Undergraduate Business Schools in Paris for International Students

The many international students who wish to obtain a business school diploma tend to start their course immediately after leaving US high school, or UK sixth form and college, at the age of 18. If you’re considering completing an undergraduate business degree in France, we can advise you on finding the best business schools in Paris for international students, and what you’ll need to consider finding the right course for you.

What to expect from an undergraduate business school course

An undergraduate course at a business school will typically cover subject topics such as Management, International Trade, Marketing, and Communications, to a high level. This provides a wide variety of relevant skills across all industries. Having a business relative degree can also provide an advantage to those with less relevant experience or practical skills.

International undergrad business school students will gain unrivalled professional experience as a result of being immersed in the business world from the start of their course. The additional benefit of being an international student is that it shows potential employers that you have career goals, and are adaptive, adventurous, and experienced when dealing with new people and challenges.

Furthermore, studying in an exciting international city such as Paris offers many exciting opportunities. The city boasts a vibrant student life, while the renowned Paris business schools offer a rewarding campus life with many extracurricular activities to immerse yourself into French student life. All the top business schools in Paris for international students ensure their students receive support and opportunities in their educational, social, and professional endeavours. This is something IPAG is passionate about.

Who can join an undergraduate business school course in France?

As their name suggests, higher educational business schools can be joined by undergrad students in all business related fields. Some students will also join via referrals for parallel admissions. But whatever the level of entry into the course (post-baccalaureate, third or fourth year), students must take a competitive examination.

This is open to all students from all countries, however courses taught in English will require a substantial understanding of the English language. France is well-equipped for English-speaking students, but business schools in Paris for international students are particularly popular, as nearly 60% of the city’s population can speak English to a ‘reasonable proficiency’.

How to be admitted to a post-baccalaureate business school?

There are many admissions exams that are required to enter undergraduate business school courses, these include written and oral tests. At IPAG, as with other large business schools, the requirements are different depending on the entry level. So, how can one enter an undergraduate business school degree at the level they need? There are a few ways:

• To enter the first year at IPAG, registration for the SESAME exam is essential (apart from title admissions for international students). This exam is common to 14 management and business schools and integrated into Parcoursup.
• To enter the third or fourth year at IPAG, students with a 2-year or 3-year degree must take the AMBITIONS+ exam (joint exam with three other private schools).

The writings and oral tests (which are similar to interviews) must be prepared beforehand if you want to join the most selective schools. Some organise preparation sessions for this process, to help students to secure a place on their dream course. Business schools in Paris for international students are very popular, which can mean there is a lot of competition. However, while there aren’t unlimited places on each course, a student’s educational history and experience will be taken into account.

Is France good for international students?

France is a wonderful place for international students!

It has a wonderful culture that is open and accepting of students from across the world. Students will find lots of student discounts available both in Paris and other parts of the country, like Nice, where IPAG’s second campus is based.

If you can speak French, you will definitely be at an advantage when it comes to socialising and becoming a part of the community. Don’t fret though, as there are thousands of international students across France, who will also be learning French as a second or third language. You can work with them to improve your skills, and if you are keen to learn it is very likely that you can work directly with a French student to trade language tips.

If you’d like more tips and advice on learning French, read our Learning French blog today.

Once you’ve gotten to grips with your surroundings, you will also find that France has a lot to offer for potential students and future employment. It offers some of the most prestigious business courses in the world, like IPAG’s Grand Ecole, and boasts a healthy work-life balance that is ever-changing to meet the needs of employers and businesses.

Don’t forget that as an international student, it may be the first time you are introduced to French food and drink too. France is well known for its exciting and delicious food, and the vineyards across the country offer some of the world’s greatest wine alongside some of France’s greatest views!

Is it expensive to live in France?

France can be an expensive place to live, especially if you live in Paris itself. As an international student, we highly recommend applying for the variety of grants and scholarships available to students, especially the ERASMUS+ scheme. You can combine a number of these schemes and scholarships together, to make living in France a lot more affordable for the thrifty student.

Living outside of Paris is also an option, and is generally considered to be a lot cheaper. France’s strong infrastructure and transport links make travelling into Paris easy and affordable, so you can live outside of the city and still get to your University with no issues.

As a general rule of thumb, if you live in Paris as an international student, you might be expected to spend between €1000 and €1800 a month, including food, rent and utilities. If you live outside of Paris, the costs lower to approximately €600 to €1600 a month depending on your location.

Can I get a job in France after graduation?

 

From an EU Member state

 

There are few restrictions to graduates from EU Member states, so finding work in France after graduation is very possible, especially if you’ve learned to speak French fluently through your time at University. Business Schools in France, like IPAG, produce some of the most sought-after students in the world, and as such, businesses will be eager to recruit them, sometimes straight after finishing their course.

From outside of the EU There are more complications that come with finding a job in France if you are from outside of the European Union. Applying for an Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour may well be your next step. This visa allows you to stay in France for 12 months after graduating, with the intention of finding work. Otherwise, you will need to have found contracted work straight out of University, to retain the right to stay in France.

How to choose the right business school?

How to choose your business school? Or rather, how to join the school which perfectly matches your aspirations and your values? The task isn’t always easy, so before applying to a particular management course or business school, ask yourself the right questions:

• Is the international business school a place I can live in if I can’t speak the local language very well?
• Does the program you plan to join have internationally recognised labels or accreditations?
• Does this course allow you to specialise in a niche industry or pursue international business roles?
• Does the school have a good network of partner universities or partner companies, locally and internationally?
• Is it possible to work in this country with an international student visa?

Find out more about IPAG Business School in Paris, and get in touch to find out more about being an international student with us!