Join our Free Mover Program as free mover student at emlyon business school.
Program
Get the chance to attend our graduate and undergraduate electives with an international cohort and discover the charm of Lyon while immersing into the French culture.
Live an international experience
With students from all over the world and international Professors, it is a multi-cultural experience while learning about French & European business culture.
A new urban and hybrid campus
A new downtown campus powered by the drive and international aura of Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It will play a key role in hosting high-caliber students and top-tier research faculty from all over the world.
Get credits recognized by you home institution
The grades and transcript received from our Undergraduate & Graduate courses allow you to obtain the credits needed for your home degree (credit transfer system).
Key points
- Undergraduate and Graduate international free mover students
- Obtain the credits needed for your home degree while experiencing the French life
- Fall or Spring semester
- International experience and course offered in English and French
Campus & courses
Visiting students join our Undergraduate and Graduate electives on our new Lyon Campus
The Global BBA, a bachelor’s program, is designed to prepare and arm young students to become true actors in the transformation of firms and the world of business.
Our BBA is delivered in English for Undergraduate students who can join either for the Fall or Spring semester on our Lyon Campus.
You can attend Year 3 or 4 courses from our Global BBA courses, including our Majors to specialize your curriculum in a field, including:
- International Business
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Finance & Control
- Digital Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- Creative Technologists
- Branding & Communication
Please note that students follow course track either from Year 3 or Year 4. It is not possible to mix Y3 & Y4 courses nor Majors.
Some modules have Business course requisites while other are open to all Free Mover students with no requisites. Find out more in the course catalog below.
Term dates & Application deadlines:
Following dates are for the current academic year and may change in the future.
Fall Semester
Early September to late December
Deadline for Application: May 15th
Spring Semester
Early February to late May
Deadline for Application: October 10th
Applications can be considered after these dates on available places and courses. We recommend early application. Late applicants may not be able to register on all courses.
Our Master in Management offered in Lyon has a large catalogue of courses delivered in English and French. This program is for Graduate students and can be opened to Year 4 bachelor’s in business candidates under academic excellency criteria. Students can join for the Fall, Spring or Summer.
The program offers elective courses in:
- Accounting, Corporate Finance & Economics
- CSR & Sustainability
- Data Science & AI
- Humanities
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Leadership & HR
- Marketing, Negotiations & Sales
- Strategy, Consulting & Supply Chain.
Term dates & Application deadlines
The following dates are for the current academic year and should be similar for the next academic year.
Fall Semester
Late August to late December
Deadline for Application
May 15th
Spring Semester
Early January to late April
Deadline for Application
October 10th
Whole Academic year
Late August to late June
Deadline for Application: May 15th
Please note that our Fall and Spring semesters are divided in 2-month cycles of 15 ECTS each, representing 3 courses (ie: Sept-Oct & Nov-Dec for the Fall and Jan-March & March-May for the Spring).
Applications can be considered after these dates on available places and courses. We recommend early application. Late applicants may not be able to register on all courses.
Courses are fully taught in English, and you can also access French courses (Graduates only).
We offer a wide range of Business & Management courses, from Intro to Advanced level and cultural French language courses to immerse in the French culture and lifestyle.
You can access our course catalogue for more information on our module offer once enrolled in the program.
Click here to view an example of the course catalog of the Global BBA at emlyon (Fall and Spring).
Click here to view an example of the course catalog of the MSc in Management at emlyon (Fall, Spring and Summer).
Academic
Courses are fully taught in English with French & international students, and world-renowned professors. Our courses are offered in English and delivered by international Professors.
emlyon business school is a triple accredited institution (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) ensuring the quality of our teaching.
Our Faculty is divided in 7 disciplinary groups:
- Law, Management & Social Sciences
- Marketing
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Strategy & Organizations
- Accounting and Corporate Finance
- Operations, Data & Artificial Intelligence
- Quantitative Finance & Economics
Here are some key elements on our Faculty:
- 172 Faculty members
- 49% non-French professors
- 56% specialized in the Academic Track and 44% in the action learning track
- 93% of research fellow have a PhD
- 72 books, 129 A-ranked and 173 B-ranked articles published by our Faculty over the last 5 years
Find out more about our Faculty.
- 30 ECTS per semester, Fall and Spring.
15 ECTS for the Summer semester in the Graduate program.
Normal workload is 8-10 courses per semester, split over 2 periods of 2 months with 4 courses on each period.
Courses range from 2.5 – 5 ECTS at Undergraduate level and 3-5 ECTS at Graduate level.
1 US credit = 2 ECTS credits
If interested in underloading credits (taking less than 30 ECTS) or overloading credits (taking more than 30 ECTS) please contact us directly. If accepted you would need a written approval from your home institution.
- In Europe, credits earned for academic study are awarded under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
- English and French.
