The grandes écoles: training to become a top professional ?

Les grandes écoles: les formations pour devenir un professionnel d’excellence?

The grandes écoles are renowned for offering top-level training and producing highly sought-after, qualified managers. These higher education establishments are selective, accepting the best students on the basis of competitive examination. Business schools offer programs that generally cover a wide variety of fields, such as finance, management and business administration, marketing or entrepreneurship. They have a long tradition of success, with many alumni holding prestigious positions in companies around the world. Would you like to join a prestigious school? Discover our Programme Grande Ecole to benefit from cutting-edge training that will enable you to bring all your projects to fruition.

What is a grande école ?

The notion of a grande école is a French concept that dates back to the 19th century. At the time, the French education system was divided into two main categories: university establishments and grandes écoles. Universities were open to all students who passed the entrance exams, while the grandes écoles were institutions reserved for an elite few.

Today, of the 3,500 higher education establishments in France, there are just 223 grandes écoles, in fields as varied as the humanities (Science Po), aeronautics (ENAC), telecommunications (TELECOM Paris), engineering (Polytechnique) and, of course, business schools (EDC Paris Business School). The grandes écoles are often considered the most prestigious training programs in France, with strict admission criteria for selecting the best students.

The grandes écoles de commerce are institutions of higher education specialized in training future business executives and managers. The term "grande école" refers to the reputation of the establishment and its high level of selectivity. Business schools are often highly selective, and admission is based on a series of criteria, such as academic results, standardized test scores, work experience, extracurricular activities, language skills and personal interviews. Some business schools also require students to have attended preparatory classes in order to pass the entrance exams.

Graduates of top business schools are highly sought-after by employers, particularly in the business world and within large corporations. Students who graduate from a top business school often have access to a large network of professionals, alumni and potential employers, which can be very helpful in finding a job after graduation.

What careers does the Grande Ecole program lead to ?

The Grande Ecole program, offered by leading business schools, provides students with top-level training in business and management. This versatile training enables graduates to enter a wide variety of professions and careers.

Here are just a few examples of the professions to which the Grande Ecole program can lead :

Management Consultant

Skills in corporate strategy, project management, data analysis and communication are highly sought-after by management consulting firms, who often recruit graduates of leading business schools to work on consulting projects for their customers.

Responsable marketing

A solid training in marketing and communications enables you to work as a marketing or communications manager in companies of all sizes and in all sectors.

Financial analyst

Training in finance and accounting prepares you to work as a financial analyst, auditor or management controller.

Contractor

Graduates of top business schools are often encouraged to develop their own businesses because of the emphasis placed on innovation and entrepreneurship.

What's the difference between university and Grandes Ecoles ?

What universities and grandes écoles have in common is that they both offer higher education. Their main difference is that grandes écoles generally impose a selection process on entry, while most universities apply a more open selection process to students of different levels.

Grandes Ecoles usually offer specialized training in a particular field, such as business, engineering or finance, while universities offer more general training. What's more, grandes écoles have more structured and practical curricula, with compulsory internships or professional projects.

In practice, we find that classes at the grandes écoles are smaller, enabling more personalized teaching and better interaction between students and teachers. On the other hand, university classes are often held in lecture halls that can accommodate several hundred students, reducing the opportunity for interaction with professors.

Finally, graduates of grandes écoles generally have higher employability rates than university graduates, due to their specialized training and practical experience. However, their studies are often more costly, mainly due to their status as private institutions, which does not allow them to benefit from state funding.

Why go to a grande école ?

Attending a top business school can offer many advantages for students looking to launch a professional career in business, finance or management.

First and foremost, business schools offer highly specialized and professional training that prepares students to work in the business world. Courses at these schools are often highly practical and include compulsory internships or professional projects, enabling students to familiarize themselves with the workings of business right from the start of their career.

First and foremost, business schools offer highly specialized and professional training that prepares students to work in the business world. Courses at these schools are often highly practical and include compulsory internships or professional projects, enabling students to familiarize themselves with the workings of business right from the start of their career.

What's more, training at a top business school can open the door to management positions and higher salaries. Graduates of top business schools are often recruited by prestigious companies, and can rise to management positions more quickly than their peers with general university training.

Last but not least, top business schools encourage international experience, through internships or years of study abroad, which can be a major advantage at the start of a career, especially when it comes to working for large international companies.

Would you like to acquire the skills you need to succeed in your career as a future manager? Discover our Programme Grande Ecole and put the odds in your favor.