Detailed program of the Grande Ecole Program
The Grande Ecole Program prepares students for successful international management careers in sales, marketing and business development (5-year Master’s degree level studies).
YEAR 1
DISCOVERING & UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD OF BUSINESS
During your first year of studies on the Grande Ecole programme at ICD, you’ll focus on developing an understanding of the fundamentals of sales and marketing. We’ll also offer you a first taste of living abroad and you’ll carry out a short business placement, helping you develop your personal and career projects.
50% of courses taught in France
50% of courses taught in England
OPTION: Franco-Chinese track - 8 to 10 hours of Chinese language tuition per week
Semester 1
- An introduction to the fundamentals of sales and marketing
- Understanding how business organisations interact with their wider environment
- Develop your analytical and professional communication skills
Semester 2 (Immersion in English - Coventry University)
- Develop your language & intercultural communication skills
- Lectures (in English) to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the modules taught in semester 1
- 3 to 4-month sales or marketing placement
YEAR 1 COURSE STRUCTURE
SALES & MARKETING
- Introduction to sales, marketing & business development
- Introduction to economics
- Cross-cultural consumption
- Effective sales techniques
- International marketing
MANAGING A BUSINESS ORGANISATION
- Organisation studies
- Business game (managing a company)
- Introduction to company law
- Effective sales techniques
- Big players of business
- Doing business in Europe
INTERNATIONAL & INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS
- Geopolitics
- Modern foreign language 1
- Modern foreign language 2
- Business English
- Preparation TOEFL exam
CULTURE & HUMANITIES
- Debates in contemporary society
- Media power
- Digital culture
- Written communication techniques (Projet Voltaire)
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (SOFT SKILLS)
- Coaching
- Finding a business placement
- Digital presentation tools
- Sport & group dynamics
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Art & culture
- Community projects (student clubs & societies)
- Group project
YEAR 2
DEVELOPING MARKETING SKILLS & AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
In year 2, you’ll further develop the knowledge and understanding acquired in the first year. You’ll also acquire a global approach to the way business organisations function, enabling you to develop key operational skills.
Choose from
50% of courses taught in France + 50% taught overseas
50% of courses taught in France + Intercultural Management Semester
100% of courses taught overseas with undergraduate double degrees opportunities
OPTION: Franco-Chinese track
Semesters 1 & 2
- Further your knowledge & understanding of the sales & marketing functions
- Develop a global approach to the functioning of a business organisation
- Putting theory into practice via projects and conference events
- Professional networking skills
- 3 to 4-month sales or marketing placement
YEAR 2 COURSE STRUCTURE
SALES & MARKETING
- Strategic marketing
- Consumer behaviour
- Digital sales & marketing
- Marketing research
- Marketing mix
- Sales portfolio
MANAGING A BUSINESS ORGANISATION
- Costs & decision-making
- Commercial & company law
- Micro-economics
- Budget management
- Supply chain management
- Digital project management
INTERNATIONAL & INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS
- International business law
- International economics & emerging markets
- Business English
- Preparation TOEFL exam
- Modern foreign language 2
CULTURE & HUMANITIES
- Mythology
- The creative economy
- Anthropology
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (SOFT SKILLS)
- Rhetoric & persuasion (Eloquent speaking competition)
- Career coaching
- Developing a professional network
- Computer-aided design (CAD) & Multimedia
- Sport & group dynamics
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Les Négociales (national sales negotiation challenge for students)
- Event management practice – week-long conferences organised by students (digital transformation, sustainable development, diversity…)
YEAR 3
UNDERSTANDING INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
In year 3, you’ll be able to develop a truly global business perspective thanks to a study abroad semester or a full year following a double degree programme. The opportunities we’ll offer you to explore new cultures and carry out an international business placement will help you develop a different understanding of sales and marketing practices.
Choose from
50% of courses taught in France + 50% taught overseas
100% of courses taught overseas 11 undergraduate double degrees
OPTION: Franco-Chinese track - 1 year of studies abroad in Shanghai at Fudan University
Semester 1
- Developing new markets, working and managing in international business or Study abroad semester at an international partner university
Semester 2
- Intercultural management semester (click here for more information) or Study abroad semester at a partner university
- International business placement (3-4 months)
YEAR 3 COURSE STRUCTURE
SALES & MARKETING
- Communication strategies
- Customer relationship management
- The purchasing functions
MANAGING A BUSINESS ORGANISATION
- Human resource management and employment law
- Management issues
- Corporate strategy & governance
INTERNATIONAL & INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS
- European business development
- Business English
- Preparation TOEFL exam
- International semester or Intercultural management semester
- Modern foreign language 2
CULTURE & HUMANITIES
- Intercultural management
- HEP Module (Humanism, Entrepreneurship & Professionalism)
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (SOFT SKILLS)
- Management skills
- Microsoft Office Excel skills
- Career coaching
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Exporting a product to an overseas market
YEAR 4
DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER PROJECT & EMPLOYABILITY
In the first year at Master’s level you’ll start specializing in an area of business chosen from the 4 domains of expertise for which ICD is renowned: Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain Management or Business Development. We’ll help you develop your career project and equip you with specific expert skills in your chosen future sector of activity.
