Greetings everyone,

I am trying to decide between two reputable business schools in Europe, which are ESCP Europe and EMLyon Business School. I have been accepted to both programs, but don't know which is better for my profile. Both programs are full-time by the way.

I'm 34 years old, and manage my own business in the retail industry. I'm aiming to do an MBA to further enhance my entrepreneurial skills, expand my professional network and update my business knowledge. I also see the MBA as an asset for my business profile.

Both schools are reputable and top-ranked (Top 20 in Europe according to FT), but ESCP Europe has a stronger reputation and is higher in rankings. Studies will be in France, but ESCP Europe has also campuses in Berlin and Madrid which you can study in as well. Tuition fees are comparable, no big difference between them, not a huge deterrant like other top-ranked business schools that ask for 60K+ Euros for the MBA. ESCP is based in Paris, and EMLyon is in Lyon of course.

Please let me know your thoughts on the situation, and appreciate your feedback.

Many thanks!

EMlyon is the preeminent European school for entrepreneurship. If that is your focus rather than corporate placement, it's the obvious choice.

If building your professional network, look closely at where each of these schools have the most alumni. I'm assuming ESCP will have a wider / more European network, so if you are looking to expand outside of France that could be a factor.

Thanks everyone for your replies and feedback. I was wondering if you have tips or advice regarding studying and living in France?

Is the French education system different in its way of teaching? Or is it the same way as the US education system?

Many thanks in advance

This is such a broad question, and there is so much available already. However, an international MBA with a mostly foreign cohort won't be much like a classically French education. Certainly, you can expect less talkative classes.