4 ways to finance your studies at a top French business school | Top Universities
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4 ways to finance your studies at a top French business school

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Chloe Lane

Updated Aug 31, 2022
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funding business school in France

Sponsored by EDHEC Business School 

Studying a postgraduate programme at a top business school can boost your income significantly and give you valuable skills that’ll help you progress in your career.  

If you’re hoping to study abroad at one of the world’s most prestigious business schools, France is a good place to start looking. Performing consistently well across the QS World University Rankings and the QS Global MBA Rankings,  French business schools are globally recognised their excellent academic reputation and high standards of teaching. 

However, business school often doesn’t come cheap, particularly if you’re looking to study abroad. Many students require some financial support to help them pay for tuition and living costs.   

For students in need of financial support in order to study at a top business school in France, there are several financial aid options available; including scholarships, loans and government grants.  

For example, EDHEC Business School, which consistently ranks within the global top 10 business school in the most recent  QS Business Master’s Rankings, offers a diverse and transparent scholarship scheme which enables talented students from all backgrounds to pursue their studies. This is part of the school’s strategic plan: “Impact Future Generations”. 

Read on as we take a closer look at the different options available to students who want to attend business school in France.  

Scholarships 

There are many different types of scholarships available if you’re looking to study abroad in France. Scholarships and their requirements will vary widely from school to school, and may take into account financial need, academic merit and where you are from.  

If you are considering studying at EDHEC Business School for example, there are several types of scholarship available: 

  • EDHEC scholarships: EDHEC’s scholarships support and champion diversity, encouraging people from all backgrounds to attend business school. There are a range of scholarships available, offering up to 75 percent off tuition. These include the EDHEC Cultural Diversity Scholarships which grant 40 percent off tuition. EDHEC applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships, so there is no need to apply.  
  • EDHEC co-financed scholarships: These scholarships are funded from partnerships with embassies, such as the EDHEC French Embassy Co-Financed in India, a joint initiative of EDHEC Business School and the Embassy of France in India. This scholarship is offered to two Indian students with an excellent academic background and clear career objectives. 
  • EDHEC privileged partners: EDHEC’s partnerships with local and international bodies have helped them secure a number of grants and financial aids. For example, the QS-EDHEC Scholarship is an exclusive scholarship for attendees of the QS World Grad School Tour.  
  • EIFFEL scholarship: This scholarship is managed by the French ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development. It awards around €1,200 per month (~£1,020) to high achieving international students.  
  • Local scholarships: Offered by French embassies, these scholarships are location-specific and are offered to students all around the world.  

Check EDHEC’s website to see if you are eligible for any of these scholarships.  

Government Grants  

The French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs offers a large number of grants and scholarships to international students looking to study in France.  

There are 14,000 tuition fee exemptions available to non-European students and these are mainly granted to students from North and sub-Saharan Africa.  

Discover more about the grants and scholarships offered by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Additionally, there are organisations supporting the study of international students studying in France, such as the Erasmus + programme which gives 30,000 people the opportunity to study in France. 

Student loans 

Taking on a student loan as an international student will help finance you through business school and let you pay back your tuition fees once you start earning. 

Prodigy Finance is a platform that offers loans to international postgraduate students attending prestigious universities and business schools. These loans are available for students from 150 nationalities. 

US citizens who are looking to study in France can apply for Federal Student Aid, which helps cover the cost of tuition while studying abroad. Additionally, the Direct PLUS Loan is a federal loan that graduate students can use to pay for tuition expenses not covered by other financial aid. 

Internship or work placement 

Students who want to supplement their financial aid while studying in France can take on a part-time work placement or internship. 

French law allows international students with a student loan to work up to 964 hours per year, which is equivalent to around 60 percent of normal working hours in France. This can be a great way to make your CV stand out with some international business experience, while earning some money. 

Find out more about the legal requirements for working in France here

CTA: Discover more about the funding options available at EDHEC Business School 

Check EDHEC’s website to see if you are eligible for any of these scholarships.