Specialising with a master's at a grande école
The Master is a Bac+5 level degree, equivalent to 120 ECTS credits, spread over four semesters after the licence. This degree can be obtained at many institutions in France, including the grandes écoles de commerce.
Specialising with a master's at a grande école allows you to acquire advanced skills, develop expertise in a specific field and make your entry into the job market easier, thanks to programmes that are close to what companies expect.
Which master's should you choose in the 4th year?
Business grandes écoles generally offer three main types of master's, allowing students to adapt their path to their career plans.
The master's in initial education
The master's in initial education offers a complete academic programme that prepares students for their future career.
Courses are complemented by internships in companies, allowing students to gain a first professional experience and to put into practice the knowledge acquired during their studies.
The work-study master's
The work-study master's combines academic study with immersion in a company. This format has several advantages:
gaining solid professional experience,
a monthly salary during your studies,
tuition fees paid by the company,
the possibility of being recruited at the end of the work-study period.
Work-study is thus a particularly relevant route for students wishing to enter the professional world quickly.
The master's taught 100% in English
Some schools also offer master's programmes taught entirely in English, designed for students who wish to work in an international environment.
These programmes allow you to:
specialise in a specific field,
become bilingual in English,
complete part of the course abroad,
prepare a double degree with a partner university.
This type of path fosters cultural openness and independence, and prepares students to work in international companies.
Choosing a specialisation suited to your career plans
The grandes écoles constantly adapt their programmes to meet the needs of companies and changes in the labour market.
The choice of a master's specialisation should above all be guided by:
your career plans,
your interests,
the career opportunities offered by the sector.
To refine your choice, it can be useful to talk to former students who followed different specialisations, so as to better understand the possible career paths.
A recognised degree that eases entry into the job market
The business grandes écoles offer a wide choice of master's specialisations: initial education, work-study, international pathways and double degrees.
Students generally benefit from:
small class sizes,
personalised support,
teamwork,
international experience.
The close ties between management schools and companies strongly promote graduates' entry into the job market.
On average:
more than 90% of graduates find a job within six months,
a third of them begin their career abroad,
80% quickly secure a permanent contract (CDI).
The average gross annual salary is generally around €36,000 in France, and can reach €45,000 abroad for a first job.
Gaining access to the Master in Management through the EDC Paris Business School entrance exam
The EDC Paris Business School entrance exam allows students with a Bac+2 or Bac+3 to join a Master in Management programme leading to the Master's degree grade.
Through this route, students can benefit from a recognised education, support towards employment and a solid professional network, making for a quick, high-quality entry into the job market.