Our history

Creation of a business studies section at HEI in Lille, under the impetus of industrialists in northern France keen to respond to a real need for the region at the time.

It takes the name HEIC (École des Hautes Études Industrielles et Commerciales). At the time, the city of Lille is the leading centre for the wool industry in France and the world’s largest wool trading centre.

Birth of the graduates association, Amicale de l’EDHEC du Nord, which has now evolved into today’s EDHEC Alumni.

The association serves as a bridge between class years of graduates and the School’s current students. Starting in 1953, it publishes Quo Vadis, a bulletin that subsequently becomes EDHEC Informations in 1962, and joins AIESEC, the International Association of Business and Management Science Students in 1954. The Amicale’s philosophy is to raise the School’s profile and reputation, develop a sense of belonging and reinforce the EDHEC mindset. The Amicale later becomes the Association of Former Students, then the EDHEC Alumni Association.

Choice of operational structure as an independent not-for-profit association with the status of Grande Ecole, offering master level degrees.

EDHEC obtains the status of Autonomous Association and equips itself with a Board of Governors.

Birth of the EDHEC Business School Cup under the impetus of three students. It later becomes the EDHEC Sailing Cup (Course Croisière EDHEC) in 1976.

The race is recognised in 1980 as Europe’s largest student sports event. It has now built up an unprecedented reputation in the yachting and student worlds. As of today, it counts among the classics of the yachting calendar and a number of leading skippers learned their skills while studying at EDHEC.

Signature of EDHEC’s first international agreement with the London School of Economics (LSE).

Opening of a new campus

EDHEC Nice opens its doors on the world-famous Promenade des Anglais.

Creation of the EDHEC-Risk Institute

A research centre geared to anticipating changes in the investment industry in order to meet the long-term objectives of investors and savers.

Launch of the PhD en Finance

A doctoral programme preparing participants for high-level responsibilities in the financial industry.

Creation of two new campuses

Executive campuses in Singapore and Paris, the latter housed in the historic 19th century Centorial building just a stone’s throw from Paris’s opera and stock exchange districts.

Signature of new strategic partnerships with US universities Yale and Princeton.

Launch of a new research centre:

EDHEC Infra in Singapore, to support infrastructure investment.

EDHEC joins Station F, the world’s largest international start-up campus, located in central Paris.

The project enjoys decisive support from EDHEC donors and strengthens the resources of the EDHEC Entrepreneurs incubator.

EDHEC announces its Impact Future Generations strategic plan, a commitment in favour of future generations. The plan is based on the School's engagement with society, the development of research of real practical use and the creation of new learning models.

In the same year, EDHEC sells its Scientific Beta subsidiary to SGX (Singapore Exchange Ltd) and thereby strengthens the School’s financial independence.

Inauguration of the Jean Arnault campus in Roubaix:

A hub for entrepreneurship comprising the EDHEC Entrepreneurs incubator and Live, a not for profit association that helps people into work and which is chaired by Brigitte Macron.

Launch of EDHEC America:

Creation of a permanent structure located in the heart of the University of Berkeley in California. This partnership with a prestigious institution reinforces the School’s presence in the USA.