When thinking of studying for an MBA overseas most people consider universities in the United States. However, surprisingly perhaps, France is fast rising as a study destination.
According to the latest Times Higher Education Alma Mater Index, which ranks institutions based on the number of degrees they have awarded to the CEOs of Fortune Global 500 companies, France has the second largest number of institutions among the top 10 after the US.
Is there any benefit in looking at France as an alternative to the US when doing your MBA?
Coming from a background in the market research industry in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Channing Yeung landed a managerial position at the headquarters of L’Oréal after getting her MBA from HEC Paris. She was looking to “enriching her cultural experience” and believed that “MBA programmes in France have a greater mix of students” compared with many in English- or Spanish-speaking countries.
A one-year commitment in Europe gives a better return on investment than a two-year programme in the US because of the shorter time frame and the lower financial costs involved
INSEAD launched the first European MBA programme in 1959, and the school now has campuses in Fontainebleau, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. This year there are more than 90 different nationalities in its MBA programme and basic knowledge of a third language is expected before graduation.
MBA programmes in France also offer exposure to the French language. HEC Paris, for example, makes learning French mandatory for non-natives in its MBA programme, despite using English as the medium of teaching.
