7 Top Business Schools in France: Unlock Leadership Skills

Learning the art of balancing hard skills and leadership skills has become indispensable to ace in the business realm. It is crucial to hone your skills under the aegis of an industry expert can be a game changer for you. If you are on the quest of how to do so, then top MBA colleges in France can keep you covered.

France has a rich tradition of academic excellence and is renowned for world-class education in various fields of business and management. Some of the top business schools in France include HEC Paris, ESCP Business School, EDHEC Business School, and ESSEC Business School which are highly regarded for its vibrant learning environment, esteemed faculty, and global networking opportunities. These schools have a generally employability rate of nearly 92% with top recruiters from companies like Accenture, Ailancy, Amazon, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Deloitte, KPMG, Morgan Stanley, and Nestle. Moreover, the average mean salary from these universities is approximately €109,612.

Checklist for Best Business School in France

Choosing a business school is a significant decision, and the reasons for selecting a particular school should align with your academic and career goals. Here are some of the factors that you need to keep in mind when choosing one of the top business schools in France: 

1.Reputation and Prestige: 

Top business schools in France, like HEC Paris and INSEAD, have a global reputation for excellence in business education. Look for b-schools that are prestigious members of Conférence des Grandes Écoles or have crucial accreditations. Graduating from a prestigious school can enhance your resume and open doors in your career. 

2.International Exposure: 

Choose a b-school that has a diverse student body and offers international exchange programs. It will provide you with exposure to different cultures and global business perspectives, which can be valuable in today's interconnected world.

3.Strong Alumni Networks: 

A reputed b-school often has extensive alumni networks with connections in various industries. These connections can be instrumental in finding job opportunities and advancing your career.

4.Quality Faculty: 

Renowned business schools typically have experienced and well-respected faculty members who bring real-world expertise and research contributions to the classroom.

5.Access to Industry: 

B-schools located in major business hubs like Paris can provide you with proximity to leading companies and industries, offering internship and networking opportunities.

6.Specialized Programs: 

These schools often offer specialized master's programs that cater to specific career paths, such as finance, marketing, or entrepreneurship, allowing you to tailor your education to your interests.

7.Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

Ensure to look for b-schools that put a thrust on creative learning solutions and experiential learning. Some b-schools, like ESSEC and Emlyon, are known for their focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. If you have a strong interest in these areas, these schools may be particularly appealing.

8.Financial Aid and Scholarships: 

Many top b-schools offer scholarships and financial aid programs to help make education more affordable.

9.Strong Focus on Sustainability and CSR: 

Some b-schools, like Audencia, prioritize sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in their programs, making them ideal choices if you're passionate about these issues.

Learn about the top MBA colleges in France with their fee structure and make an informed choice. Get a step closer to a successful career!

Popular 7 Business Schools in France 

HEC Paris

HEC Paris, one of the top business schools in France, is a pioneer in management science research and instruction and provides a one-of-a-kind portfolio of programs tailored to a carefully selected student body with 8,000 Executive Education program participants, 125 academic collaborators, and 73,000 alumni. Moreover, the school has graduated multiple CEOs of Fortune Global 500 companies, namely François-Henri Pinault (CEO, Kering),

Jean-Dominique Sénard (CEO, Michelin), and Mercedes Erra (Founder, BETC). 

HEC Paris also provides a comprehensive and unique range of business programs for the world's most outstanding students and leaders. Every year, approximately 4,500 people join our degree programs, 500 attend summer school, and 8,000 attend executive education programs.

Moreover, the b-school has been bestowed a 'triple-crown', which means it has received accreditation from the Association of MBAs - (AMBA), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB), and EQUIS. This highlights the school's impressive faculty and high-quality education. 

Program Fee Range:-€87,000 to €97,000 

Programs Offered:

1. Masters in Management
2. Master in Strategic Management
3. Specialized master’s/LLM in Law And International Management
4. Trium Global Executive MBA

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must have finished an undergraduate program at a recognized university in order to apply. 
• Valid academic transcripts.
• Preferred 2 years of work experience with an undergraduate degree.
• Proof of completion of your secondary education. 
• Must also have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience, including at least 3 years in a managerial role.

INSEAD

INSEAD, is one of the best MBA colleges in France and worldwide and largest graduate business school, provides students with a genuinely worldwide educational experience. With 66K+ graduates from 180 countries representing 169 nationalities, 162 faculty members representing 40 nations, 70 nationalities in any MBA intake, 10K+ executive participants yearly, 20 institutes, centers, and initiatives, and 8 partnerships. It has a nearly 32% admission rate, and around 94% of MBA students receive offer letters.

