How do I get into a business school? ESCE admission guide

Home » How do I get into a business school? ESCE admission guide

Joining ESCE means choosing to be part of a recognized business school, with programs tailored to your professional ambitions and international career plans. Whether you’re in your final year of high school, looking to retrain or looking for a Master’s degree, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the admissions process, depending on the program you’re targeting: International Bachelor, Programme Grande École (PGE) or Master of Science (MSc). Find out about admission procedures, prerequisites and the different options available, including staggered start dates and international admissions.

Whatever your background, this guide will help you understand the steps to follow and prepare your application with complete peace of mind.

Joining a business school after the Bac generally involves an admission procedure which may include an entrance exam or an application file, depending on the school. This process often includes written tests (general culture, mathematics, languages) and a motivational interview. Some schools also offer admissions based on the student’s academic results and career plans.

At ESCE, two programs are available after the Bac: the Grande École Program, a 5-year program leading to a Bac+5 (Master’s degree), accessible via Parcoursup and the SESAME entrance exam. The International Bachelor’s Program, meanwhile, is a 3-year program accessible without going through Parcoursup, on the basis of an application file and a motivation interview.

Grande École Program – 1st year

ESCE’s Grande École Program is a Bac+5 program with an international focus, offering internships, university exchanges and specializations in management, business and marketing. The program is primarily aimed at baccalaureate holders in general subjects (such as science, economics and social sciences, literature) or technological subjects (STMG, for example), who wish to enter a recognized school and prepare for an international career.

Admission: Admission is via Parcoursup and the SESAME entrance exam, which includes written tests (general culture, mathematics, languages) and oral tests (motivational interview). This process enables us to select motivated candidates who are ready to commit to a high-level training program.

Prerequisites for admission to 1st year: Admission is open to candidates who have obtained their baccalauréat or equivalent diploma.

Tuition: €11,950 per year.

International Bachelor Program – 1st year

ESCE’s International Bachelor’s Program is a 3-year program focusing on international business, accessible directly outside of Parcoursup. This program offers a year-round open admission procedure, providing great flexibility.

Admission: To apply, you’ll need to submit a complete application including your CV, transcripts, cover letter and pay a €70 application fee. Once your application has been reviewed, an interview will be organized to assess your career plans and motivation.

Admission: Application, followed by interview.

Annual tuition: €8,950.

ESCE offers students who have completed their first year of post-baccalaureate studies the opportunity to enter the 2ᵉ year of the Grande École Program or the International Bachelor’s program directly via parallel admission. This scheme is open to students from business schools, universities or other equivalent courses. To apply, all you need to do is submit an application file, followed by a motivational interview designed to assess your skills, background and career aspirations. This process ensures a perfect match between your profile and the academic requirements of our program.

Grande École Program – 2nd year

If you have completed your first year of higher education (Bac+1), you can enter the 2nd year of ESCE’s Programme Grande École (PGE) directly via parallel admission.

To be eligible, you need to have completed your baccalaureate and validated 60 ECTS credits in Bac+1, or hold a foreign diploma equivalent to the baccalaureate. Once these criteria have been met, you can submit your application and take part in a motivation interview.

Admission: Application, followed by interview.

Annual tuition: €11,950.

International Bachelor Program – 2nd year

If you have validated 60 ECTS credits at Bac+1, you can enter ESCE’s Bachelor International program in 2nd year.

ESCE’s International Bachelor’s Program prepares students for an international career, offering practical skills and immersion in multicultural contexts. To apply, you’ll need to submit a complete application including your CV, transcripts, cover letter and a €70 application fee. Once your application has been reviewed, an interview will be held to assess your career plans and motivation.

Admission: Application, followed by interview.
Annual tuition: €8,950.

At ESCE, joining the 3rd year is an opportunity for students who have completed two years of higher education (Bac+2), i.e. 120 ECTS credits, at a business school, university or equivalent. This level is particularly suited to those wishing to specialize in an internationally-oriented program and develop practical business and management skills. Admission is by entrance examination, or by application and interview, depending on the program chosen. Whatever the program, students can opt for awork-study program, giving them the chance to combine study with work experience, while benefiting from a total exemption from tuition fees, thanks to the company and the OPCO covering the cost.

