Bachelor in Business - International track

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

ESDES School of Business and Management

Program Overview

The Bachelor in Business - International Track at ESDES School of Business and Management is a dynamic three-year program taught entirely in English, perfect for ambitious students passionate about global business who want to build strong management foundations while gaining real-world experience through internships and international immersion. It suits high school graduates with a B2 English level ready to thrive in a diverse cohort of French and international peers, studying core business skills alongside cultural and ethical insights to launch a career in international trade or management.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 lays the groundwork with a common core curriculum, diving into the fundamentals of management through courses like Introduction to Marketing, Introduction to Accounting, and Introduction to Corporate Law, while building business communication skills and general culture. You'll also embark on the SoliCity mission, spending at least two months volunteering with an NGO in France or abroad to foster human development and a global mindset, all wrapped in an immersive academic experience with your cohort.

Year 2 shifts to learning by immersion, deepening your management knowledge with key courses such as Human Resources Management, Economic Development and International Relations, and Ethical Dimensions of International Business, helping you explore career paths before specializing. This pre-specialization phase includes a mandatory two-month internship in France or abroad, plus options for a semester at one of our partner universities worldwide, giving you hands-on experience and flexibility to pivot toward your interests.

Year 3 focuses on professional specialization in Management & International Business, equipping you with expertise through courses like Cross Cultural Management, Entrepreneurship and Business Models, and International Business Negotiation, alongside insights into doing business abroad. You'll cap it off with a four-month internship, business visits, and personalized coaching to prepare for the job market or further studies, all while exploring sectors like wine & gastronomy or digital economy.

Focus areas: Gain expertise in conducting business across borders, understanding international trade flows, exchanges, and digitalization's impact on global markets—through practical courses like Supply Chain Management, B2B2C Marketing, and Business Law.

Learning outcomes: Develop skills for immediate impact in global business, including cross-cultural competence, ethical decision-making, negotiation prowess, and professional autonomy, with at least six months of internships and international exposure.

Professional alignment (accreditation): ESDES holds prestigious AACSB and EFMD accreditations, ensuring our programs meet top global standards for academic excellence, innovation, and international vocation—your degree is state-approved and equivalent to a bachelor's.

Reputation (employability rankings): ESDES graduates excel in employability thanks to our hands-on approach, with alumni landing roles like Area Manager, Sales Manager, or Marketing Project Manager; our Lyon campus and international network (40+ partner universities) position you for success in France's vibrant business hub.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At ESDES School of Business and Management, our Bachelor in Business - International track puts experiential learning at the heart of your education, helping you build real-world skills through hands-on projects, industry collaborations, and innovative tools tailored to international business. You'll dive into practical challenges like digital storytelling for global sustainability and critical sustainability management, guided by experts who've redesigned international MBA programs and led research on digitizing human capital—equipping you to thrive in global markets right from year one. This approach turns theory into action, using cutting-edge methods to prepare you for international careers.

Here's how our program delivers that through specific opportunities and resources:
- Group projects on real global issues: Tackle topics like the social impact of globalization, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable development through collaborative coursework, including "expectation failures" pedagogy to critically analyze business challenges.
- Experiential learning via digital storytelling and multimedia: Engage in projects like "Touching the Anthropocene," blending documentary films, theatre, and digital tools to explore sustainability—perfect for international business innovation.
- Research-driven internships and industry ties: Leverage faculty expertise from industry-endowed chairs and international conferences to secure internships focused on sustainable value creation in sectors like hospitality and beyond.
- Advanced digital tools and software integration: Courses incorporate digitization of human capital management and machine learning for optimization, drawing from faculty PhD research and publications on VR, AI-enhanced logistics, and digital storytelling.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At ESDES School of Business and Management, our Bachelor in Business - International track puts experiential learning at the heart of your education, helping you build real-world skills through hands-on projects, industry collaborations, and innovative tools tailored to international business. You'll dive into practical challenges like digital storytelling for global sustainability and sustainability-focused group work, guided by experts like Professor José Alcaraz, who integrates experiential methods such as documentary films and theater to make concepts stick. This approach ensures you're not just learning theory—you're applying it in dynamic, international settings with access to cutting-edge research facilities and digital resources from ESDES's ISBO institute.

Here are some standout experiential opportunities specific to the program::
- Group projects on sustainability and innovation: Tackle real cases like "Touching the Anthropocene" using experiential learning with documentary films and theater, led by faculty like José Alcaraz.
- Digital tools and storytelling: Master digital storytelling as a pedagogical tool for global sustainability, preparing you for international business communication.
- Research-driven projects: Engage with ISBO institute publications and projects on topics like digitization of human capital, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable development, often through collaborative industry-endowed research.
- Virtual reality and advanced tech: Explore VR-facilitated tools for travel inspiration and machine learning for sustainable logistics in group settings, drawing from faculty research.