Understanding the specialised master's programme to boost your career

Are you aiming for a position of responsibility in business or commerce? Many students and professionals in this sector rely on a specialised master's degree (MS) to help them realise their career plans. If you're wondering about the exact definition of a specialised master's degree, or whether it's right for your career, this article is for you. IPAG Business School can help you find your way to a bright professional future.

What is a specialised master's degree (MS)?

Specialised Masters: definition

What is a specialised master's degree? It's a one-year degree course offered by the grandes écoles and accredited by the Conférence des grandes écoles (CFE) since 1983.
When we talk about a specialised master's degree, we are referring to a label rather than a diploma. This course corresponds to a post-master's level, equivalent to Bac+6.

A specialised master's degree is a professionally-oriented course that adds a touch of specialisation to a profile that already has in-depth initial skills.

Who are specialist masters courses for?

To qualify for a specialised master's degree, students must first obtain a diploma equivalent to a Bac+5. But there are a number of bridges available, depending on the student's profile.

Different groups of people can opt for a specialised master's degree:

• graduates of engineering or management grandes écoles; holders of a Master's degree (M2), a DESS or a DEA ;
• holders of a foreign degree of the same level;
• professionals with an M1 degree and 3 years' experience in the field;
• students who do not have a Master's degree, but who have obtained an exemption.

It is possible to obtain an exemption if the student has validated an M1 level.

What recognition do specialised masters programmes receive?

Although specialised master's degrees are not recognised as diplomas in their own right, as defined by the French Education Code, they do represent a label that is recognised by recruiters. Institutions that are members of the Conférence des grandes écoles are the only ones authorised to award specialised master's degrees. However, some schools try to copy this title: check the accreditation of a training centre before enrolling. Institutions offering a recognised specialist master's degree are part of a well-defined list.

As the CGE is an association under the law of 1901, the specialised master's degree is not linked to the master's degrees in the university system. Nevertheless, it meets a growing market demand. The specialised master's provides solutions for :

• be able to specialise quickly thanks to a professional training programme;
• follow advanced technical courses;
• offer a CGE-accredited qualification, on a par with the Master of Science (MSc).

What are the differences between specialised Masters (MS), Masters of Science (MSc), MBAs and Masters?

Have you ever heard of a Master of Science or an MBA? These labels are now recognised and sought after by recruiters of young graduates.

All these courses are equivalent to 5 years' higher education, but they do not have exactly the same objective.

Specialised Masters (MS):

• French post-master's degree, available to all holders of Bac+4.
• A one-year course of advanced specialisation.
• Highly professional, with a final project or work placement.

Master :

• University degree (Bac+5).
• More theoretical training, academic research.
• Validation based on results and final dissertation.

MBA (Master of Business Administration) :

• Post-experience level, mainly aimed at executives seeking to
• management careers.
• Comprehensive training in leadership and global management.
• International degree giving access to a business network.

Master of Science (MSc) :

• Diploma with an international focus.
• Combines theory and practice.
• Fields of science and business.
• Validation based on a dissertation or research project.

Why do a specialised master's?

The main advantage of a specialised master's degree is that it enables students to acquire a dual skill, also known as a specialism, which complements their initial training. This specialisation enhances the profiles of future young managers, offering them interesting career opportunities. Students who have completed a specialised master's degree will have high-quality international experience on their CVs, which is a major advantage when it comes to landing their first well-paid job.

Furthermore, schools offering a specialised master's degree put their students in touch with an interactive professional network, including in various fields of industry.

What are the criteria for admission to a specialised master's programme?.

This can vary from one school to another. For most specialist master's programmes, the selection process involves compiling an application file. This includes school reports, a CV, a covering letter and possibly a letter of recommendation.

Depending on the school you choose, you may have to sit an entrance exam and/or an individual interview. This stage involves checking each applicant's aptitude. In many cases, applicants will also have to provide an English test such as TOEIC.

Which specialised master's degree to take after a business school diploma?

Journalism, communications, political science... There are a multitude of specialisms available for a specialist master's degree. If you opt for a business school degree, here are a few examples of the specialisations on offer:

• finance ;
• marketing ;
• business management ;
• entrepreneurship/innovation.

How do I choose a specialised master's programme?

There are a number of criteria you can use to help you choose the specialised master's degree you want to take. These may include the reputation or prestige of a degree or school, their position in league tables, their accreditations and even their industrial partnerships.

To avoid falling into the trap of certain marketing campaigns, don't hesitate to find out about the labels and the recognition of these diplomas by recruiters.

The most important thing is to make sure that your choice matches your career goals:

• As we have seen, the MS should be a year of specialisation, so it's important to align your choice with your intended career.
• Take into account the relevance of this degree to the sector that interests you and the skills that are in demand.
• Finally, you can also choose your specialised master's degree on the basis of the format and flexibility of the programme:
• length of course, teaching method (full-time/part-time) ;
• opportunities for internships, projects, etc.

Enrolling in a specialised master's programme is a real investment in your professional future. Find out more about the many specialised master's courses available at IPAG Business School. Contact us for more information.