Top 10 Accredited Business Schools in France

If you are looking to study business in Europe, the business schools in France can be a good place to start. They have a global influence in offering world-class business education and could be a good fit for your academic and professional needs.

France is a European country known for its exquisite locations and monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre-Dame de Paris, and Palace of Versailles to mention but a few that attracts thousands of tourists annually.

France is also known for its fashion and production of fine wines. Its capital, Paris, is also known as the most romantic city on earth and is tagged as the “City of Love”. France is also known for its cuisines and most of the world’s most renowned chefs attended culinary schools in France to learn the polished art of cooking there.

In terms of education, France has some of the finest universities and colleges where thousands of international students annually come to pursue an academic degree program in culinary arts, business, fashion, or other fields. One of the most popular programs pursued in France are fashion and business degree programs and they have global recognition in these academic fields.

There are many universities in France for international students that offer a wide range of academic degree programs mostly in French. Some universities in France teach in English to meet the needs of international students that cannot speak French, this way, they get to pursue a degree of their choice that is completely taught in English.

However, learning the French language before going to study in France is a big plus as it will help you learn more about the people and the custom and become less paranoid in a new country.

French is also an easy language to learn, most English words are France origin and you are already speaking French even without realizing it. With this, you can enroll in an online French class to start learning one of the most romantic languages and become a master in no time by using the French language text to speech software.

Requirements for Business Schools in France

Every higher institution in all countries has its diverse entry requirements that prospective students must meet to be eligible for admission. And the business schools in France are no exception. They too, just like typical business schools have requirements that applicants must satisfy to get accepted.

There are different business schools in France therefore their admission requirements will be different. But I have drafted a list of the basic general requirements that fit all business schools in France to give you an insight into what may be requested.

To begin your business journey in one of the business schools in France, you should meet the following requirements:

  • If you are applying for an undergraduate program, you must have completed high school and have your high school diploma or certificate, GED, or equivalent.
  • If you are applying for a graduate program, like an MBA, you must have completed and earned a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or a related field.
  • If you are an international student from a non-native English-speaking country and want to enroll in an English business program, you need to take and submit English languages proficiency tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
  • Take the French language proficiency test DELF or DALF if you are studying in French
  • Graduate applicants should have a minimum of 2 years of working experience
  • Submit transcripts from previously attended institutions
  • GMAT, GRE, or standardized test scores may be required depending on your host institution
  • Letters of recommendation (your host institution will specify how many)
  • Personal statement
  • Essay
  • Interview
  • CV or Resume
  • Involvement in extracurricular activities and/or in your community to increase your chances of acceptance
  • Application fee (your host institution will specify how much)
  • Student visa
  • Financial documents to prove your financial capability
  • Other supporting documents required by your preferred business school

Does Business Schools in France Accept International Students

Yes, the business schools in France accept international students. However, tuition is higher for international students and entry requirements may also be tougher for them.

The business schools in France are a hub for international business and management education and are among the ranks of best business schools in the world.

Cost of Business Schools in France

The cost of business schools in France varies across various categories such as degree level, student type (whether international or domestic student), and business program type. So, depending on these factors, the cost of business schools in France can range between 5,000 EUR and 30,000 EUR per year.

Education in France is not expensive for domestic students but rather for international students. There are cheap universities in France that offer affordable tuition for international students.

business schools in France

Accredited Business Schools in France

France is home to some of the world’s top business schools and provides high-quality business and management education to develop future leaders in the business space capable of handling any challenges that come their way.

Here, I have curated the best business schools in France. These business schools are renowned and ranked by recognized ranking platforms such as QS World University Ranking and Financial Times Business School Rankings. Also, these France business schools have made a couple of achievements and contributed to the growth of the business sector which is part of the reasons they have global recognition.

Without any further ado, let’s see the best business schools in France that are accredited.

1.     HEC Paris

You cannot make a list of the best business schools in France and not put HEC Paris in the number one spot. This prestigious business school in Jouy-en-Josas, France has been consistently ranked by QS World University Rankings in the category of best 10 business schools in the world and number one in France. It was also ranked as a top best business subject in France and Europe by The Economist and Financial Times.

It was established in 1881 and has since been offering innovative business programs, its MBA, EMBA, MSc International Finance, and Master in Management programs are especially recognized among the world’s best.

The school holds three accreditations from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. HEC Paris is a grandes ecoles, this is just like the Ivy League schools in the US. There are nine academic departments within the school and some of its programs are offered online.

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2.     EDHEC Business School

EDHEC is one of the accredited business schools in France and also a French grandes ecoles business school which I explained earlier they are like the Ivy League school in the US. Just like HEC Paris, this business school – EDHEC – also holds triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. It is also ranked by various recognized education ranking platforms among the best business schools in the world, Europe, and France.

EDHEC was established in 1906 and has spread its wings to other locations in other parts of France and parts of the world in London and Singapore. Its flagship programs are Master in Management, MSc International Finance, MBA and EMBA programs, specialized MSc programs, Ph.D., and executive education. There is also a wide range of online degrees and MOOCs.

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3.     INSEAD

INSEAD is one of the top business schools in the world with campuses in almost every part of the continent. This non-profit business school has campuses in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America to spread its academic excellence as far as possible and make an impact in various societies.

This is a graduate-only business school, therefore offering only master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in business, finance, and management and a variety of executive education programs.

