2006 is a special year for EDHEC Business School as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. One century of hard work for an institution that as it grows,  constantly evolves and innovates instead of becoming old.  A modern 100 year old that figures among the top European Business Schools.

EDHEC's history began 100 years ago in Lille, in the north of France, when a group of businessmen proposed the integration of a commerce programme in a School of Industry, the HEI (Hautes Etudes Industrielles) that henceforth added to its name the word Commerce (HEIC). In that first year seven students were enrolled but the Certificate of Superior Commercial Studies was awarded to only two of them. Some years later in 1921 the school became an independent Business School under the name HEC (Hautes Etudes Commerciales) du Nord and today, EDHEC is the only French business school to be completely independent and free in all decision making.

In the 1920's,  France,  like almost every other country was a man's world so women had to wait until 1939 to see the first representative of their gender to be awarded a diploma from the school.  The world was changing and HEC Nord was trying to modernize its programmes even in the middle of a world war.

In 1946, a year after the end of the 2nd World War; the duration of studies increased to three years.  The following year the alumni association was created and today boasts an impressive 14.000 members.  In 1951 the school changed its name to EDHEC (École De Hautes Études Commerciales). Twenty years later EDHEC  Business School, already highly appreciated in the French business world was officially recognized by the French state.In the 70's and early 80's EDHEC had its computer revolution.  In 1974 the first computer was installed and eight years later in 1982 the Computer Centre of the Lille Campus was inaugurated.  One year later EDHEC opened for the first time on an international level by doing its first international exchange with the London School of Economics and Political Sciences.

The most important event in the '90 for EDHEC was the creation of the Nice campus which today is the base of the MSc programmes.   In the same decade, and in an effort to fill the gap between academic life and professional integration, the Corporate Relations office opened in Pars.  In the following years new career offices were opened on the two campuses (Lille and Nice) and also in London.  This particular office plays an important role for EDHEC and its students because it enhances the reputation of the School on an international level and it also helps EDHEC students to find jobs in the U.K. thanks to the excellent relations with the local business world.

In 1999 EDHEC acquired its first international accreditation; EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) and in the following years EDHEC acquired the AMBA and the AACSB accreditations and joined the prestigious club of the few business schools worldwide that have all three accreditations.

In 2000 the EDHEC MBA programme becomes a reality and one year later, the school confirmed its international orientation by opening its MSc programmes taught entirely in English.  Hundreds of high profile students from all over the world have already participated in programmes that offer state of the art education in different areas of management.

Today EDHEC is more than ever a highly respected Business School. It recruits the best students both in France and internationally.  Top professors from around the world combine research and lecturing on the two campuses.  EDHEC works closely with the best companies to ensure the best professional chances for its students and also the financing of important research and academic projects. With more than 4300 students EDHEC is the largest Business School in France.

After 100 years of existence, the EDHEC story is just beginning...