- Most courses are delivered in both languages as our degrees are offered in both languages.
- B2 level is required for non-native speakers
- Courses are assessed by examinations at the end of each teaching period and included in the term dates. These are compulsory and you must remain at emlyon for the examinations.
- For Assessment method and description please refer to the course syllabi.
- Grades are awarded in France on a scale of 0 (lowest grade) to 20 (highest grade). The passing grade for a single course is 10/20.
- Please keep in mind that grades over 14 are rarely given. Grades over 12 generally mean the student is among the top 10 to 15 % in the class – and a perfect 20 is extremely rare.
- Please refer to the Grade conversion table for French / US Letter / ECTS Grading scale for reference.
Your academic transcript will list each course you have taken, a percentage mark (to one decimal place) and a course grade, which will be reported in the emlyon A-F format on your transcript.
Your emlyon transcript will be available to request on your student Makersboard account if needed. You should check with your home institution to find out if they translate grades into their own system or record them as given by emlyon business school.
Application & Fees
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Cumulative GPA Requirement: 2.7/4.0 or equivalent.
If graded on a different grading scheme, you are still welcome to apply. Please contact us to verify your eligibility.
Language requirements
If English is not your official language nor have you studied in an English-speaking education system, a B2 English language proficiency official test score is required (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge).
For courses delivered in French, a B2 level test score is required (DELF).
We also offer French language courses for Beginners to Advanced and do not require language proficiency level.
Supporting documents
- Latest Transcript
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Profile picture
- Passport copy
- If needed, language proficiency test score
Application process
You can apply directly through our online application website – Mobility Online.
The application is fully done online, and you submit your documents on the application platform.
There are no application fees, and once you have submitted your application you will have a decision within 48 hours.
We recommend you apply early to secure a place in the program.
If you receive an admission letter you are free to enroll or not until the application deadline.
In order to finalize your enrolment you will need to confirm admission with the enrolment form provided with the admission letter and pay a 1000€ deposit which is part of your tuition fees, and will be deducted from the total tuition fees.
The rest of the tuition fees will need to be paid in full by the intake date.
Tuition fees
Global BBA – Tuition fees
- Full Year: €10 000
- Fall Semester: €5 000
- Spring Semester: €5 000
Master in Management – Tuition fees
- Full Year (Fall & Spring) : €13 000
- Fall Semester : €6 500
- Spring Semester : €6 500
Student life
emlyon business school is a French private state-approved institution of higher education founded in 1872. The School hosts 9,375 students representing 135 nationalities in undergraduate and postgraduate programs, along with nearly 4,000 participants in executive education programs. The school counts with a important international presence, it draws on a network of 230 international academic partners and leads a community of 48,000 alumni in 130 different countries.
emlyon business school is part of the 1% business schools with the triple international accreditations by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, and as such ranks amongst the world-class business schools.
Average living expenses in Lyon:
- €1100/month – including accommodation, food, books, clothes, local travel and spending money.
It may be difficult to find accommodation, especially in a large student city like Lyon. However there are several options for students.
emlyon does not offer on campus accommodation however we have partnered with residences around the campus and in the city to offer options for students. Moreover you can benefit from the student housing financial aid in France. Check your CAF eligibility.
You can find housing tips, housing financial aid, and our residence partners here.
Students are covered during their stay on campus once they start classes and while they travel in France and internationally during their Free Mover experience. However, it does not cover them when they are in their home country or only during their study semester at emlyon. Health insurance is included in the tuition fee and students are covered in case of accident or health issue. Please note medical expenses are usually charged to the student and then reimbursed by the insurance.
More information, here.
Incoming students need to apply for a student visa on their own before arrival in France. Official documents needed for the visa application will be provided by emlyon. Please note it’s recommended to apply for visa 3 months in advance, and we recommend you apply for a student long-stay visa, called Visa D-VLS-TS.
More information, here.
The Sport Center offers organizes and manages competitive university-level sports for more than 50 teams to students across all campuses, our aim is to attract and support talent at all stages of life with made-to-measure provision. Elite sportsmen and women will receive support from a dedicated team and through custom-made blended learning courses, enabling them to embark on academic learning alongside their sports career.
Find more information on our Sport Institute website
The campus life is important at emlyon and we have over 30 different student associations, including an active international student association that help incoming students, include them in a buddy system, organize events, outdoor activities, cultural visits, or teaching French. Find more about our student associations.
We organize a fresher’s week to welcome all the new emlyon students and incoming students for the Fall.
