Business schools that renewed their accreditations in 2022

AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS… These accreditations are the holy grail for business schools as they give them international recognition. A symbol of excellence outside France, it is essential to position yourself in the rankings and attract foreign students, as well as high-level international partners. We make an inventory of the schools that have received a renewed or new accreditation over the school period 2021-2022.

Before revealing the list of business schools that have won accreditation bodies, a little deciphering of the various acronyms, which are sometimes complicated for the uninitiated.

AACSB accreditation

Delivered by The Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business, AACSB is based on values ​​such as the ethical behavior of the school and its actors or the social and responsible commitment of the establishment such as GEM which stands for CSR and equal opportunity. It also assesses institutions on more objective criteria, such as ability to issue undergraduate degrees, governance, or sound management of funds and HR. While 845 branches around the world can proudly bear this quality label, only 23 French business schools are AACSB accredited, for a period of 5 years.

EFMD accreditations

EFMD Accredited and EQUIS are two labels issued by EFMD, a non-profit organization that aims to promote excellence in management training through very strict auditing of organizations and courses. EQUIS is awarded to schools founded more than 10 years ago, which offer management training and whose international reputation is well established. Among the main eligibility criteria: the board that must be independent, the strategic vision, the positioning, the quality of the program and its consistency with current management practice or the school’s ability to maintain a viable economic to be a player. The evaluation process takes about 3 years.

EFMD Accredited is awarded to business school PGEs. This label is only awarded to courses that can guarantee a high-quality education based on the acquisition of soft skills and with a strong international image. Other key criteria: recognition by industry and training responsible students with a sensitivity to ethical issues.

AMBA accreditation

Delivered by the Association of MBAs, the AMBA, as the name suggests, rewards MBAs, as well as DBAs and MBMs. Recently, AMBA also accredits the MiM (Master in Management) or PGE. Together with EQUIS and AACSB, this accreditation forms the acclaimed triple crown. To date, only 1% of the world’s business schools have achieved this grail.

To obtain this accreditation, it is necessary to demonstrate a desire to recruit diversified profiles, create spaces for discussion and reflection between the participants and the school, and the ability to be financially viable. The institution delivering the MBA should also establish a transparent program in which skills are clearly defined and measurable throughout the course. Only 270 schools have obtained this precious accreditation, including 20 in France.

So who could renew or gain new accreditations in 2022?

Also read: Do accreditations standardize business schools?

Schools that achieved or renewed AACSB accreditation in 2022

SAI Paris. In particular, AACSB underlined the establishment’s pedagogy with Action Learning, the international dimension of the school, but also the association of alumni.

Brest Business School. Brest Business School first obtained international AACSB accreditation in late 2021. The audit revealed many of the school’s strengths, such as its strategic plan or enhanced internationalization in China and Africa.

EMLV. This is the first time that EMLV (Leonardo da Vinci School of Management) has obtained AACSB accreditation. The business school convinced with its internationalization strategy and the academic excellence of its programs.

ESC Clermont. The business school obtained the renewal of its accreditation in the summer of 2021. Indeed, the organization highlighted several strengths such as: the human dimension of the establishment and its territorial anchoring.

ESDES. It is also a first for ESDES, which obtained AACSB accreditation at the end of 2021. The business school won it for the maximum duration of 5 years, thanks in particular to the quality of the programs and the support offered to students.

Excelia BS. La Rochelle business school has renewed its AACSB accreditation for a period of up to 5 years. The school’s strengths include pedagogical innovation, its territorial roots, its approach to CSR and sustainable development.

ICN. ICN announced the extension of its EQUIS accreditation on Monday, July 4, 2022.

NEOMA. NEOMA also renewed its AACSB accreditation in the summer of 2021. The business school of Reims and Rouen has been won by the changes made to the Grande École program, but also by the international network and the educational innovation of the establishment.

Schools that have obtained or renewed EQUIS accreditation

EM Strasbourg. EM Strasbourg first obtained EQUIS accreditation in 2022. This gives it the prestigious triple crown. Among the strengths of the business school we find: the commitment to companies, but also the internationalization of the school.

KEDGE. KEDGE announced the renewal of its EQUIS accreditation in early July 2022. The organization highlights some of the school’s strengths, especially experiential learning, but also the good management of the business school’s finances.

NEOMA. It was a busy year for NEOMA, which also obtained the renewal of its EQUIS accreditation. The main strengths of the school, according to the EFMD, are the internationalization of the programs, but also their coherence and the support of the students.

Schools that have achieved or renewed their EFMD-accredited accreditation

ICD Business School. The ICD Business School has awarded its PGE with EFMD Accredited, the accreditation that replaces EPAS. The business school is especially attracted by its strong social commitment.

PSB. Paris School of Business has renewed its EFMD Accredited accreditation for the maximum period of five years. The strengths of the school’s EMP? The hybridization of the curriculum and its strong internationalization.

Also read: PSB is transforming its Grande École program and its bachelor’s degree

AACSB, EFMD Accredited, AMBA, EQUIS: Update on the International Accreditations of Business Schools in France