Entering Business School via Parcoursup
A business school via Parcoursup is an institution accessible directly after the baccalaureate, whose admission occurs through the French national platform Parcoursup. These schools offer programs in management, business, marketing, or finance, ranging from Bachelor's to BBA and up to the Master in Management Program. Candidates submit an academic application, sometimes participate in tests or entrance exams, and may be called for a motivation interview. Integration via Parcoursup allows high school students to compare several post-baccalaureate business schools, follow selection criteria, and secure their academic pathway. This process offers simplified access to professionally-oriented and international programs, with internship and international mobility opportunities. Choosing a business school via Parcoursup involves considering the institution's reputation, teaching quality, offered specializations, and career opportunities, to build a coherent academic and professional project right after high school.
What Is Parcoursup?
Parcoursup is a tool available to candidates considering entering higher education. A platform bringing together approximately 23,000 programs, business and management schools, more or less renowned, offering varied programs and training from bac+3 to bac+5 level.
Understanding the Selection Process on Parcoursup
From January to April each year, the admission phase opens and each student preparing for the baccalaureate can select programs that interest them and write their motivation letters. From May to July, students will receive responses from institutions and can accept or decline offers.
A student who receives no offers can use the supplementary procedure to obtain a remaining place in a program for which they had not initially applied.
Since it's possible to submit up to 10 main preferences, which correspond to programs, and 20 sub-preferences, which correspond to institutions offering them, multiply opportunities by applying according to your different interests and career projects. You don't have to rank your preferences, which makes you completely free to choose varied programs. You'll then have time to sort through those that admit you.
If you don't yet have a clear idea of the position you wish to occupy, prioritize general and elite programs that will open maximum doors for you in the future. Consider selecting internationally-oriented schools to be able to travel abroad or work in a multinational company.
Admission Criteria and Business School Expectations
Post-baccalaureate business schools and the different training pathways they offer impose their own criteria and procedures. There is therefore no average, for example, that guarantees entry to a business school via Parcoursup.
The admission level can be post-baccalaureate, post-preparatory class, or following obtaining a bac+2 or bac+3 level degree. Selection, which can be more or less strict depending on the school's prestige, may include written exams and/or an interview with a panel.
Post-baccalaureate programs offered by business schools on Parcoursup are accessible following analysis of 11th-grade grades and the first two terms of 12th grade, as well as possibly selective exams designed to identify the best candidates.
Most prestigious business schools are accessible through entrance exams, with written then oral exams, as well as a personality and motivation interview.
Effective Preparation of Your Parcoursup Application
To maximize your chances of entering a business school via Parcoursup, you'll need to prepare your application effectively.
Start by collecting maximum information about programs and schools that might interest you. Participate in open houses and meet students during orientation fairs. You can thus refine your choices based on factual elements and experience feedback, beyond brochures.
If you submit preferences for elite pathways, don't forget to complete your list with non-selective programs to always have an option that suits you. If you wish to enter a business school, also submit a preference for an economics degree at university, for example. Thus, if you're not selected for business school, you could obtain a bac+2 level at the economics faculty, then attempt lateral admissions to join the desired school later.
Prepare your CV to introduce yourself and detail your skills. The objective is to highlight your personality and demonstrate your motivation. If you're involved in an association or sports club, for example, don't hesitate to detail what this experience brings you.
Each Parcoursup preference must be accompanied by a training project, so you must write a motivation letter of 1,500 characters maximum to explain the reasons for your application. Research program details and expected skills to connect with your own professional project and thus attract the selection team's attention.
emlyon's Global BBA: A Program Accessible via Parcoursup
emlyon business school's Global BBA is an international management program conferring a state-controlled undergraduate degree grade. Resolutely oriented toward employability and recruiters' evolving expectations, this degree is obtained in four years.
Based on practical projects, international immersion, and end-of-studies specialization, it enables rapid and optimal professional integration, but also opens doors to the most prestigious master's programs.
Each year, the majors offered by the school evolve according to international market needs. In the final year, you can therefore specialize in one of the most valued fields, such as digital marketing, luxury, finance, or new technologies.
Designed for baccalaureate holders of excellent academic level who aim to embrace a stimulating pathway of experimentation, large-scale projects, creativity and innovation, all in an international context, the Global BBA covers a sufficiently broad program to ensure you learn to create value regardless of the field in which you decide to work.
Upon completing the program, you'll know how to conduct impactful projects while becoming an expert in social and environmental responsibility. You'll have experimented with digital creation in the school's Makers' Labs and will know how to apply your digital skills, essential in the current economic context.
You'll complete up to 75% of your program abroad thanks to international campuses, exchange semesters, or internship offers on five continents.
Unanimously recognized by the most demanding recruiters, the Global BBA offered by emlyon business school will give you strong adaptability and allow you to access positions of responsibility and remarkable advancement prospects.
The program confirmed its second-place position in the Eduniversal 2023 ranking, International Management category, based on three criteria: program reputation, starting salary, and student satisfaction. It's also triple-accredited AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA.
