What kind of projects do students complete in a Master in Management?
From hands-on assignments to real-world business challenges, these projects play a central role in shaping future leaders. This article explores how students develop practical skills, gain industry experience, and prepare for a successful career in management.
When pursuing a Master in Management, students may complete projects such as:
- Hands-on projects
- Team projects
- Real-world projects
- Long-term projects/Entrepreneurship projects
Interested in the EDHEC MiM? → Discover the programme
“Learning by doing”: The project-based approach in a MiM
In leading management degree programmes, projects are not an optional extra; they are central to the academic model. A Master in Management at EDHEC Business School places practical application at the heart of its management courses. This ensures that students move beyond theory and into action.
Moreover, the Master’s degree in Management is designed for ambitious graduates who wish to develop strong foundations early in their career. Through structured project work, students apply academic frameworks to real business challenges. Meanwhile, they strengthen their problem-solving abilities and deepen their knowledge of key business functions such as:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Operations
Good to know: This project-based structure helps students strengthen their problem-solving abilities while developing a practical understanding of how organisations operate.
Hands-on projects: Applying knowledge to real business challenges
A key feature of the EDHEC MiM is its focus on hands-on projects that immerse students in practical scenarios. These applied assignments are often based on real company data and industry case studies. It allows participants to conduct detailed analysis and formulate actionable recommendations. Each project encourages students to develop technical and analytical skills by:
- Exploring market entry strategies in marketing
- Assessing financial performance in finance
- Evaluating operational efficiency in operations
These projects are often built around real business questions. For example, EDHEC students have worked with Ubisoft on a challenge focused on player retention, analysing customer behaviour and developing recommendations based on data-driven insights. Students have also participated in live case studies with Louis Vuitton, applying strategic frameworks to challenges faced by a global luxury brand.
Typical deliverables include strategic recommendations, business analyses, presentations and data-driven insights. This approach reinforces the connection between theory and practice.
Such experiences are particularly valuable for those pursuing a Master’s degree immediately after undergraduate study. Indeed, they provide an early opportunity to gain exposure to complex business environments and understand what is required in a demanding management role.
Team projects: Developing collaboration and leadership
Collaboration is another cornerstone of the EDHEC experience. Throughout the course, students regularly engage in group projects that mirror the dynamics of modern organisations, where cross-functional teamwork is essential.
Working in diverse and international teams
At EDHEC, students frequently work in multicultural groups. This environment enables them to develop communication and leadership skills, while learning how to collaborate effectively with people from different backgrounds. Each team member assumes a specific role, contributing to a shared objective while managing deadlines and expectations.
Communication, negotiation and performance under pressure
These team-based assignments are frequently based on cross-functional challenges. As a result, they offer valuable insight into how different business functions interact. By navigating deadlines and performance expectations, students strengthen the interpersonal skills required for long-term career progression.
This collaborative approach prepares future graduates to step confidently into a management position. Whether as a future project manager, management consultant or marketing manager, for example.
Real-world projects: Direct engagement with companies
Corporate consulting assessments and business challenges
One of the most distinctive elements of the EDHEC MiM is its strong integration with the corporate world. Through partnerships with leading firms across various industries, students work on assignments that reflect genuine organisational priorities.
Recent examples include projects developed with Ubisoft and Louis Vuitton. These challenges enable students to apply classroom learning to real business situations while interacting with professionals from globally recognised companies.
In finance, students have also taken part in the EDHEC x Société Générale Investment Banking Case Competition. During this challenge, participants analysed a real M&A transaction and presented their recommendations to investment banking professionals.
Delivering actionable recommendations to professionals
These real-world projects involve analysing business challenges, conducting in-depth analysis, and presenting a coherent strategy to professionals. It is a direct engagement that offers a powerful experience. It typically enables participants to understand how decisions are implemented within an organisation.
Each type of project helps students develop a distinct set of competencies. Strategic case studies, such as those conducted with Louis Vuitton, strengthen strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Data-focused challenges, such as the Ubisoft project on player retention, help students develop analytical capabilities and the ability to transform insights into business recommendations. Finance competitions such as the Société Générale Investment Banking Case Competition strengthen financial analysis, valuation and professional presentation skills.
A perfect way to clarify business career goals
Such exposure not only enhances technical skills but also helps students refine their professional aspirations. By working on challenges across different industries and business functions, participants gain a clearer understanding of the environments, roles and sectors that align with their interests.
These initiatives provide a meaningful opportunity to test ambitions before securing a first job.
"It was the perfect test of our classroom knowledge. We'd studied NLP, AI ethics, and statistical modeling — but during the hackathon, we had to implement them under pressure. From writing prompts to fine-tuning deployment, we had to think and act like professionals, not just students."
Hajra Shams - Deals Digital Transformation Associate at PwC
Professional immersion and long-term projects at EDHEC
The full immersion year as an extended real-world project
Beyond classroom assignments, the programme’s three-year structure includes a full professional immersion year. This transformative experience can be seen as an extended project in itself.
During this period, students take on responsibilities within companies across multiple industries. They apply the knowledge and skills gained during their course bridging the gap between academic learning and professional reality. This immersive phrase allows participants to gain practical exposure while refining their leadership style.
Connecting academic projects with career goals
Through hands-on assignments, collaborative initiatives and corporate challenges, students develop essential skills. From problem-solving and strategic thinking to communication and leadership, they complete their studies with a clearer professional direction. They also gain practical experience and the confidence to step into a demanding management roles or pursue entrepreneurship opportunities.
