Why location matters when choosing a business school

Sponsored by EM Normandie Business School

Going to business school can give you a significant advantage in the job market by allowing you to explore new subject areas that have evolved in recent years.

But with so many business schools offering a wide range of business degree programmes, there are numerous factors to consider when deciding which one is the best fit for you and your career goals: reputation, cost, the curriculum, employability prospects, alumni network – the list goes on.

But one factor that is often overlooked is location.

The global nature of business and growth of emerging markets has seen business schools around the world, including EM Normandie Business School, offer specialised master’s degrees in various locations.

With campuses in Caen, Le Havre, Paris, Dublin and Oxford, TopUniversities spoke to EM Normandie Business School to find out why location really matters when it comes to deciding on a business school.

You know which industry you want to go in to

Business schools located in, or near, cities that serve as industry hubs are well positioned to provide students with the education they need to pursue industry-specific roles. As a result, interest in business schools that offer specialised master’s, such as EM Normandie Business School, is on the rise among those with clear career goals.

Cities such as Paris and London which boast a high concentration of industry-specific companies tend to foster the emergence and growth of fresh graduates. For example, if you want to work in luxury retail, where better than Paris, home to many of the world’s leading luxury brands including Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior?

The MSc in Marketing and Digital in Luxury and Lifestyle at EM Normandie Business School in Paris allows students to develop their inside knowledge of the luxury industry, thanks to the school’s favourable location and close links with industry experts.

Earning your degree in a more rural area can open up opportunities too. EM Normandie Business School’s Le Havre campus provides the perfect location to study global trade, import and export methods and maritime transport. Le Havre is the leading French port for foreign trade in northern France’s Normandy region and students who study supply chain management or international logistics and port management will benefit massively from the school’s close proximity to the industry.

Valuable experiential learning opportunities

Experiential learning opportunities further enrich the curriculum by allowing students to tailor their studies to meet their needs and interests, as well as to harness their industry acumen. 

This is why the specialised masters’ at EM Normandie Business School offer a multitude of practical learning opportunities. Students who study the MSc in Banking, Finance and Fintech at EM Normandie Business School’s Oxford campus, are only an hour’s train journey from London, making it easy to undertake a four-to-six month internship at one of the city’s banks or fintech companies.

Links with industry leaders

Professors and lecturers who have industry experience can offer unique insights into their industry and bring their experiences to the classroom. Not only does this type of industry-focused teaching help bridge the gap between theory and practice, but it can also teach students specific practical skills and transform them into capable and career-ready graduates.

For example, students studying the MSc in Banking, Finance and Fintech at EM Normandie Business School benefit from the expertise of industry professionals from both the banking and fintech sector as they take part in academic challenges.

Elsewhere, MSc in International Events Management students have access to a network of events industry professionals who are on hand to mentor and offer guidance in understanding the realities of international events management.

Students studying the MSc in Supply Chain Management and MSc in International Logistics and Port Management also benefit from a myriad of exciting industry-specific learning opportunities, including professional seminars, port terminal visits and internships.

Access to exclusive industry events and networks

The opportunity to build a strong network is one of the main aspects prospective students consider when choosing between business schools. Knowing the right people can lead to successful professional relationships, exciting collaborative projects and even new career opportunities later down the line.

Business schools in favourable locations make it easier for big-name companies and recruiters to visit campus, give talks and meet with current students to discuss career development opportunities such as internships and full-time graduate positions.