Why come and study business in France?

France is well-known as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with stunning locales and a vibrant culture. With that in mind though, you may ask the question, why study business in France? Find out below.

1. The choice of professionalisation

Academic excellence is a strength of French business schools, but it’s not the only one.

For several years now, they have chosen to professionalise their programs by increasing the number of experiences in companies for their students, either by offering internships or with work and study programs. This gives the opportunity for students to have a paid job in a company for one or two years, while attending classes in school, through adapted timetables. Graduates from most French business schools can therefore show real professional experience even before they leave the school.

Most students in management studying in these institutions also learn from the very beginning of their studies the importance of networking when trying to build a professional career. Many business schools host networking events and webinars to help provide opportunities for students to network, as well as learn other skills and information.

Finally, the Grandes Ecoles de Commerce regularly organise events designed to promote the professional integration of students, in the form of meetings, more or less formal, with partner companies.

2. A holistic education

While business school training consists of the acquisition of a global management culture and expertise in a particular field, it also includes a significant - and growing – element dedicated to soft skills, which companies are finding to be more and more important.

Each course is organised in a way that promotes teamwork, entrepreneurship, adaptability and creativity. Numerous events are also designed specifically with this in mind, for instance in IPAG’s Dual Degree in Management & Engineering, which includes business games, and other courses that offer disciplines that are not necessarily related to management such as theatrical improvisation, art history or critical media analysis.

Some schools, such as IPAG, do not hesitate to make their students push their limits. Part of their curriculum students will take part in unusual experiences such as cold weather survival courses in the mountains or a week-long following of a military squadron.

Being part of a student association also offers unique and challenging experiences. It gives students the chance to be confronted with real life tasks like organising different team members and taking care of fundraising or promotion. Whatever your interest, there is a student association for everyone, including sports, art, humanitarian aid, gastronomy, the environment, and more.

Thanks to this holistic approach, graduates are able to build a solid profile, ready to face a complex and constantly changing world.

3. Numerous professional opportunities

The wealth of opportunities after a business school in France is due as much to the diversity of the functions for which students are trained as to the wealth and variety of the French economic structure.

Paris region is today the largest economic area in Europe, with over 12 million inhabitants. It represents one third of France's GDP and is home to over 200,000 companies. But don’t forget the South of France! The PACA region, and in particular the Côte d'Azur, is home to a large number of companies, particularly in the luxury and tech sectors. The Sophia-Antipolis technology park near Nice is the largest in Europe, with over 2,500 companies, 40,000 employees and a €5.6 billion turnover.

Finally, and more generally, the French transport infrastructure favours mobility, which allows each region to host its own specialised and unique companies while still being accessible from across the country.

4. Campuses located in areas of outstanding natural beauty

France is well-known as a tourist destination, with people from all over the world visiting to see the splendours of Paris, the sunny vineyards of Southern France, the skiing prospects of Mont Blanc, and much more.

Business School students will also be able to enjoy the stunning scenery, with many campuses across France based in these scenic locations.

 

Campuses in Paris

 

At IPAG, we’re proud to have two campuses based in Paris alone, where students can truly immerse themselves in the French culture and nightlife.

The Front de Seine campus is in the heart of Paris, and students can enjoy studying within easy walking distance of the Eiffel Tower. It also offers unparalleled access to some of France’s most popular restaurants, bars, museums, and art galleries.

Our second campus is based in the historic Saint-Germain des Prés! Saint-Germain des Prés is one of the hubs of original thought in France, with some of the country’s greatest philosophers, artists, writers and intellectuals working there throughout France’s long history.

 

Campuses in Nice

 

We also offer a stunning campus in Nice, based on France’s beautiful Cote d’Azur. Nice offers a more relaxed atmosphere, where students can enjoy the views surrounded by both mountains and sea.

As well as playing host to some of the best educational institutions in France, there are also great spaces in Nice for businesses to thrive, and it offers a great base for entrepreneurs to begin new business ventures, being the 5th best city in France for entrepreneurs.

Nice is also well known for its beautiful beaches, picturesque Old Town, fascinating museums, and its range of exquisite restaurants and bars.

 

Something for everyone

 

Whether you love to be among the city lights and romance of Paris, or relax on the beaches with waves lapping on the shore in Nice, there is something for every business student in France:

• History lovers will enjoy both Paris and Nice’s extensive history, with the range of museums and galleries in both cities. Across wider France, history lovers will also love seeing castles like the beautiful Mont-Saint-Michel, and the array of mansions, villas and courts that play a part in France’s past.
• Thrill-seekers and nature lovers will enjoy the variety of options available across France. In the winter, mountain ranges from the Alps, the Pyrenees, and more offer a range of activities from skiing and snowboarding, to ice climbing and speed riding. In the summer, you can enjoy surfing, hiking, kayaking and canoeing across many beautiful locations in France.
• For those looking to embrace French culture, Paris and France’s other major cities offer some of France’s greatest food, drink and nightlife, alongside some of its most famous museums. Don’t forget about exploring France’s incredible history of architecture and fashion too!

5. Learn French and other business languages

French is one of the most spoken languages in the world. As of 2022, there are over 321 million French speakers in the world, with 255 million daily speakers. Within the business world itself, French is the 7th most spoken language, with 30 countries, including France, that speak French as their official language.

France is also a greatly multicultural country, with many different languages spoken by international students regularly, including some of the most spoken business languages such as Mandarin (Chinese), Spanish, German and more.

