Become a branding and communication expert capable of creating powerful and responsible brands that combine creativity, digital innovation, and social impact.
Presentation
emlyon business school's MSc in Branding & Communication trains future professionals to design, embody, and manage high-impact branding and communication strategies on a global scale.
With corporate social responsibility now being a key standard in brand reputation, this program is aimed at creative minds looking to bring real meaning to brand engagement. Aligned with emlyon’s values as a Mission-Driven Company, this Master of Science places ethics, environmental impact, and social innovation at the core of its learning approach.
Based in Paris, the program spans three study periods and includes an international study experience in Europe, enabling students to immerse themselves in diverse cultural contexts and design brand strategies suited for international markets.
Key points
- Building responsible brands: Learn to build and lead brands with a clear social or environmental purpose and engage with purpose-driven companies on CSR strategies, ethical branding, responsible leadership and brand management.
- Mastering digital communication: Master digital tools, social media, AI, digital strategies and social selling to shape connected and high-performing brands.
- Designing content strategy for target audiences: Learn to apply insights from semiotics, brand narratives, symbolism, consumer psychology, and cultural codes to create impactful content strategies.
- Developing an entrepreneurial mindset & creative branding: Learn to design international brand strategies and strengthen your personal branding skills through hands-on projects and design thinking.
Program
The Master of Science (MSc) in Branding & Communication, offered by emlyon business school, is accessible to international and French students after completing a Bachelor's degree (valid diplomas include bac +4 or bac +3).
Rooted in the makers’ spirit and driven by an active, hands-on teaching approach, the program emphasizes learning through projects carried out with impact-driven organizations. Students gain practical experience while developing strong expertise in branding, content strategy, multisensory design, engaged storytelling, and responsible communication, digital branding. They also learn to master key tools linked to for persuasive communication, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies preparing them for careers with roles such as market research manager or social impact manager. The program is built on a solid academic foundation, including semiotics, consumer psychology, brand narratives, and the analysis of symbols—essential elements for understanding and shaping brand identity.
E-LEARNING MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS
You will first follow a core syllabus which will allow you to acquire the fundamentals of management, gain the necessary skill set of international business management and apply it to the industry.
During this first period, the curriculum is all about business foundations and entrepreneurial energy: how to create disruptive ventures, master retail and e-commerce, and dive into design thinking and fast prototyping. It's business – but creative, fast-paced, and hands-on.
Course modules:
- Purpose-driven Branding
- Retailing & e-Commerce Strategy
- Advanced Marketing Research
- Semiotics & Meaning-Making
- Integrated Communication
- Media Strategy & Planning
- Digital Branding: Influencer & Social Media Marketing
- Crisis Management
- Responsible Communication: Avoiding Impactwashing
- Transforming Early Makers project
- Prototyping in the makers lab
Time to level up. Now you dive into the heart of branding – from brand-building and strategic brand management to cultural and purpose-driven branding. Learn to craft strong brand identities, connect through storytelling, and align with what truly matters. You'll also explore how to handle PR crises, build brand communities, lead with values, and create content that resonates.
Course modules:
- Strategic Brand Management
- Brand Communities
- Anthropological Branding
- Brand Storytelling
- Brand Expression: Five Senses Brand Design
- Negotiation
- Capstone project with industry partner
The third period shifts toward hands-on application and creation. You will bring your knowledge to life through campaign planning, visual design, and multisensory brand expression. This is where you become bold and experimental – evolving from brand expert to branding artist.
PROFESSIONAL THESIS
To conclude your graduate studies, you will have to write a professional thesis. The topic will be chosen in coordination with your academic supervisor and must be in line with your missions during your internship or first job.
The objectives of the Master’s Thesis are to:
- Identify a topic addressed during one of your courses or academic activities.
- Build a research framework around concepts and bibliographic resources.
- Build hypotheses and a methodology to validate or invalidate them.
- Collect data using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.
- Provide a critical analysis based on objective observation.
- Recommend solutions, best practices, or strategies.
- Present a well-structured, relevant discussion with a proper conclusion.
