MBA Sustainable Leadership

Boost your career with our international MBA

Intake :

September - February

Duration :

2 years – 20h of classes/week on average

Credits :

120 ECTS equivalent

Tuition fees :

€ 10,000

Programme delivered :

English

Pre-requisites :

Bachelor degree ( Bac +3) or equivalent

Page Contents

Programme overview Four ways to end up here Why choose this programme? Your typical week 4 weeks in industry, in France or abroad Need help funding your studies? English language requirements Learning objectives Why choose EMA? Learning outcomes EMA supports diversity and inclusion After your MBA FAQ

Programme overview

Delivered in English on our Paris campus, the MBA Sustainable Leadership is a two-year programme designed to prepare future leaders for executive roles in a changing international environment. 

Structured around management, strategy and responsible leadership, it places sustainability at the heart of decision-making. The curriculum combines academic rigour with real-world practice, drawing on business cases, hands-on projects and a learner-centred approach that builds on each participant's professional experience. 

Validated by 120 ECTS credits, this MBA is designed for candidates holding a Bachelor's degree and at least two years of professional experience. Within a Paris-based business school that is international in scope, human in scale and committed in its purpose, it offers a programme built to accelerate their careers and open the door to executive roles.

Programme delivered in English

Leadership Strategy Sustainability Finance Digital marketing EntrepreneurshipResearch

Contact Us

Registration at least 7 days before the start of the programme.

Four ways to end up here

People don't choose the MBA for the same reasons. What matters is what you want to do with it.

Step up to a management role

You have at least two years of professional experience and you are ready for more responsibility. With around 20 hours of classes a week, you build your leadership, strategy and finance skills while keeping time for your professional activity outside class hours.

What comes next — team, project or department management roles, with a broader strategic view.

Lead the sustainable transition

Sustainability is no longer a side topic: it shapes strategy, finance and governance. The MBA puts sustainability at the heart of decision-making, so you learn to lead responsible change within an organisation.

What comes next — roles in CSR, sustainability, ESG or responsible project management.

Build an international career from Paris

You want an English-taught MBA in the heart of Paris, in small classes with participants from all over the world. EMA's network of schools and companies in 16 countries opens doors well beyond France.

What comes next — management roles in international companies, in France or abroad.

Launch or grow your own venture

You have a business idea or a project with a social or environmental impact. Entrepreneurship, innovation and financial strategy give you the tools to make it viable, and our MBA scholarship supports candidates with a strong sustainable project.

What comes next — your own company, or a leading role in a start-up or an impact-driven organisation.

Why choose this programme?

More Than a Degree

Because this programme is more than a diploma that will open doors across the world, it is an experience that will transform your career

Built for Decision-Makers

Because you want a programme designed for leaders and entrepreneurs looking to develop their expertise in management, sustainable development, problem-solving and critical thinking

A Network That Matters

Because you want to join a network of sustainability-oriented professionals seeking to innovate and challenge an always evolving environment

A Team Behind You

Because you will be in the heart of Paris with a team dedicated to your success through 360° guidance

Real Impact, Real Projects

Because you want to be a step ahead and experience real-life business cases, concrete projects delivered by passionate and engaging professionals

Why choose this programme?

More Than a Degree

Because this programme is more than a diploma that will open doors accross the world, it is an experience that will transform your career

Built for Decision-Makers

Because you want a programme designed for leaders and entrepreneurs looking to develop their expertise in management, sustainable development, problem-solving and critical thinking

A Network That Matters

Because you want to join a network of sustainability-oriented professionals seeking to innovate and challenge an always evolving environment

A Team Behind You

Because you will be in the heart of Paris with a team dedicated to your success through 360° guidance

Real Impact, Real Projects

Because you want to be a step ahead and experience real-life business cases, concrete projects delivered by passionate and engaging professionals

Your typical week

20h

of classes per week, on average

3 to 4

days of classes per week

12

weeks per semester

20

students maximum per class

4 weeks in industry, in France or abroad

Managing a time difference with head office, adapting to cultural codes nobody taught you, solving a problem when you can't walk over to the next desk: this is where cross-cultural skill stops being a classroom idea.

