Why Choose ESE Florence: Study Business and Grow Beyond the Classroom

Where visionaries are born

For centuries, Florence has been more than a city; it has been an idea. It is the cradle of the Renaissance, a place where finance, art, philosophy, and power converged to reshape the world. It was here that visionaries like the Medici family demonstrated that commerce could fuel culture, and that a bold dream could build a lasting legacy. It is this same spirit of holistic, visionary leadership that defines the European School of Economics (ESE) Florence.

Choosing a business school is not just about acquiring a degree. It is about finding an environment that ignites your creativity, a community that elevates your ambition, and experiences that forge you into the leader you are meant to be. This is the promise of ESE Florence.

Florence: a living classroom for the pragmatic dreamer

To study at ESE Florence is to be immersed in a city that is a living museum of entrepreneurial genius. The lessons are not confined to our campus walls; they are in the architecture of the Duomo, the masterpieces of the Uffizi Gallery, and the enduring legacy of craftsmanship in the artisan workshops of the Oltrarno.

Our students are inspired daily by a city where art and commerce are not separate pursuits, but two sides of the same coin. This is the ultimate environment for learning to harmonize the opposites—a core principle of the ESE philosophy. Here, you learn to see business through a lens of beauty, creativity, and profound cultural understanding, preparing you not just to fit into the business world, but to reimagine it.

Learning beyond the classroom: from theory to impact

At ESE Florence, education is an active, immersive experience. We believe that true understanding comes from doing, seeing, and engaging directly with the masters of industry. Our extensive professional network allows our students to go behind the scenes of world-renowned institutions, including:

• The art of winemaking with legendary estates like Antinori and Ornellaia.
• The mechanics of luxury with Florence’s leading Patek Philippe reseller.
• The dynamics of the art market with the prestigious Florence Biennale of Antiques.
• Global fashion strategy with iconic brands like Tom Ford and industry powerhouses like Pitti Immagine.
• Excellence in hospitality with the Four Seasons hotel.

Our masterclasses and guest speakers provide direct access to the minds shaping today’s economy, from the CEO of the food giant Sammontana to athletes from the high-performance Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team, who share invaluable insights on teamwork and leadership under pressure.

A key part of our program is Ex Duco, an initiative that embodies the ESE belief that every individual possesses unique wisdom. In these sessions, students become mentors, teaching their peers a skill they are passionate about. It is a powerful exercise in leadership and self-discovery, allowing students to “bring out” (ex ducere) their innate talents and experience the responsibility of guiding others.

An education designed for you

ESE Florence offers a boutique learning environment where you are never just a number. Small class sizes ensure a close, mentoring relationship with our faculty of active professionals. This personalized attention is combined with the power of our international network of campuses, partners, and internship opportunities across the globe.

Choosing ESE Florence means embracing a city that inspires, a community that empowers, and an education that pushes you beyond the classroom. It is an invitation to begin your own personal renaissance—to discover your dream, refine your talents, and prepare not just to enter the business world, but to leave your mark on it.