Joining a Bachelor's degree programme at a top French business school such as ESCP, ESSEC or EDHEC represents an exceptional opportunity for students eager to gain an international outlook while benefiting from a reassuring academic environment. However, admission via Parcoursup or the SESAME entrance exam proves to be highly selective.
Expat Student supports your child with care and expertise, from exam preparation right through to settling into their first campus abroad.
A bespoke 100 % support programme involving face-to-face meetings with the student.
A comprehensive assessment of admissions and the deadlines to be met.
Comprehensive support to guide you step-by-step, right up to the first day of term!
Opting for an international Bachelor's degree within a French business school is an ideal post-A-level transition. This format offers phased international progression, often for the duration of a semester, thereby avoiding the abrupt change of country, language and university system right from the first term. Students benefit from a qualification overseen by the French system, recognised by the state (validated with a licence degree level for ESCP and EDHEC, or a Master 1 degree level for ESSEC), regardless of the campus attended.
The centralised support provided by the school is a major asset. When changing countries, students are supported in their housing search, mobility, academic monitoring and career development.
Furthermore, they integrate an already solidly structured network of alumni and partner companies, which greatly facilitates the search for initial internships. The three schools offer distinct formats tailored to each child's profile: three countries in three years at ESCP, three campuses over four years at ESSEC, and two specific tracks of your choice at EDHEC.
Expat Student offers comprehensive and bespoke support, designed to relieve parents and maximise the student's chances of success. Our team of experts takes care of the entire journey, starting with an in-depth careers guidance assessment.
This step makes it possible to assess your child's academic profile and level of English in order to identify the most suitable school and pathway, whether that is ESCP, ESSEC or one of the EDHEC pathways.
We then guide families through admissions preparation. This includes managing Parcoursup, direct applications for ESCP, as well as rigorous preparation for the SESAME entrance examination (written and oral tests) for ESSEC and EDHEC. Our support includes putting together and thoroughly proofreading the application file.
Aware that motivational interviews are decisive for these highly selective entrance exams, Expat Student organises mock interviews with personalised feedback. Finally, we provide budget monitoring and support the student when they leave for their first international campus.
| Criterion | ESCP | ESSEC | EDHEC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years | 4 years | 4 years |
| Diploma | Bachelor's degree level, licence degree | Four years of higher education, Master's 1 degree | Bachelor's degree (four-year) |
| Campus | 3 cities among Paris, London, Madrid, Berlin, Turin | Cergy, Singapore, Rabat + exchange | Lille or Nice, + exchange, or USA/Singapore |
| Language | 100 % English | French then progressive English | French or English depending on the route |
| Admission | Parcoursup or direct application | SESAME exam or international admission | SESAME exam or international admission |
ESCP requires a change of country each year, with two fixed first years followed by a third campus determined by the chosen specialisation. ESSEC, on the other hand, combines a compulsory academic exchange of six months to a year with integrated professional experience lasting from ten to sixteen months. Finally, EDHEC offers two distinct tracks: Business Management, which provides a progressive development of skills in English, and Global Business, which offers an intensive English-speaking immersion right from the start of the course.
Tuition fees for the 2026-2027 academic year vary depending on the institution. At ESCP, they range between €17,700 (for European Union students) and €23,900 (non-EU) per year. At EDHEC, fees amount to €15,900 per year for the Business Management track and reach €23,900 for the Global Business track. ESSEC's fees vary depending on the campus but remain comparable to other BBA programmes on the market.
The cost of living varies significantly depending on the campuses visited. A term in London or Singapore represents a noticeably higher budget than a term in Turin, Lille or Rabat. It is therefore crucial to budget for the cost of living campus by campus, in addition to tuition fees. Over the course of the entire programme, the total budget (combined tuition fees and daily living costs) ranges from €55,000 to €100,000, depending on the school, the pathway and the cities of residence.
Regarding procedures and visas, campuses located outside the European Union (such as Singapore, the United States or Morocco) require specific procedures. These steps are generally facilitated and partly handled by the host school. A non-refundable booking deposit (approximately €3,500 for ESCP) must also be paid upon confirmation of admission.
Career prospects following these international Bachelor’s degrees are excellent. According to figures published by EDHEC, 66 % of graduates choose to continue their studies at Master’s level, whilst 61 % find employment even before completing their degree.
A key finding is that 86 % of recent graduates take up a role with an international dimension straight after leaving university.
The three institutions hold prestigious international accreditations, such as AACSB, which greatly facilitates the recognition of these degrees by employers across the world.
Graduates are particularly sought after in demanding sectors such as management consultancy, finance, international marketing and entrepreneurship.
Expat Student's expertise is not limited to French business schools, we also offer bachelor's degree guidance in other countries:
