Why study in France’s most dynamic business school

Imagine lively conversations about life, love and everything in between as you sit on iconic terraces immortalized in popular culture. Breathe the fresh Mediterranean air while cruising the Côte d’Azur. Discover the chic locals, from florists to models. Stroll the Champs-Elysées from the films of Jean-Luc Godard or along the famous seaside promenade known as La Croisette in Cannes. Warm up on a bouillabaisse rich in fish or a chicken tagine in Marseille.

Welcome to France – the bastion of culture, history and power attracts millions of people to its timeless streets every year. Over 300,000 of them are students, who know that an inspiring place is just as important as the degree they seek. At SKEMA Business School you get both and more.

SKEMA Business School is a leading global institution. In the Financial Times 2021 ranking, his MSc Financial Markets and Investments is ranked third globally. The Master in Management is 12th worldwide (and fourth among the French schools represented) in The Financial Times 2019 ranking. It is also multi-accredited (Equis, AACSB and EFMD Accredited EMBA). “I feel privileged to be a student at SKEMA because of its high quality teaching and very professional teachers,” says Sonali, an Indian MSc student.

SKEMA Business School has seven campuses in four countries (one in Brazil, China, South Africa and the United States) and France (Lille, Paris, Sophia Antipolis). They host a diverse cohort of students from 120 countries. The result? A distinctive energy that few other business schools can replicate.

For generations, France has welcomed waves of talent. They first came from Europe, followed by those of African, Arab and Asian descent. Millions of French people have foreign roots. They enrich French culture and society, one immigrant at a time.

Strength lies in diversity, and both France and SKEMA abound in it. “France is well known for its cultural diversity and being able to study and experience it here is a dream come true,” Sonali shares.

MSc student Felipe worked at L´Oréal in supply chain and marketing in Colombia. Since joining SKEMA, his universe has grown considerably – and with more friends. “This year I have developed my personal network with people from all over the world who have become my friends in no time.”

SKEMA Business School has 120 nationalities on campus. Source: SKEMA Business School

For all its cultural glories, France is as fascinating to business students as it is to artists, writers and performers. It is the birthplace of Christine Lagarde – the first woman to have been Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and President of the European Central Bank – as well as rock star economist Thomas Piketty, author of the book “Capital in the 21st Century.

From established luxury fashion houses to small online sites, French products dress personalities of the world we live in, including British royalty and cult Instagram influencers. Aerospace giant Airbus has its roots in France and still has its headquarters and main facilities in Toulouse. These are feats of the French business world, just as much as its disciplines of creative arts and engineering.

Such dynamism is one of the main reasons why many international students flock to SKEMA every year. They come in search of a diploma that will open their eyes as well as the doors of the French job market and beyond.

“France offers a high standard of living and good career opportunities for international graduates,” Sonali shares. “The work-life balance is highly valued in France. France’s social security system and benefits are just a few of the reasons why working in France attracts expats.

SKEMA offers one- or two-year Master of Science (MSc) programs – in areas such as finance, management, marketing, as well as business and strategy – that provide graduates with the specialist knowledge needed to break through in their fields of predilection. Other business-related postgraduate programs include the MSc Global Luxury and Management; MSc Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Design; MSc Artificial Intelligence for Business Transformation; and MSc Luxury Hospitality and Innovation. They are taught entirely in English.

“The courses we took helped me understand not only how marketing works through multiple case studies of different companies in various industries, but also how to create value and solve problems,” says Felipe. “The MSc program also allowed me to develop my soft skills: teamwork with different cultures, communication and interpersonal skills.

Armed with the knowledge, skills and experience that are valuable in the job market, students like Felipe and Sonali emerge as highly employable graduates. “The environment at SKEMA is simply perfect for everyone to build their future career,” Sonali shares.

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