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Vive la différence – doing your MBA in France
Choosing to study your MBA in France is a conscious decision to place both career development and your business mindset at the heart of Europe, the world’s largest market. As the world’s fifth largest economy and a key driver of the European Union, France has long been one of the world’s top investment destinations.
Deservedly recognised for innovation in engineering, design, advertising, and financial resources, France is host to ten of the world’s top 100 businesses, whilst also providing career opportunities in a wealth of smaller firms on the cutting edge of science, technology, media and finance.
The French management model has gained an international reputation, from the Renault team that transformed the fortunes of Nissan, to the the force behind Airbus’ rise to market leadership. Luxury goods groups such as LVMH continue to define industry standards, whilst financial institutions and top consultancy firms expand their services across five continents. It is perhaps not surprising therefore that France is home to many of Europe’s top business schools. In the second largest market for management education in Europe, young professionals can find a programme to match their career development, from the international powerhouses of INSEAD and HEC, to schools that have earned international reputations through commitment to core competences such as EM Lyon in Entrepreneurship, or Grenoble GSB in Technology Management. French business schools are among the most innovative in developing specialised courses, including the Aerospace MBA at Toulouse and Luxury Brand Management at Essec.
An attractive study option
Rachel Maguer, Marketing Manager at ESCPEAP is clear about the benefits of studying for an MBA in France. “It is an attractive option for foreign MBA candidates because France has an excellent international reputation for the quality of its courses and the high standards that students reach during their studies. For those candidates already working in or wishing to work in a French company, an MBA from a highly rated French school will also be a great advantage for moving up to top management positions within the company.
The international emphasis of the faculty, and availability of many international exchange programmes also characterises the French MBA. MBA Programme Director Hugues Levecq at the Reims School of Management explains, “We are offering management training in English but in an international context. The conferences, guest lectures, networking opportunities and intercultural seminars offer a varied and pedagogical programme to help our students in self-discovery and leadership potential, all taking place at the heart of Europe.”
Recruiters at Reims, such as the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), recognize the value of this training for career development. Laurent Jaffart , Project Manager at EADS believe that “the advantage of a multicultural background, that students get from their experience on an MBA programme that is taught almost entirely in English, serves as the basis for an international career.”
A truly international MBA
Tae-Young Choi from South Korea is now a Marketing Manager at Kotra in Brussels. Part of his decision to do his MBA in France was based on his desire to stand out in the job market. “These days it isn't difficult to find a Korean who has an MBA degree from the US. I felt that the experience of the European culture and the French language skills would be an excellent advantage to compete with them. It also meant that with a shorter course length I could save money and time.”
Choi’s experience, and those of other international students, clearly goes beyond mere language acquisition. Craig Marsh, MBA Programme Director of the Theseus-Edhec MBA in Nice questions why anyone looking to pursue a truly international MBA would do so in the US or the UK, dominated as they are by Anglo-Saxon culture, tradition and ideas. He explains that, “In France, the MBA has no allegiance to any particular cultural perspective or philosophy of business. It is a truly international experience, witnessed by the many nationalities in the class and faculty drawn from all over the world. Our programme happens to benefit from the resources of a French Grande Ecole and the mild Mediterranean climate. In all other respects – language (taught entirely in English), faculty (drawn from all over the world), students (average 16 nationalities per class), and course content (oriented to knowledge intensive organizations), there is no ‘national’ flavour to it at all.
