Higher Education in France: What Makes a Good Business School?

Deciding on a business master’s degree in France can be challenging. Employability, prestige, selectivity of programs are just a few criteria to consider when choosing the right business school.

French business schools are home to various students from different industries and countries that collectively have an extensive knowledge base while preparing many nationals for international business careers.

France’s elite masters in management degree count over 200 “Grande Ecole” programs, of which a few dozens are based in the Paris region.

Most of them are recognized by the state and offer diplomas aimed at a Master’s degree (RNCP level I). Grandes Ecoles are selective higher education institutions that provide mainly engineering and business degrees.

They are mostly known for their unique methods and approaches based on academic excellence, close links with companies and research, international perspectives, a wide choice of student clubs, cultural and sporting activities.

But they are also about innovation, social values, such as solidarity, equality and environmental protection, and there are many English-taught programs.

How to choose your “Grande École” Master in Management program

The prestigious French CGE (Conference des Grandes Ecoles) counts 227 “grande ecole” establishments, from which 41 provide business degrees ranging from Bac +3 (Bachelor) to Bac + 8 (PhD).

The Grande Ecole (PGE) MiM – Master in Management – is a Bac +5 degree in two years, delivered by the 39 French Graduate Business Schools, members of the  Conference des Grandes Ecoles association.

Often large French firms are looking to hire graduates that have earned a “Grande Ecole” Master’s, which more than other degrees is seen as a guarantee of future professional performance.

Grade Master and Visa accreditation

The Master’s degree, awarded to certain Visa accredited Bac+5 (high school diploma + 5 years of higher education) degrees, offers graduates recognition at the European and international level.

EMLV’s Master in Management is recognized and accredited to the highest degree by the French Ministry of Education, and it delivers the Grade Master.

The Visa and the Master accreditations recognize the quality of master programs’ excellence and guarantee that students have the necessary skills to build successful careers or start a business. EMLV is one of the Grandes Ecoles certified to deliver a master’s grade degree in five years.

Job placement and career opportunities

It is essential to evaluate if your business school is well-positioned to advance your career goals and vision. Talk to alumni about their experience with the career services service, and review the program’s career and employment report. Have a look at the starting salaries and closely examine career statistics and recruiter data.

The employment survey reveals a rich amount of information, which can help you validate the feasibility of your post Master in Management career goals. At EMLV, 93% of students who graduated in 2019 found employment in less than six months.

What to look for when studying for an MBA or MSc in France

Similarly, MSc and MBA programs delivered by French business schools are on the list of degrees with an excellent ROI when it comes to employability. Despite being renowned for their prestige, efficiency, and academic excellence, not all French Grandes Ecoles offer equally accredited programs.

The CGE quality label for MSc programs

CGE-labeled MSc programs meet the Conference des Grandes Ecoles’Ecoles’ Chapter of Management’s rigorous requirements regarding the ECTS credit system’s quality and faculty members’ expertise. EMLV’s International Business and International Finance programs bear the legally protected label Master of Science (MSc).

Key Figures

• CGE accredits 122 MSc management programs in France’sFrance’s Grandes Écoles
• About 36% of CGE-labeled MSc programs have a specific international orientation, commonly Europe or Asia
• CGE-labelled MSc programs enrol more than 5,300 students each year

AMBA accreditation for MBA degrees

The Association of MBAs (AMBA) certifies postgraduate programs of management schools internationally and acts as a bridge between MBA aspirants and institutions and MBA graduates and employers. If you are looking to study for an MBA, checking that it has AMBA accreditation is always necessary because it means the program has been assessed in detail regarding quality and standards of faculty, curriculum and student experience. EMLV’s MBA has been AMBA-accredited since 2020.

International student experience

Business schools are people businesses, run by people for people. When choosing an institution of higher education, it’s crucial to consider off- and on-campus resources, societal experience, student welfare, accommodation, industry connections, security, and overall satisfaction. In short, it’s all about education experience.

Making sure that international students get all the support they need to adjust to life and studies in France requires different resources than those put in play for nationals.

EMLV has been awarded the “Welcome to France” Label by Campus France, a landmark achievement in enhancing the international student experience.

Whether you are searching for a Master in Management, MBA or MSc program, researching factual information such as accreditations and rankings is always necessary. But finding the right fit when it comes to studying abroad in France is more about choosing the environment that will lead to personal and professional growth.