Joining a business school: the complete guide

What are the different ways to join a business school?

There is no single path to business school. Whether you are in high school, in prep school, or a student in BTS, BUT or a bachelor's degree, there is a path adapted to your profile. The important thing is to understand the specificities of each course, their advantages, and to choose the one that best fits your project.

After the bac: Parcoursup, post-bac competition and direct admissions

If you want to join a business school right out of high school, It all starts with Parcoursup. The majority of post-bac schools are referenced on this platform, and you will have to express your wishes there. It is through this way that you can register for entrance exams such as SESAME, ACCESS or PASS, which bring together several recognized business schools or internal competitions at certain schools.

These competitions assess your academic level, your logic, your ability to reason and your linguistic skills. They often consist of written tests and oral interviews that take place before the bac exams. The registration fees for these contests vary. according to the competition and according to the schools.

The main advantage of this path? You enter a business school directly in the first year, without going through prep school, and you follow a gradual, supervised curriculum where professional situations start very early.

But be careful: the Choice of schools on Parcoursup is worth considering. Carefully read the sheets for each institution, find out about accreditations, diploma recognition and job opportunities. And get ready seriously, because the selection is still demanding. Schools are looking for motivated, curious candidates who are able to demonstrate that they have a project, even if it is not yet perfectly defined.

📌 At BSB, post-baccalaureate entry is done via Parcoursup without external competition. To join the Bachelor in Management on our Dijon or Lyon campuses, you must pass the BSB Bachelor exam. This internal competition is available to Terminale students. You will need to have a bachelor's degree to join BSB if you are admitted to the competitions. The registration fee is 50€ for non-scholarship holders and 25€ for scholarship recipients.

After a preparatory course: joining a Grande École via the BCE and Ecricome competitions

The course in preparatory class remains The best way to join the best Business Schools. After two intensive years of preparation (economic and commercial, literary or scientific), you will pass the exams BCE and Ecricome depending on the schools you want to join. They combine written tests (mathematics, general knowledge, languages) and oral exams.

Choosing prep is Have a high academic level and develop skills of analysis, rigor and work under pressure. But it is also a demanding journey, where the workload is intense. Prep isn't for everyone, but it can be an excellent springboard to target the most prestigious schools.

Compared to post-bac admission, the prep course gives you more maturity and a solid general knowledge when entering the school. On the other hand, it delays your entry into student and professional life by two years. It's up to everyone to see what best fits their pace and ambitions.

Parallel admissions: an alternative for BUT, BTS or bachelor students

You have followed a university or technological background and are wondering if a business school is accessible without going through a preparatory class?

The answer is yes.

Les parallel admissions allow you to join a Grande École in Master after a BTS, a BUT or a license, often at Bac+2 or Bac+3.

Concretely, this path is ideal for those who already have developed concrete skills and wish to complement them with broader expertise in management, strategy and international business.

To join a business school, there are several competitions: the Passerelle competition, the Springboard competition (specific to certain schools), and sometimes competitions specific to each school. At BSB, we recruit exclusively through the Passerelle competition.

This competition is aimed at students from various fields: degree in law, economics, AES, languages, sciences or graduates of BTS and BUT.

The Passerelle exam consists of a complete file, an English test (or presentation of proof of TOEIC, TOEFL, iBT, iELTS, Cambridge), then an interview with the jury of the schools you have selected. At BSB, the interview takes place 100% online.

According to the schools, a typical aptitude test IMAGE STAGE may be requested. The oral exams remain decisive: your motivation, your professional project and your ability to defend your career are key selection criteria.

This course is attracting more and more candidates because it values diversity and the professional experiences already acquired. If you are able to show your ambition and explain how this school fits into your project, you have every chance.

How to maximize your chances of joining a management school?

Joining a business and management school is not based solely on your grades or your results in competitions. Schools are looking for complete, coherent and motivated profiles. Better understanding what they want and preparing strategically can make all the difference.

What schools really want from candidates

Business schools seek above all students capable of adapting and projecting themselves in a demanding environment. They appreciate curious, involved profiles, with a real professional project or at least clear aspirations.

Academic results matter, of course, but they're not everything. 

Schools also observe your global career path: associative commitment, professional experiences, professional experiences, trips, personal projects... everything that shows your ability to go beyond the framework and take initiatives.

A good candidate is also someone who knows how to talk about himself, who knows his strengths, his areas of progress, and who is able to explain why he has chosen this path and how he sees himself evolving in the coming years.

However, it is sometimes complicated to succeed in getting to know each other in depth. Being young means evolving, discovering yourself and giving yourself the right to choose. At BSB, we support our students from the moment they are admitted via our unique system Pathfinder^TM. This 360°, individual and personalized support allows each student to reveal themselves and exploit their potential. by combining self-knowledge, academic background and professional integration.

