A Master of Science (MSc) degree from a French business school can prepare you for careers in a wide range of industries – but how do you decide on an MSc in France?
At ESSCA School of Management, for example, there are five English-taught Master of Science programmes, each with a different specialisation. ESSCA is a triple-accredited business school, holding accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, and has over 100 years of experience in business teaching. ESSCA has campuses across France, including in popular student cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Aix-en-Provence.
The wide range of Master’s programmes on offer can make deciding between them difficult. Here are three tips to help you make a confident decision on an MSc in France.
Why study an MSc in France?
France is one of the world’s most popular destinations for business studies. Home to the prestigious Grande École tradition, French business schools are renowned for academic rigour and strong industry connections, particularly in sectors such as finance, consulting, and luxury.
As Europe’s second-largest economy, France offers unparalleled access to multinational headquarters, luxury conglomerates, and fast-growing tech sectors – making it an ideal place to build a professional network.
Studying an MSc in France also opens doors linguistically. Even on English-taught programmes, daily immersion gives students a genuine opportunity to develop French-language skills – an asset increasingly valued by international employers.
Consider your business school priorities
Why are you attending business school? At first thought, this might be difficult to answer. Aren’t you applying, first and foremost, to get a degree?
However, you probably have other motivations. These might include:
- Expand your network
- Meet people from diverse backgrounds
- Gain practical experience in a particular industry
- Improve your French-language skills
- Live in a particular city
- Study in more than one country
Once you’ve established your priorities for your business school experience, it’ll be easier to make a decision on which MSc to choose.
Students looking to study in multiple locations during their degree might be drawn to the MSc in EU-Asia Luxury Marketing at ESSCA, which is taught on-campus in both Paris and Shanghai. Meanwhile, students who want to prioritise gaining a broad knowledge base in business while broadening their network beyond their home campus might consider the MSc in Global Business Management, which offers a dual-degree track with the International Business School Alliance (IBSA).
If, like most applicants to graduate business programmes, the quality and reputation of a business school is a significant factor in your decision-making, then ESSCA’s recent rise in the rankings will perhaps offer more confidence. This year, ESSCA ranked 66th in the Financial Times European Business School Rankings, up 20 places from the previous year.
Research each programme’s curriculum
Every MSc programme is distinctive, whether that’s because of where it is taught, how it’s taught, or the amount of hands-on projects you participate in during the programme. The only way to see the differences between each degree is to thoroughly research each one and see how closely it aligns with your priorities.
ESSCA’s MSc programmes span a range of topics, including:
- MSc in Business Analytics (with three specialisation tracks: Management of AI, Finance and Data Analytics, Sustainable Management and Social Impact)
- MSc in Global Business Management
- MSc in International Luxury Management
- MSc in EU-Asia Luxury Marketing
- MSc in EU-Asia Digital Marketing & Business
On every MSc at ESSCA, you’ll join a diverse student environment – the school hosts students from over 80 nationalities, and 75% of faculty and research members are international. Additionally, the school has a global alumni network totalling over 22,000 professionals.
Think about your career goals
If you’re interested in working in a particular industry or sector, chances are there’s an MSc in France that specialises in that area.
ESSCA caters to students looking to enter the luxury industry with three specialised programmes: the MSc in EU-Asia Luxury Marketing, MSc in EU-Asia Digital Marketing & Business, and MSc in International Luxury Management.
Each of these degrees offers hands-on opportunities in the French luxury sector, one of the world’s largest markets and one that is expected to grow by 5% over the next five years. For example, students participate in a 4-6 month internship in the luxury industry, where they can apply the skills they’ve learned.
Overall, 80% of ESSCA’s graduates report being employed in a job after graduation that matches their career aspiration – a sign that ESSCA’s MSc programmes are delivering on job preferences. In fact, 75% of students sign a work contract before completing their degree.
Hear from real MSc students
Amidst all of your research on rankings and programme curriculum, you may have forgotten one key point. If you’re still unsure about which MSc in France to choose, another option is to speak to students directly.
Current and former students can offer valuable perspectives on a business school’s degrees and insights into the wider school environment, such as extracurricular activities and life in a particular city.
Reach out to current students on websites like LinkedIn, or contact a school’s international office for help. Verified student reviews websites like EDUopinions can also be a valuable source of real student opinions – you can read what students think about ESSCA School of Management here.
Student Review
It has been a great experience at this University where teaching, tutors and students were of great quality and competitiveness. Classes were held in batches of 20-30 students. The overall quality of the content was good to great. The library was also great, with lots of books available online. Architecture and layout seemed modern. They even had a piano and a Japanese garden for students to use!
Students were friendly and the town of the university (Angers) was incredible!
Great staff that handle your concerns and great choices for accommodation. Student life with clubs and french cuisine is also amazing. These are the reasons I am giving 5 out of 5
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