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Master 2 Research, studies and consulting in management sciences

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The Master 2 Research, Studies, and Consulting in Management Sciences at IAE Aix-Marseille primarily prepare students for careers in higher education and research. It is also designed for future consultants and managers seeking to develop strong analytical and methodological skills. This program aims to cultivate height key competencies :

  • Understanding major trends and fundamental theoretical frameworks in management sciences research and their origins.
  • Mastery of advanced qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in management sciences.
  • Familiarity with different epistemological approaches specific to management sciences and understanding the scientific process in social sciences.
  • Develop scientific expertise in one of the areas of specialization offered at IAE Aix-Marseille: (1) Finance, Audit, Control; (2) Marketing and Service Management; (3) Strategy and Human Resources Management.
  • Ability to conduct literature reviews, formulate research questions, and utilize artificial intelligence tools (eg. databases, bibliometrics, systematic literature reviews) while acknowledging the associated limitations and risks.
  • Awareness of ethical and environmental issues in management research in the contemporary world.
  • Effective written and oral communication of research in a rigorous, concise and structured manner.
  • Knowledge of the research ecosystem, funding opportunities for theses, and careers in teaching and research.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

A program with an international perspective

  • Courses delivered entirely in English.
  • Majority of participants from diverse international backgrounds.
  • High-level teaching team comprised solely of recognized academic researchers publishing in international journals and contributing to their fields of expertise.
  • Integration into the research laboratory, CERGAM (Center for Studies and Research on Management at Aix-Marseille University), with the possibility to participate in international seminars organized by the laboratory.

Personalized students for research projects

  • 15 hours of small-group coaching to guide students in developing their research projects and enhancing oral and written communication skills.
  • "À la carte" selection of two advanced research methodology courses.
  • Classes scheduled over three days (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) to allow for individual autonomous work time on Thursdays and Fridays.
  • Facilitation of meetings and exchanges with potential thesis directors, along with personalized guidance in choosing among IAE and CERGAM faculty.
  • Master's research teachers provide individual guidance and advice on choosing research topics.
  • Mentorship program facilitated by CERGAM's doctoral students.

Opportunity for a 6-month paid internship in the second semester

The internship can be undertaken in France or abroad, in a company, a public organization or a research laboratory (as a research assistant). Students interested in internships can be connected with public and private organizations willing to host a research intern. Corporate internships can aid in data collection for the thesis and potentially lead to funding opportunities, such as the CIFRE program, for doctoral studies.

Funding opportunities for doctoral continuation 

Master's research students with a minimum overall average of 14/20 are eligible for doctoral scholarships from Aix-Marseille University (ED 372). They are informed about various funding possibilities for doctoral studies, including regional scholarships, doctoral contracts, and CIFRE contracts (collaborative theses with companies), and receive support in their projects. 

Doctoral continuation is also feasible for those who wish to work while pursuing a part-time doctoral thesis while they work for a private or a public organization, with "on-the-job" thesis projects receiving support during the Master's research program.

  • Master 2 program structure

    This program equips students with the necessary skills to pursue a Ph.D. and specialize in one of the three specialties offered at IAE Aix-Marseille: Finance, Audit, and Control; Marketing and Service Management; Strategy and Human Resources Management. The program runs from September to June, with the first semester focusing on theoretical and methodological foundations for a Ph.D. in management sciences, research project development, and the second semester on specialty courses and the master’s thesis:

    Core courses (Semester 3)

    They form the theoretical and methodological foundations of research in Management Sciences. Individualized support for the acquisition of written and oral expression skills relevant to the research profession is provided, along with guidance in developing the research project. Students may also choose two courses in 'advanced research methods' that align most closely with their research project. 

    The following courses are offered:

    • Theory building and epistemological approaches (36h)
    • Research design, artificial intelligence for research, and systematic literature review approaches (18h)
    • Research project support and skills development - including 15h of small-group coaching - (36h)
    • Quantitative research methods (48h)
    • Qualitative research methods (48h) 

    Choose two courses from the following three:

    1. Advanced quantitative methods (18h)
    2. Advanced mixed methods (18h)
    3. Advanced qualitative methods (18h)

    Specialized courses (Semester 4)

    Specialty: Finance - Audit - Control 

    • Portfolio management
    • Research in financial accounting and audit
    • Econometrics and mathematical finance tools and methods
    • Advanced theories in corporate finance

    Specialty: Marketing and Service Management

    • Consumer behavior
    • Services marketing
    • Brand Management Research
    • New marketing approaches

    Specialty: Strategy and Human Resources Management

    • Actors' behavior in organizations
    • Human resources and career management
    • Key research axes in strategy
    • Sustainable development strategy

  • Master’s Thesis

    The Master’s Thesis is designed as a comprehensive research project, often serving as a significant first step toward the Ph.D. Students work under the guidance of a thesis supervisor and, if necessary, a co-supervisor. The thesis is orally defended before a jury of two individuals. Exceptional theses may lead to scientific publications.

The majority of Master's research graduates proceed to pursue a Ph.D., with a career goal in academia as a researcher and educator in the field of management and management sciences. Numerous opportunities for positions in this rapidly evolving discipline are available both in France and abroad, within universities or leading management schools. Some graduates opt for consulting roles, while others choose careers in businesses or national and international organizations.

In 2026, this course was awarded the labelPLUS ‘Link to Research’ accreditation.

 

ADMISSION

  • Admission requirements

    For M2 research: 

    Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree (Bac+4), Master 1 (240 ECTS), or equivalent (foreign degree, VAE).

    While lost candidates come from management and economics backgrounds (universities and grandes écoles), the Master's research program is also open to students from other disciplines, including engineering schools, psychology, sociology, law, mathematics, philosophy, and political science. Selection is based on an online application and an oral English proficiency test during the admission interview.

  • Registration fees

    Registration fees for initial training: 
    250 euros for French nationals, students holding a long-term resident’s card in France, exchange students and nationals of a member country of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland (See the full list of reasons for exemption from differentiated duties here ). 


    970 euros for nationals of partially exempt countries: see list below*. 


    Full exemption from registration fees is granted to displaced students from Ukraine who are beneficiaries of temporary protection, and to Palestinian and Lebanese students preparing for a national degree.


    The cost of the programme is 3,879 euros in all other cases.


    For any application to continue training (for people who wish to resume their studies after having interrupted them), please contact Martine Sam-Oeun: martine.samoeun@iae-aix.com 

     

    *List of countries whose nationals benefit from a partial exemption:

    Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa (republic), Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Solomon Islands, Israel, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Palestine, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Chad, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

THEY TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM

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CONTACTS

Program Directors

Nom
Nathalie
RICHEBE
Fonction
Professor
Nom
Sébastien
LAURENT
Fonction
Professor

Program Coordinator

Nom
Emmanuelle
LONGAVESNE

Services

Nom
Service Admission