MBA in France for Indian Students 2024: Top Universities & Fees

MBA colleges in France: A generic MBA programme aims to develop a well-rounded businessman/ entrepreneur without specialising in any specific subject. While some colleges only admit students with strong academic records, others prefer to admit candidates with prior work experience. Examine the division of MBA programs based on educational programs:

• General management programme: The fundamentals of management are the focus of a general MBA course. Principal management areas like marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting, finance, and human resource management are covered in this program's curriculum.

• Specialisation programme: This course’s curriculum requires the fundamentals of general management and the essentials of a particular field- HRM, Accounting, Marketing, Finance, etc.

With 15 triple-authorised Business schools, the country has emerged as one of the top study-abroad destinations. It provides some of the best MBA colleges in France for international students. French business schools offer a wide range of knowledge, both practical and theoretical.

Along with an experienced faculty and competitive curriculum to learn from, the golden age architectural infrastructure and other student facilities, like high-tech labs, state-of-the-art libraries, etc., help students to have a graceful college life.

Also, read: Job Opportunities in France for International Students

Students looking for an MBA in France can look at the list of the best business schools in France and colleges to study for an MBA below:

Further, some of the top MBA colleges in France for Business and Economics are:

Below is the list of top MBA specialisations for Indian students studying for MBAs in France.

• MBA in HR Management

• MBA in Business Analytics

• MBA in Finance Management

• MBA in Marketing Management

• MBA in Travel and Tourism Management

• MBA in Aviation

• MBA in Digital Marketing

• MBA in Healthcare Management

• MBA in IT

• MBA in Media Management 

The rough estimate of the first-year cost of studying for an MBA in France is 27.4 Lakhs to 85.6 Lakhs. The average price of living in France is around INR 6-7 Lakhs per year. Candidates should know that the living cost entirely depends on the candidate's lifestyle and accommodation.

There are different student visa types in France, such as Schengen short-stay student visas, which are valid for three months. A temporary long-stay visa is valid for studying in France for three to six months without needing a residence permit.

Moreover, students who want to study for an MBA in France must apply for a long-stay visa. The students are required to stay for more than six months. The duration of this type of study visa depends on the duration of your course in France: two years for a master's, three years for a bachelor's, and four years for a PhD. Long-stay visas work as residence permits are called VLT-TS.

France Student visas have two distinct application stages: one at the Campus (France) and the other at the embassy. The requirements for documents can vary for both. You must submit your original documents to the France Campus and photocopy them at the embassy, consulate, or visa application centres.

The Visa Fee for a Long Stay National Visa is 8,893 INR for Study purposes for students applying for bachelor's or master's courses.

Almost all French universities accept online applications. One can download the application form from their websites by properly following the instructions. After filling out the application form, all required documentation should be ready to be submitted along with the form. You would also need to pay a small amount as the application fee.

Regularly check the deadline for the university's form submission and try to submit it as soon as possible without waiting for the last date. Depending on the university, Interviews will take place over the phone or via other electronic communication methods. The basic requirements for admission to all French universities are:

• Candidates must have three to four years of work experience (may vary according to university)

• Minimum educational qualification is equivalent to any Bachelor’s Degree or French Baccalaureate.

• International students and non-native English speakers must present their IELTS (International English Language Testing System) / TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language scores.)

• Scores for the GMAT or GRE (depending on the university).

One of the significant challenges of studying abroad is the high cost of learning combined with high daily living expenses. However, candidates can apply for scholarships and loans to finance their education. At the same time, several merit-based scholarships are also available for students and mentioned on the official university websites.

Some of the top scholarships for international students are as follows:

• The Eiffel Scholarship: A program that the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs created and for which accredited French universities may submit applications. The goal of the Eiffel Scholarship is to draw in foreign applicants for Master's and PhD degree programs. Law, Economics and Management, Engineering Sciences (PhD and master's level), and Political Sciences are the four primary subject areas covered.

• The Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: The European Union funds the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, offered to European and non-European students and available for Joint Programmes at the Master's or Doctorate level.

• Ile-de-France Masters Scholarships: The Regional Council of Île-de-France provides master's degrees to international students who want admission to higher education in the institutions of the Île-de-France. Open to all international students. However, students from  Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, or the new European member states are preferred.

Students who are not eligible for scholarships can apply for an education loan for France and make their dream of studying in France come true.

Students who are planning to take small and short-term courses in France cannot stay in France. Only students taking long-term courses like bachelor's and master's or applying for a Long-Stay Study Visa for France get permission to stay in the country after completing the course.

Please note that master’s and bachelor's degree holders can stay in France after completing their degree course only if they have a work permit. Students pursuing master's degrees from France get an added advantage. Upon completing the master’s course, students can apply for a temporary residence permit valid for 24 months. It is important to know that residence permits are only allowed for students who take up part-time employment of up to 964 hours, which applies to those already studying in French universities.

This section outlines the top MBA universities in France and the average salary students can expect after pursuing their MBA in France:

This section highlights the top employers who offer work opportunities to MBA graduates from France at the university campus after completing their MBA programme there: 

In conclusion, there are various MBA Colleges in France that provide master's and PhD courses. Pursuing an MBA in France is the dream of many Indian students, but the cost of studying abroad and living is high. They can apply for scholarships or education loans to pursue an MBA in France. This blog also contains information on the criteria, visa cost, work permit after MBA, job and salary information, and other necessary information.

We hope you liked reading the blog. If you want to know more about doing MBA in France, we encourage you to speak with our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our counsellors will provide you with guidance throughout your study abroad. Get help with the application process, SOPs, and filing for a visa. Visit us and get one-to-one counselling, or avail yourself of free video counselling via our website. We will be happy to help you, so please do not hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

1. How much does it cost to pursue an MBA from France?

The cost of pursuing an MBA in France is INR 27.4 Lakhs to INR 85.6 Lakhs, and the cost of living in France is INR 6-7 Lakhs on average for a year. However, students who cannot afford the fee can apply for a scholarship or an educational loan.

2. Can I apply for a work permit in France after my MBA?

After completing your MBA course, you can apply for a work permit in France. However, It is essential to understand that residence permits are only allowed for students who take up part-time employment of up to 964 hours or apply to those already studying in French universities.

3. What are the names of the scholarships for studying for an MBA in France?

The scholarships for studying an MBA in France are the Eiffel Scholarship, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships, and Ile-de-France Masters Scholarships.

4. What are the prerequisites for admission to the MBA program in France?

Studying for an MBA in France means having an undergraduate degree in a related discipline. Additionally, you need to have results from your TOEFL or IELTS English language competence tests. Moreover, candidates must have at least three years of professional experience and GMAT or GRE results.

5. Is France good for studying an MBA?

The country has some top business schools offering internationally recognised MBA programmes. Future professionals and entrepreneurs are also offered pan-European networking opportunities.