Founded in 1909 in Angers, France, ESSCA is a grande Žcole specializing in business offering a post-graduate diploma in management accessible immediately after the baccalaurŽat or secondary school. A member of the prestigious ConfŽrence des Grandes Ecoles, its five-year diploma has been accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education as a masterÕs degree. Four areas of specialization are offered in the fourth year: marketing, management, finance both in classic and work-study structures. Located at 8 different sites in Angers, Paris, Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux,Cholet, Lyon, Budapest and Shanghai, ESSCAÕs international curriculum can boast of an international partner network of over 190 institutions in 49 countries. It is the first post-secondary French school to have received the European EPAS accreditation for the excellence of its programs, its international scope and its strong links to the corporate world. ESSCA has received the American AACSB accreditation, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the very selective EQUIS accreditation. Besides the 1st year competitive entrance examination, ESSCA offers candidates the possibility of joining the masterÕs program directly for those students already having an undergraduate degree. The 5-year accredited masterÕs diploma is also attainable via adult continuing education. WhatÕs more, the School has developed a number of programs and training sessions engineered by directors, managers and operational teams.