Coaching universitario
The professional world is constantly changing. Technological transformations and the need to take account of our impact on the environment are urging companies to work differently and to seek out new skills in their employees.
In this context, tomorrow’s leaders need to be increasingly adaptable, acquiring new skills to meet the new challenges of today’s economy. Joining a business school means taking advantage of a multi-benefit curriculum to develop a comprehensive, international vision of the future that meets the challenges of tomorrow.
A large range of courses
Business schools offer countless career prospects, in the private sector, in banking, in consultancy firms, in government, and so on.
Joining a business school means above all choosing academic expertise. To choose the right one, it is essential to check the rankings published by the press. One good news is that you no longer need to cross the Atlantic to find top-ranked schools: France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal offer Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or Master of Management degrees in English, which feature in the Financial Times top 50 (https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2961/masters-in-management-2024).
Gain experience to build your future
Enrolling at a business school can also help you find a job more quickly. The demanding programme provided by these establishments, the practical dimension of the case studies based teaching or work placements, mean that you can enhance your CV even while you are doing your studies. In fact, many business schools include internships in their curriculum, giving students a solid first professional experience. They learn the codes of the working world very early on and know what a potential employer expects of them. It also helps them to develop their professional network, a major asset when it comes to launching their career.
Doing an internship during your studies gives you the opportunity to consolidate your skills and put your learning into practice. Interns acquire a wide range of skills, including technical, communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills. These skills are essential for professional success and are often difficult to develop fully in the classroom. Finally, internships allow individuals to try out different roles in their field, which helps them determine the right career choice and avoid regrets.
An international outlook
Whether it’s exchange programmes or alliances with foreign schools, a business school opens the doors to many countries and gives you access to a whole valuable alumni network. In this type of establishment, student mobility is strongly encouraged, if not compulsory. In many cases, the intercultural dimension of training begins at the school itself. As a member of international programmes, the business school sends students abroad, but also receives hundreds. There are always opportunities for exchange and discovery. This atmosphere encourages connections, but also openness to the world. Regardless of the country, most business schools now offer courses 100% in English in order to attract students from all over the world. This gives young graduates the fluency they need to develop their careers abroad.
The rankings and the top universities
According to the Financial Times 2024 rankings, the University of St Gallen is ahead of HEC Paris! The admissions process for the Bachelor is also much simpler in St. Gallen than in Paris, where you need to do a preparatory course. However, an entrance test will be required for non-Swiss students. An interesting option for ambitious, hard-working students. In fact, even if the failure rate in the first year in St. Gallen can demotivate some students, this selection ensures that students with a baccalaureate leave with a qualification that is highly valued by Masters in Management.
EDHEC is now in 4th place and offers international students (excluding French Baccalaureate) a dedicated admission process without competitive examination. ESCP is still at the top of the list, in 6th place, and offers all students a direct admission route, with no pre-prep and no competitive entrance exam. Following the English model, a personal statement, CV and, if possible, a letter of recommendation is required. If your application is accepted, you will be invited to an interview.
Bocconi remains one of the top destinations, in 11th place. For the start of the 2025/2026 academic year, Bocconi has completely overhauled its admissions process. It is now based solely on the admission test (SAT or Bocconi test) and the GPA (grade point average).
ESADE and IE also remain popular destinations for students, ranking 18th and 21st respectively. IE’s admissions process is fairly lengthy, with students required to submit a full application (essay, CV, letters of recommendation, etc.), the IE test (or SAT), a virtual interview (KIRA) and a final interview, if they are selected. ESADE is a little simpler, with only motivational questions to answer and the ESADE test (or SAT).
Although the league tables are an interesting reference, they are not the only solution either! Universities such as HEC Lausanne, Warwick and Imperial remain excellent even if the rankings do not favour them. Sometimes its worth looking further to find the best university for each student. This is where EDUCOM’s added value and expertise come in handy, helping students to define the right strategy to maximise their chances of admission.
If we leave out the big names, here are some universities worth considering: LUISS in Rome, Forward College a new concept taking students to 3 European cities over 3 years (and accredited by King’s College and LSE), IESEG in Paris or Lille, Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne or Dutch universities (see our October article).
The importance of your application file
These programmes remain highly competitive, and a solid academic record will be required. You will also need to be able to demonstrate your motivation, your interest in current affairs and your international outlook (experience abroad, having done internships or summer camps abroad, speaking several languages, etc.). Diversity and cultural openness are highly valued by business schools.
EDUCOM can coach you in all these areas! Firstly, before you start your studies, by guiding you to pre-university courses, career immersion programmes or simply humanitarian trips to forge your mind. Then we can help you put together your application to maximise your chances of getting into the business school that’s right for you!