This makes France an incredible place to expand your vocabulary by taking the opportunity to learn from your fellow students, and perhaps teaching them something in return! This fact alone makes France the ideal place to study business.

 

French and English Courses

 

Students will also find that more and more business schools in France provide opportunities to improve French language skills, alongside offering English-speaking programmes for students not yet proficient in French. IPAG’s BBA is a great example of this, offering a Bachelor's in Business Administration entirely in the English language, while IPAG also provides advice on learning French to prepare you for the wider business world.

While students on the BBA or DBA do not need to know a great deal of the French language to participate, there are others like the Grande École and Bachelors programmes that require students to have a good understanding of the French language before they can even join the programme. With this in mind, students looking to participate in those programmes should try to learn conversational French at the very least, with an emphasis on business vocabulary.

Learn more about the Grande Ecole Programme

It is worth remembering that no matter the language the programme is taught in, being able to speak some French before beginning can be highly beneficial. It will allow you to have a foundational understanding for when you surround yourself with other French speakers, and it will help you to become fully immersed in French culture. Of course, as mentioned above, it also offers a great opportunity to participate in businesses that are by nature bi- or multilingual.

6. Enjoy France and its immense cultural wealth to the fullest

As mentioned above, France is home to some of the most iconic culture in the world, with some of history's greatest artists, intellectuals, food, drink, and fashion stemming from it.

To name but a few, France was home to well-known minds like the philosopher Voltaire, tragic heroine Joan of Arc, world renowned scientist Marie Curie, fashion icon Coco Chanel, and prolific author Victor Hugo. Very few countries can boast this many incredible minds throughout its history, with their influences seen across France as you begin to explore.

Of course there’s much more to France than its famous minds and faces! France is well known for having impeccable taste around food and drink, and you will find some of the best restaurants in the world, with a total of 630 Michelin-Star restaurants across the country! These stunning locations can be found throughout France, from the glittering lights of Paris, to the vineyards of southern France, to the cities of the Cote d’Azur and the Alps.

Don’t forget to admire France’s great history and art in person as well! One of the most famous museums and galleries in the world, the Louvre Museum in Paris, is open to all, and is home to some of the most iconic sculptures, paintings, art pieces and architecture from France and beyond. You can find similar testaments to France’s history and culture throughout other French cities, like the Musée Matisse in Nice, or the Mucem Marseille in Marseille.

 

Easily access neighbouring countries

 

Of course, French culture isn’t the only culture available to you. Through France’s impressive transport links and infrastructure, you can easily visit countries like Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and more.

With such easy access to incredible cultures from around Europe, it’s quite clear to see why studying business in France is one of the best ways to gain knowledge and skills while absorbing fascinating histories and partaking in incredible experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why is France the best for business studies?

 

There are many reasons why France is one of the best places for business studies, including:

Well-regarded and reputable education - France has some of the most highly ranked universities and business schools in the world.

Inexpensive - Despite France’s high reputation, education is highly accessible to anyone who wishes to pursue it, with scholarships and other financial options widely available.

International Student Friendly - France has a huge international student population, with many 46,120 international students enrolling in business schools between 2020-2021. Schools like IPAG are also a part of the ERASMUS + scheme.

Work and internship opportunities - There are a huge amount of internships and work opportunities available in France, both in business school courses and beyond.

Opportunities to study new languages and cultures - France is one of the cultural hubs of Europe, offering great opportunities to learn new languages, and experience new cultures. Students can take these opportunities and use them to become more successful business people.

To learn more about what you can gain from studying in France, be sure to view our Top Reasons to Study in France blog.

 

Is France a good country to study business?

 

France has some of the best business schools in the world, and as such, is a very good country to study business in. It is also very generous to its international student population, with high levels of financial support and scholarships available. Courses like the Grand école also offer highly specialised modules, with the option to study at partner universities across the world.

 

What are 3 major industries in France?

 

France is one of the biggest economies in the world, and the second largest across Europe, with manufacturing, health and social care, and wholesale & retail trade as its major industries/sectors. France is also headquarters to some of the biggest global companies, including Citroën, Dior, LVMH and Airbus.

 

What are the strengths of France?

 

France has many strengths that international students will be attracted to, including:

• European Leader - France is the 2nd largest economy in Europe, and a leader in business and politics globally.
• Affluent - Paris is important as the financial centre of France, but bear in mind that the entire country offers its own unique businesses and enterprises that provide challenges and opportunities to budding business students.
• Innovative Business Leaders - France is home to world-leading companies, and as such business innovation levels are high.
• Efficient transportation infrastructure - France has an excellent transport network, so you can easily travel by bus, train, taxi, or otherwise. This makes it much easier to live where you want, and still be able to commute effectively.
• High levels of education - France offers some of the highest quality education in the world, with a large number of its business schools ranking as some of the best global educational institutions.
• Strong ties to other countries - As a part of the European Union, France has very strong ties to other countries within the Union and across the world. This means that business people can travel freely, and allows companies to flourish and learn from each other, while also allowing greater trade and business opportunities abroad.

Enrol with IPAG today

At IPAG, we are proud to be one of France's leading business schools, with campuses in both Paris and Nice.

We offer a range of courses that can help you take that next step in your professional career, as well as courses to help those just getting started. If you would like to join our schooland become one of our esteemed alumni, download a course brochure today, find your course through course finder, or get in touch.

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