Become a global sales manager by mastering strategic, operational, and leadership skills in international sales.
Presentation
The MSc in Global Sales Excellence prepares future sales leaders to succeed in an international, digital, and fast changing environment. The program combines strategic insights, practical skills, and leadership training in sales management, integrating the latest sales technologies, processes, methods and tools to enhance both product positioning and sale execution.
The program also includes a 4-to-6-month internship and an in-company project, offering valuable hands-on experience in real business environments, where students learn to manage time-sensitive sales cycles and optimize time to market.
Graduates will be equipped to lead international sales teams, boost sales performance and revenue growth, master sales techniques while tackling the social and environmental challenges of the industry.
Key points
- Building responsible sales strategies
Develop and lead plans that integrate social, environmental, and ethical considerations. - Learn to drive growth through enablement
Gain a deep understanding of how aligning sales, marketing, customer service, and other key functions through shared tools, processes and training can boost business performance and create a seamless customer experience. - Acquire cutting-edge digital sales knowledge
Learn to use leading CRM platforms to automate sales processes and improve customer engagement. - Gain practical international experience and build a global network
Apply these skills on real projects abroad, develop intercultural competence, and build a global professional network through the in-company project and international seminar.
(Times Higher Education)
Program
The Master of Science (MSc) in Global Sales Excellence offered by emlyon business school is accessible for international and French students.
- Program in 18 months: 12 months of classes and a 4-6 month internship/work placement
- Accessible after completing a Bachelor's degree (valid diplomas include bac +4 or bac +3)
This program prepares responsible sales professionals capable of ultimately leading sales teams towards achieving the company's growth objectives. It meets the increasing demand for managers adept in advanced sales techniques and trains sales transformation architects to navigate global business challenges.
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.
GLOBAL INTERACTIONS WITH CUSTOMERS
This module covers essential topics, including negotiation, key account management, mass distribution, buyer profiles, strategic approaches, partnering, and contracting.
STRATEGY, OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP
In this module you learn about:
- Salesforce management
- Gouvernance & infrastructure
- Team piloting
- Project & change management
- Business modeling
- Profitability and cash management
- International business law
You will learn to behave as a leader while respecting the ethics and CSR values of the company and managing a sales team globally.
INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
This International Seminar takes place in Europe and is a unique opportunity to engage in insightful conferences and connect with numerous companies. It offers a firsthand understanding of how the economic landscape influences business strategies, while also immersing you in the local culture. Finally, it is also a way to start developing your international network.
SALES ENABLEMENT: PROCESS, METHODS & TOOLS
Dive into processes, tools, methods, and platforms crucial for sales enablement in this module. Explore leading solutions such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Gartner, and Forrester gaining a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies empower sales teams. This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize cutting-edge tools, enhancing your ability to facilitate, optimize the sales process and master sales on a global scale.
SALES ENGAGEMENT: DIGITAL TOOLS & AUTOMATION
This module explores the role of technology in transforming sales, focusing on remote selling using digital tools and face-to-face interactions. It underscores the importance of digital sales in effective leadership, emphasizing the advantage of understanding and leveraging technology for interpersonal engagement, communication, and productivity. The module highlights that, despite the universal challenge of sales, those who grasp and use digital sales have a distinct edge in the field. You will also explore marketing automation tools, engagement and go-to-market strategy.
TRANSFORMING EARLY MAKERS PROJECT
The Transforming Early Makers Track is a hands-on program designed to teach entrepreneurship, teamwork, and business plan creation. You’ll rethink business models, lead transformation projects, and leverage digital technology for innovation.
As a “maker,” you’ll work on real-world projects in a collaborative environment, supported by expert guidance. From January, you’ll join a thematic group aligned with your interests, with weekly activities focused on advancing your project and preparing for a career in driving transformation.
