France has long been celebrated for its beauty and cultural richness, but today it’s emerging as the ultimate destination for a top-tier business qualification. A 2023 report reveals that one in five business students in France now comes from abroad — a two-fold increase. No other country attracts such a high proportion of international students in business programs.
Its popularity shouldn’t surprise you. The country is home to some of the best business degrees in the world — plenty of which are hosted by Audencia Business School. Founded in 1900, it holds the “triple crown” of accreditations — AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB — placing it among the top 1% of business schools worldwide. It also ranks 27th globally, according to the Financial Times World Ranking 2023. These accolades solidify the school’s ability to teach tomorrow’s leaders the ins and outs of challenging conventional wisdom and fostering a global perspective.
Aakanksha Sonalkar, an international student from Mumbai, India, has a journey to prove it. Previously a UI/UX designer, she decided to study in France to learn more about the personal care and cosmetics industry. To gain the knowledge and business acumen needed for her new ventures, she chose to pursue Audencia’s acclaimed International MBA Program (IMBA).
“Audencia’s age-old legacy, wide-spread network of alumni and international exposure really stuck out to me,” says Sonalkar. “I also aspired to study in a city where I could get the real touch of French local culture and not a big bustling city that quite resembled Mumbai – hence the big move to come to Nantes!”
Many locals in Nantes speak English, making it easy for international students to settle in. Even the International MBA program is fully taught in English. On this route, you’ll learn alongside a multinational cohort with diverse languages, backgrounds, and perspectives. Immersion can help you gain the leadership skills required to stand out and make an impact anywhere across the globe.
It goes both ways; you will gain English proficiency even if it’s not your first language. Just ask Cybele Rizk, who graduated in 2022 — while fluent in French, she initially found it challenging to transition to the English-language MBA. “With consistent effort and the support of my professors and international peers, I quickly adapted. Engaging in class discussions, seeking clarification, and practicing English outside the classroom significantly improved my language proficiency,” she says.
Today, she’s a cost quality assurance manager, overseeing operations in multiple European sub-regions. Rizk credits her MBA’s comprehensive curriculum for providing her with the skills she needed to thrive.
The International MBA’s effectiveness and accessibility explain why it ranks 28th in the world and 2nd in France, according to Corporate Knights (2023). The Financial Times (2024) ranks it 77th globally.
Ranked 27th globally and 7th in France by the Financial Times, Audencia Business School is pioneering a new model focused on training responsible leaders. Source: Audencia Business School
Positive career outcomes all around
Pursuing the International MBA Program will set you up for success and prepare you for the global business landscape. Through rigorous theory and hands-on experience, you’ll be ready to accelerate your career, both in France and abroad.
“The MBA curriculum had a very dense structure which was a balance of practical learning and theoretical lessons. We stepped into completely unknown & daunting terrains like finance and big data, and some very engaging simulations like the consulting mission that had us work with a real enterprise for two months,” says Sonalkar.
“It opened up a global scope of opportunities for me as I gradually became aware of so many various companies offering many varied roles that I had never come across. Some of our professors were also top industry professionals who shared their learnings and guided us every step of the way.”
At Audencia, this support exists both within and beyond classrooms. Students like Sonalkar and Rizk had the opportunity to go on multiple company visits within Nantes and speak to industry professionals invited by the school. With each interaction came a new connection sure to last a lifetime.
“The program offered multiple opportunities to connect with companies and industries. I leveraged the faculty’s extensive network, participated in industry visits, and attended career fairs,” says Rizk. “Additionally, the alumni network provided valuable mentorship and guidance. These experiences helped me gain practical insights, develop professional relationships, and ultimately secure a position in a global company.”
Sonalkar especially appreciated the school’s Career & Corporate Relations Center and its guidance to those applying for roles in France and Europe. “We had a few career fairs during hiring seasons like May and October that allowed us to interact with many recruiters and alumni-turned-into-managers, who gave us great insights on targeting companies that suited our experience and goals better,” she shares.
With all of this in mind, it’s little wonder why 85% of students obtain successful employment even before graduation. As new and improved professionals, they go on to thrive across Europe, APAC, and Latin America. Sonalkar loved France too much to leave, so she stayed put. She’s now interning as a Junior Marketing Consultant at a local market research agency within the healthcare industry.
“In the grand scale of plans, I want to work as a consultant for a few years to sharpen my analysis and strategy skills and have the flexibility to enter the industry of my choice,” she says. “It’s a steady process but a very rewarding one, so I’m just enjoying it one day at a time.
If you’re interested in joining Audencia Business School, apply today. The Early Application deadline is Jan. 31, 2025.
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