Why A Master in Data at EDHEC Is a Valuable Choice for Your Future Business Career

Today, if you’re a business graduate and don’t have data or AI skills, you might find yourself outcompeted in the job market; consequently, plenty of business schools now offer specialist degrees in these subjects, including EDHEC Business School. But what is it like to study for a Master in Data at EDHEC?

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, Big Data Specialist is projected to be the fastest-growing job between 2025 and 2030, while 45% of employers say that AI and big data are core skills for their workforce. As a result, more business school applicants are turning to specialised Masters in Data to acquire these much-needed skills.

At EDHEC Business School, applicants can choose from three specialised data programmes, each focusing on a different aspect of this broad topic. Whether you’re more interested in data science or marketing, these programmes aim to fully prepare students for their future careers.

Let’s find out more about the Masters in Data at EDHEC.

Choosing a Master in Data at EDHEC Business School

EDHEC Business School is ranked among the top 10 business schools in Europe, and it has five campuses across France, the UK, and Asia: Lille, Nice, Paris, London, and Singapore.

The school is known for its future-focused courses, which aim to give students the ability to impact both business and broader society.

Students can choose from three Masters in Data at EDHEC. Each degree focuses on a different area of data and analytics, allowing students to specialise in an area that interests them.

Master in Management – Data Science & AI for Business

This programme is a comprehensive two-academic-year degree with one year of professional immersion, taught on the Nice campus, located on the French Riviera in France.

EDHEC has already developed a strong reputation for the quality of its Master in Management (MiM) programme. The Financial Times recently ranked the MiM #4 worldwide, beating other renowned French business schools.

The Data Science & AI for Business is a dedicated track on EDHEC’s top-ranked MiM that specifically prepares students to work with complex data and tackle business challenges associated with AI.

Combining classroom learning and practical insights from innovative companies – including EDHEC’s corporate partner Orange Group – students acquire a variety of skills, from Python to machine learning and AI ethics. Plus, electives allow students to go even more in-depth into a particular technical area, such as prompt engineering, blockchain, or VBA programming.

Masters in Data Science

EDHEC also offers two focused MSc programmes in Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence and Marketing Analytics. These Master programmes take 18 months to complete, including a 4-6 month internship, and are based on the Lille campus.

In the MSc in Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence programme, students explore technical skills like Python, data mining, and visualising data in Power BI; however, they also build valuable soft skills like critical thinking, communication, and strategic thinking.

Meanwhile, on the MSc in Marketing Analytics – ranked in the top 10 in the world – students gain an in-depth understanding of data science related to the marketing world. The programme benefits from practical lectures from corporate partners Microsoft and Ubisoft, ensuring students gain real-world knowledge and experience.

The Classroom Experience

Whichever Master in Data at EDHEC that you choose, you’ll develop technical and managerial skills through a variety of learning styles. This includes traditional classroom teaching, case studies, workshops, and consulting projects.

“Real-world engagement is essential. Students don’t just learn theory – they practice making informed decisions and creating value,” says Victor Planas-Bielsa, Director of the EDHEC MiM Data Science & AI for Business track.

Students on the two MSc programmes also have the opportunity to participate in a study trip, which in previous years has seen students head to Dublin and Krakow to meet companies and explore machine learning and tech strategy in more detail.

Similarly, students of the Master in Management – Data Science & AI for Business track can dive into real case studies thanks to the partnership with Orange. In addition to providing real-world business data, students can attend guest lectures from professionals at Orange who are leading real projects in data and AI.

Future-Focused Masters in Data

Master in Data programmes at EDHEC are grounded in practical skills and technical knowledge, but these courses are also underpinned by an understanding that soft skills will be critical to students’ success.

“The lifespan of a technical skill used to be 15 to 20 years; now, it’s perhaps five years at best,” explains Programme Director Victor Planas-Bielsa. “So, while we aim to prepare our students to land a truly interesting first job, our main goal is to equip them with the skills to always stay ahead of change.”

So, while students gain hard skills in programming, data visualisation, and analysis, EDHEC also prepares them for the rapidly changing world of data and AI by integrating soft skills into the curriculum. These skills include critical thinking, decision-making, and leadership, in addition to encouraging students to consider the ethical challenges associated with AI and data use.

Additionally, students on all the Master’s programmes at EDHEC participate in the Career Booster, an immersive experience that simulates an actual hiring process. This enables students to gain insights into their career strengths and weaknesses and feel more prepared for the job market. The Financial Times recently named EDHEC’s Career Services the best in France, testament to the work that goes into preparing students for their future careers.

Student Opinion of a Master in Data at EDHEC

Gong Xinyi recently graduated from the MSc in Marketing Analytics programme and points to soft skills development as a highlight of the course. She has since completed an internship with L’Oréal in Paris.

“Personalised elective courses and overseas study opportunities [helped me] develop comprehensive strategic thinking and a truly global perspective,” she says.

“In the process of collaborating and communicating with classmates from different cultural backgrounds, I have significantly improved my tolerance for diversity, my perspective has become more diverse, and I have also strengthened my ability to think independently.”