Year 1 - 4 weeks

In France or abroad, to apply your management and leadership skills in a real professional context.

Where you can go

EMA belongs to a network of schools and companies established in ten countries, across four continents.

Spain United Kingdom Ireland Germany Malta United States India Australia United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia

You won't be finding it alone

A dedicated module

Placement preparation and supervision — 2 hours a week, in both years.

The careers service

One-to-one support throughout your studies.

The Career OS platform

Access to vacancies and job-search tools.

Exclusive events

Reserved for EMA students, run by the school and by Career OS.

A day on placement, hour by hour

09:00

European orders and Incoterms checks

10:30

Customs declarations and certificates of origin

11:30

Distributor call in English

14:00

Export documentation and filing

15:30

Preparing a tender

17:00

End-of-day reporting

Need help funding your studies?

EMA enables MBA candidates with a professional or entrepreneurial project to apply for a scholarship covering up to 30% of tuition fees, across both years of the programme.

What types of projects are eligible?

Creating or developing a sustainable business
Leading a social, environmental or impact-driven initiative
Transforming an organisation towards more sustainable practices
Developing a project in responsible finance, circular economy, ESG or social innovation
Any other project strongly aligned with sustainable leadership

How to apply :

Be admitted to the MBA Sustainable Leadership
Submit a project statement (300 words), with optional supporting documents welcome (portfolio, business plan, pitch deck...)

What we assess :

Originality and credibility of the project
Candidate profile and ability to deliver
Potential contribution to the EMA cohort

The reduction is renewed in Year 2 subject to successful progression, attendance above 85%, no outstanding fees, and no disciplinary warning. The scholarship is selective, limited to 20 places per year, and subject to final approval by EMA. Submitting an application does not guarantee that a scholarship will be awarded.

English language requirements

Test	Overall Score	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS (Academic)	6.0	5.5	5.5	6.0	6.0
Duolingo	105	95	95	95	95
PTE (B2 Level)	52	43	48	51	42
TOEFL	60	17	18	17	20

Learning objectives

Year 1

In Year 1, you build a solid foundation in business fundamentals covering research, law, finance and marketing while developing leadership, communication and practical skills in HR, digital marketing and project management.

The programme also addresses critical global challenges, with a focus on sustainability and ethical decision-making and a career development project, featuring a mandatory internship ensuring real-world experience and career readiness.

Year 2

In Year 2, you deepen your expertise in advanced business strategies, exploring diversity management, organisational change and financial accounting, while honing skills in data analysis, emerging markets and strategic decision-making. You advance your skills in innovation, entrepreneurship and research, while refining your professional competencies through targeted workshops. The year concludes with the writing and defence of your final thesis, where you apply theory to real-world challenges, preparing you for career success.

Why choose EMA?

Discover what makes us the perfect choice for your academic journey

An international vision

An institution integrated into a network of schools and companies established in 16 countries around the world

Programmes concieved in both French and English, enabling international exchanges

A personalised support

A human-scale management school with a dedicated student well-being team

Classes limited to 20 students to foster skills development and interaction

A privileged place for languages

Programmes that lead to professional mastery of the chosen language

Partnerships with expert schools in the field

An ally for your employment

A commitment from our teams and our learners to collaborative work for internships, student jobs and graduate jobs

Training to address the contemporary challenges of the world of work through a sustainable, eco-responsible approach

Learning outcomes

Graduates of this programme will achieve these learning outcomes:

Develop and apply leadership theories to navigate complex, multicultural organisational environments, and design strategic responses to global challenges.
Analyse, evaluate, and optimise financial strategies and entrepreneurial ventures to drive sustainable business growth and risk mitigation.
Create, implement, and assess ethical marketing and digital strategies that align with organisational goals, stakeholder expectations, and sustainability principles.
Conduct rigorous research, critically evaluate findings, and develop transversal professional skills to enhance organisational impact and career progression.

Delivery methods

This MBA programme is designed for ambitious professionals who will bring with them solid academic backgrounds and/or relevant business and management experience. The programme adopts a participant-centred, experiential learning approach, leveraging the diverse professional and academic backgrounds of its cohort to create a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.

