The French “Grandes Ecoles” system
Distinct from universities, the “Grandes Ecoles” are specific to the French educational system. The engineering schools founded by Napoleon in the 19th century to train the nation’s technical elite served as models for Chambers of Commerce looking to train French business managers. Today, most French business schools are still managed by Chambers of Commerce. Selection of students for admission to a “Grande Ecole” is a highly rigorous procedure based on competitive examination.
Since 1928, Reims Management School (RMS) has continued to innovate and expand, offering courses adapted to the expressed needs of the business world.
1928
- Creation of the “Ecole Supérieure de Commerce”, Reims, located in the city centre. The first class numbers 17 graduates.
1970
- Inauguration of new premises (the present Campus 1).
- RMS is located in the heart of a westside district largely given over to higher education (close to the faculties of law, arts, sciences, etc.).
1972
- Opening of CEFA (Centre Européen de Formation aux Affaires), precursor of the MBA in France. Now our AMBA accredited International MBA.
1974
- Launch of CESEM: a player in European construction, RMS creates a pioneer program including 2 years of studies abroad.
1989
- Launch of Sup’TG: creation of a 3-year program designed to meet businesses’ needs for sales and management executives.
1990
- Inauguration of Campus 2, close to Campus 1.
1995
- Creation of Masternova (Specialized Masters in Technological Innovation Management in Agro-activities and Bio-industries), in partnership with the Institut National d’Agronomie and AgroParisTech.
1997
- Creation of the Executive Education pole, focusing on continuing education for management executives.
- Creation of the Simulation Center, currently one of the most advanced centers of its kind in France.
1998
- Opening of the Part-time MBA, now the Executive MBA (EMBA).
1999
- Launch of TEMA, Technologies and Management, an innovative course combining management and ICTs.
- The ESC Reims Group becomes the Reims Management School Group (RMS).
- Opening of the RMS Markets Room in collaboration with Bloomberg.
2000
- RMS obtains the coveted EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) accreditation, awarded by EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development), a European body grouping together the continent’s finest business schools.
2002
- Creation of the Auchan Chair in Marketing and Distribution
2003
- Extension of Campus 2 to comply with international standards.
2004
- Creation of 2 new Master of Science courses: Management of Distribution and Mass-Market Products (now entitled Intelligence Marketing of Distribution and Mass-Market Products), in partnership with the University of International Business & Economics, Peking
and Masters in International Management (MIM), IPBS (International Partnership of Business Schools) network.
- Opening of the Doctoral program in partnership with the IAE (Institut d’Administration des Entreprises), Lille.
- Creation of the Bancassurance, Crédit Agricole Nord Est, Chair.
2005
- Both RMS campuses are renovated throughout, incorporating the latest technological developments.
- Creation of 3 new Specialized Masters: International Financial Analysis, Management of Major Accounts (now entitled Business Development and Major Customer Accounts), and Management of Services and Customer Relations.
2006
- RMS has its MBAs accredited by AMBA (Association of MBAs). EQUIS accreditation is renewed at the same time. RMS is now one of Europe’s leading centers for management training.
- TEMA, the RMS Technology and Management program, becomes a partner of the Ecole Centrale, Paris, and develops a fifth year of studies.
2007
- Creation of the MSc in Asset Management.
- Creation of the Chair in Management of Champagne and Luxury Products.
- Creation of the International Retailing Center in partnership with SAS International.
- RMS has the 7th largest research budget in France (source: Le Point, January 2007).
- Creation of the RMS Foundation.
2008
- RMS celebrates its 80th birthday by activating its graduates throughout the world (in Paris, Shanghai, Peking and London).
- Reims Management School goes up 23 places in the Financial Times 2008 list of the 65 best European management schools. RMS now numbers among the 30 best European training institutes, and is in 6th place in France.
- Creation of the Specialized Masters in Management Control and Risk and Planning Management.
- The RMS Foundation launches a Chair in Associative Management and Solidarity Economy.
- Opening of the Ecricome PhD program in association with the five Ecricome partners.
2009
- Publication of the first Reims Management School report on sustainable development, entitled “Notre Responsabilité Globale”.
- Creation of the PEC (Paris Executive Campus) devoted to Executive Education, in partnership with Rouen Business School.
- Creation of the MSc in Finance and Commercial Banking, taught entirely in English.
- Intensification of internationalization through:
> revision of all undergraduate programs
> creation of the IBP (International Bachelor Program) – an international offer in the 1st year at Sup de Co. |
