What to Expect When You Study a Top Master’s in Management Degree

Sponsored by Toulouse Business School

For a versatile academic experience and wealth of career prospects, a Master’s in Management (MiM) can be the golden ticket to get you where you want to be, and need to be. A Master’s in Management can also be a valuable venture for those looking for a change in career, meaning you don’t necessarily have to have a background in business, finance or economics to study one.

European Business Schools are leading the way in master’s in management degrees, with France offering some of the top programs. Making its way up the QS Business Masters Rankings: Masters in Management Rankings 2019 to 71st in the world and 13^th in France, is Toulouse Business School.

We spoke to Charlotte Velarde and Aurelien Dexionne, two master’s in management students from Toulouse Business School about their academic journey so far and what you can expect from a master’s in management should you decide to study one.

What you’ll learn

Master’s in management degrees are generally designed to ensure students develop a well-rounded skillset and extensive knowledge of management, finance, marketing and business ready for the world of management.

The Master’s in Management (MiM) at Toulouse Business School offers a customized curriculum depending on which campus you spend your second semester. For example, you may want to expand your knowledge of big data and digital society, which means you’ll study at the Business School’s London campus. Or, if you like the idea of developing a further understanding of Digital Transformation and Creativity, you’ll be based at the business school’s Barcelona campus. The choice is yours!

You may even have the opportunity to graduate with two degrees

From Georgia State University to Bradford University School of Management, Toulouse Business School is the only French business school to offer double degrees with a partner university. Dual degrees (sometimes referred to as a joint degree) are becoming increasingly popular and mean you can earn two degrees at the same time.

Charlotte is one Master’s in Management student who aims to do just that. She says: “By being in Barcelona and following additional classes, I can graduate with a double degree – an MSc with Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya (UPC) and a Master’s in Management at TBS.”

You’ll be able to learn outside the classroom as well as inside the classroom

Applying the theoretical side of management to the real world means you can gain an authentic idea as to how a managerial role really works. At Toulouse Business School, Master’s in Management students are encouraged to put their managerial theory knowledge to the test by taking part in the SESAME exercise (Seminar on Strategic Studies Applied to Business Management), which allows them to work with actual companies to come up with solutions for the genuine problems they face.

“I liked the Strategic Seminar Challenge where we worked on a consultancy project for a real company for three weeks at the beginning of second-year,” said Charlotte.

Students are also confronted with challenges that are put forward by the companies, such as ‘adapting the work environment for a new generation of employees’, and ‘how to better your online and offline external communication’.

You’ll have the chance to expand your academic horizons beyond the classroom

In our truly globalized world, many master’s in management degrees offer students the chance to expand their academic horizons and professional networking skills by studying and working abroad.

Charlotte was offered the choice to study at three of Toulouse Business School’s five campuses. She told us: “I’ve studied in Toulouse and Barcelona. I've also done two internships in Paris and spent a semester of my gap year in Florence and Rome. I know how to pack a suitcase efficiently, I speak more fluently in four languages (French, English, Spanish and Italian), and I’ve met incredible people from lots of countries. It’s also helped develop my adaptability skills.

“I’ve expanded my network by meeting professionals who work in Barcelona, and I’ve become friends with international students too.”

Not only will you improve your language skills and interpersonal skills, but immersing yourself in a new culture means your global outlook will also benefit. The Master’s in Management degree at Toulouse Business School lets you work for 12 months in a professional internship, or if you prefer, a six-month professional internship and six months studying abroad.

Aurelien undertook a six-month internship at Mitsubishi in Japan as part of the degree program.

He considered it a fundamental practice, saying: “My experience in Japan was very rich, from both a cultural and professional point of view. Doing an international internship is essential when you study at a business school. You discover new working practices, develop new skills and nowadays, companies are looking for international and multicultural profiles with people who are open to new perspectives.”

You’ll have the degree (and experience) to conquer the competitive job market

Careers in management are versatile, and the Master’s in Management at Toulouse Business School reflects that. So, not only will the Master’s in Management provide you with the opportunity to develop and improve your technical management acumen, you’ll also earn a certificate in ‘Soft Skills’ which illustrates your managerial and interpersonal communication skills.

Charlotte is confident her master’s in management degree has given her the foundations to help her with future career prospects after she graduates. She said: “I hope to find a job I like, but thanks to the internships and the network I’ve built (and am still building), I know I shouldn’t be worried about the future. Toulouse Business School has taught me we can do more or less whatever we want if we are motivated, that there is no typical professional career, and that I will always be able to change job or even build my own start-up!”