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EDHEC Business School

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100 years of talent

100 years... and a great opportunity for EDHEC to look back at its history, take stock of what's happening today and work out its lines of development for the future.

EDHEC Business School, created to meet the needs of Lille's business community, has over the years, become a Grande Ecole with national and, in the last ten years, international reach in the field of business management training.

In 1906, in response to a real need in the region at that time, a Business' section was created in the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Industrielles, later called the HEIC: Hautes Etudes Industrielles et Commerciales (Advanced Industrial and Business studies). Seven students enrolled in the newly opened business section.

In 1912, two entrance examination sessions were organised, The intake that year was 21 students. The students education was based largely on religion and moral values, and the programme was relatively elementary by today's standards.

In 1921, the Hautes Etudes Commerciales du Nord or HEC Nord became affiliated to the Law Faculty at 60, Boulevard Vauban.

The 1940s: the courses become more modern and the programme was extended to 3 years

During the Second World War, the young people were called up to fight before France was occupied. The courses continued nonetheless, and discipline was pretty strict. In 1946, the number of students was 156 in all.

The 1950s: EDHEC asserts its personality

In December 1951, HEC Nord became EDHEC (École De Hautes Études Commerciales du Nord) as HEC (Paris) was a protected name. At that time, EDHEC had 169 students. A competitive entrance examination was introduced in 1954, with two sessions, one in June and one in September. Students could enter after obtaining the baccalaureat and the programme included compulsory subjects such as French, mathematics, at least one foreign language, etc. In 1956, EDHEC left the protective wing of the Catho' and moved to what was then known as the EDHEC Hotel at 67, boulevard Vauban.

The 1960s: a more selective competitive entrance exam

At the start of the 1962 academic year, there were 185 students, with 13 girls. In 1966 it became compulsory to have the French baccalaureat in order to join the school. EDHEC also moved once again, leaving number 67 for number 47, boulevard Vauban, premises that would soon become too cramped once again with the growing number of students and the introduction of new teaching methods

The 1970s: looking outwards

In 1970, there were the two usual entrance exam sessions in June and September, but in addition an oral exam was introduced. 576 candidates registered for the 1971 exam session and 110 candidates were accepted. The 1976 academic year took place in a new building situated at 58 rue du Port.

The 1980s: the beginning of the computer era

The number of students who registered for the entrance examination now stood at over 1000. At the same time, the school naturally moved into the computer era. From 1982 to 1985, EDHEC invested heavily to develop state-of-the-art IT facilities that were ahead of all others in the business school sector at that time. At the end of the 1980's, EDHEC's academic content took a new turn with the introduction of humanities classes. In order to respond to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses or industries, particularly local ones, EDHEC Business School created ESPEME (Business Management School) in Lille in 1988.

The 1990s: EDHEC moves south

As EDHEC's reputation and intake grew year on year, the decision was taken to create another campus in Nice that would be both self-sufficient and that would function along the same lines as the campus in Lille, with the same competitive entrance exam, an identical programme, and teacher and administrative staff mobility. The French Riviera was not chosen simply by chance, but because it gave EDHEC new international openings - given the great appeal of the region for foreigners- and new links with Southern Europe and the Mediterranean area.

The years 2000: an increasingly international school

EDHEC's ambitions are resolutely international. The school has always had an international outlook and in recent years this aspect has become even more marked. Firstly, by placing the students in a multicultural environment through academic exchanges, work placements abroad, and the presence of a large number of students and professors from around the world on its campuses. In addition, to develop its international strategy, EDHEC Business School plans to adapt its facilities, extend its premises and offer an increasing number of services to its student by the year 2010.

Following an extensive search for the right location, Edhec finally chose an exceptional site set on 8.5 hectares of parkland. The campus is in the heart of Greater Lille, located to the north east of the city, 20 minutes by tram from Lille station. 

The future

The New Financial Economics track.

100 years of tradition and innovation, marked by a
number of milestones

 

1906: creation of a business section at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Industrielles (School of Higher Industrial Studies)

1921: creation of a business school: the Hautes Etudes Commerciales du Nord (Advanced Business studies school), at 60, bd Vauban

1942: the programmes are updated with the introduction of accounting and foreign languages.

1946: it becomes a 3-year programme

1947: creation of the Alumni Association

1951: HEC Nord becomes EDHEC Business School

1954: introduction of a competitive entrance examination with two sessions: June and September

1955: the school moves to 67 bd Vauban

1958: creation of EDHEC's Board of Governors

1959: EDHEC is entitled to receive education tax donations.

1966: the school moves to 47, bd Vauban

1969: creation of the EDHEC Course Croisière (Edhec Cup sailing race)

1971: the school is recognised by the State.

1974: creation of the Chti

1976: the school moves to 58, rue du Port in Lille

1982: inauguration of the IT centre

1988: creation of ESPEME, open to school leavers who have passed the French baccalaureat

1991: a new EDHEC campus opens in Nice

1993: EDHEC joins the common entrance exam bank, managed by the CCIP

1994: opening of the Paris delegation, in association with the Alumni Association. Creation of EDHEC Business and Careers Association

1997: launch of the EDHEC Generations' operation

1999: EDHEC obtains EQUIS accreditation and launches the Edhec.com portal, opens a delegation in London, and creates the first MSc in France.

2000: launch of EDHEC Business School's Executive Education unit

2001: creation of the EDHEC Foundation

2002: creation of the Risk and Asset Management Research Centre

2003: EDHEC obtains AMBA accreditation and launches the English Track

2004: EDHEC obtains AMBA accreditation and launches the Intercontinental Track

2006: launch of the European Apprenticeship Track in Paris

2007: launch of the ESPEME Apprenticeship Track in Lille
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2009: planned opening of the Campus in Greater Lille

2010: Planned opening of the extension in Nice 

Written by THIERRY HERLAX
Date of update July 1, 2008

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