This year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of our institute, but research and examination of the records relating to the founding of IPAG reveal that its conceptual origins date back to 1895, the year in which the Collège Libre des Sciences Sociales was created by Théophile Funck-Brentano (1830-1906).
In 1965, Jacques Rueff founded the Centre de Formation Supérieure des Cadres du Commerce et de l’Industrie (Center for Advanced Training of Business and Industry Executives) within the Collège Libre des Sciences Sociales et Économiques (Free College of Social and Economic Sciences), thus laying the foundations for the IPAG Business School. An influential liberal, Rueff instilled his strategic vision in this school, which was designed to quickly train operational managers. Together with Lucien de Sainte-Lorette, he designed an intensive two-year program. The project aimed to obtain state recognition and make the school autonomous. Supported by the CLSSE, the school moved to 184 Boulevard Saint-Germain and experienced rapid growth, with an increase in admissions. A BTS preparation program was also created to broaden access to training.
Teaching management while maintaining close ties with businesses
In the 1970s and 1980s, IPAG strengthened its position among French business schools by gradually adapting its curriculum. Initially a two-year post-baccalaureate program, the course evolved into a three-year program in 1974, a four-year program in 1984, and then moved towards a five-year program well before the LMD reform (implemented in 2006).
A major turning point came in 1985, when the school obtained approval from the Ministry of Education, ensuring academic recognition of its degree.
In 1989, IPAG opened a second campus in Nice, responding both to regional demand and to a strategy of local economic anchoring.
Throughout this period, the school affirmed its educational identity by emphasizing professionalization and internships, key elements of its educational model.
Club life, the beating heart of IPAG
For 60 years, community life has been at the heart of the IPAG experience, a real driving force for engagement, creativity, and cohesion among students.
Long-standing associations such as the BDE, BDS, and Junior-Entreprise have left their mark on the Paris and Nice campuses, alongside iconic projects such as EquIPAG and the IPAG Golf Trophy.
Over time, students have created numerous initiatives reflecting contemporary issues:
Supported by professors, alumni, and members of the administration, this rich community life continues to develop today in Paris, Nice, and Thionville, driven by a strong conviction:
👉 “IPAG is not only experienced in the classroom, but also through collective engagement.”
1990–2010: Internationalization and academic growth of IPAG
Between 1990 and 2010, IPAG Business School underwent a profound transformation in response to increasing globalization. It developed a large international network of partner universities and offered its students exchange programs abroad, becoming a pioneer among post-baccalaureate schools. Academically, the school aligned its curriculum with the Bac+5 standard, obtaining the right to award a Master's degree in 2006.
Discover the international scene
At the same time, IPAG began its research activities: it recruited its first teacher-researchers, developed a scientific publication policy, and gradually adopted international standards. This period therefore marked a double turning point: openness to the world and academic recognition, laying the foundations for the school's future influence.
A pivotal year for IPAG Business School
The year 2025 marks IPAG's 60th anniversary with major advances: the MSc in Digital Marketing and Data Analysis receives the Conférence des Grandes Écoles label, and the Bachelor's degree accreditation is extended to the Nice and Thionville-Luxembourg campuses, which welcome their first graduating classes. The most significant event remains the award of AACSB accreditation, placing IPAG among the top 6% of business schools worldwide.
Supported by a committed governing body composed of renowned academics and professionals, IPAG remains faithful to its founding values while affirming its ambition: to educate students to anticipate and serve the public interest in a changing world.
Quiz: 60 years of IPAG Business School
Test your knowledge of IPAG's highlights, values, and achievements—as we celebrate 60 years of existence! This quiz invites you to relive the school's history, academic milestones, commitments, and successes. Perfect for alumni, current students, or anyone interested in IPAG's evolution and impact.
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