Prepare your file and pass the written and oral tests

Your application file is your first business card. It should reflect your seriousness, consistency, and potential. The cover letter, in particular, is often underestimated. It should be personal, structured, and show that you have taken the time to learn about the school and its values.

Côté written tests, there is no substitute for training. Competitions assess your logic, your general knowledge and sometimes your ability to summarize. Your English level is strongly taken into account to join a Grande École de Commerce et de Management Internationale. The more you expose yourself to a variety of topics, the more comfortable you will be.

The oral sessions are a key moment. It's not an interview, but a meeting where you have to convince. You are expected to have sincerity, energy and the ability to defend a project. It is better to prepare answers to the classic questions, but above all to be able to get out of the script and show your personality.

At BSB, we support our candidates with specific oral preparation sessions, and workshops to help them work on their storytelling and their posture.

Stress management and tips to stand out

Competitions can be intimidating, and stress is a factor that schools know how to detect.

The key?

‍Anticipation and preparation. The more you practice, the more confident you enter the room.

A few concrete tips:

• Take care of your breathing before the interview, take a few seconds to put your voice down and gain confidence.
• Relativize : an interview is also a moment of exchange. You are there to explain who you are, not to recite a text.
• Show your curiosity : asking one or two relevant questions at the end of the interview can make a difference. It shows that you have thought about your future and that you know how to plan for yourself.

Finally, to stand out from the crowd, just be yourself. The juries prefer an authentic candidate with real enthusiasm rather than a formatted speech. Your career, even an atypical one, can become your strength if you know how to value it.

Come and train at BSB!
‍We organize various events such as Training Days or Cap'Oral to allow candidates to Bachelor in Management, Pre-Master from a preparatory course or Master Grande Ecole to train to pass the tests with confidence.

Solutions to finance your studies in business school

What budget should you plan to enter a business school?

Financial investment remains an important criterion when considering entering a business school. Tuition fees vary from institution to institution, but you should consider:

• Between €8,000 and €13,000 per year for a Bachelor in Management in a recognized school.
• Between €11,000 and €18,000 per year for a Grande École Master, depending on the reputation of the establishment and the specializations offered.

These amounts may be impressive, but solutions exist to make these studies accessible.

Student loans and additional grants

Generally, a Bachelor in Management is not available from the 1st year on a work-study basis. This is more often offered in the 2nd or 3rd year. To finance the first two years without an apprenticeship, the preferential student loans are a commonly used solution. These loans, often guaranteed by the State or supported by banking partnerships, make it possible to smooth out the financial effort and to repay only after entering working life.

BSB is in partnership with certain banking institutions to obtain a preferential rate.

In addition, some schools, including BSB, welcome scholarship students and offer some merit-based scholarships or a boost and personalized support for the preparation of external scholarship applications (CROUS grants, excellence or corporate grants).

Working while studying: a possible arrangement

For students who want to finance part of their studies by themselves, the organization of courses plays a key role. At BSB, the schedule is adapted to allow a week of 4 days of classes, leaving the possibility of working side by side.

Whether it is a student job, one-off missions or a paid associative commitment, this flexibility makes it possible to alleviate the financial burden while continuing to develop skills. This is a real plus for students who want to remain independent and active.

Apprenticeship, a way to study at no cost from the 3rd year

Starting from the 3rd year of the Bachelor and throughout the Master, The alternation becomes an excellent way to finance your studies. The company takes care of full tuition fees and pays you a salary. In addition to financing, it is a real professional experience that strengthens your employability.

The step-by-step checklist for entering a business school

Joining a business school cannot be improvised. Each step counts, and organizing yourself methodically will allow you to gain peace of mind and efficiency. Here is the road map to follow in order not to forget anything and optimize your chances of success:

1. Define your project and choose the path that suits you

Ask yourself the right questions:

• Do you want to join a school just after high school, after a prep, or via parallel admission?
• Do you prefer a more theoretical or directly professional academic career with internships and work-study programs?
  Knowing your profile and your desires is the first key step.

2. Identify competitions and target schools

Each access route has its competitions: on Parcoursup, apply for the competitions SESAME ACCESS PASS or Internal school competitions (like at BSB) after high school, BCE and Ecricome after a prep, Footbridge or Springboard for parallel admissions. Learn about:

• The registration procedures (often via Parcoursup for post-bac).
• Deadlines and test schedules.
• The specificities of each competition (subjects evaluated, coefficients, test formats).

3. Preparing a solid application

Your file should reflect your seriousness, consistency and motivation.

• Take the time to write a personalized cover letter, which shows that you have learned about the school and that you have a clear project.
• Prepare a Readable and well-structured resume , even if you have little experience: associative commitments, internships, student jobs count.
• Check your transcripts and supporting documents carefully to make sure you don't forget anything.