Key advantages of this track:
- Teamwork on topics you’re passionate about
- Real-world learning with clear goals and deliverables
- Guidance from a dedicated coach
- Early focus on employability through company meetings, workshops, and expert talks
- Rapid skill-building in sales and self-presentation (sales pitch)
TUITION AND DISCOVERY OF AN INTERNATIONAL MARKET
- Digital engagement in Web 3
- Social selling
- Advanced Sales Management/Revenue Management and Digital sales transformation
- Web technology and AI for business
IN-COMPANY PROJECT
The in-company project, which is an important part of the curriculum, allows you to enter your internship or first job with solid experience. Working on a business project will help you to:
- Put your newly acquired academic knowledge into practice
- Gain first-hand experience while working on a tangible project while benefiting from the comfort of a supporting structure
- Learn intercultural skills, navigate different businesses and cultural environments
- Master sales techniques on a global scale
- Build a network (with local alumni, students and partners)
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 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 2024)
Career
Sales is a diverse field, offering various career paths suitable for different personalities, types of companies, sectors, and countries. Students will have the opportunity to choose a career aligned with their aspirations in the sales domain.
Those interested in international clients can build trust, offer solutions, and become long-term partners in the sales profession. Those focused on customer engagement may design sales strategies and use AI for sales engagement, while others may want to excel in sales enablement by coaching teams, in sales operations with a focus on data, or as sales leaders managing teams and driving innovation.
Job placement statistics
Data not available for this program, first intake in September 2024.
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 the MSc in Global Sales Excellence
- Sales Manager
- Sales Engagement Director
- Sales Enablement Manager
- Sales Operations Manager
- Sales Excellence Manager
- Sales Engineer
- Sales Performance Consultant
- Channel Sales Manager
- Country Manager
- Regional Sales Manager
- Key Account Manager
- Partnership Manager
- International Sales Director
- International Business Developer
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
Start your application online or go to your applicant dashboard to complete your application file to join the MSc in Global Sales Excellence.
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year open at the beginning of October 2025 (subject to availability).
- 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.
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!
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.
The global acceptance rate for Masters, Masters of Science and Advanced Masters for the 2025 intake was 51% (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
€29,300
The tuition and fee charges are in effect for the 2026-2027 academic year and are subject to change for future years.
- 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
How to finance your program?
emlyon business school helps students finance their MSc in Global Sales Excellence 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 Global Sales Excellence 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 Global Sales Excellence, 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
Combining academic ambition with an exceptional quality of life, Lyon is a city where students can truly thrive. Discover your campus in a vibrant setting and a city that perfectly blends culture, innovation, and lifestyle.
The Lyon Campus
Our campus in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement offers 30,000 m² of modern learning space, including areas for collaboration and student life. At the heart of the city’s academic and business scene, it fosters innovation, networking, and hybrid learning.
Student life in Lyon
France’s second-largest student city, Lyon offers the perfect balance of academic, cultural, and social life. Whether you're exploring its historic districts or enjoying its famous cuisine, you’ll find Lyon both enriching and accessible.
- A UNESCO world heritage site
Discover the charm of Old Lyon, the scenic views from Fourvière Hill, and the lively riversides of the Rhône and Saône.
- The capital of gastronomy
From Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional bouchons, Lyon is a paradise for food lovers.
- A student-friendly city
With affordable living, excellent public transportation, and a welcoming international student community, Lyon is made for students. Plus, it’s easy to reach Paris, the Alps, the Côte d’Azur, and other European cities within hours.
"Courses like Strategic Process, Sales Negotiation, CRM Strategy and Digital Sales, Profitability and Cash Management, and Sales Force Management have been true game changers — not just for me, but for the whole class. emlyon is a school that genuinely looks after its students. Even on the other side of the world, they ensured we had a meaningful international experience. Throughout, our program director was present, attentive, and fully supportive. The outcome speaks for itself: today, we all have professional opportunities far beyond what we expected. That’s thanks in large part to the strength of the program."
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.
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