This article was first published on the edhec.edu website - 26/10/2026
An international cohort with ambitious goals
This year’s cohort brings together 49 participants representing 17 nationalities, with 92% of students coming from outside France. The class is 53% women, with an average age of 31 and seven years of professional experience across sectors including technology, aerospace, higher education, consulting, marketing, analytics and engineering.
The Class of 2027 reflects the international nature of the Global MBA, with 29% of participants from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 33% from the Americas and 39% from Asia Pacific. The cohort also brings together varied academic backgrounds, with 43% of participants coming from STEM disciplines, 37% from business or economics and 20% from the humanities.
Programme Director Sandra Richez set the tone for the year ahead.
“This is always a special day for us at EDHEC. Each new Global MBA cohort brings together a remarkable range of nationalities, professional backgrounds and personal ambitions, and this year’s class is no exception. What stands out is the openness of the group, their international outlook and their shared desire to use this year to make a clear step forward. The next ten months will be intensive and demanding, but they will also offer the space, support and perspective to grow as leaders, build lasting connections and prepare for the next stage of their careers.”
Over the coming months, participants will combine core strategic courses with electives, a specialisation track, international learning expeditions and a tailored MBA project. The programme also includes Lead360, EDHEC’s personal and career development journey, designed to support participants as they clarify their goals, strengthen their leadership approach and prepare for their post-MBA transition.
Personalised career development for international professionals
For Ruth Lied, an American professional who has spent the last eight years working in higher education in France, the Global MBA offers a way to move towards more senior responsibilities in the European academic sector. Having also lived for more than 15 years in North Macedonia and speaking English, French, Macedonian and Turkish, she brings a deeply international profile to the cohort.
“After five years as an International Relations Manager at a French grande école engineering university, I wanted to develop further project and human management capabilities in order to access more senior and strategic roles,” she explains. “I chose the EDHEC Global MBA because of its personalised professional development coaching, strong international alumni network, hands-on learning opportunities and emphasis on interculturality, diversity and sustainability.”
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