Wine MBA, Bordeaux School of Management (www.winemba.com). As the wine industry continues its global expansion, it takes more than visionary wine makers to get ahead. This MBA is spread over two years, and will take you between four centres of excellence in Bordeaux, California, Australia and Chile. You’ll learn everything from managing a winery to understanding consumer behaviour, to making sure that your brand ends up in as many glasses as possible. (€30,000 over two years).
International Hospitality Management MBA, ESSEC Business School, Paris. (www.essec.edu). One of the old school MBAs, but one of the best respected, trains up future leaders of hotel chains, restaurant chains, theme parks, sports clubs, travel companies… if you are interested in the service industry, qualifications don’t get much better than this. Once you’re in, industry mentors will give you a guiding hand in your chosen area. (€26,000 over one year)
Luxury Brand Marketing and International Management MBA, L’Ecole des Dirigeants et Createurs d’Enterprise, Paris ( www.supdeluxe.com). Created by Cartier in 1990, this is the place to come if you want a step up the luxury goods ladder – whether luxury cars, cosmetics, clothing, gastronomy, jewellery, art, wines or spirits. Last year 3,000 applicants tried for just 70 places, so make sure you smarten up before the interview. The same school has just launched a Food and Wine MBA. (€10,000 over one year).
Excellence in Gaming Management MBA, University of Nevada, Reno, with University of Ljubljana (www.coba.unr.edu/egm). Yes, 2005 saw the launch of what is affectionately termed as the Gambling MBA. Besides incorporating standard MBA fare, students will learn gaming management, casino marketing, social and economic aspects of gambling and the changing environment of the European leisure businesses. (€60,000 over two and a half years).
