Paving the Way Towards a Successful Career: Joining a Business School After Your 2-Year Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree.

Why opt for a business school after your 2-year diploma or bachelor’s degree?

Choosing to enroll in a business school following two or three years of higher education is a prudent choice for several reasons.

First and foremost, this type of institution will enable you to explore various fields (finance, marketing, management, business development, international trade, etc.) and train in the fundamentals of management which will form the basis of your future success in the business world. Emphasis is also placed on developing managerial skills: knowing how to make strategic decisions, lead teams, solve complex problems, etc. These are essential skills for advancing in the professional world in positions of responsibility.

Joining a prestigious business school also means attending classes, often taught in English, by leading researchers and professionals from the business world, and having unique opportunities for studying abroad. Historically, business schools maintain close relationships with numerous campuses worldwide and place internationalization at the heart of their programs.

Another strong point is the integration of internships and the possibility of enrolling in a work-study track. Being immersed in the professional world will enable you to enrich your cv, work on your career projects and enhance your employability when you graduate. You can also make the most of alumni networks and the quality of relationships that generally exist between business schools and many companies.

However, it is essential to note that not all degrees awarded by business schools have the same value. The level of degree, the grade, and the RNCP title vary, and it is crucial to understand these distinctions.

How to Join a Business School with 2-years of Higher Education Studies.

You can enroll in the 3rd year of the bachelor’s program directly after completing a 2-year diploma of 2 years of higher education (120 validated ECTS credits)

It is possible to join a business school and enter the third and final year of the bachelor’s program after completing a 2-year diploma (e.g. BTS, DUT), or after validating two years or 120 ECTS credits of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Entry into a business school is mainly via a competitive examination procedure which assesses the applicants’ academic skills, personal aptitudes, and sometimes specific knowledge related to the chosen specialization.

For example, ESC Clermont Business School organizes a specific competitive exam to join the work-study track for the 3rd and final year of the bachelor’s program. Students can apply for one of the following 7 specializations:

• Customer Advisor Banking & Insurance
• Business Developer
• Assistant Human Resources Management
• Retail Manager
• Digital Communication Assistant
• E-Commerce Developer
• Sport Business Developer

Joining a master’s program after completing 2 or 3 years of a bachelor’s degree.

Joining a master’s program via the French ‘parallel admission’ system is a flexible pathway for students who wish to pursue advanced studies in business. Among the various competitive entrance exams available, the ‘Passerelle’ exam is an attractive option as it provides access to 5 Grandes Écoles of Commerce business schools, including ESC Clermont Business School. All students can apply, regardless of their initial field of study (economics, business, management-accounting, law, foreign languages, mathematics, etc.).

Two main gateways exist:

• Passerelle 1, Students can apply for the pre-master year after completing 2 years of undergraduate studies.
• Passerelle 2, Students can apply for entry to the master 1 with a 3-year bachelor’s degree.

Many business schools organize specific competitive entrance exams within a network or ‘a bank’ of schools. Applying through one of these banks will enable candidates to maximize their chances of admission to their desired institution.

ESC Clermont Business School offers a competitive entrance exam which specifically designed for candidates wishing to join the 24-month work-study track of the Master’s in Management program. As soon as their eligibility is confirmed (after successfully completing the entry exam phase) students will receive guidance by the school’s Corporate Relations service to support and consolidate their internship search strategy!