St Gallen SIM - ESSEC MiM - LBS Global MiM

Question

Hi everyone!
I’m currently deciding between three Master in Management programs —  ESSEC ,  London Business School (LBS) , and  St. Gallen  — and would really appreciate any insights or personal experiences you can share.

A bit about me: I’m coming from a business undergrad with internship experience in both  luxury  and  finance , and I’m aiming for a career that blends  luxury strategy or marketing , with the possibility of doing a  summer internship in consulting or finance  before fully committing.

Here’s how I’m seeing each program:

ESSEC MiM  : First Year in Singapore, Second year in Cergy. Known for its strong luxury focus thanks to the  LVMH Chair , and has a big network in France. I also received a generous scholarship. But it’s quite French-centric, and I’m unsure how strong the international exposure really is. 
  LBS Global MiM : First year in London, second year in Shanghai. Incredibly international with strong consulting/finance placement. But very expensive, and seems less focused on luxury — especially outside of the LVMH Spring Program. 
  St. Gallen SIM : Affordable with a top reputation in Switzerland and Germany, especially for consulting. But almost no luxury exposure and German is often needed for local jobs.

If you’ve studied at or considered any of these, I’d love to hear:
 
 How did the program help shape your career? 
 Would you recommend it for someone trying to mix  luxury + strategy/consulting ?  
 
 What do you wish you knew before choosing?

Thank you so much for your help !

kingbucky · Answer

Congrats on the admits! I’d lean toward ESSEC for your luxury-strategy mix.

pintukr · Answer

Congratulations on reputed admits..All the Best..

himomaki · Answer

Wow, great programs! Huge congrats on the admits !

AdmitScholar · Answer

Hi!

You’ve got three fantastic programs to choose from, and you’re in a solid position to make an informed decision. At AdmitScholar, we’ve ourselves have done MiM from LBS, INSEAD & St. Gallen and guided many applicants with similar ambitions to ESSEC, LBS and St. Gallen and here’s our take based on your interest in luxury and strategy/consulting:

ESSEC MiM  
  If luxury is your primary focus, ESSEC stands out. Its LVMH Chair, partnerships with brands like Cartier and L’Oréal, and deep ties to the Paris luxury scene give it a unique edge. The Singapore-Cergy campus split offers some global exposure, though the program’s strength is primarily France-centric. For roles in luxury brand strategy or marketing, ESSEC opens doors that are hard to match.

LBS Global MiM  
  This program carries serious international prestige. If you’re still weighing options like consulting or finance, LBS delivers excellent placement, particularly in London. The Shanghai second year adds a global dimension, though its luxury focus isn’t as strong as ESSEC’s. That said, the LVMH partnership and Spring Week programs provide some access to the luxury sector. It’s a great pick if you want flexibility across industries.

St. Gallen SIM  
  This is a top-tier program, especially for consulting in the DACH region. However, as you noted, it lacks strong ties to the luxury sector, and German proficiency is often key for long-term opportunities there. If consulting is your main target, SIM is excellent; for luxury, it’s less ideal.

Our advice:  
  If luxury brand strategy is your top priority and you’ve got relevant internships, ESSEC with a scholarship is a focused and strategic choice. You can still explore consulting through electives or a summer internship.  
  If you’re undecided and want to keep doors open for consulting or finance globally, LBS is a versatile, high-impact option (budget permitting).

Best of luck with your choice!

St Gallen SIM - ESSEC MiM - LBS Global MiM

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