Grande École Program – 3rd year

At ESCE, you can enter the 3rd year of the Programme Grande École (PGE) via an internal entrance exam, open to students who have validated 120 ECTS credits. You can choose from 7 admission sessions offered between February and August.

The admission process consists of several stages: a distance written test, including an aptitude test and an English test, and a face-to-face oral test, consisting of a 30-minute interview on your personality and motivation. To be eligible for the 3rd year, you must validate 120 ECTS, and for the 4th year, 180 ECTS.

Admission: Internal exam, written and oral tests.
Annual tuition: €11,950 (waived for sandwich courses).

International Bachelor Program – 3rd year

If you have completed 120 ECTS credits at Bac+2, you can enter ESCE’s Bachelor International program in 3rd year.

ESCE’s International Bachelor’s Program prepares students for an international career, offering practical skills and immersion in multicultural contexts. To apply, you’ll need to submit a complete application including your CV, transcripts, cover letter and a €70 application fee. Once your application has been reviewed, an interview will be held to assess your career plans and motivation.

Admission: Application, followed by interview.
Annual tuition: €8,950 (waived for sandwich courses).

Entry to a business school after a Bachelor’s degree is possible via admission to the Master of Science or 4th year of the Grande École Program. After a Bachelor’s degree (Bac+3), you can enter a business school directly via a Master’s degree or the 4th year of the Grande École Program. This type of admission is often reserved for students who have validated 180 ECTS credits (Bac+3).

Grande École Program – 4th year

At ESCE, it’s possible to enter the 4th year of the Programme Grande École (PGE) via an internal entrance exam, open to students who have validated 120 ECTS credits. You can choose from 7 admission sessions offered between February and August.

The admission process consists of several stages: a distance written test, including an aptitude test and an English test, and a face-to-face oral test, consisting of a 30-minute interview on your personality and motivation. To be eligible for the 3rd year, you must validate 120 ECTS, and for the 4th year, 180 ECTS.

Admission: Internal exam, written and oral tests.
Annual tuition: €11,950 (waived for sandwich courses).

Master of science – M1/M2

ESCE’s Master of Science (MSc) offers specialized programs accessible after 3 years of higher education. Admission is by application, including a CV, covering letter and transcripts from previous years. A selection interview is also scheduled to assess your aptitudes and motivations. This program prepares you for international careers, and the annual tuition fee is €9,690.

The “rentrée décalée” option allows students to join a business school program in January or February, depending on their background. Accessible after one year of post-baccalaureate studies, this option offers flexibility for those with atypical backgrounds or wishing to return to their studies. At ESCE, the “rentrée décalée” option enables students to enter different programs, based on an application and a motivation interview. This means you can start a professional training program without waiting for the traditional start of the academic year.

1st year – post-bac

ESCE’s International Bachelor program offers a staggered start to the academic year in February for students with the Bac. This opportunity allows students to follow an intensive semester of academic and professional training. The start of the first year is set for February 17, 2025. At the end of this semester, students will have the choice of entering the second year of the Grande École program or continuing on to the Bachelor’s program. The cost of this staggered start to the academic year is €6,950.

3rd year – bachelor

ESCE’s International Bachelor program offers a staggered start in February for students with Bac+2. This staggered start enables students to follow an intensive one-semester program, both academic and professional. Students will be able to enter the third year, specializing in Organizational Management, from February 3, 2025. The cost is €6,950.

4th and 5th year – master of scicence

Students with a Bac+3 or Bac+4 can be admitted to the Master of Science M1 or M2 (Fast Track). Starting in January, the Fast Track offers a condensed, high-quality program with courses in English, case studies and internships. Tuition is €9,690 for the MSc and €9,950 for the MSc Fast Track.

ESCE welcomes international students to its Bachelor, Grande École and Master of Science programs. Whether you’re interested in a course in Management or a specialization in International Management, our programs are open to students from all over the world. Teaching is in English, with a focus on internationalization and mobility opportunities across our campuses and partners.

International students can join our programs at different times: from the first to the 4th year. Each program is designed to offer an immersive experience in a globalized environment, with practical courses, group projects and international internships.

Additional Information

Updated 4 February 2025