EDHEC Master’s in Management: three-years to develop your career capital

What was your undergraduate major before joining EDHEC?

My undergraduate major is in marketing and international finance, and I have done a double major in business.

Why did you choose to join EDHEC and your current master's programme?

I took French as an elective during my undergraduate period, and I also took several months of classes at the Alliance française, so French is my second foreign language, and I naturally wanted to go to France to study for a master's degree.

The reason for choosing EDHEC is the excellent rankings of EDHEC in major international rating agencies such as QS and "Financial Times". In addition, EDHEC's career service is also ranked first in the world by The Economist, which is of great help for students who are looking for an internship in the gap year or a full-time job after graduation.

I chose to study in the master in management programme because it provides enough time for me to apply what I have learned to practice by providing a full year of work experience. For international students, learning French is also essential. The three-year programme allows us to better exercise our communication skills and improve our French level in an ideal environment.

When you applied, did you participate in any online or offline admissions presentations?

Of course, I have participated in several online admission presentations, and I have also participated in offline events organised by Campus France. All these activities have given me a better understanding of EDHEC and student life in France.
 

What was it like interacting with the EDHEC International Admissions team? Was it helpful to you during the application process?

Interacting with EDHEC's international admissions team was, in my opinion, the best experience of all the business schools I applied to. In particular, Miss Yuting Cai helped me a lot. During the application period, I sent my resumé, undergraduate transcripts, and other materials to the international admissions team. They reviewed them and gave certain feedback (such as whether the grades meet the requirements, whether the internship experience counts, etc.), very helpful for applications.

How and what is taught in your master's programme?

EDHEC's teaching method pays more attention to teamwork among students, and the ability to demonstrate and report. In almost every class, we build teams with other international students.

The teaching content is very rich. For example, in the course of Strategic Management, the professor assigned a case in advance every week for us to conduct group discussions and analysis and create a 2-page PowerPoint presentation. During the class, the professor randomly selected a group to give a presentation. Financial Statement Analysis is also one of my favorite courses. Through the study of the three major statements, I finally gained the skill of conducting a comprehensive analysis of a company.
 

Which EDHEC services do you use a lot? 

I usually talk to the staff of the International Students Office (ISO) and Career Centre. The counselors of the EDHEC Career Centre helped me revise my resume and motivation letters, discuss career planning, conduct mock interviews, and gave me very detailed suggestions for finding an internship.

Did you get to know students from different countries through classroom interactions and other activities?

Of course, the school often holds different activities, including student associations and career events. I have made friends from India, France, Italy, and other countries.
 

What is your impression of the Lille campus?

The main campus in Lille is surrounded by large lawns and woods, like a small park. The main teaching building is decorated with glass. When it is sunny, you can see the reflection of the blue sky and white clouds. Each classroom is equipped with at least three projectors, allowing students to see the demonstration content in all directions. The school also set up a large dining hall and some small dining ones, as well as different rest areas, that students can freely use during their spare time. 

In addition, the school's sport facilities also impressed me. There are gymnasium, dance studio, and a swimming pool. Students can freely choose their favorite sports.

 
Do you feel comfortable living and studying in France?

Very, because I have studied in New Zealand for 5 years, I can quickly integrate into a new environment. The International Students Office’s team also helps us a lot (solving housing subsidies, medical insurance, bank accounts, etc).
 

What are your plans for the future (study, career, personal developments...)?

The career plan for the next 5-10 years is to find a job related to finance or consulting in a well-known investment bank or a consulting company in Europe after graduation. At present, I am more interested in becoming a financial analyst at HSBC, or a financial researcher at Société Générale, etc.
 

Do you have any advice for students who want to apply for your programme?

I hope that students can have clear goals and strive for them. Don't be afraid to apply, worrying that your grades or professional experiences are not good enough. Take the first step bravely, maybe there is a pleasant surprise.