What is a Grande Ecole program in France?

The Grande Ecole system is France's elite higher education track — historically more selective, more professionally focused, and more internationally recognized than the standard university system. Entry is highly competitive and based on academic performance, language proficiency, and in some cases, competitive entrance exams.

A Grande Ecole program is the French equivalent of a top-ranked Master in Management (MiM) or MBA, combining rigorous academic training with real-world application, international exposure, and a powerful alumni network.

Audencia's Grande Ecole Program (sometimes called PGE in French) leads to a nationally recognized Master's degree (Grade Master, Bac+5) — one of the highest academic level in the French higher education system, equivalent to a Master's degree recognised across the European Union and beyond.

What sets the Grande Ecole apart:

• Highly selective intake with a strong academic and international profile
• Longer program (2 years + optional gap year) with more work experience embedded
• Deep integration with the professional world through internships, company projects, and alumni networks
• Globally recognized accreditations (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA)

Audencia Business School's program promotes your personal development through a balanced pedagogical project based on three dimensions:

• Academic Excellence: Recognized for its academic excellence, the program guarantees quality training in key areas.
  
• International Openness: Audencia emphasizes internationalization by offering numerous opportunities for academic exchanges, double degrees and internships abroad.
• Professional Network: Audencia has a professional network composed mainly of graduates. This gives students access to concrete projects and opportunities to meet with our partners.

#25 worldwide — Financial Times Masters in Management 2025

In 2025, the Financial Times ranked Audencia's Master in Management 25th worldwide and 8th among French business schools in its prestigious Masters in Management ranking — one of the most respected global benchmarks for graduate management education.

This ranking reflects the programme's career outcomes (83% in permanent employment, average salary of €47,000), its international reach (124 nationalities, 200+ exchange partners), and the quality of its faculty and research.

Triple accreditation: EQUIS, AACSB & AMBA

Audencia holds the "Triple Crown" — simultaneous accreditation by EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA. Fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide achieve this distinction. For students and employers, it is an internationally recognised guarantee of teaching quality, research standards, and career outcomes.

The final year of the MIM program embodies one of its fundamental pillars: dual expertise. With over 24 specializations at Audencia spanning four themes and opportunities for dual degrees in France and abroad, you are sure to find a program that suits your needs!

During your second year of the program, you can choose from a variety of options:

• Contribute to the definition and implementation of an organization’s strategic direction.
• Analyze the economic, social, and cultural environment to understand the challenges organizations face, including those in an international context.
• Oversee and coordinate the activities of an organization or one of its units.
• Support the development of projects, teams, and skills within the organization.

Audencia's Grande Ecole program stands out for its international approach and commitment to managing ecological and social change.

Students benefit from a comprehensive and personalized educational program that equips them with the skills necessary to operate effectively in a changing global context.

Specific courses, opportunities for academic exchanges and internships abroad, and a vast network of international partners offer students a global perspective and concrete collaborations with actors committed to ecological and social transition.

Continuous monitoring, Evaluation écrite, Examens sur table, Final dissertation, Soutenance orale

At the heart of Audencia’s programs, our teaching approach is built around four key pillars:

Interdisciplinarity
We combine management with social and environmental challenges to prepare future leaders and the organisations they will shape.

Learning by doing
We turn theory into practice through hands-on tools, real-world cases, and applied learning experiences.

Critical thinking
We help students develop the ability to analyse complex situations and make informed decisions as future leaders.

Skills-based learning
We develop a balanced set of competencies across social impact, behavioural skills, and professional expertise — preparing graduates for real-world success.

Eligibility requirements for the Master in Management:

Proficiency in English as demonstrated by one of the following:

• TOEFL iBT 84, TOEIC 655, IELTS 6.0, or Cambridge English B2 First (minimum score: 169)
• Undergraduate programme taught in English
• Native speaker

3-year or 4-year degree in any field

Note that you can apply during the last year of your Bachelor’s studies.

Up to 3 weeks

It is possible to transfer to a university or other business school (rare, but possible), and to private schools (communication schools, design schools, etc.).

Equivalencies are determined by the institutions to which you choose to apply.

The level of equivalence is determined by the number of credits earned at the applicant's home institution and the applicant's academic record.

Admissions are open until June 2027, but may close early if class is full. Due to the limited number of seats available, candidates are strongly advised to apply before the Early Application deadline of January 31st, 2027.

Register now

38,250€

Service Fees: An Investment in Student Quality of Life
In addition to tuition, students are required to pay mandatory service fees of €500 per academic year upon entry into the program. These fees do not apply to scholarship students or apprentices.

Service fees help finance the activities, infrastructure, and services provided to you by Student Life Department. The goal is to promote your well-being, health, and inclusion, support your involvement in student organizations, and assist you with housing and financing.

Comprehensive support to help you get the most out of your student experience!

At Audencia, opening up to the world is at the heart of our mission. With a vast network of international partners, every student is encouraged to experience at least one semester abroad.

Thanks to our strong partnerships with prestigious universities around the world, we can offer you over 200 study abroad opportunities on every continent. These diverse destinations allow you to immerse yourself in small groups and fully integrate into the local culture.

But that's not all! You also have the opportunity to pursue an international double degree with one of our many partners of excellence.

Audencia holds the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027.

During Master 1, via the "International Path"

The choice between these two other options is made during the pre-master's year:

• The Global Mobility Track: During the pre-master's year, after a first semester in Nantes, you will spend your 2nd semester in Europe at a partner university and your 3rd semester in the USA or China. Immersion in 3 continents from the first 3 semesters of the program
• Geographical Paths: The goal is to deepen your geopolitical and cultural knowledge of a region of your choice: Asia, South America, Africa, USA, Russia, CEE during the 1st year and the possibility to spend the 3rd semester at a prestigious partner university in the area studied (Merida-Yukatan in Mexico, St. Petersburg, Fullerton California...).

During the Master 2 Program, by completing a double degree

Do you have a strong academic record and an international career plan? Audencia offers you the opportunity to spend a full year of specialization abroad. You can also prepare a double degree among the 150 available.

Discover the list of schools and their degrees:

After completing this program, you can choose to further strengthen your academic and professional expertise through advanced studies at Audencia or in other top international institutions.

Audencia offers opportunities to deepen specialization through its Mastère Spécialisé® programs, designed for targeted expertise and career acceleration in specific fields of management.

For those aiming to pursue high-level academic or research-oriented careers, students may also continue with a Doctorate / PhD pathway.

In addition, Audencia offers an English-taught Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), designed for experienced professionals and executives who wish to combine advanced research with real-world managerial challenges and contribute to the development of applied business knowledge.

Audencia's Master in Management graduates are highly sought after by top employers across all sectors. According to Audencia's 2024 Graduate Employment Survey:

• 83% secured a permanent employment contract (CDI) within 6 months of graduation
• 88% were employed within 6 months
• Average starting salary: €47,000 per year

These outcomes reflect the programme's deep integration with the professional world: 14 to 24 months of internship and work experience embedded in the curriculum, a Career & Corporate Relations Center providing personalised coaching, and access to Audencia's network of 50,000 alumni across 100 countries.

General Management: Company Executive, Business Director, Profit Center Director, Subsidiary Director, Business Unit Director, Agency or Branch Director, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary General

Functional Management: Development Manager/Director, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Administrative and Financial Manager, Management Controller, Human Resources Manager, Operations Manager, Procurement and Supply Chain Manager, Consultant, Auditor

Fields of expertise: 

• Management of small or medium-sized businesses
• Management of large companies or public institutions
• Consulting in organizational and business management
• Marketing
• Administrative and financial management