ESSEC BBA Program: International scope

Bachelor in Business AdministrationInternational

Discovering new horizons

In today’s world, all managers must be able to communicate, negotiate and build relationships in different cultures and languages. Thanks to its network of international partners and its alliances with key academic players, the BBA ESSEC offers its students the best international opportunities. At the end of the program, each student will have completed a minimum of 12 months of coursework abroad, and between 11 and 18 months of professional experience, which may also take place abroad.

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The Bachelor in Business Administration: an international format

The Bachelor’s of Business degree, accessible after secondary studies, is an international degree that opens the way to professionalization. Its main advantage? It is an international degree that is widely recognized by both universities and businesses all over the world. It is a part of the European “licence-master-doctorat” (LMD) system because it is a Baccalauréat+3 or Baccalauréat+4 level degree, depending on the high school diploma and the country. It is awarded when the student has obtained 180 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). It is also a standard for accessing the professional world which meets companies’ current needs. Combining theory and practice, it helps ensure a rapid entry into the professional world.

The AACSB and Equis accreditations

The BBA ESSEC is the first post-secondary business school to obtain both AACSB and EQUIS accreditation. These accreditations represent the ultimate international recognition for the school and the degrees it awards. They are granted on the basis of international standards that are even more exacting than those required by the French Ministry of Education. In particular, they assess all aspects of life at a school or group of schools. 60% of the ESSEC Bachelor in Business Administration’s partner institutions also have AACSB and/or EQUIS accreditation.

International immersion throughout the program

Academic exchanges

In the second year, students complete a six-month academic exchange abroad
In the third year, students go to another country for a one-year placement (academic exchange or dual degree)
The student selects 20 universities from our list of partners and is assigned to one according to his or her class ranking. The student receives special assistance and tools to prepare for his or her stay abroad.
The BBA ESSEC currently has 90 partners in 31 countries and 4 partner universities for the dual degree.

Internships

The decision-making internship (one semester) at the end of the program must be completed abroad. The other internships can be served either in France or abroad.

Languages

In the first year, students must begin learning a third modern language.

They can choose from the following: English, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Japanese and Brazilian Portuguese. Native-speaker instructors teach the languages with a focus on business usage.

Exchange student testimonial

Nathan Litchfield, 1 semester exchange student from Canada
"I chose ESSEC because of the school’s excellent international and domestic reputation.
The career centre provides a wealth of opportunities and well-known firms from a wide range of industries recruit directly from the school. Classes available to international students offer a balanced business education, and professors come from a diverse range of countries, industries, and academic backgrounds. Continuing my education in an environment that benefits from so many perspectives has been especially rewarding for me. The ESSEC campus has everything you need to produce quality work, from an excellent library to lots of workspace, as well as many options for meals. I chose to live off-campus in Paris and was able to commute to the school in less than 50 minutes. Going to school in France means exposure to an incredible range of French and European culture. In addition to easy access to fine art, music, and great food every weekend, I was able to travel to over 15 countries and 2 continents during my stay. Networking with your fellow classmates who are here from all over the world is easy with the amazing range of activities offered via ESSEC student clubs. Social, sport, and career-oriented clubs are available to all students."