Hello!



I am graduating with a Bachelor in Engineering. I want to continue my studies and move to Europe for Master's. I got accepted to IESEG Master in International Business in Paris. That would give me a DESMI – Diplôme d’Études Spécialisées en Management International.



While IESEG is in my budget, I was wondering if it would be better to apply to better schools like ESCP which is also in my budget and with better name, however I would still need to take the GMAT and result would be out in June. But if I wait, I would lose the place in Ieseg. I was also wondering if the Master in Management (MiM) would be better seen by employers in France than the MIB.



PS: I intend on continuing in Europe for sure. My English level is bilingual professional so UK for work would be good. I am also conversationally fluent in French, so would just need improve and to learn business French and then I could continue in Paris too



I thank in advance for your advice

[Edited by missanya on Feb 28, 2023]

ESCP is a better brand name in France. However, if you are not able to do a business conversation in French then I would simply not go to a French business school. Try a UK one, I think more aligned with your goals.

Hi Andy, The UK would be beyond my intended budget. Do you know about the differences of IESEG's Master in Management and Master in International Business? Does the DESMI diploma for MIB weight less than MIM for the intention of finding a job in France? As for the language, I pick it up quite quickly so I am confident that in one year I can improve my French to business level

IESEG is also quite good in France. Their MiM will be much more valued by employers. It is their key degree and the case for all french schools regardless in fact. 

[Edited by Andy776 on Feb 28, 2023]

Thanks! Also, would you know how common/ difficult it is for a foreigner (non-EU) to study in Paris and then work in London?

It's hard whether you are EU or not to find work in the UK from a foreign MiM. If you study in the UK, you have a guaranteed post-study work visa. That makes it much easier for both employers and students. I don't think many UK employers would hire from a foreign school when there are UK schools with a lot of talent. 

PS Your budget is a self-limiting belief. There are loans available for students admitted to world class MiM degrees, in almost every country, and the RoI is excellent. It's a false economy to take a cheaper MiM in a country where you don't speak the local busines language. 

[Edited by Duncan on Feb 28, 2023]

Hi Duncan, thanks for your advice. I am graduating from an American university with a Bachelor in engineering and I plan on moving to Europe because I was unable to find a job in the US. I chose France initially because it was cheaper than the UK and at least I speak conversational French, so would not need to learn a language from zero (like it would be in other EU countries). However, the UK even with loans would be expensive for me given I already spent considerable amount with my American education. It would still be a reachable goal, but I just don't want to "overpay" for my education, if that makes sense

Take a look at 

Do you need to speak the local language? www.find-mba.com/board/34713
Imagine if a Spanish person had studied business in Spanish, but in say Puerto Rico, and had just conversational English: what work could they find in the US? 

I'm not sure if you are a US resident or an international student in the US. If a US resident can't find a job in the US, where they can speak the language, I am not sure what role they can get in France. Probably there are very few office jobs where a high level of French is not an advantage. 
If you want to work in France, you will need language skills that you will not develop while studying in English. If your budget is limited go to a French state university for an intensive language programme leading to a French language qualification, and then take a master taught in French, also at a state university. That will be cheaper and will get you into the labour market. 

So, the IESEG degree might be cheaper than one in Britain, but it doesn't lead to the same outcome unless you already write and speak French at a high level. 

Indeed, I am an international student in the US. And yes, that makes a lot of sense. In my mind, when I was considering doing my Master in France, I thought at least I would have an European student visa for 2 years and could use that time to make connections and find a job, but I understand it is complicated. thank you for the advice.

[Edited by missanya on Feb 28, 2023]

I don't know how student visa works in the Schengen countries but, of course, the UK has left the EU and was never in the Schengen zone. Studying in France does not allow you to get a post0-study work visa in the UK. Indeed, in two years you could make connections, but for what sort of job are you a better candidate than someone who attended IESEG and also speaks French? 

I was thinking about working back office in a bank until I reached a high level of French. However maybe for that a master in finance would be a best fit than the MIB. I just thought with my 4yrs Bachelor in Engineering I could go for MIB and still work in a bank... Do you know if the post-study work visa is guaranteed for France? 

Much back office bank work is offshored now, and much of what is not is technical work in settlements. Working in a bank back office will not improve your French much. Why would they hire you over someone who could speak French? 

If you goal is France, then take a programme in French. For example, I studied at the ILCF: https://www.ilcf.net/en/trainings/intensive-half-year-and-one-year-programmes/ This will boost your employability in a way that a degree taught in English will not. For example, your engineering degree could help you find work if you could work in French. 

In fact, doing an intensive French course and then a program in the language seems to give me better chances of staying in the country after studies. Thanks

Yes. Even better: if you take an intensive French course at a recognised centre like a university, you can benefit from the 'Allocation', which will cover part of your housing costs.