Here are some of the student events organized during the year:
- Fab lab design competition
- Welcome weekend
- Sports integration day
- Cultural days
- Spartan Race
- Talents show
- Christmas gala
- Buddy event
- Ski weekend
- Sports competition
- Human bootcamp (outdoor activities)
- Speech contest
- Winter and Summer gala
To see more events follow us online:
Support
Support, inclusion and well-being for students are one of emlyon priorities. Our student support services help incoming international students prior their arrival until their departure. We have dedicated resources to help students with accommodation, transportation, financing, bank partners, visa process, health insurance, and counselling during their studies and time on campus.
emlyon business school received the “Welcome to France” label awarded by Campus France to French institutions that demonstrate the highest standards in international student support services. This label ensures quality of our support and engagement towards the incoming international students.
Lyon, a new downtown Campus
The new downtown Lyon Campus opens to all incoming students in September 2024. A state-of-the-art campus in the city center meeting the highest standards in sustainable construction, digitally connected and offering next-generation hybrid tools and innovation in the classrooms, library and maker’s lab. The campus is designed as a living framework to study, gather, and enjoy student life while being open and accessible to the community.
Lyon is the second largest city in France, the capital of French gastronomy, UNESCO world heritage site, and voted the most attractive city in France. It’s central in France and offers easy access to Europe. It is 2 hours distance by train from Paris, South of France, Italy or Switzerland, and with worldwide airport connections. Find out more on the ONLY LYON tour video and our city tour video with the emlyon international students.
Highlights & Testimonials
emlyon key figures
Rankings
emlyon business school is part of the 1% business schools with the triple international accreditations by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, and ranked amongst the best business schools in France and worldwide:
- Financial Times - European Business School 2023 : #10 best business school in Europe
- Global Employability University Ranking & Survey 2024 (GEURS) : #2 in France
- QS World University Ranking 2023 - Master in Management : #4 in France
- 2023 Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking - Programme Grande Ecole: #4 in France
- QS World University Ranking 2023 - Master in Management : #4 in France
- Eduniversal Classement Ecoles de Commerce - Post-Prépa 2021 - Programme Grande Ecole: #4 out of 27 schools
Find out more about our rankings and accreditations.
Highlights
- Access to international undergraduate and graduate elective courses
- Courses delivered in English with French & international cohorts, and world-renowned professors
- Wide range of business courses, from Intro to Advanced level
- Cultural and French language courses to immerse in the French culture and lifestyle
- Boost your creativity in our makers’lab (fab lab)
- Tripe accredited institution: AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA
- Top European business school
- Housing and visa support
- Large selection of sports club
- Orientation week with teambuilding and outdoor activities
- International student association and events
- International student support, awarded by the “Welcome to France” label
- Earn ECTS for credit transfer to your home institution
- Discover Lyon, the second largest city in France, French gastronomy capital, UNESCO world heritage site, and voted French most attractive city, 2 hours distance by train from Paris, South of France, Italy or Switzerland
I met so many amazing people and now have friends all over the world, I was able to travel to 12 different countries and countless French cities. Europe is beautiful, and there is so much diversity and history between cultures. The university experience in France was very different than my classes at Murray – I was able to do a lot of hands-on learning in France. Going abroad is catching flights and catching feelings – lots of them – the good and the bad. Travel will fill you with wonder – the truth is that there is a lot more to discover out there beyond our own borders here in the United States. The best way to start to understand it and appreciate it is to go out of your comfort zone and start meeting.
Free Mover is a memory that lasts a lifetime. At EMLyon, I was able to do more than further my business education. By collaborating with students from across the globe – America, Hong Kong, Canada, Morocco, Italy, Guatemala, Russia – I learned to see the world differently. I made new friends that I still keep in touch with today. And I was able to experience so much of the beauty, history and cultural value of the city of Lyon. It was truly unforgettable!
One of the greatest elements in emlyon is the teaching style. Small groups combined with practical approaches on learning that enables students to be more confident for their future endeavors
I am very happy about my exchange at emlyon as the facilities are great, professors are open for questions and the city is just welcoming for students. Every time I called the international office there was always someone there to really help me also. I am also very happy about the practical courses and real life cases as in the end these are already helping me now in real life and how to understand the business world better. Thanks to the group works, I met people from all around the world and I was never out of people to do something. Also Lyon is located perfectly for some small day trips to Avignon, Annecy or Grenoble. In short, I am having a great time here and I recommend anyone open for some change to come to France at emlyon.
I greatly enjoyed my Free Mover experience at emlyon. The professors helped us learn so much more about French and European business culture. The other students were from all over the world so it was truly a multi-cultural experience.
Making the decision to study and live abroad for four months was a huge one. Now that I’m back home, I’m thrilled to have gone through with it. The emlyon campus in Saint Étienne is a 45 minute train ride from Lyon, and easily accessible for all. The campus itself has great support staff, making the course selection process easy. The newly renovated Learning Hub offers an excellent study/hang-out area, making the school a great place to be during “free time”. The students are extremely diverse, coming from all four corners of the world, giving those studying abroad an excellent opportunity to meet new people and create meaningful friendships.
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