The Parcoursup complementary phase: instructions and best practice

28 Oct 2025

Today, more and more students are choosing parallel admissions to enter the flagship programs of France's top business schools.
This system is growing in popularity because it offers an alternative to the traditional preparatory classes route, while diversifying the profiles within the Grandes Écoles.

What is parallel admission?

Parallel admission allows students who have already completed a certain number of years of higher education (generally one, two, or three years after high school) to enter a Grande École directly without going through preparatory classes.

This route is open to a variety of profiles: students with a Licence, BTS, DUT or Bachelor's degree who wish to join a business school at different levels of the curriculum.

Schools thus recruit students who are already engaged in an academic career, which enriches the diversity of the student body.
It is also an opportunity for those who wish to change direction, switch careers or give a new impetus to their career path.

 

Who is parallel admission for?

Parallel admission is mainly for:

  • Students who have completed one or two years of higher education, depending on the program they are applying for;
  • Holders of a two-year or three-year college degree who wish to continue their studies at a business school;
  • Students who wish to change direction or join a school offering a more professional and international environment.

 

Possible levels of integration

At IPAG Business School, the flexibility of the program allows students to integrate:

  • The second year of a BTS (advanced vocational training certificate), after successfully completing the first year in the same field;
  • The Grande École Program from the 2nd year, depending on the number of credits earned;
  • Or the 3rd or 4th year of the Grande École Program, for students who have already earned a Bac+2 or Bac+3.

This diversity of pathways offers the possibility of adapting one's course of study to one's profile and career plans, without having to start from scratch.

Admission requirements

At IPAG, parallel admissions are based on application and interview.

The application generally includes:

  • Transcripts from current or completed higher education studies;
  • A resume and cover letter;
  • Possibly a language test for English-speaking programs (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, etc.).

The interview, conducted in French and/or English depending on the program, assesses the candidate's personality, motivation, and career plans.
This individualized approach allows each student to express their potential and highlight their academic and personal background.

Focus on IPAG Business School

IPAG Business School offers several parallel admission routes, depending on the level of education already completed and each student's plans.

Enroll in a BTS program in the second year at IPAG Business School

Students who have completed their first year of higher education (Bac+1) can enroll directly in the second year of the BTS program at IPAG Business School, in the same specialization they have already studied.

IPAG's BTS programs, offered in Paris and Nice, are available on a work-study basis and cover several fields: international trade, commercial management, SME management, communication, tourism, real estate professions, and technical solutions marketing.

The goal is to acquire practical and professional skills while benefiting from the stimulating environment of a renowned business school.
This parallel integration, based on an application and a motivational interview, allows students to continue their studies in a demanding and professional environment.

Enrolling in the Bachelor in Management (bachelor's degree)

Students with a Bac+1 or Bac+2 qualification can enter directly into the 2nd or 3rd year of the Bachelor's Degree in Management at IPAG Business School.

This program, which is accredited by the French government and leads to a bachelor's degree (Bac+3), aims to train versatile management professionals through a teaching approach based on practical experience, international exposure, and progressive specialization.

In the second year, students consolidate their management knowledge and discover the major sectors of activity.
In the third year, they specialize (digital marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, luxury goods, etc.), complete an internship or work-study program, and prepare for professional integration or further studies at the Master's level.

Enrolling in the Grande École Program (PGE)

IPAG's Grande École Program (PGE) is open to students in their second year, as well as those in their third or fourth year, depending on the number of ECTS credits they have earned.

This five-year program, accredited by the French government and leading to a Master's degree, consists of two cycles:

  • A Bachelor's cycle focused on the fundamentals of management, marketing, finance, and HR;
  • A Master's cycle geared towards specialization and professionalization.

From the second year onwards, students develop their managerial skills, participate in business projects, and take innovative modules (such as the certificate in artificial intelligence in partnership with aivancity).

In their third year, students gain international experience (through university exchanges, internships, or volunteer work) within a vast network of more than 120 partner universities.
The fourth and fifth years allow students to specialize in their chosen field (marketing, finance, HR, supply chain, entrepreneurship, etc.) while benefiting from personalized support from the school.

Admission to the PGE is based on an application and interview, in French and/or English, depending on the chosen program (bilingual or 100% English-speaking).

Why choose parallel admission?

  • Diversity of profiles: a wealth of experiences and backgrounds that enrich campus life;
  • Flexibility: the opportunity to change direction or build on a career path already underway;
  • International outlook: numerous opportunities abroad;
  • Access to excellence: join a recognized Grande École without going through a preparatory class.

Parallel admissions represent a real opportunity to join a school such as IPAG Business School, renowned for its international outlook, academic excellence, and individualized support.

To be successful in your admission, it is essential to prepare your application carefully, prepare for your interview, and highlight your motivation and career plans.

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