“We’re a values driven institution. We’re looking far ahead at some of the world’s big issues and preparing today’s graduates for that world… businesses have an important role to play in terms of making sure we’re responsible and contributing to the future, of not only people, but profit and planet. We really have to think about the generations of tomorrow, not just today.”

Sandra Richez has spent two decades overseeing each aspect of the EDHEC Global MBA – from admissions and curriculum to career outcomes and alumni relations. As Program Director, she has a clear view of what distinguishes the program, and she didn’t hold back in this conversation.

We cover a range of topics: EDHEC’s history, reputation and location in Nice, how the program’s 10-month format attracts a more experienced and collaborative cohort, and why the MBA consistently ranks among the top 10 worldwide for return on investment. Sandra also walks through EDHEC’s scholarship opportunities, career resources, and how the school continues to evolve its curriculum – most recently around AI and sustainability – to stay relevant in a fast-changing business environment.

The admissions section is particularly valuable. Sandra offers specific guidance on resumes, recommendations, interviews and essays that any MBA applicant would benefit from hearing, regardless of which school they are targeting.

Topics

Program Highlights – What Makes the EDHEC MBA Unique?

• Introduction (0:00)
• What Makes the EDHEC MBA Unique? (5:00)
• EDHEC’s Student & Learning Culture (17:20)
• EDHEC MBA’s Return On Investment (24:10)

EDHEC MBA Admissions & Scholarships – How to Improve Your Chances? 

• What EDHEC Looks for from MBA Applicants (32:10)
• GMAT/GRE Scores (36:45)
• Tips on EDHEC MBA’s Recommendations, Resumes, Video & In-Person Interviews, Timed Essays (39:00)
• How EDHEC MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (52:15)

Career Opportunities at EDHEC – What to Know & How to Prepare

• How to Leverage EDHEC’s Career Resources to Land Post-MBA Jobs (57:25)
• EDHEC’s Industry Placements (1:06:00)
• Advice for MBAs in an Era of AI Disruption (1:08:30)
• Last Career Tips for MBA Applicants (1:13:00)

About Our Guest

Sandra Richez is Program Director of the Global MBA at EDHEC Business School, where she was also previously Head of Global MBA Career Services & Student Affairs. Before coming to EDHEC, Sandra led Executive Education & Training for Accor Hotels, ESSEC, SKEMA, and ISC Paris. Sandra majored in International Relations & French at Tufts University and got her Masters in Hospitality from ESSEC in partnership with Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration.

Show Notes

• EDHEC Global MBA
• The Best MBA Programs in France – Head-to-Head

EDHEC Full-time MBA Highlights

EDHEC Full-Time MBA Highlights (last updated May 2026)

• Length, Intake, Size: 10-12 months, September intake, up to 60 students/year
• Typical Class: 7 years average work experience / 98% international with 25+ nationalities / GMAT Average (not available, above 60th percentile recommended), GRE Average (not available, above 60th percentile recommended)
• Curriculum:
  • First 6 Months
    • Core courses: Strategy, Innovation & Management, Finance, Analytics & Risk, Personal & Organizational Leadership
    • Two global business trips  
    • Begin 3-months Sustainable Impact Challenge
  • Second 4 Months
    • One-month specialization track: International Finance, Entrepreneurship, AI & Innovation
    • One month of electives: choose 3-5 electives from 6 offered
    • Two months for Tailored MBA Project
    • Over 175 international Full-time professors at EDHEC business schools, 50 of whom teach in MBA program
• Admissions:
  • Minimum 3 years Bachelors Degree
  • Minimum 3 years of full-time work experience
  • GMAT Focus / GRE / EA / Tage Mage / EDHEC in-house test required with some exceptions
  • Resume, Timed Essays, 2 Recommendations
  • Video questionnaire, interview with admissions team, brief interview with alumni
  • Rolling admissions with June 30 deadline, apply before February for maximum scholarship opportunities
• Careers:
  • Visas: Upon completion of your MBA, France has a range of visa options that sometimes require employer sponsorship. Non-European Students can apply for an APS temporary resident permit valid for 12 months as they look for jobs in France.
  • Placement, Class of 2023: 97% employed w/in 3 months, $125,500 USD average salary 3 years after graduation; graduates experienced 95% increase in salary after 3 years
  • Top Destinations, Class of 2024 (for EDHEC Masters graduates): 68% France / 20% Europe excluding France / 5% Asia Pacific / 5% Americas / 2% Middle East & Africa (80% work out of their home country)
  • Top Industries, Class of 2024 (for EDHEC Masters graduates): 36% financial services / 25% consulting / 6% IT & technology / 5% consumer goods / 4% heavy industry / 3% energy & utilities / 3% luxury
  • Top Functions, Class of 2024 (for EDHEC Masters graduates): 38% finance / 25% consulting / 9% marketing & communications / 8% business development & sales / 6% business unit management / 5% data
  • 80+ recruiting companies
• Scholarships: 6 types of scholarships available, ranging from (10-40% of tuition, including for Early Bird, Excellence, Future Leaders, Making an Impact, Cultural Diversity and Forte Women in Leadership – see full list. Awards of 10% of tuition may also be awarded.
• Rankings: Ranked #47 worldwide, #3 for ESG, #7 for ROI by Financial Times in 2026; ranked #2 for Entrepreneurship by Poets & Quants in 2025
• Alumni: 40,000+ EDHEC alumni from 125+ countries, with 100 clubs in over 40 countries
• Tuition: €52,500; Estimated living costs €1,200/month
• Accreditations: AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA

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