The GEM International BBA is a 4-year program, taught 100% in English (a French track is available for the first year), designed to help students gradually build a strong and versatile international profile. Each academic year combines core courses, hands-on projects, intercultural experiences, and professional or academic immersions abroad. Through an active and professionally oriented learning approach, students gain a comprehensive understanding of management and develop the essential skills to succeed in complex and multicultural international environments.

Throughout the program, students benefit from an interactive and engaging learning experience, combining around 20 hours of in-person classes per week with intensive individual and group work (class preparation, assignments, and team evaluations).

Learning is based on an active, experiential pedagogy that alternates case studies, role-playing, team projects (3 to 5 students), and real-life simulations. This approach encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and the development of practical skills directly applicable in international and multicultural environments.

Research modules are an integral part of the program, allowing students to progressively master analytical and research methodologies. These culminate in an applied research project in year 4, that focuses on a real business challenge, often linked to the student’s internship or chosen specialization.

Classes are taught by GEM’s permanent faculty, made up of French and international professors and researchers, as well as visiting lecturers from renowned partner institutions and industry professionals.

This diversity of nationalities and backgrounds fosters a global and multicultural perspective on management. All faculty members share a pedagogical approach grounded in academic excellence, intercultural openness, and a strong connection to real-world business practices.

Students are assessed continuously throughout the program through coursework, individual and group projects, oral presentations, role-playing, final exams and professional experiences. The final evaluation is based on the chosen specialization and the applied research project, which serves as a synthesis of the knowledge and skills acquired during the program.

In the case of partial completion of the program, students will receive an official transcript of validated skill blocks, ensuring formal recognition of acquired competencies.

At the end of the program, International BBA graduates have a well-rounded, solid, and globally oriented profile. Thanks to a 100% English-taught curriculum and extensive experiences in France, abroad, and companies, graduates can choose to continue their studies in a Master’s or MSc programs in France or internationally, or enter the job market directly in positions with an international scope.

Statistics based on the Class of 2024 graduates of the International BBA.

International BBA graduates may enter a Master’s program or the second year of an MSc (Master of Science) at GEM or at other top business schools, in France or internationally. They can specialize in a wide range of fields aligned with their career goals, such as:

• Finance, Audit, Accounting
• Marketing & Business Development
• Digital, Data, AI
• International Management
• Luxury, Sports, Innovation, or Sustainable Transitions

Examples of career paths followed by International BBA graduates

• Marketing, Business Development & Strategy
• Project & Team Management
• Financial Analysis & Management Control
• Strategy Consulting, Audit, Risk Reporting
• Investment Banking
• Human Resources
• And many other roles linked to international management, such as Account Executive, Business Developer, Digital Sales Account Manager, Financial Analyst, Controller, Risk Reporting Specialist, Investment Banking Associate, Project Manager in Marketing, Product Specialist Manager, Strategic Planning Consultant, Human Resources Manager, etc.

Examples of companies hiring the International BBA students

Le Bon Marché, DHL, Decathlon, Siemens Energy, Ernst & Young, Foncia, Elior, AS Monaco Football Club, Tribu Box, Société Générale, Emma – The Sleep Company, Inria, CERN – European Center for Nuclear Research, Hermès Sellier, Business France, Procter & Gamble, Siemens Mobility, Unilever, Opel, Schneider Electric, and many more.

• The Career Center guides you at every step: support for finding a work-study placement, practical workshops, one-on-one interviews, networking events with experts and recruiters, and more.
• The JobTeaser platform offers over 220,000 internship, work-study, and job opportunities each year.
• Professional experiences within the curriculum: internships in the 1st and 2nd years, and a work-study placement in the 3rd year.
• A global alumni network of nearly 50,000 graduates, providing long-term access to dedicated alumni services well beyond graduation.

