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IÉSEG is driven by one simple conviction: putting students at the heart of our pedagogical project and offering them a unique and engaging learning experience. This is how each student can discover, grow and find his or her place in tomorrow’s world.

To fullfil this commitment, Armelle DUJARDIN-VORILHON, Director of Studies and Student Experience at IÉSEG, explains what the School has put in place in terms of tailor-made support and specific career paths. 

Being close to students’ needs on a daily basis

Armelle V.D. – The student experience is a major differentiator for IÉSEG. We are fortunate to offer our students a unique and engaging intercultural learning experience. To achieve this, we naturally rely on a top-notch teaching staff (over 200 permanent professors from 54 different countries) who offer cutting-edge teaching in all subjects. At the same time, we have stepped up our personalized day-to-day support for our students, so that we are as close as possible to their needs, whether in terms of academic success, personal development, well-being…

Today’s students need to be part of a strong, close-knit community, and to receive personalized answers to their questions and expectations. And when you have over 8,000 students in nearly 30 different programs, that becomes a real challenge every day!

First and foremost, personalized support is provided by a Department of Studies comprising more than 75 employees, working with students from all programs (Bachelors, Grande École Program and Specialized Masters) and a team of 20 pedagogy managers. We are there to welcome them, listen to them, help them and work with them to find solutions to their organizational, methodological, career or personal difficulties.

Our role goes beyond the day-to-day management of each student’s study program: we create a real relationship of trust with all our students, and we are always there when they come knocking on our door. They know that they will always have someone to support them and redirect them to the right people whenever necessary. For example, during the last academic year, we organized no fewer than 1,200 educational assessment appointments with Bachelor students. The system works so well that we have extended it to the Master’s program this year.

At IÉSEG, we have also decided to keep classes small, with a limited number of students depending on their level of study, and not to hold classes in lecture halls. This is a real logistical challenge, in terms of scheduling, number of classrooms, availability of faculty… yet it’s essential: professors know their classes and their students, and inform us on a daily basis of any absences or drop in level.

This close-knit organization and individualized follow-up enable us to offer each student personalized attention and solutions.

We are also very careful when it comes to our students’ health, and we provide assistance and support on a daily basis. Students have access to free medical appointments. In particular, we have increased the number of slots available with our team of psychologists, who provide support in French or English to any student who needs it.

Through the MAS (Mission Accompagnement Santé), which manages specific course adjustments, the Handicap Unit, which supports students with disabilities throughout their studies, and the Anti-Violence Unit, which fights all forms of harassment, violence and discrimination, we also ensure that we are as close as possible to the individual problems of our students.

Last but not least, personalized support includes financial assistance for students with grants, or for those facing financial difficulties or accidents in their lives (death of a parent, loss of a guarantor’s job, etc.).

IÉSEG is very careful with these situations and does not hesitate to step in to help students pursue their studies in the best possible conditions.

Special PATHS for student entrepreneurs and top athletes

A.D.V. – Over the past few years, we have seen that our students are keen to pursue a demanding, high-quality academic career, in order to earn a degree recognized by companies in France and abroad, without neglecting their personal projects, whether these involve entrepreneurship or sports. With this in mind, in September 2023 we created specific statuses for these highly talented and unique profiles (student entrepreneurs or high-level athletes).

The aim is to enable them to attend classes while developing their project. They benefit from special arrangements in their studies, regular follow-up with a dedicated contact person from the IÉSEG Studies Department or the IÉSEG Incubator for entrepreneurs, and can carry out their internship, gap year or final-year consulting project within their own company. For the rest, they follow exactly the same path as other students, and must meet the same academic requirements to earn their degree. 95 student entrepreneurs and 21 top athletes have already benefited from this special status. And from the start of the next academic year, we will also be able to offer them a dedicated track with specific courses meeting the same academic requirements, and an organization adapted to their needs (classes scheduled over a part of the week, adapted timetables…).

The implementation of these specific tracks and statuses was a commitment made in the School’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027. We are convinced that the flexibility offered and the support of the School will enable these students to make the most of their double experience and double life as an IÉSEG student and entrepreneur or top-level athlete!

Increasing students’ day-to-day commitment

A.D.V. – Choosing IÉSEG means choosing a unique student experience for personal and professional fulfillment.

Students are encouraged to get involved in the daily life of the School. There are many opportunities to do so, particularly thanks to the very rich community life on our two campuses, by helping to promote the School at fairs and open days, or by organizing events and conferences with our partner companies… Those who wish to do so can also become “Responsible Leaders“, working on projects linked to the School’s CSR strategy and implementing concrete, high-impact actions.

Student commitment therefore translates in many ways, and we want to recognize and reward the efforts of our committed students. For example, we have already introduced “Sustainability Certificates“, which reward students for their CSR commitment throughout their studies at the School. Other recognition schemes for these commitments will be introduced as of the start of the new academic year, and will further encourage students to get involved both for the School and for themselves. These experiences help them to grow and are extremely valuable for the acquisition of new skills and greater self-knowledge. This is also one of our objectives at IESEG!