What subjects are taught at business school?

The subjects taught at business school are numerous and complementary. Students who join straight after the baccalaureate or through parallel admission take courses in the fundamentals of management. They then acquire hard skills in the specialisation of their choice during the master cycle. Management schools also teach soft skills, which provide complementary abilities valued by companies.

The fundamentals of management

The fundamentals of management are generally taught in the 1st year of a Master in Management or of a Bachelor programme. Students joining a business school in the 3rd year receive a catch-up period in the first semester. They follow courses on the fundamentals and on more advanced management. On a master cycle, management schools offer a common core in the first semester. It brings students up to speed and familiarises them with courses in management, taxation, marketing and more. From the second semester, they follow the courses of their specialisation. The fundamentals of management courses include subjects such as general accounting, core marketing, economics for managers, law, geopolitics and more. Students also take courses in economic mathematics, as well as in finance, management and sales. All of these courses are complemented by modern languages, student association activities and case studies. Business schools offer courses in French and in English. They allow students to work on their studies in that language, to acquire specific vocabulary and to consider an international career.

Hard skills in master’s specialisations

Business school students develop hard skills, which are the technical skills needed to become an expert in your field. From the master cycle onwards, courses focus on the chosen specialisation. Students on a master in human resources take courses tailored to their specialisation. They study subjects such as employment law, management, sociology, personnel management and administrative tasks. Students on marketing and sales masters are taught commercial negotiation, understanding the consumer and the different sales channels. Other specialisations are digital-oriented, with subjects such as development, acquisition, online prospecting, data and more. Masters in accounting, management control or finance are focused on figures. Students receive teaching to anticipate risks within a company, analyse a company’s situation and contribute to its development. Internationally oriented masters are generally taught in English. They allow students to acquire skills in global markets, to understand the diversity of target audiences and to be able to work in many sectors internationally. Entrepreneurship specialisations give students the teaching they need to prepare for starting or taking over a business. Some schools also have incubators so that students can create and develop their own business during their years of study. All master’s specialisations allow students to gain comprehensive expertise in their chosen field. Some masters give students the opportunity to put their learning into practice. They are delivered in the form of a work-study rhythm or through internships in companies.

Soft skills, complementary to management training

Soft skills are flexible abilities that complement management training. Business schools contribute to teaching these skills, which companies look for. They include the student’s character, adaptability in a new environment, flexibility and critical thinking. They can also be technical skills that complement the training. Management schools prepare students to acquire these skills. They are developed through specific seminars throughout the programme, case studies or group work. Student association activities also allow students to develop these skills. They are also developed through events organised by the schools, such as thematic conferences, master classes or talks by external experts.

All of these courses allow students to acquire a multitude of skills to enter the workforce successfully after obtaining a master.