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Master’s or MBA? Do both by choosing a dual degree

By Craig OCallaghan Updated Mar 27, 2026

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Introduction
What is a dual degree programme?
Graduate with the skills you need to succeed
Building your professional network

Learn more about the dual degree at EDHEC

Sponsored by EDHEC Business School

When weighing up your business school options, choosing which direction to take academically is the first and most important step.

An MSc degree from a top business school can offer deep expertise in a specific business field, while an MBA promises significant career uplift.

Choosing just one can feel like picking a single tool when you suspect you will need a whole toolkit. That is exactly where EDHEC’s MSc/MBA dual degree programme steps in, offering a smart third option for people who want depth and breadth without pressing pause on their ambitions.

What is a dual degree programme?

EDHEC’s dual degree programme is a two-year accelerator for motivated students who already have a few miles on the professional clock.

It is designed for candidates with around three years of experience or more who want to move faster, think bigger, and prepare for senior management roles that demand both specialist knowledge and strong leadership skills.

The structure is simple in theory and powerful in practice. Over two years, you complete an intensive Master of Science and a rigorous, international Global MBA.

You graduate with two degrees, not just two lines on a CV, but two distinct ways of seeing and solving business problems.

The MSc sharpens your expertise in a specific discipline, whether that is finance, marketing, strategy, or another focused area.

The Global MBA then zooms out, strengthening your communication, leadership, and strategic thinking while immersing you in a diverse cohort of experienced professionals from around the world.

What makes this combination especially compelling is how the two degrees speak to each other.

The MSc trains you to meet the concrete demands of a particular business field. You learn the tools, models, and technical skills that employers expect from specialists.

The MBA complements this by challenging how you lead, influence, and make decisions in complex, uncertain environments.

Together, they round out your leadership profile. While most students choose to complete the MSc first and then move on to the Global MBA, the order is not fixed. Some candidates prefer to start with the MBA to generalise first, build confidence and leadership skills, and then specialise through the MSc.

This choice allows you to shape the experience around your goals and learning style rather than forcing yourself into a single predefined path.

Graduate with the skills you need to succeed

By the time you complete the MSc/MBA dual degree, you will be comfortable applying the latest managerial concepts and models to real situations.

You will know how to analyse and evaluate complex business challenges and decide on appropriate actions, even when the information is incomplete or the stakes are high.

You learn how to supervise business development processes, think entrepreneurially, and design strategies that make sense in a digital, fast-moving world.

This dual degree is also about momentum. In Europe, many MBA programmes last just one year. That can be intense and transformative, but it can also feel rushed, especially if you want time to experiment, reflect, and build experience along the way.

EDHEC’s two-year format gives you breathing space without slowing you down. You have the opportunity to complete two internships, which is a huge advantage if you want to strengthen your profile, test different roles or sectors, and make yourself more attractive to future employers.

Building your professional network

Another often overlooked benefit is the double network you gain access to. As a dual degree student, you tap into both the MSc and MBA communities.

That means two alumni networks, two sets of classmates, and a wider range of professional backgrounds and perspectives.

These connections can open doors in unexpected ways, whether you are exploring a career pivot, looking for international opportunities, or building a long-term professional circle that grows with you.

From a practical standpoint, the dual degree also makes financial sense. Students benefit from a 20 percent reduction in fees compared to taking the degrees separately, along with access to scholarship opportunities.

When you consider the added value of two degrees, two internships, and two networks in just two years, it becomes a strong investment in your future rather than an indulgence.

Ultimately, EDHEC’s MSc/MBA dual degree programme is perfect if you want to master a discipline and grow into a leader, accelerating your career without cutting corners.

If you are torn between a master’s and an MBA, this might be your sign that you do not have to choose. You can do both and come out stronger on the other side.

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