Study in Lyon: a dynamic city for a vibrant student life

The message is loud and clear from emlyon students past and present – France’s third largest city provides a lively and cosmopolitan setting that is ideal for undergrads and postgrads looking for a vibrant student life. Discover Lyon, the city that hosts emlyon’s main campus, a historic, and forward-looking place that offers students an exceptional living and learning environment. 

Ranked 6th among the best student cities in France according to the L'Étudiant ranking, Lyon offers the perfect mix of tradition and modernity and provides a welcoming environment where students can thrive. With a population of 520,000 in the city proper (2.3 million including the wider metropolitan area), it remains a manageable and welcoming place to settle. Its 180,000-strong student population is a clear sign of its popularity among young people from both France and abroad. 

A growing and affordable academic landscape 

An increasing number of prestigious institutions now have their main campuses in the city, notably emlyon business school, Université de Lyon, INSA, and Sciences Po Lyon specializing in such disciplines as sciences, humanities, business, and engineering. On the slightly less curricular but highly important association side of student life, the Maison des étudiants de la metropole de Lyon offers workspaces dedicated to student initiatives and the hosting of events. 

Student life in Lyon is both relatively affordable and comfortable, especially compared to the capital, thanks to excellent public services and a good standard of living. Budget-friendly accommodation options include “CROUS” university halls of residence, shared apartments and private studios. Day-to-day expenses such as groceries, transport and entertainment remain accessible for most students, with the CROUS university restaurants offering well-balanced meals at very low prices. 

Transport and travel 

Lyon offers the triple advantage of an efficient transport system within the city, excellent links to the rest of France, and a privileged position as a gateway to many other European countries, a point not lost on international students who are especially keen to visit the rest of the continent during their time in France. Discounted student subscriptions are available for Lyon’s métro (subway), buses, trams and bikes, making it easy to get around without recourse to a car. As for reaching nearby cities and countries, Paris, The Alps and the South of France are quick and easy to get to directly, as well as further-flung destinations such as Brussels, Milan and Luxembourg.  

The city of Lyon

Lyonnaise culture, food and lifestyle 

Lyon isn’t a UNESCO World Heritage site without good reason, as you will see from its impressive architecture and a strong cultural identity rooted to a great degree in a highly reputed gastronomic tradition. An array of long-standing, some family-run restaurants serve such local specialities as quenelles, andouillette, and salade lyonnaise, while markets, street food outlets and other dining options cater not only for local tastes but also the cuisines of Italy, China, Korea, Greece and Ethiopia, to name a few countries. 

Student-friendly events and venues abound, with a wide choice of concerts all year round, as well as spots like the Parc de la Tête d’Or and the riversides for relaxing or socializing. In short, the social side to living in Lyon provides the perfect complement to studies, as evidenced by many an emlyon student new to the city having cited it as one of the highlights of their time in the area. 

Le cœur battant - emlyon business school

emlyon business school: the campus for entrepreneurs of change 

Located in the heart of Lyon's 7th district, alongside the city's academic and socio-economic players, the campus is a hub for learning and networking where emlyon’s pedagogy comes to life. Spanning 30,000 m², including 7,000 m² of collaborative spaces and 1,600 m² dedicated to student life, it offers an exceptional user experience. The campus is designed to foster and stimulate knowledge sharing, the development of hybrid skills, sustainable innovation, and dynamic exchanges. 

Career opportunities and prospects 

For those looking for professional openings while in Lyon or even potentially settling in the long term upon graduation, Lyon offers the added plus of being a genuine economic hub. It boasts a dynamic business environment with key sectors including biotechnology, digital technology, finance, and manufacturing. The city is home to renowned clusters such as Lyonbiopôle (health and biotech) and hosts major companies like Sanofi, Orange, Schneider Electric and BioMérieux, offering a vibrant ecosystem for future professionals. 

Whilst Lyon is the third largest city in France after Paris and Marseille, it is second only to the capital for GDP and represents one of the most important economies in Europe. High-tech industries such as biotechnology, software development, video gaming and internet services are displaying growing interest in Lyon, underlining the long-term prospects that it may offer graduates looking to stay in the region beyond their studies. Given the well-rounded student experience enjoyed by many, the affordable standard of living, and the academic and professional embarrassment of riches available, Lyon is proving an increasingly popular choice with an ever-mounting number of students. As they echo through the halls of emlyon business school, students both past and present affirm that France's third-largest metropolis, Lyon, is not only lively and cosmopolitan but an inspiring ground for ambitious learners. 

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