Open to high school graduates, our International BBA is accessible to both French and international applicants through several admission pathways:

• Candidates holding an international high school diploma or equivalent as well as candidates having completed one or two years of higher education (with 60 or 120 ECTS, respectively): via the GEM admission application platform for international candidates
• Candidates with a French Baccalauréat: via Parcoursup and the SESAME entrance exam

Each pathway gives access to the program on either the Grenoble or Paris campus, taught 100% in English or in a French track during the first year. The admissions committee is looking for candidates with strong academic results, a high motivation, and a genuine international openness — key qualities for thriving in a multicultural and collaborative environment.

Application Fees

• €315 for Year 1 via the Concours SESAME (scholarship recipients receive a 50% reduction on application fees)
• €98 for international admissions in Years 1, 2, and 3

Scholarships

• Eligible for state scholarships (CROUS – in French)  at the Grenoble and Paris campuses, subject to conditions (for more information, contact your academic advisor).

Various financing solutions are offered to support students entering the International BBA program at GEM. Students may be eligible for scholarships, merit-based awards, or favorable banking options. The school provides personalized guidance to help each student find the most suitable solution. All of these options are centralized on our dedicated platform.

GEM’s International BBA is designed to provide a 100% English-taught education, at the heart of a cosmopolitan student community representing nearly 50 nationalities. During the program, students:

• strengthen their proficiency in two foreign languages,
• may complete a semester abroad at one of our partner universities,
• have the opportunity to pursue double degrees with prestigious academic institutions.

This multicultural immersion, both on campus and abroad, fosters curiosity, adaptability, and global employability among our graduates.

International experiences lie at the heart of our programs. GEM has partnerships with more than 230 universities worldwide. Students enrolled in the International BBA have access to a curated selection of around 60 destinations, recognized for the quality of their teaching and multicultural environment.

From Stanford University (USA) to BI Norwegian Business School (Norway), Bocconi University (Italy), Maastricht University (Netherlands), and the Catholic University of Portugal (Lisbon), each partnership represents a unique opportunity for academic and cultural immersion.

The list below is not exhaustive: partnerships are updated each year to provide even more opportunities.

Depending on their country of origin, international students in the International BBA program may need a visa to study or work in France. It is their responsibility to check the visa requirements with the French consulate in their home country and plan the necessary procedures in advance.
GEM has no influence over this administrative process.

A true stepping stone to employment, internships allow you to discover different work environments, confirm your career choices, and strengthen your professional skills.

Internships are an integral part of all four years of the program:

• Years 1, 2, and 3: each year, a mandatory 2- to 4-month internship, in France or abroad, to explore various sectors and functions.
• Year 4: a 6-month internship in France or abroad, or a work-study program on the Grenoble or Paris campus.

As a pioneer among leading business schools and a committed institution, GEM views work-study programs as a powerful lever for professionalization and employability. Within the International BBA, the work-study format is available in Year 4, on the Grenoble or Paris campus, following a 1-week at school / 3-weeks in the company schedule. This format offers an extended, hands-on experience in the professional world, directly linked to the chosen specialization.

Note: French law requires that non-European international students reside in France for over a year to sign a work-study contract and be eligible for the 4th-year work-study program.

Benefits for International BBA Students

• Meaningful professional experience: a true first step in your career, even before graduation.
• Smooth transition to employment: hands-on experience and direct company exposure.
• Tuition fully covered: the host company pays the tuition fees and provides a salary.

Personalized Support for BBA Students

• Through the Career Center and the Apprenticeship Training Center (CFA), GEM supports each student in finding a host company, preparing for interviews, and finalizing their work-study contract.

Our International BBA students have shared their experiences, giving you a glimpse into their journey and life at GEM—whether immersed in their classes, participating in international exchanges, completing internships, or in front of the camera with our media partners.

Do you have any questions?

Feel free to contact our admissions advisors for any questions about our programs, the application process, or to discuss your professional goals. Our teams are available to help you choose the path that best aligns with your ambitions.