SKEMA’s bachelor programme has just received French Ministry of Education approval (Visa Ministériel - Bac+4) for its international undergraduate programme renamed the BBA in Global Management. In France where two models of the bachelor exist (in three and four years of undergraduate study), the initials BBA have become the norm for four-year post-high school diplomas. The name refers to the American model that inspired it.
The BBA in Global Management has a student-centred teaching approach with students able to build up flexible learning paths under the guidance of a personal tutor. On the French Sophia Antipolis campus, this programme attracts 57% of international students from 65 different countries. This means that future graduates obtain an international education with a programme delivered entirely in English; they also get two years of academic mobility on SKEMA’s international campuses (USA, China, Brazil) or with partner institutions in America, Canada, Asia, Australia or Europe resulting in a dual degree.
The BBA in Global Management has a workplace based dimension allowing up to 24 months of internships and professional experience during the course, in France or abroad. This makes for an easier entry to the job market. Based on figures for the past three years, an average of 95% of graduates are employed six months after graduation, and half of them work outside France.
For the 2017 academic year and in order to attract the best candidates, the BBA programme has set up new academic grants for students obtaining mentions in their baccalaureate ("bien" or "très bien"), the former being worth 2000 euros and the latter 8000 euros respectively. There is also a 9000-euro grant for the best ranked student in the admission test (this is a competitive exam outside the APB with the TAGE test developed by the FNEGE). These new grants come on top of the existing SKEMA development fund grants for sports that enable the programme to host many student sports champions.
For Paloma Barcelo, a student in the BBA programme: "After my baccalaureate, I was looking for a school that could offer me a total international immersion. In the BBA in Global Management, not only do I mix with students from all over the world in Sophia Antipolis, but all our courses are in English and we each have a personal tutor. We are therefore well prepared to go to one of SKEMA’s international campuses, or to one of their numerous foreign partner institutions, to experience an academic and professional adventure".
Denis Boissin, director of the BBA programme: "Our programme is a pioneer in France and it has now obtained approval from the State. We wish to offer our students the international exposure that companies seek in their future executives".