INTERNSHIP
The professional mission will last from 4 to 6 months and can be an internship, a VIE (international volunteering mission), an entrepreneurial project, a fixed-term contract or a permanent contract. This is a great opportunity to put your academic knowledge to the test and acquire tangible experience within the industry. The school will give you all the support and tools you need to find the right job for you.
Assessment methods
- Assessment methods may include case studies, presentations, mock exercises, tests, etc.
- Graduation rate: data not available (first intake: September 2026)
Career
Graduates of the MSc in Branding & Communication are well-equipped to enter a wide range of dynamic and evolving career paths including jobs in communication. The program opens up opportunities across three main areas: brand strategy, communication, and digital. Whether shaping a brand’s identity, managing its voice, or leading digital engagement, students develop the skills to thrive in roles at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and innovation.
Job placement statistics
Data not available for this program, first intake in September 2026.
About our Career Center
The Career Center provides continual support in identifying career goals and developing action plans.
- Personalized career support: Includes 1-to-1 coaching, workshops and self-assessment tools to help define goals and plan next steps.
- Career development resources: Access to tools like Jobteaser, company databases, and sector-specific job/internship listings
- Networking and events: 100+ annual events, visits and conferences connect students with a wide range of companies and professionals.
- Strong company links: Over 250 companies visit campuses each year, offering continuous access to the business community.
For more information, visit the Career Center page by clicking here.
Jobs after this MSc
- Brand Manager
- Communication Manager
- Communication Director
- Brand Spokesperson
- Strategic Planner
- Market Research Manager
- Social Impact Manager
- Community Manager
- Influencer Marketing Manager
- Content Marketing Strategist
- Consultant/Brand Psychologist
- Customer Experience Analyst
Alumni network
As a future graduate, you will hold lifelong membership of emlyon business school alumni network, a network of near to 48,000 alumni covering more than 130 countries.
You will benefit from all services it offers, including the online assessment modules. Its members will help you further develop your career regardless of which stage you are at, by providing you with career development information, exchange business information with you and share their experience for you to build on.
Learn more about the alumni network by visiting the dedicated page here.
Admission
Are you eligible ?
- A validated Master 1 degree or Bachelor's degree equivalent to Bac +4
- A validated Licence 3 degree or Bachelor's degree equivalent to Bac +3
Admission Process
Create an account or go to your dashboard to start your application file to join the MSc in Branding & Communication.
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are open at the beginning of October 2025 (subject to availability).
Application deadline: emlyon business school may close applications earlier, if all the seats in the class are filled, as it happens every year for many of our Master of Science programs. Consequently, we do advise students to apply as early as possible to ensure they secure a seat in the program and maximize their chances!
- A resume / CV in English
- A copy of an official and valid identity card or passport
- A certified copy of all degrees obtained in a higher education institution (in English or French)
- A proof of enrolment certificate for applicants currently enrolled in higher education
- A certified copy of your transcripts from the first year of your undergraduate education until now
- An official management aptitude test score: GMAT, GMAT online, GRE, TAGE MAGE, CAT
- An English proficiency test: TOEFL iBT, TOEIC, IELTS, Cambridge
- Recommendation letters
A good level of English is paramount to succeed in the program.
We recommend that students apply only if they have a level of English equivalent to the C1 level. A C1 level is an experienced speaker. This means that you can understand long, demanding texts and grasp implicit meanings. Express yourself spontaneously and fluently without much searching for words.
- GMAT and GRE tests are valid for 5 years
- TAGE MAGE tests are valid for 2 years
- CAT tests are valid for 1 year
- English tests are valid for 2 years
Application fee
The application fee for the 2026 intake is set at €120, payable directly by credit card through the online application system.
- Students with a French CROUS grant are exempted from paying the application fee if they provide the final notice of allocation of this grant for the current academic year.
- High Level Athletes are also exempted from paying the application fee if they provide a sport resume validated by the director of the Sports department at emlyon business school. If this is your case, please contact Mr Mickaël ROMEZY: romezy@em-lyon.com.
emlyon business school uses a selection process which is in line with today's digital landscape and the practices of major international companies in their search for new talents.
Once your online application file is completed, you will be asked to go through the digital tests. Some key information:
- 1:30 hour long test
- To be done on a computer with a working webcam and a stable wifi connection
- Test includes cognitive exercises, motivation questions and professional role-play in a company setting
- Take the test alone in a quiet environment
- Test can only be taken once
How to best prepare for our digital test
The admissions board will review your application and your digital tests. You will receive an email as soon as possible to inform you that your results are available on your makersboard.
