Why you should study in France, according to top French business schools

Home to 11 of the world’s best business schools, according to the QS Global MBA Rankings, France is a popular study destination for aspiring business students looking for a flexible, high-quality education based in Western Europe. 

To learn more about why you should choose to study in France, and at their business school in particular, we spoke to some of the country’s top institutions. 

Learn a new language and discover a new culture 

The ability to learn French and immerse yourself in French culture alongside your studies was one of the top reasons to study in France cited by Audencia Business School.  

ESSCA agreed, with student Shuhan Chang telling us: “There are French classes in the school, [in which] the teachers encourage us to practice our oral skills. There are many opportunities to practice speaking with our classmates, and the teachers educate us with French songs related to the content, which is a fun way  to learn.” 

However, this doesn’t mean you have to study in French. ICN Business School highlighted that, “studying in France gives students the possibility to follow English-taught programmes while experiencing the French way of life. The French savoir-vivre, wine and gastronomy and cultural heritage are renowned all over the world.  

“It will be a life-changing experience that makes a difference in your professional and personal curriculum.” 

Base yourself in a world leader for innovation and economic power 

ICN continued: “France is the sixth biggest economic power in the world in terms of GDP. French companies are present all over the world, hence studying in France opens a lot of opportunities on international level in innovation-driven sectors such as luxury industries, fashion and cosmetics, high-tech industry, energy industries, fashion and cosmetics or the hospitality sector.” 

The dynamic nature of the French economy, and its positioning within the heart of the EU, was also mentioned by SKEMA Business School as a key factor for attracting business students to their school. 

IESEG School of Management also drew attention to France’s formidable global reputation, citing the fact France is “ranked second in the world for Fields Medals (mathematics) and fourth for Nobel Prizes”.  

A vibrant, exciting study environment 

Practically every school we spoke to heaped praise on the dynamic study environment students in France can expect to experience, whether that’s due to a school having multiple campuses which offer a variety of professional environments or because of the wide range of cultural sights and experiences available to students outside of their studies.  

Which school should you choose? 

Asked to sum up the unique selling points of their business school in one sentence, here’s what our top French business schools had to say: 

Audencia Business School: Study at a triple-accredited, top-ranked business school with countless global academic partners which can boost your career through our dedicated Career Centre. 

ESSCA School of Management: Angers, where ESSCA has a campus, is a small and pleasant town and it’s easy to explore nearby areas such as Brittany and the Loire Valley. 

ICN Business School: ICN programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level are based on hands-on classes adapted to today's economic needs, and master’s students can benefit from sandwich courses, which adds a rewarding professional experience to your CV - a real booster for your employability! 

SKEMA Business School: Our programmes are delivered entirely in English across our multiple campuses which allow students to choose the city and professional environment that suits their ambitions. 

IESEG School of Management: The ‘Bienvenue en France’ (Welcome to France) label showcases higher education institutions that offer a special quality of support services and our multicultural institution enrols students from all over the world. 

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