What ESSEC Executive Education does

ESSEC Executive Education is the continuing education division of ESSEC Business School, a private French educational institution headquartered in Cergy, France, with additional training academies in Paris La Défense, Rabat (Morocco), and Singapore. It serves two principal customer segments: individual working professionals seeking career advancement through degree programs, certificates, and MBAs, and organizations seeking custom-designed corporate training and leadership development for their employees.

The product portfolio spans degree programs (Programmes diplômants, Executive MBA in 18-month hybrid/modular/weekend format, Global MBA as a 12-month full-time program), short certificates of 2-6 days, the ESSEC Online digital learning platform, catalog training, and bespoke programs co-designed with corporate clients. Specialized expertise areas cover Data/AI/Digital, Strategy/RSE/Innovation/Entrepreneurship, Change Management/Negotiation, and Management/Leadership/HR, delivered in French and English across in-person, online, and hybrid formats. The institution draws on 171 professors from 37 nationalities and supports 23 research chairs funded by 1,000+ corporate partners, training approximately 5,000 managers and executives annually and maintaining a global alumni base of 79,000.

The business model combines individual tuition (one-time license-style fees for degree and certificate programs ranging from 2 days to 18 months) with professional services revenue from custom corporate programs tailored to client objectives, culture, and transformation challenges. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with prospects driven through brochure downloads, masterclass events, and direct contact pathways. Distribution operates through a hybrid of campus-based delivery, the ESSEC Online platform, and field sales for corporate accounts. The institution held the #9 global ranking in Executive Education from the Financial Times in 2024.

Name

ESSEC Executive Education

Legal name

ESSEC Business School

Website

https://executive-education.essec.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ESSEC Executive Education is the continuing education division of ESSEC Business School, delivering degree programs, MBAs, certificates, and custom corporate training across campuses in France, Morocco, and Singapore plus the ESSEC Online platform, serving roughly 5,000 managers and executives annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree) (EDAHAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Strategy, Consulting & General Management Institutes (EDAHAHAI), Human Resources, Organizational Behavior & Leadership Institutes (EDAHAHAG)

Keywords

• Executive education programs
• Leadership development training
• Executive MBA programs
• Custom corporate training
• Professional development courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Cergy-pontoise

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Executive Education Programs: Revenue generated from tuition fees for executive education programs including degree programs (Executive MBA, Global MBA), certificates, and short programs. Programs range from 2 days to 18 months in duration, with pricing likely varying by program type and duration.
2. Custom Corporate Training: Co-designed customized programs for organizations based on their specific needs, objectives, culture, and transformation challenges.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ESSEC Executive Education delivers continuing education programs for managers, executives, and organizations, including degree programs (Executive MBA, Global MBA), executive certificates, short programs (2–6 days), and custom corporate training. Programs range from 2 days to 18 months and are delivered in person at four international campuses (Cergy, Paris La Défense, Rabat, Singapore) and online through the ESSEC Online platform, covering management, leadership, finance, strategy, AI, sustainability, change management, and HR.

Product overview

ESSEC Executive Education is a comprehensive portfolio of professional development programs designed for individuals and organizations. The offering includes degree programs (Programmes diplômants), short certificates (Certificats et Executive Certificates), online programs (ESSEC Online), Executive MBA (hybrid/modular/weekend formats, 18 months), and Global MBA (12-month full-time). Specialized expertise areas cover Data/AI/Digital, Strategy/RSE/Innovation/Entrepreneurship, Change Management/Negotiation, and Management/Leadership/HR. The institution also offers custom-built programs (Programmes sur mesure) co-constructed with organizations, as well as catalog-based training. Programs range from 2 days to 18 months in duration, delivered at campuses in Paris La Défense, Rabat, and Singapore, serving approximately 5,000 managers and executives annually with 171 professors across 37 nationalities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ESSEC Online: Online learning platform offering digital programs for professional development