To complete your enrollment and secure your place in the program, you will have 10 calendar days after your admission results to sign the enrollment form on your makersboard and pay the non-refundable tuition deposit of €4,500.
Admission Statistics
The global acceptance rate for Masters of Science and Specialized Programs for the 2024 intake was 48.31% (admitted students on applicants rate).
CGE Accreditation: a mark of excellence
The Master of Science programs at emlyon business school are accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles (CGE), a prestigious French association that recognizes academic excellence, rigorous admissions standards, and strong professional integration. This label guarantees that the MSc programs meet the highest national and international standards, offering students a high-quality education that is both academically rigorous and closely aligned with the expectations of the global job market. Being CGE-accredited also enhances the value of the degree, providing graduates with strong recognition among employers and institutions worldwide.
Financing
Tuition fees
The tuition and fee charges are in effect for the 2026-2027 academic year are subject to change for future years. For more information on tuition fees, please contact the program advisor.
- Tuition
- Enrollment fees
- Career Center services during your program and for 3 years after graduation
- Several hours of individual career coaching during your program
- Lifelong membership of emlyon business school alumni network
- Additional fees not payable to the institution, such as CVEC, student social security, sports club enrollment fees, the purchase of personal computer hardware or software, or the purchase of books other than course materials
- Optional courses or certifications
- Accommodation and travel expenses related to the program or work placement
emlyon business school helps students finance their MSc in Branding & Communication by offering scholarships up to 50%.
- Individual Scholarship
Open to all admitted candidates, regardless of their financial background. This scholarship considers a combination of factors such as academic excellence, diversity, and motivation. Applicants must submit the scholarship request form as part of their application file.
- Excellence Scholarship
Merit-based awarded for strong academic profiles:
10% scholarship for GMAT 700+ / GMAT Focus 645+ / GRE or Tage Mage equivalent
5% scholarship for GMAT 650+ / GMAT Focus 595+ / GRE or Tage Mage equivalent
Test scores can be submitted after admission, within a set deadline.
- Early Bird Scholarship
A 10% tuition reduction for candidates who apply during the first application session.
To find out more about the specifics of our scholarship policy and how to benefit from it, we invite you to contact your program advisor. To download the Scholarship Policy information, create or log onto your emlyon business school account.
emlyon business school and its partners are committed to investing in tomorrow’s entrepreneurial leaders by helping qualified students to further their education:
- Campus France: discover some scholarship options available depending on your country of residence and your eligibility by clicking here.
- Banking Partners: You may obtain a bank loan through emlyon business school financial partners only if you have a fiscal warrantor in France. If not, we advise you to obtain a loan in your country of origin before your arrival.
- Prodigy Finance loan opportunity: Applicants for the MSc in Branding & Communication are eligible to apply for a student loan with Prodigy Finance. Learn more on how to apply for a Prodigy Finance loan by clicking here (please scroll down the page to read about the benefits and conditions). This opportunity is opened to Non-French students only.
- Lendwise loan opportunity: Lendwise is a student loan provider offering funding to international students at competitive interest rates. Learn more on how to apply for a Lendwise loan by clicking here. This opportunity is opened to Non-French students only.
Please note: Master of Science programs at emlyon business school, including the MSc in Branding & Communication, aren’t eligible for either the CROUS scholarships or the following financing schemes: FAFSA, FONGECIF, DIF, CPF or other funding from Pôle Emploi. For further information regarding potential state scholarships, we recommend you contact your region or your department, as some of them have specific scholarships available for students going to another department in France to study.
emlyon business school is committed to investing in tomorrow’s entrepreneurial leaders by helping qualified students to further their education. Reductions in tuition fees can be offered through needs-based scholarships and may, in certain cases, be granted in addition to guaranteed scholarships.
Student life
Discover what it means to study in Paris through two key aspects: a dynamic campus in the heart of the city, and an exceptional student experience shaped by one of the world’s most vibrant capitals.