Just like the others, INSEAD has triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. Its MBA is taught in English which is consistently ranked among the world’s best and has produced second most CEOs of the 500 largest companies, after only Harvard Business School. Competition here is high and also admits international students.

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4.     ESSEC Business School

ESSEC Business School is another grandes ecoles business school based in Paris with triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. Aside from its campus in Paris, the business school also has campuses in Singapore and Morrocco.

Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are offered in a wide range of business specializations such as MSc in Management, Global BBA, Ph.D. in Business Administration, and Advanced Masters and Executive Education programs.

ESSEC has 8 departments in accounting/control, public & private policy, economics, finance, management, operations, marketing, and information systems, decision sciences, and statistics. Some of the programs from these departments are consistently ranked among the world’s best.

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5.     Emlyon Business School

Established in 1872 and triple-accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, Emlyon Business School is one of the top business schools in France and has been consistently ranked at the top by the Financial Times and QS World University Ranking for business school categories. Aside from its other campus locations in France, Emlyon has other campuses in China, Morrocco, and India.

The business school offers a single undergraduate program which is the Global BBA and a wide range of graduate degree programs such as MBA, Masters in Finance, Master’s in Management, Ph.D. in Management, and other executive education and specialized master’s programs. The languages of instruction are English and French.

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6.     ESCP Business School

This is another grandes ecoles business school in France with three accreditations from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. It was established in 1819 and has campuses in Paris, Berlin, London, Madrid, Turin, and Warsaw. Aside from being one of the top business schools in France, ESCP Business School is also recognized among the best business schools in Europe.

Undergraduate and graduate business and management degrees are available for international and domestic students here to pursue. There is a Bachelor of Management, Master in Management, EMBA, MBA, executive education, and specialized Masters and MSc that you can complete in either full-time or part-time formats.

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7.     Grenoble Ecole de Management

Also, Grenoble School of Management or GEM – Grenoble School of Business is a renowned business school in French that offers only graduate programs. It was established in 1984 ad a private research university business school and is renowned for its teaching in innovation and management. If you are looking to gain professional business management skills, this is the school for you.

All the graduate business programs offered here are management-focused. There is an MBA, EMBA, MIB, and over 13 other master’s level programs and Ph.D. programs taught in French and English languages. International students are welcome to apply for any program of their choice.

There are also short programs, certificates, custom programs, and other executive education programs.

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8.     Audencia Business School

Audencia Business School is also a French Grande Ecole business school establishes in 1900 in Nantes, France. Just like the others on this list, this business school is accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. Annually, Audencia enrolls about 6,000 students from more than 90 countries in undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Audencia is renowned as one of the best 10 business schools in France as ranked by the Financial Times, the Economist, and QS World University Rankings in the business school category. Bachelors and BBAS are offered as well as specialized Masters and MSc, and Executive education.

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9.     Paris School of Business

Formerly known as ESG Management School, the Paris School of Business or PSB is an accredited business school in France that offers a wide range of academic degree programs in BBA, MBA, MSc, MIM, DBA, and executive education. The programs are taught in French and English languages thereby removing boundaries for international students who want to pursue a renowned business program here.

PSB has campuses in Paris and Rennes, France. If you are looking for a business school in France with less student population then you should consider PSB. Annually, they enroll about 3,000 students which is small compared to the others on this list.

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10.  KEDGE Business School

On our final list of accredited business schools in France is KEDGE Business School which is a triple-accredited business school. It is accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS and it is also a grande ecole.

This business school is a merger of two ecole grandes business schools and was formed in 2013. It has three campuses in France, one in Senegal, one in Cote d’Ivoire, and two in China.

KEDGE offers undergraduate programs, exchange programs, postgraduate programs, and short-term programs. The former CEO of the London Stock Exchange Group is an alumnus of KEDGE.

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These are the best business schools in France that are accredited and from here you can choose a business school in French to consider applying for. The majority, if not all, teach in English and French but I have still gone on to provide a list of business schools in France that teach in English. See them below.

Business Schools in France that Teach in English

The official language of France is French, therefore the official language of instruction at all of its universities is French. However, some French business schools have gone out of their way to teach in English and eliminate language barriers to give access to international students who would like to study there without going through the stress of learning French.

Since English is the most widely spoken language on earth these business schools in France that teach in English have just given more people the opportunity to gain world-class business skills, expertise, and experience from France’s world-class business schools.

The business schools in France that teach in English are:

  1. HEC Paris
  2. University of Lyon
  3. KEDGE Business School
  4. Polytechnic Institute of Paris
  5. American Graduate School in Paris
  6. CMH – International Hospitality Management School
  7. NEOMA Business School
  8. The University of Nantes
  9. Novancia Business School
  10. INSEEC Business School
  11. Pierre and Marie Curie University

These are the business schools in France that offer instructions in the English language. You will need to meet the TOEFL or IELTS score requirements to get into the school.

Business Schools in France – FAQs

How many business schools are in France?

There are 34 business schools in France but 11 of them are triple-accredited.

Is France a good place for business studies?

Yes, France is a good place to study business. Its business schools and programs are placed among the best in the world by ranking platforms like The Economist, The Financial Times, and QS World University Rankings.

How long are business schools in France?

A bachelor’s degree in business in France takes 3 years to complete while a master’s program will take one or two years.

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