Products and services

• Programmes diplômants (Degree Programs) Executive degree programs designed for managers, experts, and leaders seeking to develop skills, retrain, or launch their own business, developing responsible executive potential through comprehensive management education.
• Certificats et Executive Certificates Short programs lasting 2 to 6 days covering key management domains, challenging existing knowledge and developing potential through targeted, rapid professional development.
• ESSEC Online Online programs offering academic excellence through dedicated online offerings; short-form training for professionals seeking continuous development delivered via the ESSEC Online digital platform.
• Executive MBA Higher-level programs for experienced professionals seeking advanced management skills to accelerate their careers, available in hybrid, modular, and weekend formats, completable in 18 months.
• Global MBA Full-time 12-month program in France designed to open doors to participants' chosen industry, equipping them with industry-specific skills to succeed in career transitions.
• Programmes sur mesure (Custom Programs) Co-constructed programs tailored to organizations, considering their needs, objectives, culture, and transformation challenges.
• Formations sur catalogue (Catalog Training) Training programs from catalog offerings including degree, certification, or short programs designed to meet employee development needs.
• Data, IA & Digital Programs Programs for professionals developing digital skills including data science and applied AI, digital transformation, and certified training.
• Stratégie, RSE, Innovation et Entrepreneuriat Programs Programs for professionals seeking to innovate and drive sustainable outcomes, covering strategic development, responsible innovation, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
• Changement & Négociation Programs Programs for professionals in transition or managing complex projects, covering change management, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Management Leadership et RH Programs Programs for managers and HR leaders seeking managerial posture and impact, covering leadership, managerial posture, team management, and HR functions.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• 1,000+ CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 1,000 companies support ESSEC's 23 research chairs, indicating deep corporate partnerships for academic research, program development, and industry collaboration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• emlyon Executive Education: emlyon (based in Lyon/Paris) offers executive MBAs, certificates, and custom programs in France and internationally. It competes directly with ESSEC on French corporate custom programs and mid-tier executive audiences.
• IMD Business School: IMD in Lausanne/Singapore delivers executive MBAs, custom programs, and short courses for senior leaders. It is consistently ranked alongside ESSEC in FT Executive Education and serves overlapping senior-manager audiences in Europe and Asia.
• EDHEC Executive Education: EDHEC offers executive MBAs and custom corporate programs from France, with strong positioning in finance. It competes with ESSEC for European corporate training budgets and mid-career executive enrollment.
• INSEAD Executive Education: INSEAD offers Executive MBA, custom programs, and short executive courses across its Fontainebleau, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi campuses. It is a top-tier global peer competing for the same multinational executive cohort and FT ranking positions.
• HEC Paris Executive Education: HEC Paris Executive Education is ESSEC's closest French direct competitor, offering degree programs, MBAs, certificates, and custom corporate training for executives. Both compete head-to-head for the same French and European corporate L&D budgets and FT rankings.
• London Business School Executive Education: LBS offers Executive MBA, custom programs, and short courses targeting senior executives globally. It is a top-tier FT-ranked peer competing for the same multinational senior-manager cohort and corporate L&D RFPs.
• ESCP Business School Executive Education: ESCP is a Paris-headquartered multi-campus business school offering executive MBAs, certificates, and custom corporate programs. It directly competes with ESSEC on French and European executive education programs and pricing.

Broad incumbents

• MIT Sloan Executive Education: MIT Sloan Executive Education offers degree, custom, and short executive programs with a strong technology/AI focus. It competes with ESSEC for global corporate custom contracts, especially in tech-driven transformation mandates.
• Wharton Executive Education: Wharton Executive Education offers a broad portfolio of programs for senior executives across the U.S. and globally. It is a larger, broader incumbent competing with ESSEC for top-decile senior executives and global corporate L&D contracts.
• Harvard Business School Executive Education: HBS Executive Education provides a comprehensive suite of executive programs and is consistently #1 in FT rankings. It is the largest global incumbent competing for premium corporate contracts and senior executive enrollment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/essec
• Facebookfacebook.com/essec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/essec-business-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ESSEC Executive Education