6 Tips to Help You Get Into a French Master's Program

Studying for a master's degree at a business school in France is a great opportunity to learn a specialist subject at one of the world's top institutions. But how can you make sure your application does the best possible job of showing that you have the ambition and motivation to study for a master's in business school, whether in finance, marketing, digital transformation, or international business?

We know that generic admissions advice is not always helpful, so we asked insiders at Montpellier Business School for their best advice and tips for your business master's application.

Check, double-check, and triple-check that you have included everything required in your application

This may be the most obvious piece of advice, but it is also the easiest to overlook. Business school applications are often heavily oversubscribed, and if your application contains obvious mistakes, it is likely to be one of the first to go into the rejection pile.

Montpellier Business School has its own dedicated portal, where prospective students and applicants can ask any questions they have about their application.

Put more effort into your admissions tests, and retake them if necessary

As part of the application process, schools will ask you to take standardized admissions tests such as the GMAT or GRE, which are designed to assess your critical reading and essay-writing skills.

It is important to know that you can retake the GMAT and GRE if necessary. In fact, taking these tests more than once will not harm your chances of admission. For the GMAT, you can take it up to five times in a calendar year and a total of eight times overall. However, you must wait 16 days between retakes. For the GRE, you can take it once every 21 days, up to five times in any continuous rolling 12-month period.

Another requirement for studying a master's degree at most business schools in France is a strong command of English. If English is not your first language, or if you come from a country where English is not the main language, you may need to complete an English-language qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Montpellier Business School allows you to submit your own English-language qualification if you already hold one. It also offers pre-sessional English courses and admissions test preparation courses to give students extra support.

Bear in mind that schools are looking for more than just strong academic results. While the GMAT or GRE is an important part of your business school application, it does not guarantee you a place on its own. At top schools, most applicants will have high test scores, so admission decisions are usually based on other criteria as well, such as your overall academic performance, your previous academic and professional background, and your career goals. Which brings us to...

Attend information sessions and open days

Although attending virtual information sessions, open days, and webinars will not tick a box on your application, they are a valuable opportunity to discuss the application process and your academic and career goals with the admissions team. This can help you understand whether you are a match for the school, and vice versa, and therefore may have a positive effect on your application.

Every business school has its own set of values and culture, and it is important to understand those values and culture, as well as to make sure your personality and values are a good fit too. That is something the admissions team will also look for in your application.

Some schools, such as Montpellier Business School, hold annual and biennial webinars for prospective students, focusing on how to maximize your application and reminding you of the items that must be included.

You can even chat with current students to get tips, feedback, and answers to any questions you may have about student life in Montpellier, the courses, and their own experience of studying at Montpellier Business School.

Don't be modest, but still be completely yourself

It is important that you do not force yourself to become someone you are not in your application. Admissions teams can spot inauthenticity, and trying to present yourself as the perfect business school candidate is the fastest way to have your application discarded.

Your application should do three things: provide solid evidence that you have the qualities required for the specific master's program you are applying for, show that you understand what it means to study that specific master's at that specific business school, and set yourself apart from other applicants by explaining why you would make a distinctive contribution to your cohort.

Highlight relevant experience in your application

Relevant professional experience can really help your business school master's application stand out. If your work experience is related to your degree, it is worth emphasizing that in your application. On the other hand, if the master's program you are applying for is completely different from your previous academic and/or work experience, focus on the transferable skills you do have.

Polish your interview skills

Once you have submitted your application, it is time to prepare for the interview. The interview stage helps schools decide whether you are genuinely suited to the program and to the school.

If you are invited to interview, make sure you spend time researching the school, its courses, and your own application, including your previous work experience, why you are applying to that particular school, and how the degree program will help you in your future career.

"The interview is based on your personality, and we want to discover who you really are," said Gaelle Enjalric, admissions director at Montpellier Business School. "The purpose of the interview is to identify the candidate's personal qualities and their potential as future business professionals.

"The questions asked in a prerecorded interview are designed to help us understand the candidate better. This also helps us assess their ability to adapt, anticipate, and integrate, as well as their curiosity and openness," Gaelle added.

This article was originally published in February 2021. It was last updated in May 2021.