History of the School: 30 years of excellence

In 2019, École Supérieure Internationale de Savignac celebrated its 30th anniversary. 30 years of excellence which today enables the School to position itself as one of the leading management training establishments in the hospitality, events and leisure industries. The following is an overview of the highlights of the School, from its construction to the present day.

2019
The Campus changed in appearance
It has been partly renovated and extended by the acquisition and renovation of the former primary school, which has become a Student House. The School is gaining in visibility, thanks to a new façade with a modern reception hall. The Dordogne Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its partners (Conseil Régional Nouvelle Aquitaine, Conseil Départemental de la Dordogne, local council, etc.) invested 2.6 million euros to improve the quality of life of its students. There is a new Club House, a patio, a gym including weight training equipment, new study rooms, etc. The inauguration of this new Campus took place on 28 June 2019 as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the School.

The Institute of Hospitality granted accreditation for the BA degree for the first time and has reawarded its accreditation for the MBA degree.

The School trained executives from Mama Shelter, Pierre & Vacances and the Barrière group.
2018
Savignac developed its network of schools in Africa
The School signed a partnership agreement with École Hôtelière de Grand Bassam in the Ivory Coast. Here it offers Savignac’s BA degree and thus extends its network of schools in Africa.
2016
Certification of the International BA degree
The State certified the International BA degree with an RNCP level 6 (Bac +3) in ‘Hospitality Management’. The Bachelor’s degree is still evolving to include an academic exchange programme enabling the integration of the Erasmus+ scheme.
2015
Evolution of the Bachelor’s degree
The BA (Bac +3) evolved to implement greater progression of teaching. The curriculum ranges from a common syllabus in Year 1 to specialisation in Year 3, offering the following three options:

– Business and luxury hotel management
– Leisure and luxury hotel management
– Catering and events management.

This training retains a large international dimension (academic exchanges, teaching in both French and English) and vocational training (work placements, modules and practical cases).

Official launch of the training institute THELMA (Tourism Hospitality Event Luxury Management), which specialises in the training of professions in tourism, the hospitality industry and the luxury sector. Thelma was created from the partnership between BEM DAKAR, the first francophone ‘business school’ in sub-Saharan Africa, and École de Savignac.
2014
New consulting department and development of further training
Creation of a new consulting department ‘Savignac Conseil’, specialising in relocating Savignac programmes internationally.

First year of training for Compass Group’s area managers in advanced further education at Savignac.
2013
Development of the BA degree in Hotel Management and the setting up of the Assessment Center
Development of the BA degree in Hotel Management (Bac +3) which became a degree awarded only by École de Savignac, while maintaining its international dimension with a period of work placements abroad and teaching in both English and French.

Launch of the first evaluation of levels of competence (assessment) for managers at Villages et Chalets, 5 Tridents and Club Med.

3.6 million euros were invested in 2011-2012 for the building of a new teaching unit of 1,100 m² comprising 9 classrooms, 4 work rooms, a documentation centre, as well as the renovation of the cafeteria, which has been completely redesigned and given a new look.
2012
Development, opening, creation and investment
Development of the training programme for professionals (inter-company training, intra-company training and assessment). Launch of the first year of further education training for managers of Louvre Hotels Group.

Development of the BA in Events, Catering and Facilities Management, a one year degree course with a diploma at Bac +3 level, awarded by École de Savignac. This new training course, delivered in both French and English, includes modules more focused on catering and events management.

Creation and development of a BA in Hotel Management at École Hôtelière de Casablanca (Morocco).

A total of more than 3 million euros were invested in 2011-2012 for the building of a new teaching unit of 1,100 m² comprising 9 classrooms, 4 work rooms, a documentation centre, as well as the renovation of the cafeteria, which has been completely redesigned and given a new look.
2009
Creation of a European Bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality Management
This unique formula offers a first year in France at École de Savignac, then year 2 either in Spain at the Centro Superior de Hosteleria de Galicia, or in Germany at the Angell Business School in Freiburg. The final year is divided between studies in England (1 academic term) at the University of Brighton and a period of studies in France at École de Savignac.
2008
Creation of the preparatory year of the MBA in Hospitality Management
Creation of the preparatory year of the MBA in Hospitality Management enables all students with a non-specialised Bac+2/+3 degree (outside the hotel and catering sector), to work towards the MBA at Savignac.
2006
BA ‘Top-up’ degree in Hospitality Management
With the same English partners, the School offers a one year training course, with studies in France and England, enabling students with a Bac +2 degree in the hospitality sector (Foundation Degree or BTS in hospitality) to obtain a BA ‘Top-up’ degree in Hospitality Management from the University of West London (Bac +3 diploma equivalent to the French Bachelor’s degree).
2004
Creation of training in English only
The French state certifies the MBA at level I (equivalent to Bac +5), confirming the quality of the positions held by the School’s graduates.

Note that level I nowadays is level 7 The School offers a new training course in English, partnering Stratford-upon-Avon College (Shakespeare’s birthplace) and the University of West London, formerly Thames Valley University.
1996
Certification of the MBA at level II
The French state officially recognised the quality of teaching at the School by certifying its MBA at level II (equivalent to Bac +3 / Bac +4). Note that level II nowadays is level 6
1988
Construction of the School
Construction of the School, students’ cafeteria, swimming pool and restoration of the existing hotel. There were 21 students in the first MBA year.
1987
Purchase of ‘Le Parc’ hotel and restaurant
The Dordogne Chamber of Commerce and Industry bought the hotel and restaurant ‘Le Parc’ at Savignac-les-Eglises (15 kms from Périgueux in SW France) in order to set up its future school. This internationally acclaimed 4 star hotel, honoured by the greatest restaurant guides and run by the famous chef, Jean Vessat, was well-known for hosting numerous celebrity singers and actors, as well as politicians. It was also frequented by Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, the Queen Mother.
1986
Creation of a higher education school specialising in the hotel and catering industry
The General Assembly of the Dordogne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (formerly Périgueux CCI) decided to create a higher education school specialising in the hotel and catering industry.

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an institution

École de Savignac is a higher education establishment belonging to and managed by the Dordogne Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It trains managers in the hotel, catering, events, leisure and tourism sectors. This unique School, where everyone is part of a family, trains around 400 students every year over 2 training cycles ranging from Bac to Bac +5 (BA and MBA).

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