Navigating the Business School Landscape: Deciphering Visas, Grades, and RNCP Titles

Selecting the right school and program is no small feat; it demands a comprehensive understanding of the nuances between the excellence of offered programs and the intrinsic value of the diplomas earned.

School or Grande École?

In France, there are currently more than 200 schools called “business schools,” also known as “management schools” or “business schools.” But are they all equal? A Grande École is a higher education institution that offers high-level training in fields directly related to the business world, such as management, commerce/e-commerce, or marketing.

Grandes Écoles are part of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles, a group of institutions from different disciplines (engineering, management, architecture, political science, creation & design, journalism, military schools, veterinary schools, health schools, etc.), all recognized by the State and awarding a master’s degree. In general, they have several visas, labels, state recognitions, and accreditations, both nationally and internationally.

A State-Recognized Degree, What Does That Mean?

State Recognitions

Beyond differences in teaching methods and academic approaches, universities and schools do not award the same degrees. Universities award bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and some excellent schools, like ESC Clermont Business School, are recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (via the CEFDG – the Commission for the Evaluation of Training and Management Courses) and can award degrees with a visa (equivalences of levels) or degrees with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Visa / Grade

The CEFDG plays a crucial role in evaluating degrees from business and management schools. It does not grant a visa or grade to a school but evaluates each program individually! Moreover, only diplomas duly authorized by the Ministry of Higher Education following evaluation by the CEFDG can claim a visa or a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

The visa attests to the good quality of a professional training program in the field of management but does not offer a level equivalence.

Only the grade (bachelor’s or master’s degree) guarantees a high level of training, both professionally and academically, and confers an equivalence in the French University Award System e (useful in case of a change of study track).

Furthermore, bachelor’s and master’s degrees are part of the awards recognized by higher education and integrated into the LMD system (Bachelor’s-Master’s-Doctorate), which aims to harmonize higher education diplomas on a European scale.

ESC Clermont Business School offers two bachelor’s programs with a visa at Bac +3, delivering the equivalence of a bachelor’s degree. As for the Master Grande École (in 2 or 3 years), it is also recognized at the highest level, as it is visaed Bac +5 and delivers the master’s degree.

And what about RNCP certified programs?

In today’s educational landscape, many business schools offering work-study programs highlight RNCP certification as a key argument. However, although RNCP titles provide undeniable professional recognition, they do not guarantee the award of an equivalent university grade.

RNCP titles can be a major asset in the job market, but they do not necessarily meet the formal academic criteria required in certain professions or situations, such as further study at a higher level!

All work-study programs offered by ESC Clermont Business School are listed in the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP).

Directing Attention Towards Rankings:

Annually, prominent publications like Le Figaro, l’Étudiant, and the Financial Times release comprehensive rankings showcasing the top educational institutions. These rankings, acting as a compass, furnish valuable insight into a school’s standing, teaching efficacy, and overall success rates.

However, it difficult to assess the merit of a degree solely based on a particular ranking, particularly when considering the dynamic nature of the criteria influencing these rankings each year. Consequently, it is advisable to adopt a more discerning approach, factoring in a variety of criteria to comprehensively evaluate both the institution and its programs.