European School of Economics

The European School of Economics (ESE) is a private higher education institution founded in Italy in 1994. It operates campuses in London, Rome, Milan, Florence, and Madrid, offering UK-accredited bachelor's, master's, MBA, and short professional programmes in areas such as marketing, finance, management, and media. ESE is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ASIC) with Premier Institution Status and is listed in the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN 10061489).

ESE delivers UK degree qualifications in partnership with several recognised awarding bodies, including Richmond, The American International University in London. Former partners have included the University of Hertfordshire, University of Buckingham, and University of Chichester. The institution allows students to transfer between campuses globally and supports them with internship opportunities at over 1,500 partner organisations.

In 2003, ESE won a legal case at the European Court of Justice against the Italian state, affirming the recognition of UK degrees awarded in Italy under EU law. The school became a registered charity in the UK in 2013.

ESE has developed collaborations with international institutions such as the Florence Academy of Art, CTH (Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality), and Fontys University. In 2022, it partnered with FIGC and CONI to offer courses in sports management across its Italian centres.

In 2021, ESE received the ‘Quality of Student Life’ award at the Global Student Satisfaction Awards by StudyPortals. The institution promotes international mobility, personal development, and practical training, aiming to prepare students for global business careers.

ESE was founded by Elio D’Anna, who remains its president and guides its educational philosophy focused on leadership, self-awareness, and international entrepreneurship.

The European School of Economics (ESE) was founded in Italy in 1994 as a private institution of higher education. Its vision has been to create a global network of academic centres offering internationally recognised qualifications with a focus on practical business education.

A notable moment in ESE’s early history occurred in 1997, when Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, addressed ESE students at the “Peace is Economy” conference in Rome, marking the inauguration of that academic year.

Over the years, ESE expanded its presence, establishing campuses in several major European cities including London, Rome, Milan, Florence, and Madrid. The institution awards UK bachelor's and master's degrees, MBAs, and short programmes, and provides students with the flexibility to study across multiple campuses. It offers academic programmes in partnership with recognised UK universities and educational bodies.

ESE has partnered at different points with universities such as the University of Hertfordshire, The Nottingham Trent University, the University of Buckingham, New Charter University, the University of Chichester, and Richmond, The American International University in London. These partnerships enabled ESE to offer validated UK degrees across its international centres.

In 2003, the European School of Economics was involved in a legal dispute with the Italian state regarding the recognition of UK-awarded degrees completed in Italy. The Italian Ministry of Education initially argued that such degrees could not be recognised in Italy if awarded to Italian citizens studying within Italy. ESE contested this position based on EU law. The European Court of Justice ruled in favour of ESE on 13 November 2003, confirming the validity of UK degrees across the European Union.

In 2010, the Madrid campus was formally authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Education and the Comunidad de Madrid to deliver university-level British degree programmes in Spain. ESE Italy, ESE Spain, ESE Insight Ltd, and ESE New York Inc. currently manage the institution’s various regional campuses.

ESE UK Ltd. became a registered charity in 2013. In 2014, the British Accreditation Council included ESE among institutions delivering programmes leading to degrees awarded by recognised bodies. That accreditation has since expired. Around the same time, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in the UK reported that the partnership between ESE and the University of Buckingham was terminated for strategic reasons.

In 2021, ESE received the ‘Global Student Satisfaction Award’ from StudyPortals for the category ‘Quality of Student Life’, competing with over 4000 institutions worldwide.

ESE continues to operate with accreditations from various bodies, including ASIC (Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities), where it holds Premier Institution Status. The school is listed in the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN 10061489), and holds affiliations with UCAS, the OIA (Office of the Independent Adjudicator), Erasmus+, the British Council, and IELTS. ESE also collaborates with CUALIFICAM in Spain, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, CTH (Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality), the Florence Academy of Art, and EIDIM for its fashion and luxury business programmes.

In 2022, ESE entered into an academic collaboration with FIGC (Italian Football Federation) and CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) to deliver higher education courses in sports management and marketing across its Italian campuses.

ESE’s founder and president is Elio D’Anna, who continues to be involved in the development of the institution’s educational philosophy and international growth.

The European School of Economics offers a range of academic programmes including undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, MBA programmes, and short professional courses. These courses are validated by UK degree-awarding institutions and delivered across its campuses in London, Madrid, Rome, Milan, and Florence. Students have the flexibility to transfer between campuses during their studies.

At the undergraduate level, ESE offers a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. Students can choose from specialisations such as International Business, Marketing, Finance, Management, and Media and Communications. The bachelor’s programme spans three years, and students may transfer up to 240 UK credits into the programme. The course structure allows students to switch between ESE campuses on a term-by-term basis. An integral component of the programme is the completion of annual internships, facilitated through ESE’s partnerships with more than 1,500 organisations worldwide.

Postgraduate studies at ESE include the Master of Science (MSc) degrees in Management, Finance, and Marketing. These programmes are designed to provide in-depth subject knowledge along with practical business exposure through compulsory internships. Students can transfer up to 90 UK credits into the graduate programmes. Courses are available for September, January, and April intakes, allowing flexibility in planning academic progression.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme is designed for those seeking leadership roles in various business sectors. The course includes a strong practical component with business projects and internships. It focuses on developing skills necessary for strategic planning, organisational leadership, and international business.

In addition to degree programmes, ESE provides a variety of short professional courses. These non-degree programmes are available in areas such as Marketing, Finance, Event Management, Human Resources, Entrepreneurship, Art Management, International Management, and Consultancy. These courses are intended to deliver practical business skills and are accessible to professionals seeking career development or sector-specific training.

ESE also offers foundation and diploma programmes in Hospitality and Tourism, accredited by the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), particularly at its Florence and Rome campuses. In collaboration with the Florence Academy of Art, ESE offers programmes in Art and Design, and with the FIGC and CONI, it delivers academic programmes in Sports Management, Sports Marketing, and Event Organisation at its Italian centres.

The European School of Economics is a private institution and does not feature in major global university rankings such as QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education due to its specific model of degree validation through UK partner universities.

However, in 2021, ESE received international recognition by winning the Global Student Satisfaction Award by StudyPortals in the category of ‘Quality of Student Life’, selected from over 4,000 participating institutions worldwide. ESE’s academic programmes are validated by Richmond, The American International University in London, which is a recognised UK degree-awarding institution.

The European School of Economics (ESE) reports a graduate employment rate of 96%, with the majority of its alumni securing employment within six months of graduation. This outcome is attributed to ESE’s emphasis on practical training, international exposure, and personalised career support.

ESE integrates internships into all degree programmes, collaborating with over 1,500 partner organisations worldwide. Approximately 20% of ESE graduates pursue entrepreneurial ventures, applying their academic knowledge to establish their own businesses. According to Eurostat, the average employment rate for recent tertiary graduates aged 20–34 in the EU was 87.7% in 2023.

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