The programme employs a blend of interactive and participative teaching methods, ensuring engagement, critical thinking and practical application of knowledge. Key methods include:

Lectures
Seminars
Group and team activities
Group discussions
Business cases
Presentations
Individual support

This varied approach ensures that participants with different learning styles and abilities can thrive, take responsibility for their learning and engage in continuous self-reflection and self-understanding.

Assessment methods

Assessment for this MBA will be through a range of different types of coursework. The range of coursework assessment will include: essays, case studies, literature reviews, individual reflective learning log, portfolios, group presentations, critical reflection of group/team work, posters, project proposal, project reports. Formative assessments are embedded in every module to help students clarify expectations and prepare thoroughly for their final written examinations (summative assessments).

EMA supports diversity and inclusion

The École de Management Appliqué is committed to the success of all its students and actively participates in the inclusion of students with disabilities. Adapted services are offered to ensure that our students are well received throughout their studies.

For any question contact us at accessibility@ema.education

After your MBA

After your MBA	Details
Diploma awarded	An EMA school diploma, recognised within private higher education in France and internationally, as well as by all schools in the GEDU group.
Credits	120 ECTS equivalent
Further study	Specialised postgraduate programmes in France or abroad, subject to each institution's admission requirements.
Career opportunities	Management and executive roles such as team or project manager, business development manager, CSR or sustainability manager, consultant, or entrepreneur, in France and internationally.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the program, you will be able to:

Use and analyse customer and supplier data
Manage international business relationships
Communicate effectively in both French and English in intercultural contexts
Coordinate services and lead a professional network

Organize, monitor, and follow up on the execution of international contracts
Assess the impact of strategic decisions
Identify risks, manage their coverage, and handle claims and disputes
Monitor and control processes and documentation flows
Evaluate service performance and supplier offers
Propose improvements to operational management
Design and analyse performance dashboards for operations management
Conduct monitoring of the company’s global environment
Analyse and summarize information on a target market
Identify and define market entry strategies for a target market
Contribute to adaptation strategies linked to the company’s international development
Participate in commercial prospecting activities

New programmes

Success rates, recommendation rates, and the number of participants trained will be communicated in January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about the MBA Sustainable Leadership

Does the MBA Sustainable Leadership require prior work experience?

A minimum of 2 years of professional experience is required. This ensures richer exchanges between participants and allows you to fully leverage the programme's practical, case-based approach.

Is the MBA Sustainable Leadership open to international students?

The MBA Sustainable Leadership is open to both domestic and international students.

What level of English is required?

An intermediate to advanced level of English (equivalent to B2 or above) is required to follow the courses and actively participate in projects, case studies, and group discussions.

Are internships mandatory in the MBA programme?

The programme includes 4 weeks of internship in the first year. These are an integral part of the curriculum, allowing participants to apply their management and leadership skills in a real professional context.

Does the school assist with visa procedures?

A dedicated team supports international students with their administrative procedures for obtaining a visa.

Are there application fees? Can tuition be paid in instalments?

There are no application fees. Tuition fees can be paid in two instalments. The school does not provide accommodation services, but offers practical advice to support students in their search. For full tuition details, please refer to the programme page on our website

Can I work alongside the MBA?

The MBA has around 20 hours of classes per week, so you can work outside class hours. The timetable is set by the school and cannot be arranged around individual working hours, but we do our best to keep it as convenient as possible. International students holding a student residence permit must respect the working-hours limit set by French law.

Is the MBA diploma recognised?

The MBA leads to an EMA school diploma, worth 120 ECTS equivalent credits. It is recognised within private higher education in France and internationally, as well as by all schools in the GEDU group.

Are scholarships available for the MBA?

Yes. Candidates with a professional or entrepreneurial project linked to sustainable leadership can apply for a scholarship covering up to 30% of tuition fees, across both years. Places are limited to 20 per year. See "Need help funding your studies?" on this page for details.

What does the final thesis involve?

Year 2 concludes with the writing and defence of a final thesis, in which you apply the theories and tools studied during the programme to a real-world business challenge.

Apply now