastère Spécialisé. Such programs are prevalent in fast-evolving economies that necessitate agility, leading to the development of adaptive curriculums. The OP omitted to mention that, at present, EMIB is officially accredited by the Paris Chamber of Commerce (CCI) and the Association of Grandes Écoles (CGE), a recognition that carries considerable weight here in Canada. You can confirm the current status here: https://www.cci-paris-idf.fr/fr/education/ecoles/escp/online-executive-master-international-business-emib I hope this clarification provides some perspective. 

A point of interest: Recent salary surveys from France reveal that individuals with a Mastère Spécialisé are earning comparable salaries to those with Master degrees, some even surpassing them. My close friend is presently enrolled in a program with France Telecom, specializing in cybersécurité et cyberdéfense - a Mastère Spécialisé, comparable to EMIB, which currently stands out in terms of salary, with an average of 52,500 Euros. 

From discussions with my EMIB peers, I understand that it is equated to a master’s degree by the Ministries of Education in numerous countries, including Canada, US, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, and approximately 20 others. However, bear in mind, there are nations where a Mastère Spécialisé is not acknowledged by the government, so due diligence is advisable. 

I sincerely hope this insight proves beneficial for anyone contemplating an Executive Master in International Business from ESCP. Let’s keep our discussions informative and courteous. 

Cheers!

By whom is the EMIB described formally as a Mastère Spécialisé? Certainly not by ESCP.

Mastère Spécialisé is a trademark of the Conference of Grande Ecoles. It is applied to four ESCP executive masters in finance, heritage management, project management and risk management. It is not applied to the EMIB. You can see, for example: https://escp.eu/programmes/executive-masters 

The CGE explicitly does not apply that quality mark to the EMIB. Go to 
https://www.cge.asso.fr/labels-accreditations/formations-labellisees/ 
Select <<Mastère Spécialisé>> and <<ESCP Business School>> to see the four other executive masters I named above, and some full-time degrees with the same quality mark. EMIB is not among them. 

Caveat emptor. 

[Edited by Duncan on Sep 27, 2023]

It's also mistaken to claim that the EMIB is "accredited" by the Paris chamber of commerce. Like all the grandes ecoles, ESCP is subsidised by the local CCI, and is a member of it. But CCI Paris is not an accreditation body. 

[Edited by StuartHE on Sep 27, 2023]

It's explicitly stated on the page linked: "Niveau de sortie: Bac +6 (Mastère spécialisé)," and this is how the program is registered, confirmed by peers from my year. Additionally, during a conversation with one of the professors, he conveyed that the best lecturers who teach at EMIB are also part of the Master in Management program, which is among the best in the world. He further emphasized that if the university's perspective of the program were different, then everyone who completes EMIB wouldn't automatically receive alumni status and gain access to the exclusive alumni database, including job offers for ESCP graduates, etc.

Cheers

[Edited by billy_2685 on Sep 27, 2023]

The CCI website seems to call every part time masters a Mastère spécialisé. However, that is mistaken.  That title is controlled by the CGE, and the CGE does not list the EMIB on its website. Neither does ESCP call it a Mastère spécialisé on its website. 

Your diploma doesn't say Mastère spécialisé either.

[Edited by StuartHE on Sep 29, 2023]

@billy_2685 it's appreciated that you've taken time to write and describe everything so thoroughly, as I really hadn't take note of this before. As we've discussed in the group, it seems there's no benefit in engaging in dialogue with these gentlemen. Their disapproval of EMIB likely stems from the university not funding the promotion of the course, and it's no accident that these two are consistently promoting the same universities. @StuartHE: how can you tell who has what access to ESCP? I looked for you in the student catalog, and it appears you were never accepted to this school (I wonder why...) As @billy_2685 outlined, alumni status is reserved for those who have completed a master's thesis and EMIB full course. Those with certificates don't have access to the Alumni Network, as stated on the ESCP website. It's also intriguing that you claim that the official government information of the French Republic is incorrect, insisting only your viewpoint is right. I've ceased commenting as it seems the university wasn't inclined to pay for promoting EMIB, leading to the negative stance. Therefore, I see no point in continuing discussions here, which I suggest you consider as well. Let each reader draw their own conclusions; it isn't difficult to add 1+1.

[Edited by rwanchis on Sep 28, 2023]

 one of the professors (..) emphasized that if the university's perspective of the program were different, then everyone who completes EMIB wouldn't automatically receive alumni status and gain access to the exclusive alumni database, including job offers for ESCP graduates, etc. 

[Edited by Duncan on Sep 28, 2023]

@Duncan: ESCP is a business school. The main difference is that a business school specializes in specific management courses, while universities tend to offer more general ones, but that's about it. EMIB is led by the same professors who also teach in otherp programs. The level of education is really high. After some explanations here at ESCP, I understand the reason for your skepticism.

Maybe INSEAD has online certificate with alumni status, but ESCP does not. Only full program alumni are granted access.

I'm confident about the education you get ESCP. I'm questioning people who claim that there's no difference between a private diploma and one with the extra status of a state degree or a Grande Ecole quality mark.