Program structure
The HEC MIB’s academic ambition is to shape top international managers to prepare them for the challenges of a steadily evolving, multi-cultural business world. The curriculum focuses on giving MIB students all the academic knowledge and practical experience in management for an international career. It is a natural choice for a student desirous to take on international management functions.
An international career:
HEC’s goal is to foster students’ international exposure. To do so, we have therefore decided to offer our students two options when setting up their curriculum:
- The whole academic year on the HEC campus
- 4 months at one of our CEMS partner institutions in Europe. This option delivers both the HEC Master in International Business (MIB) and the CEMS Master in International Management (MIM)
The academic year is divided into four terms, that account for 90 ECTS credits.
The HEC MIB curriculum is articulated around the following elements:
Core Courses and electives
are interactive in format, interdisciplinary in content and are viewed as the fundamentals of international management.
Electives are a selection of the best courses with an international management profile.
Core courses and electives are structured around 4 management fields of study: Finance/Economy, Management, Strategy and Marketing.
Tracks
Tracks correspond to a group of courses with a sectorial focus such as energy markets, real estate, luxury markets. These courses provide an in-depth understanding of the structure, management, economics and finance related to these sectors. Students who successfully complete all the courses in the same track will be awarded an additional HEC certificate.
A one-Week Inaugural Seminar
based on academic courses, case studies, corporate representatives' interventions and teamwork. The topic in September 2008 is "Brand Management in Global Markets".
Training Seminars
in practical skills are designed to help participants prepare for an international management environment.
Consultancy Projects
are real life business experiences. During the spring semester, students act as consultants in partnership with a company to address a key strategic problem they are facing. Students work in groups of 3 to 5 with a tutor from the company and an academic tutor from HEC.
Examples of Companies offering Consultancy Projects
| Accor | Givenchy |
| Ad Rem Technology | Hilti |
| Air France | Ineum Consulting |
| Anthenor | ING Financial Markets |
| Ateme | Kea & Partners |
| AXA | Kr Media France |
| Banque Palatine | La Poste |
| BNP Paribas | Legrand |
| Cadbury France | LVMH |
| Caisse d'Epargne | Mattel |
| Carrefour | Oddo & Cie |
| Cotty Vivant Marchisio & Lauzeral | Orange |
| Dell | Pfizer |
| EADS | Pinault Printemps Redoute |
| EDF | Redcats |
| EDS Consulting Services | Roland Berger |
| Ensta | Shell |
| Euro Disney | Sncf |
| Ferrari West Europe | Tmpneo |
| Forest Pictures | Vigeo |
| Gaz de France |
Leadership Series
In the fall, HEC invites CEOs to give presentations on some strategic decisions they had to make during their career or the strategy they are currently conducting.
Business Plan Competition
In the fall, we invite the founder or the CEO of a company to present his project of development. Students then work in groups of 3 or 4 and compete to provide the best business plan.
Strategic Game Competition
In the spring, we organize a game based on a business case in international strategy. Students work in groups of 4 to 5 and compete against other teams either locally (HEC) or internationally.
Master's Thesis
Students are required to write a research-oriented master thesis during their studies. They will discuss their areas of interest with the Academic Directors who will direct them towards the appropriate tutors to supervise their work.
Internship
During the summer term, the students must complete an internship of minimum 10 weeks, in France or abroad. The Career and Recruitment Office assists students in searching through its job/internship intranet and the Fairs organized throughout the year.
Language Courses (optional)
Are offered to students of all levels, from beginners to highly proficient.
To graduate with the HEC MSc in International Business, students must validate before September 30, a total of 90 credits ECTS:
- Term 1: Blocked Seminar, Leadership series, skills seminar and courses
- Term 2: Business Plan competition, Blocked Seminar, Consultancy Project and courses
- Term 3: Track, Consultancy Project (continued)
- Term 4: In the summer: Internship (10 weeks)
- Master’s Thesis
Students having chosen the CEMS MIM option must validate the total of their semester abroad, a 10 week-internship and the additional CEMS language tests.