Financing a Master in Management

Joining a top-level business school represents a significant investment, and it is entirely natural to consider how to finance a Master in Management before committing. The good news is that several funding options are available to make this pathway accessible, regardless of your initial financial situation. Internal and public scholarships, work-study schemes, student loans, and flexible payment plans all contribute to this accessibility at EDC Paris Business School. No motivated student should be prevented from pursuing their studies due to financial constraints.

The following sections outline four main solutions for building your financial plan, along with guidance on how to combine them effectively according to your profile. The goal is to help you approach your studies with confidence, supported by a clear understanding of your resources and expenses throughout the programme.

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Scholarships and available financial aid

EDC Paris Business School is committed to supporting its most motivated and high-achieving students through a scholarship scheme for business school students that is strengthened each year.

Merit-based scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are awarded to French high school graduates based on their baccalaureate results. For the autumn intake, the tuition fee reductions are as follows:

• Highest honours (Très Bien): 50% reduction

• Upper second class honours (Bien): 30% reduction

• Lower second class honours (Assez Bien): 10% reduction

For the February intake, the reductions are:

• Très Bien: 30%

• Bien: 15%

• Assez Bien: 5%

A 10% “fraternity discount” is also granted to siblings or children of alumni. These reductions apply to tuition fees and cannot be combined.

Institutional scholarships

Public scholarship schemes complement this internal system. As a State-recognised institution, EDC Paris Business School admits students eligible for needs-based CROUS grants, awarded according to household income and academic level, independently of academic performance. Applications must be submitted directly by students via the dedicated platform.

Additional public support schemes are also available, such as AMIE assistance for students in financial difficulty and Erasmus+ grants for international mobility periods, which may be combined with other forms of aid under certain conditions.

Financing studies through work-study

The Master in Management work-study scheme is arguably the most powerful financing lever available within the programme. During Years 4 and 5 of the master cycle, students may choose either an apprenticeship contract or a professionalisation contract. These arrangements allow tuition fees to be covered by the employer and provide the student with a monthly salary.

In practical terms, this offers a dual advantage: students no longer pay tuition fees for the final two years of the programme, as costs are covered directly by the company through its skills development funding body (OPCO), and they simultaneously receive a monthly income to cover living expenses such as accommodation, transport, and food.

The apprenticeship contract is intended for students pursuing a qualification through work-study, with remuneration determined by age and year of contract in accordance with current regulations. The professionalisation contract offers greater flexibility regarding candidate profiles and funding arrangements. In both cases, the schedule at EDC Paris Business School follows a rhythm of three weeks in company and one week in academic classes.

Student loans and banking solutions

For students who do not benefit from a scholarship or full work-study funding, a student loan is a widely used complementary solution. Banks offer specific loan packages designed for business school students, often at preferential interest rates and without requiring the student to demonstrate personal income.

Key features of a standard student loan:

• Deferred repayment until the end of studies, once the student enters employment;

• Option to repay only interest during the study period;

• Loan amount adapted to the duration and cost of the programme;

• Possible requirement for a guarantor, although public guarantee schemes (such as the French state guarantee via Bpifrance) may remove this requirement in some cases.

A “prêt d’honneur” (honour loan), offered by certain foundations and student associations, is another option. It is an interest-free and collateral-free loan awarded on the basis of merit and social criteria. It can usefully complement a standard bank loan.

Building a student budget

Before choosing a financing solution, it is essential to have a clear understanding of your annual student budget. The cost of studies is not limited to tuition fees; it also includes all expenses related to student life in Paris.

Key budget categories:
 

• Tuition fees: from €11,200 per year for September intake, and from €8,600 for February intake (before scholarships or work-study funding);

• Accommodation: often the largest expense for students in the Paris region. EDC Paris Business School provides support for finding suitable student housing;

• Transport: public transport passes (Navigo) and commuting costs between campus and workplace for work-study students;

• Food and daily expenses: variable depending on lifestyle;

• Study materials: laptop (loan services are available for students in financial difficulty), books, and supplies;

• International mobility: the mandatory study abroad semester may generate additional costs, partially offset by mobility grants such as Erasmus+ or AMIE.

A realistic budget, prepared at the application stage, helps identify the exact amount to be financed and select the most appropriate funding mechanisms, avoiding unexpected financial pressure during the academic year.

Every student’s situation is unique, and the ideal financing plan is one that combines the right tools according to your profile, entry level, and career ambitions.

The financing service at EDC Paris Business School is available to help you clarify your options: scholarships, work-study schemes, student loans, and payment facilities can all be combined into a coherent strategy.

Book an appointment with the team to build a personalised financing plan and bring your study project to life.

Request a phone appointment for more information