Affordable Business Schools in France
- Last Updated on: May 23, 2025 by
- Sridhar Kongara
Most Indian students develop strong fear for fulfilling the dream of achieving French business degree. The simple question that bothers them is ‘it will cost me a lot’. This common anxiety stops them from exploring academic opportunities in institutions like HEC Paris or INSEAD.
Many Indian aspirants have a misconception that programs like MBA or MiM in France will easily cost up to 70 lakhs. Thereby, halting their aspirations even before initiating the procedure.
In fact, France has many afordable business schools. Indian students can pursue business programs with genuine accreditation at par in these elite institutions.
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Furthermore, most of these schools offer IELTS waivers, appropriately substituted by MOI or inexpensive Duolingo scores. Most of the schools are nestled in smaller or rural areas, thereby reducing living expenses significantly.
Thorough research and comprehensive exploration of the below-mentioned schools can help you find a school that offers business degree within the budget of 03 – 12 lakhs annually, including scholarships for further financial ease.
Affordability is not Equal to ‘Low Quality’
Public IAE Institutions
The Instituts d’Adminstration des Enterprises of France accommodate public institutions. Generally, the postgraduate programs annual tuition fees do not go beyond €270, at par with state rate.
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Grandes Ècoles
Even the business schools nestled in smaller and rural areas are affiliated with prestigious Conférence des Grandes Ècoles. Indian students opting for tier-two cities business school in France are assured of quality education with global accreditations such as, AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS.
Robust ROI Potential
The starting salaries of graduates from moderate business school hovers in the range of €40,000 – €55,000 annually, thereby covering the academic cost within no time, as France allows two-year APS visa and strong industrial presence.
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10 Best Affordable Business Schools in France
| School | Flagship Course | Tuition Fees | English Test Waiver | City & Living Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IAE Paris-Sorbonne | MiM/ master’s in finance | €4,200 | IELTS – 6.5 or MOI Letter | Paris – €1,000 P.M |
| IAE AIX-Marseille | MBA/MSc | €3,800 | MOI or 105 in Duolingo | AIX-EnProvence €650 P.M |
| IAE Grenoble | MiM | €270 | MOI or internal interview | Grenoble €600 P.M |
| IAE Lyon – Jean Moulin | MSc in Management | €270 | MOI & Virtual Interview | Lyon €700 P.M |
| Burgundy SB (BSB) | MiM/MSc | €12,000 | MOI & Video interview | Dijon €550 P.M |
| Montpellier BS | Grande e Ècole MiM | €10,500 | MOI or Duolingo 105 | Montpellier €600 P.M |
| Rennes S SB | Global MiM | €12,250 | 70% or more in 12th standard or MOI | Rennes €550 P.M |
| KEDGE – BS | MiM | €13,500 | Interview for IELTS exemption | Bordeaux/Marseille €650 P.M |
| Audencia BS | Grand e Ècole | €15,250 | Virtual test or MOI | Nantes €600 P.M |
| TBS Education | MiM | €13,000 | Internal test & MOI | Toulouse €650 P.M |
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IAE AIX – Marseille Graduate School of Management
The first French public institution to get recognition of AMBA. The one-year MBA program comes for cost of €3,800, furthermore the apprenticeship will help in minimizing second semester fees. Duolingo score of 110 and MOI letter waives off IELTS.
IAE – Grenoble Graduate School of Management
A French public management institution with meagre annual tuition fees of €2,770. It is also a part Universitè Grenoble Alpes. The programs mandate six months internship with remuneration of €1200 – €1500 every month. For English language proficiency, MOI letter and brief interview bypasses IELTS. Additionally, students are entitled to discounted Ski passes.
IAE Lyon – Jean Moulin University
Another French public university that charges nominal tuition fees of €2,770 per annum. It offers programs in different languages; MOI letters and virtual interview suffices the need of IELTS. Moreover, Lyon is known for food and budget-friendly living.
IAE Paris-Sorbonne Business School
Indian students can learn flexibly with evening classes at this institution. Most students go for internship during daytime; the tuition fees don’t cross the threshold of €4,200 per year. Although the living expenses are exorbitant in Paris, strong network opportunities make it worth.
Montpellier Business School (MBS)
The MiM program can cost up to €10,500 per year, however, the programs are duly accredited by AACSB and EQUIS. Duolingo score of 105 or MOI letter substitutes for IELTS. Sunny weather, living expenses as low as €600 per month makes it an ideal option for Indian students.
KEDGE Business School
With scenic campus location, it offers dual degree Shanghai track for €13,500 per year. The school arrange online interview to assess English language skills, substituting IELTS. Indian students with strong academic credentials in undergraduate receive substantial scholarship discount on tuition fees.
Burgundy School of Business (BSB)
Nestled in the beautiful city of Dijon, it offers MiM program with integration of arts and cultural management for €12,000 per year. Students get paid consultancy mission during course pursuance. MOI letter and virtual interview suffice for IELTS requirements. it is one of the affordable business schools in France.
Rennes School of Business
With tuition fees of €12,250 per year, the global MiM program mandates at least one semester abroad. The IELTS can be substituted by 70% or higher score in CBSE/ISC or MOI letter along with Duolingo score of 110. Affordable Brittany rooms come for €350 per month on the campus.
Audencia Business School
This Grandes Ècoles institution offers sustainability-driven Gaia programs for tuition fees of €15,250 each year. Internal English language test and MOI is enough to satisfy English language proficiency. It is based at Nantes, One of most affordable cities in France.
TBS Education (Toulouse Business School)
The campus is situated near to Airbus manufacturing unit, it offers MiM programs for tuition fees costing €13,000 every year. School’s internal English language assessment test exempts students from IELTS. Toulouse is renowned for its iconic nightlife and Mediterranean climate. Yet another affordable Business School in France.
Cost-Cutting Tips
Early Bird Discounts
Many business schools in France such as, Rennes business school, MBS and BSB offers tuition fee reduction of €1000-€2000, provided Indian students confirms the admission by early March.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Exclusively offered to Indian students, it offers €1,181 per month to eligible students. Indian students must apply before the deadline to avoid rejection.
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Part-time Jobs
As Indian students are entitled to work for 20 hours per week with wage of €11.65 per hour, helping them to cover living expenses to larger extent.
Housing Subsidy (CAF)
Indian students can avail a reimbursement of 20-30% of rent into their bank accounts after registering with CAF housing subsidy.
IELTS Waiver & Visa Outcome
Campus France accepts IELTS waivers, if it is mentioned explicitly in the admission letter. Mention about MOI letter, Duolingo scores or interview outcomes precisely, preferably in two languages for hassle-free visa processing at VFS.
Indian students are advised to follow the given below tips to secure hassle-free and faster admission in French business schools –
- Arrange MOI as quickly as possible, as notarization may require time.
- Select at least three IAE institutions and three private schools according to your financial position.
- Craft Statement of Purpose, emphasizing your need for affordable school
- Take the Duolingo test if needed, the scores are available within 02 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cheapest Business Schools good and are they acceptable by Indian Employers
Yes! Most of these schools are duly accredited with AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS. These accreditations are accepted all over the world, additionally European experience is an added advantage.
Is French language proficiency must for securing employment
Most of primary jobs in France have English as communicative language. But, gaining at least B2 level proficiency in French language helps in managing superior roles in future.
Is GMAT mandatory
Most of the IAE public institutions do not insist on submitting GMAT, however private Grande Ècoles may require you to submit strong academic record substituting GMAT.
Sridhar Kongara