The Paris Campus
Our campus is located in the heart of Paris, in the lively 12th arrondissement, right across from the Gare de Lyon. With its central location, students enjoy quick access to top companies, cultural hotspots, and everything the city has to offer. It’s a vibrant place to learn, network, and live Paris to the fullest.
Student Life in Paris
Paris offers much more than academic excellence, it provides a dynamic, multicultural environment that enriches every aspect of student life.
- An International Business Capital: home to the headquarters of major global corporations and a thriving ecosystem of startups, making it a prime location for internships, networking, and launching an international career.
- Cultural Richness around Every Corner
From world-famous museums and historic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum, the city offers endless opportunities to explore, learn, and be inspired.
- A Well-Connected City
With its excellent public transport and international rail and air links, Paris makes it easy to travel within France and across Europe.
To Those Who Dream Big,
In today's business environment, launching a business requires building a brand at the same time – and building a brand means developing a strong brand identity and meaning. This is exactly the need this program addresses. As a future entrepreneur, indie professional or marketer, you will learn to create powerful brands that don’t just sell, but matter – brands that connect, inspire, and spark change. In doing so, you will also grow into a communication expert – someone who knows how to shape the aura and soul of a brand, and how to craft the narratives and stories that could turn even an ordinary white T-shirt into an object of desire.
Our program rests on four powerful pillars that shape tomorrow’s brand leaders. It begins with Entrepreneurial Spirit & Creative Branding, where you become a maker of ideas and ventures that disrupt, inspire, and drive growth. The second pillar, Digital Mastery, equips you to harness AI, data, and emerging technologies to enhance brand experiences. The third pillar, Content Strategy & Intellectual Depth, turns you into a content architect – capable of creating meaning, not just media – by combining storytelling, consumer psychology, and cultural insight. Finally, Purpose & Ethics guide you in connecting brands to meaningful causes.
The focus on purpose is not just about sustainable practices, but above all about identifying a higher-order reason for existence – one that allows a company to stand out while making a positive impact. The aim is to inspire and support you in discovering your own purpose – in life, in your career, and in the brands you bring to life.
My vision is for this program to feel like a Design Thinking workshop: creative, a bit unconventional, fun, and optimistic – yet always grounded in theory, professionally rigorous, and highly practical – encouraging you to craft brand experiences that resonate deeply across industries and cultures.
Meet us during dedicated events
emlyon's Program Advisors are hitting the road to connect with you and discuss your career aspirations. Don't miss the opportunity to meet them at international student fairs for guidance in shaping your future career. You can also stay tuned for information about our campus open days!
Contact our student ambassadors
Want to find out more about student life, program content, campus life or the emlyon business school experience? Connect with our student ambassadors to get a first glimpse of what awaits you. You can ask them all your questions via our dedicated platform.
Disability device
You will find the welcome guide and all the information on how we welcome and support our students and participants with disabilities here.
FAQ
Frenquently asked questions
A master’s degree in communication is a graduate-level program that deepens your expertise in media, public relations, and strategic messaging. With this degree in communication, students develop advanced skills in leadership, digital communication, and global business contexts. Some business school - such as emlyon - offer a Master of Science (MSc) in Communication, which takes a more research- and data-driven approach to the field.
A communication degree helps you develop communication skills, interpersonal communication, strategic communication, corporate communication and critical thinking. You’ll also learn to build responsible brands through CSR strategies and ethical branding, master digital communication with social media, AI, and digital tools, design content strategies for target audiences using consumer psychology and brand narratives, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset & creative branding through international projects and personal branding initiatives. These skills will allow future graduates to find jobs in communication and branding.
A master's in communication is a degree program that offers key benefits such as the opportunity to advance your career, gain specialized expertise in strategic, digital, and organizational communication, integrate a professional network, and increase your chances of earning a higher salary in competitive fields.
To apply for a master's in communication in a graduate school like emlyon, you must follow the application process, which includes submitting your file with required documents (CV, transcripts, proof of degree, ID), completing digital tests, and paying the application fee. Key admission requirements include a strong academic background, English proficiency (C1 level recommended), and optional test scores (GMAT, GRE, TAGE MAGE, or English tests). Early application is advised, as seats are limited and programs may close once full.
For more information, you can consult the "Admission" section above or contact a program advisor.