Joining emlyon business school is a strategic choice since personalized support is constant there, to help you define your ambitions and achieve them.
Global BBA Admission Process
To join the Global BBA directly after obtaining your baccalaureate, you must follow these steps:
- Submit your preference on Parcoursup: Choose the French or English-language Global BBA Program, or the Global BBA TALENTS pathway if you're a high-level athlete, artist, or entrepreneur
- Participate in written exams
Business School via Parcoursup: Key Takeaways
The Parcoursup algorithm allows institutions to select students who meet the criteria they've set for each program. They can program the algorithm to favor certain subjects and disqualify certain grades. Applications requiring arbitration are examined by a review committee.
We advise you not to limit yourself to a single preference and to use all possibilities offered by Parcoursup to multiply your chances of having your application accepted. It's important to structure your preferences well, write a clear and precise motivated training project, and highlight your extracurricular experiences or relevant internships to show your commitment and potential.
If you're targeting a demanding and particularly selective pathway and aren't selected via Parcoursup, don't get discouraged. Redouble your efforts in your fallback secondary education choice and prepare lateral admissions to join the desired program in the third year. Moreover, some business schools offer integrated prep programs or post-baccalaureate pathways that allow entry to the Master in Management Program after one or two years of complementary training. Take advantage of open houses, student fairs, and online information sessions to better understand institutions' expectations and maximize your chances of success. Strategy, preparation, and diversification of your preferences remain the keys to entering a business school via Parcoursup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parcoursup
To enter a post-baccalaureate business school, candidates go through the Parcoursup platform. Registration takes place in January, with entry of preferences and academic application. The Parcoursup procedure includes examination of applications by schools, possible tests, and a motivation interview. This process allows applying to multiple institutions and securing your academic pathway.
Each business school freely sets its own requirements, but the minimum average generally required is over 15/20. The more prestigious the school, the higher the required academic level.
If you choose a post-baccalaureate program, it's preferable to submit your application after a scientific or economics baccalaureate. Lateral admissions allow you to join a business school after starting another pathway.
Business schools are generally demanding academically, but not only. Your motivation letter must also reflect your motivation and describe your ambitions to convince the panel that you'll embody the school's values.
For Parcoursup as for baccalaureate honors, we consider that a very good average is above 14/20. Below that, the average can be good, but it may not be sufficient to enter your school of choice. Remember that no grade guarantees any admission.
With a 16 average, you can aspire to demanding programs at prestigious business schools, such as emlyon's Global BBA. Your admission will depend on other candidates' level and your ability to demonstrate your motivation.
Highlight your personal experience, personality, and extracurricular activities to support your application beyond your academic results. Pay particular attention to your motivation letter, both in content and form.
To register on Parcoursup, it's essential to respect the annual Parcoursup calendar. Registration generally begins in January, with the preference and application entry phase until end of March. Exact dates may vary each year, but most candidates finalize their registration in early spring to apply to a post-baccalaureate business school. After the application review phase, schools communicate responses starting in May, and the choice confirmation procedure runs until July.
On Parcoursup, candidates can access different programs available at post-baccalaureate business schools. This includes the Bachelor's in management, BBA, and certain programs preparing for the Master in Management Program. These programs cover fields such as marketing, finance, international business, or management, and often offer a professionally-oriented and international dimension, including internships and exchanges abroad.
Business schools offer several training programs adapted to students' profiles and professional objectives.
The Master in Management Program (PGE) is the most prestigious pathway. Accessible after preparatory class or via lateral admissions, it leads to a state-approved bac+5 degree conferring the master's grade. It offers general management training with possible specializations.
The Bachelor's is a bac+3 program, often professionally-oriented, focused on management, marketing, and business administration fundamentals. It can be state-approved depending on the school.
The Global BBA is a bac+4 program with strong international dimension, taught in English, combining management, international experiences, and internships.
MSc, MBA, and executive programs, strengthening employability and sector expertise.
Preparing for admission interviews is a key step to succeeding in a motivation interview. Good interview preparation begins with thorough analysis of the program or school: curriculum, values, career opportunities. Prepare a clear presentation about your background, skills, and professional project. Anticipate typical questions like "Why this choice?", "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" or "What are your objectives?" Practice speaking to gain fluency and confidence. On the day, pay attention to your posture, attire, and expression. Show your motivation with concrete examples and ask relevant questions. To succeed in the interview, stay authentic, structured, and positive. These success tips will help you convince the panel and stand out.
The Parcoursup procedure takes place in several key steps to enter a program in French higher education.
Registration and application creation (January): The candidate registers on the Parcoursup platform, provides their profile and transcripts.
Select a program and submit preferences (January–March): Up to 10 main preferences (and sub-preferences) among offered programs.
Finalization and confirmation of preferences (March–April): Each preference must be completed (motivated training project) and confirmed.
Application review by institutions (April–May).
Main admission phase (May–July): Receipt of responses (yes, conditional yes, waiting, no).
Administrative registration at accepted institution.
Supplementary Parcoursup phase (June–September): To submit new preferences for remaining places.