Why joining Business School

How to Choose Your Business School?

Today, there are over a hundred business schools, so the choice can quickly become complicated. Here are the main criteria for choosing your business school with confidence.
 

Business Schools Recognized by the State and Labels
To attend business school, it's highly recommended to choose one whose degree is state-recognized, whether with the RNCP title or master's degree grade:

• RNCP title: A professional title recognized by the Ministry of Labor.
• Master's degree grade: A degree recognized by MESRI (Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation) and the Ministry of Labor.
• Additional information: The RNCP Title and master's degree grade both have approval, which is a label awarded by the state for 1 to 6 years, to a specific program, based on about thirty criteria: governance, human and financial resources, professors, etc.

Beyond state recognition, the best business schools also have several international accreditations:

• EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System): This European accreditation differentiates schools for their pedagogy, research, and ties with the professional world.
• AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business): The AACSB label guarantees a very high level of supervision and teacher quality for students.
• AMBA (Association of Master of Business Administration): This British label signifies quality for MBAs in particular.
• EPAS (EFMD Program Accreditation System): The label recognizes schools that have programs with a strong international dimension.

In France, very few schools (only about fifteen) hold the triple crown: EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA. Worldwide, only 1% of business schools have triple accreditation.
 

Rankings and CGE Membership: A Major Criterion
Choosing a business and management school is also primarily based on rankings. Here are the main ones to know:

• Post-preparatory class rankings: L'Etudiant, Le Figaro Étudiant, Le Point, Le Parisien Étudiant, and SIGEM for post-prep.
• International rankings: Financial Times, QS rankings, Times Higher Education, etc.
• Extra-academic rankings: ChangeNow/Les Echos Start, Speak&Act, etc.

These rankings are important because they establish a clear distinction between schools based on their respective criteria: selectivity, programs, student origins, international professors, salary level and employment rate upon graduation, international reach, diversity, CSR.

Keep in mind: Rankings should not constitute the sole reason for choosing a school. Although they are marks of excellence, it's essential to base your school choice on your personal expectations, professional aspirations, and especially a school where you feel comfortable.

Finally, you must also check whether the business school belongs to the Conférence des Grandes Écoles. Indeed, this association is reserved for business schools that award a bac+5 with a master's degree grade, a mark of quality for business school programs.
 

Academic Programs at Business School
Choosing your business school can and even should be done primarily based on the school's programs, according to your professional and personal goals. Top business schools are recognized for their academic excellence, thanks to the quality of their research and the number of international professors, for example.

To choose your business school, it's necessary to carefully review the courses and specializations offered (HR, finance, audit, logistics, marketing, communications, consulting, etc.). Generally, the business school curriculum follows this pattern:

• Pre-Master or Bachelor's 3rd year: Discovery of fundamentals in management sciences and end-of-year internship
• Master 1: Deepening and pre-specialization, most often with one or more international experiences
• Master 2: Choice of specialization (training in management and entrepreneurship, for example) in traditional or work-study pathway

During these 3 years, students have the choice in some schools including emlyon to build their path à la carte, especially from M1 onward, such as the possibility of doing a dual degree with a prestigious institution. At emlyon, students can do one with Centrale Lyon, Mines Saint-Etienne, Sciences Po Lyon in France, or HEC Montreal in Canada, for example.

Furthermore, students can also opt for a gap year, meaning completing an additional year of experience thus enriching your CV through internships or international university exchanges.

Finally, at emlyon it's also possible to complete a 12-month work-study program to gain quality professional experience, a salary, all while being exempt from Master 2 tuition fees!
 

Entrepreneurship and Associative Life at Business School
In all business schools, there's often rich and varied associative life, with associations in all fields: sports, culture, events, arts, humanitarian work, welcoming international students, junior enterprises. Some business school associations are very well-known, even well beyond their respective schools. This is the case for Le Petit Paumé at emlyon, which publishes annually in 150,000 copies a guide to the city of Lyon, cataloging all the best addresses in the city (shops, restaurants, museums, monuments, etc.)

In addition to sharing convivial moments and creating often unique bonds, associative life proves extremely formative for students: between prospecting partners, organizing events, fundraising, managing teamwork, communication or a budget, many skills useful in the professional world are developed by students.

Attending business school also means having the possibility of creating your company directly as a student. Indeed, schools often have an incubator with numerous personalized support services to help you succeed in your entrepreneurial project. The incubator will intervene on several points:

• Provide access to key players in an entrepreneurial ecosystem: The incubator helps entrepreneurs in the quest for their first clients and one or more investors ready to finance the project launch.
• Challenge the project: Experts accompany you and provide feedback to advance your project.
• Increase visibility: Through the power of a school's image, the incubator often allows projects to gain visibility, which is important in its growth strategy.

How to join a Top Business School?

To join a top business school, the main pathway consists of passing entrance exams after two years of preparatory class. This demanding track trains students for the written and oral exams of BCE or Ecricome, guaranteeing solid academic success in higher education.

Another option is competitive admission (AST). It allows university profiles to submit a direct application. Selection is based on application excellence, scores on logic tests (TAGE MAGE), and English tests (TOEIC/IELTS).

Finally, rigorous preparation is key. Whether refining your professional project for motivation interviews or mastering synthesis exams, anticipation is essential to stand out.

How to choose the right business school?

Choosing the right business school starts with clarifying your career goals and the type of program that fits them (MBA, Executive MBA, Master degree, MiM or specialized master’s). Evaluate program quality by reviewing the curriculum, faculty expertise, internships, and career placement outcomes. Reputation and accreditation matter, as they influence employer recognition and alumni network strength. Consider location, since proximity to major business hubs can improve networking and job opportunities. Assess the total cost, including tuition, living expenses, scholarships, and return on investment. Review admissions requirements such as GMAT/GRE scores, work experience, and acceptance rates to ensure a realistic fit. Finally, explore campus culture, class size, and student support services to find a school aligned with your learning style and professional ambitions.