Work-study scheme OR Full-time study (100% of courses taught in English + a 6-month international business placement)
OPTION: Franco-Chinese track - 1 year of studies abroad in Shanghai at Fudan University
Semesters 1 & 2
- Defining sales & marketing strategies
- Working in project mode
Choice of 4 specializations
- Sales
- Marketing
- Business development
- Supply Chain Management & Purchasing
YEAR 4 COURSE STRUCTURE
TRANSVERSE MODULES
- Performance management & dashboards
- Rethinking business models
- Business plan
- E-commerce
- Digital marketing & communications
- Management of information systems
- Business negotiations in English
- Modern foreign language 2 (Spanish, German or Chinese)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Business plan
- Code camp
- Masters dissertation
CAREER PROJECT & EMPLOYABILITY
- Careers fairs
- Master class in digital convergence
- Management conferences
- Career coaching
- Final oral exam
PRE-SPECIALISATIONS
SALES
- Managing complex sales projects
- Social media & influencer strategies
- Point-of-sales management
- Advanced customer relationship management
- International commercial law
MARKETING
- Digital marketing
- Marketing strategies and brand management
- Marketing law
- Luxury management
- Export management
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Business models
- International development strategies
- International trade
- Supply chain management
- Data modelling & analysis
- Development strategies
YEAR 5
DEVELOPING SPECIALIST SKILLS & PREPARING FOR EMPLOYMENT
Managers who are capable of combining specific business expertise with the ability to take a global perspective of business issues will be in high demand in the future. The 5th year of the Grande Ecole Programme has therefore been designed to ensure our graduates have a successful start to their careers in business.
Choose from
Work-study scheme
OR
100% of courses taught overseas (choice of 5 Masters-level double degrees)
Semesters 1 & 2
- Writing and presenting an applied Masters dissertation, supervised by ICD faculty members.
YEAR 5 COURSE STRUCTURE
TRANSVERSE MODULES
- Modern foreign languages & TOEIC exam preparation
- Inter-school IGS Group Business Game
- Business challenges
- Soft-skills & personal branding
- Workshops
- Masters dissertation
- Business placement or work-study scheme
6 SPECIALISATIONS
SALES
Sales & marketing strategy consultancy
Career openings: Account manager, sales & marketing strategy consultant, entrepreneur, sales department manager…
Customer relationship management
Career openings: Sales network manager, e-business project manager, sales & marketing director, customer relationship manager, e-commerce sales representative, customer development & loyalty manager, agency director…
MARKETING
E-Business and digital marketing
Career openings: Online marketing manager, web & e-commerce consultant, interactive marketing manager, web project manager, community manager, e-business project manager ...
Innovation marketing
Career openings: Innovation entrepreneur or start-upper, innovation project developer, innovation product manager, marketing director, brand manager, innovation strategy planner, innovation marketing consultant, marketing research manager…
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
International business development
Career openings: Export area manager, international purchaser, international business developer, MNC executive director, global office representative...
Purchasing, supply-chain & sustainable development
Career openings: Purchasing manager, logistics project manager, logistics flow control manager, export area manager, purchasing sourcing manager, supply chain manager...
GRANDE ECOLE PROGRAMME KEY FIGURES
5-year programme of study
1 to 2 years of study abroad experience
21 international double degrees
82 partner universities across the globe
20 to 30 months of business experience
INTERNATIONAL KICK-OFF SEMINAR
In order to help our first year students settle in and get to grips with a new way of learning with a strong international dimension, the programme of study begins with an optional 2-week long international orientation seminar.
Subsidised by our partner companies, the seminar allows students to discover a new way of life and the unique culture of a country that thrives in a dynamic economy.
On the program: lectures, conferences, meetings with business professionals, cultural visits and excursions to encourage the cohort to get acquainted and develop a dynamic group spirit.
I decided to choose ICD Business School for the international aspect of its programme of study. My first experiences abroad in Tokyo and then Dublin were really rewarding from both a personal and professional perspective. I became more autonomous and was able to develop my ability to adapt to life in a foreign city, where the language and culture are different. I was also offered a student job in Ireland, which was a great way for me to meet new people, improve my English language skills, discover a different form of management culture and also earn some money. Finally, the end-of-year placement offered me the opportunity to get some further business experience. For me, ICD offers students a solid all-round training programme, with close links to companies and a strong international dimension!
Marie-Amélie
Year 2 student, Grande Ecole Programme