Average Program Fees - €97,000 

Eligibility Criteria:

• 2 Recommendation Letters
• Documentation to back up your claim
• Transcript Official
• Language proficiency in English with TOEFL IBT score of 105; TOEFL CBT score of 260; TOEFL PBT score of 620; IELTS Academic score of 7.5; and PTE Academic score of 72.

Courses Offered:

• Master in Management
• Master in Business Administration
• Global Executive MBA
• Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA

ESCP Business School

Per QS Global MBA Rankings 2023, ESCP Business School is ranked 48th. This makes it one of the best business schools in Paris and is known for its research-based knowledge that is disseminated through a unique pedagogical model based on systematic mobility across six urban and physical campuses across Europe. ESCP also provides the best degree and non-degree business education programs based on multiculturalism and interdisciplinary learning to international high-potential students and executives, with around 140+ academic alliances in Europe and the world in 48 countries and multidisciplinary faculty.

In addition, all programs and disciplines share three overarching themes: sustainability, in which ESCP has been a leader since 2005, the digital revolution, and the transformation of technology & ethics.

Program Fees Range :- €24,800 to €79,000  

Programs Offered:

1. Master in Management
2. MBA in International Management
3. Executive MBA (EMBA)

Eligibility Criteria:

• A degree in any field, whether it's a bachelor's or master's, is necessary.
• English proficiency (B2, advanced)
• For an international student, academic proficiency is required

EDHEC Business School

According to the Financial Times Business School Rankings 2023, EDHEC is the 47th-best business school in Europe. EDHEC is known for its international view and approach, high-quality teaching faculty, and ability to adapt to contemporary areas such as digital, sustainable finance, and law. EDHEC is governed by numerous organizations dedicated to protecting the institute’s identity and safeguarding students' success.

Program Fees Range : €12,800 to €51,000/ year 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience is required.
• Strong knowledge of written and spoken English is required, as is a strong GMAT, GRE, Tage Mage, or Executive Assessment.

Courses Offered:

1. Master in Management
2. EMBA 
3. Global MBA
4. Executive MBA - Healthcare Innovation & Technology (HIT)

ESSEC Business School

ESSEC Business School, which is ranked 5th in top master’s in management worldwide and 1st in top master in management in Asia as per Financial Times 2022, where the business school’s acceptance rate is generally 6–7% and interestingly with 98% of the total students placed as per previous year data. ESSEC has a distinct instructional approach. This method is based on the creation and transmission of cutting-edge knowledge, a combination of academic learning and practical experience, and multicultural openness and discussion. Also, it has been known for its various features, such as:-

Program Fees Range :- €46,000 to €68,729.78 

Eligibility Criteria:

• While submitting your application, you must be at least 25 years old
• At least three years of professional experience
• Completed bachelor's Degree 
• A strong GMAT/GRE or Tage-Mage score
• English proficiency

Courses Offered:

• Master in Management- Grande Ecole
• ESSEC Executive MBA

Recommended Article: Breaking the Norm – IFA Paris Student Shares Her Journey

Emlyon Business School

Emlyon Business School has 9,050 undergraduate and postgraduate students representing 125 nationalities, as well as roughly 6,900 participants in executive education programs. The school has campuses in Lyon, Saint-Étienne, Paris, Shanghai, Bhubaneswar, and Mumbai. It has 190 worldwide academic partners and a community of 41,700 alumni from 130 different countries. 

Program Fees Range :- €10, 000 to € 45,000

Eligibility Criteria:

• Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university
• Required 3 years of work experience 
• GMAT, GRE, or TAGE MAGE Score 
• English proficiency score
• 2 professional recommendation letters

Courses Offered:

• Master in Management - Grande Ecole
• International MBA
• Executive MBA

Audencia Business School

According to the QS International Trade Ranking 2023, Audencia Business School is rated 151–175. With over 6,100 students, over 30,000 alumni, 175 partner firms, and over 140 permanent teachers, this b-school is renowned globally. And it boasts key accreditations such as EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, Conference Des Grandes Ecoles, as well as 31% of total international students. Moreover, the b-school has a female-to-male ratio of 52:48.  The key values of Audencia Business School are innovation, cooperation, and responsibility, where they actively contribute to the development and expansion through various programs and numerous corporate and academic relationships in France and around the world.

Program Fees Range :- €31,500 to €38,500 

Eligibility Criteria:

• English proficiency
• A bachelor's degree in any discipline is required, as is a minimum of three years of relevant postgraduate, full-time job experience.
• GMAT or GRE 

Courses Offered:

Master in Management (Grande Ecole)

To know more about study in France:

• Reasons to study in France
• Study in France from India
• Masters in France