MBA in France: A Detailed Guide for Study Abroad Aspirants

France is the most popular destination due to its thriving culture, distinctive gastronomic background, stunning architecture, plenty of artists, intellectual, and challenging environment for international students. Universities in France comply with the Bologna Process Agreement by providing various undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degree programs. 

Applicants from all around the world are flocking to France in search of MBA programs. This is due to France's thriving economy, which offers several opportunities. This year's Financial Times Global MBA Rankings included INSEAD, HEC Paris, EDHEC Business School, ESSEC Business School, and Emlyon Business School. France is also the birthplace of numerous internationally recognized companies, including Orange, Airbus, L’Oréal, etc. So, France is considered as best European Country to Study MBA.

Students pursuing an MBA degree in France can expect to learn human resources, finance, marketing, strategy, operations management, and a lot more.

Companies like EY, Deloitte, L’Oréal, PwC, etc., actively recruit MBA graduates from France. Payscale.com estimates that an MBA graduate in France may expect to earn an annual income of 55,000 Euros.

Table of Content 

1. Advantages of a French MBA
2. Top Schools for MBA in France
3. Eligibility criteria for pursuing MBA in France
4. Scholarships to Pursue MBA in France
5. French MBA Application Process

Advantages of a French MBA

Among the many benefits of obtaining an MBA in France are the following:

• France is represented in the QS Global MBA rankings for 2022 since it is home to the top business schools in the world. Business schools such as HEC Paris, INSEAD, ESSEC, Emlyon, etc.
• Earning a master's degree in business administration (MBA) in France is one of the most acceptable ways to improve your financial situation (Data as per Emolument)
• Several multinational corporations call France home, including IBM, Oracle, Airbus, L'Oreal, Orange, etc. opening great employment opportunities.

Top Schools for MBA in France

INSEAD Business School: INSEAD promotes itself as "the World's Business School." It has earned a stellar reputation as a launching pad for careers in top consulting firms in France and beyond. It has campuses in several locations, including Fontainebleau, France, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. The university also collaborates with other prominent universities to provide exchange opportunities, including Wharton (USA), Kellogg (USA), and CEIBS (China Europe International Business School) (China).

HEC Paris: A full-time MBA from HEC Paris, or the Hautes Études Commerciales de Paris, is highly regarded by the Financial Times, making it one of the best business schools in the world. HEC Paris, located just outside France's capital, is proud of its prestigious network of former students. It collaborates with over 40 schools, allowing students to earn degrees from both institutions.

ESSEC Business School: This university's luxury brand management and hospitality management programs are well regarded. It was founded in Cergy, France, and has since established a second campus in Singapore. The MBA program is new, yet it has already attracted a highly qualified international student body.

EDHEC Business School: It's hard to argue with the appeal of earning your MBA from EDHEC, situated in a beautiful seaside resort on the French Riviera. It was among the first educational institutions in the world to receive all three types of accreditations at once. The 10-month length of EDHEC's MBA program is its most notable feature.

NEOMA Business School: NEOMA Business School in France is a great option if you want to study business in Europe. It is also known as one of the most forward-thinking English-speaking grandes écoles (also known as "Grand School") for management in the region, with campuses in Rouen, Reims, and Paris and many courses taught entirely in English.
Business school grads from NEOMA regularly obtain executive-level positions. NEOMA Business School is well-known for producing graduates with marketable skills, and the school's employment record reflects this strength. NEOMA boasts a 95% placement rate for graduates with a Master of Science or Master of Management.

SKEMA Business School: With over 130 different nationalities represented among its 10,000 students and 54,000 alumni from 145 different countries, SKEMA Business School is a truly international institution that equips the workforce of the future with the skills they'll need to succeed. There are 190 faculty split among three schools (Globalization, Innovation, and Digitalization). There are five distinct research centres within the Research division that focus on different facets of management.

Eligibility criteria for pursuing MBA in France

A masters in France is a highly competitive program. While each university has its own admission standards, several basics are consistent across the board. Among these are:

• Proven work history of at least three to four years (may vary according to university)
• Degrees corresponding to the French Baccalaureate are also acceptable
• A passing score on either the (IELTS) or (TOEFL) for non-native speakers of English
• Valid results on the Graduate Management Admission Test or Graduate Record Examination (depending on the university)

French MBA Application Process

The application forms for most French universities are available online or via direct download from the schools' websites:

You must send the completed form, supporting paperwork, and the application cost. 

• If you are chosen, the institution will contact you to schedule an interview, which may take place over the phone, via video chat, or another electronic method.
• When applying for a visa, expect to wait up to two months for a response. You should therefore apply for a student visa to France well before receiving an acceptance letter.

Scholarships to Pursue MBA in France

Funding opportunities are available for Study in France for International Students who desire to pursue an MBA in France. Many different types of financial aid are available, such as the Excellence Scholarship, Premium Scholarship, Make an Impact Scholarship, First Nationality Scholarship, etc.

So, France Aspirants, hope that questions related to studying in France are answered. Moving to France will be a fantastic adventure. The high-end education system is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what the schools in France have to offer. Also, there is no need to stress over rent because many reasonably priced Purpose-Built Student Accommodations (PBSA) are currently being constructed in France.