4. Practice the written and oral tests

Training is your best ally.

• Work on logic, general knowledge and languages. Make records, time yourself.
• Practice speaking skills: learn to talk about yourself, your background, your projects and how to answer tricky questions.
• Do not hesitate to ask your teachers or family members to give you simulations.
• Do not neglect written and oral English which is a selection criterion in itself in many schools.

5. Anticipate financing

Don't leave this question until last.

• Find out about tuition fees, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and student loans now.
• If you plan to work in parallel, check that the school offers a flexible schedule.

6. Stay organized and motivated all the way

Keep a precise calendar with key dates up to date: registration, competitions, oral exams.
Reread your notes, be curious, and be open to current events.
Maintain confidence in yourself. What often makes a difference is not just knowledge, but the attitude and the ability to show your motivation.

Resources to support you in your integration

To join a business school, you are not alone. Numerous resources exist to help you prepare at each stage of the journey. Here are the ones you should definitely use to maximize your chances.

Student fairs and open days

There is no substitute for direct contact. Student lounges and open days are unique opportunities to meet the teaching teams, ask all your questions and project yourself into your future school. You will also be able to exchange with students already in school, who will give you concrete feedback on life at school, specializations, or even associative life.

Every month we organize open days on our Dijon and Lyon campuses, and are present at numerous student fairs. Come and meet us!

Preparatory workshops and webinars

Many schools offer workshops and webinars to help future candidates prepare for their written and oral exams. It's an opportunity to get concrete advice, ask questions to teachers or admissions officers, and get tips that can make a difference on D-Day.

We organize online and on our campuses events to help you prepare for exams and oral exams, accessible to all BSB candidates, with practical exercises and tailor-made advice.

Testimonies from students and alumni

There is nothing more reassuring than to discover the paths of students who were in your shoes a few months or a few years ago. Their stories show that there is no single profile for success and that with motivation, curiosity, and hard work, anything is possible.

Find on our site and our social networks numerous testimonies from BSB students and graduates, to inspire you and help you project yourself.

Discover BSB alumni 👉 Alumni

Official platforms and practical tools

Finally, don't overlook the official platforms that bring together all the latest and reliable information:

• Parcoursup, for post-bac registrations.
• The competition sites (Passerelle, BCE, Ecricome) with the calendars, modalities and training topics.
• School sites, where you will find brochures, detailed programs, specializations and admission procedures.

Orientation meetings

Nothing beats direct contact with career coaches who can explain the programs to you and give you all the information you need to join the business and management school of your dreams. The BSB orientation coaches are at your disposal, make an appointment now!

FAQ for entering a business school

When can you enter business school?‍

You can integrate directly after the bac (via Parcoursup and post-bac competitions), after two years of preparation (BCE/Ericome competition) or via parallel admissions after a Bac+2/Bac+3. ‍

Which admission path is best suited to my profile?

• Terminal: Parcoursup + post-bac exam (SESAME, ACCÈS or BSB internal exam) or prep.
  
  
• Bac+2: parallel admissions via Passerelle (file, English test, interview) or Springboard.
  
  
• Bac+3 and more: Passerelle 2 or Ecricome Springboard competition Bac+3. OnisepAurlom
  
  

How does parallel admission work?‍

After a BTS, BUT or a license, you write a file, take an English test (or validate a TOEIC/TOEFL score, etc.), then an interview (at BSB 100% online). Some schools also require the AGE MAGE to assess your analytical skills.

What exams should I take after a preparatory class?‍

The contests ECB (Common Test Bank) and Ecricome, which include written tests (math, general knowledge, languages) and motivational and language oral exams.

What skills should I value in my application?‍

In addition to academic results, highlight:

• your professional project clear,
  
  
• Your associative experiences And your internships,
  
  
• your Proficiency in English (TOEIC/TOEFL score) and
  
  
• Your digital skills (e-portfolio, moocs, LinkedIn).
  

What is the TAGE MAGE and is it essential?‍

The IMAGE STAGE is an aptitude test measuring logic, reasoning, and text comprehension. It is mandatory for some schools in parallel admissions and strongly recommended to strengthen your file.

How do I finance my studies in business school?

• Student loans at preferential rates (BSB-Banks partnership).
  
  
• Bursaries : CROUS, BSB internal grants, excellence scholarships.
  
  
• Student job thanks to the BSB flexible schedule (4 course days/week).
  
  
• Alternation (from the 3rd year): the company covers tuition fees and pays you.
  
  

What resources should I use to prepare for admission?

• Workshops and webinars (BSB written and oral preparation).
  
  
• Open days and Training Days on our campuses in Dijon and Lyon.
  
  
• Pathfinder™ tool to refine your project and work on your 360° coaching posture.

‍

*Sources: Xerfi; Onisep; Aurlom; Cours Thales