SKEMA’s global alumni network includes more than 60,000 graduates in 145 countries. Through career events, mentoring programs, and a strong corporate network, students benefit from these connections even while they are still in school.
Do you want to experience studying abroad not just in one place, but as part of a truly global network? Then Skema Business School is the place for you—one of the few business schools worldwide with six campuses across five continents. With its three French locations—Lille, Paris, and Sophia Antipolis—Skema offers you three completely different study experiences within a single country: vibrant northern France, the economic hub of Paris, or the sunny “Tech Riviera” on the Côte d’Azur. As one of fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation, Skema combines academic excellence with a clear focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the so-called “knowledge economy.” Students here learn in small, international groups alongside peers from more than 130 countries, following a curriculum consistently geared toward the economy of tomorrow. Ready for a degree program that will take you further across multiple continents at the same time?
Skema Business School was founded in 2009 through the merger of two renowned French institutions: the École Supérieure de Commerce de Lille, founded in 1892, and the CERAM Business School in Sophia Antipolis, established in Nice in 1963. This merger gave rise to one of Europe’s most dynamic business schools, which today has approximately 11,000 students from more than 130 countries and a network of campuses spanning France, the United States, Brazil, China, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The name Skema stands for “School of Knowledge Economy and Management.” This is also the core guiding principle of the university.
At the heart of the educational concept is the integration of management skills with future-oriented topics such as digitalization, data science, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Students choose their specializations early on and benefit from a curriculum that is consistently aligned with the requirements of international employers. Of particular note is Skema Ventures, the university’s own incubation and startup program with eight locations worldwide, which helps students develop their own business ideas from the initial sketch to market readiness. Forbes therefore ranked Skema’s Global Executive MBA program among the top 10 business schools worldwide for entrepreneurship education.
At Skema, internationality is not just lip service but a way of life: About 45% of students come from abroad, the majority of courses are taught entirely in English, and students who wish to do so can easily switch between the various Skema campuses during their studies. This “multi-campus DNA” is also evident in the faculty: international instructors, many with practical business experience, ensure that instruction closely integrates theory with real-world business practice. Skema also achieves strong results in the international rankings: The Master in Management rose 12 spots to 18th place worldwide in the 2025 Financial Times ranking, while the Master in Finance even took second place in the global FT ranking for “Masters in Finance (pre-experience)” that same year. The academic program is complemented by a network of more than 60,000 alumni in 145 countries, as well as close partnerships with companies at all locations—from startups in the Sophia Antipolis Tech Park to international corporations in Paris. Students at Skema Business School don’t just study business; they experience it firsthand at one of three very distinct locations in France.
Studying at SKEMA Business School also means choosing between three very different campuses in France, each with its own character, location, and areas of focus. All three campuses offer modern classrooms, computer labs, trading rooms, extensive libraries, and a curriculum taught entirely in English for international students.
The Lille campus is located in the heart of the Euralille business district, just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town and the famous Grand’Place, right between the city’s two TGV stations. This means Paris is just an hour away, Brussels 38 minutes, and London 1 hour and 20 minutes. Lille itself is considered France’s second-most important university city after Paris and was named the European Capital of Culture in 2004.
The Paris campus is located in Suresnes, with a view of the Eiffel Tower from the rooftop terrace, right in the heart of France’s economic, intellectual, and cultural center. With over 615,000 companies, Île-de-France is the country’s strongest economic region and thus offers ideal conditions for internships and future career opportunities.
The campus on the Côte d'Azur is located in the heart of Europe's largest and oldest technology park, surrounded by the sea and mountains. More than 2,650 companies and research institutions are based here, creating a unique environment for anyone interested in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and innovation. The modern, five-hectare campus offers coworking spaces and is located about 20 kilometers from Nice Airport.
In all three cities, rent for students typically ranges between 650 and 1,000 euros per month, depending on location and type of housing. Skema actively supports exchange students in their search for housing through its partner platform Studapart, personalized housing guides for each campus, and its own student residences located near campus. The state-run CROUS housing system is also open to international students and offers the most affordable rooms, though space is limited and early application is required.
Lille charms visitors with its red-brick architecture, a lively old town, and one of the largest student populations in France. The city is compact, easy to explore on foot, and conveniently located in the heart of Europe—making it ideal for anyone who wants to take a spontaneous trip to Brussels, London, or Paris during the semester. At the same time, the cost of living in Lille is noticeably lower than in the capital.
Paris hardly needs any introduction: museums, art, cuisine, nightlife, and an economic vitality that is second to none. Those who choose the Paris campus will live and study in the heart of a cosmopolitan city, with everything that comes with it—including higher rents and a busier, but also more exciting, daily life.
Sophia Antipolis on the Côte d'Azur, on the other hand, offers a completely different lifestyle: the Mediterranean Sea, mountains, and a Mediterranean climate come together with one of Europe’s most innovative tech hubs. Important to know: Unlike in Lille or Paris, public transportation here is less well-developed, so a bicycle or occasional bus rides are part of everyday life. On the other hand, cities like Nice, Cannes, and Antibes are just a short drive away.
Munich Business School (MBS) offers you the chance to combine your studies in Munich with a stay at Skema Business School in France—all within a single program! You can complete your semester abroad at Skema as part of a bachelor’s program or within the framework of several master’s programs at MBS, including:
Learn more about our academic programs now and find the one that's the best fit for you.
Note: Despite careful maintenance of our content, individual details regarding the semester abroad may occasionally change. For binding and up-to-date information, we recommend checking our partner university database.
Have you found a degree program that interests you? If so, you can easily apply through the MBS application portal. Provided you meet the necessary academic and language requirements, you will then be invited to a selection interview. It’s best to apply early to give yourself the best chance of being accepted to both Munich Business School and Skema Business School!
Once your application to Munich Business School has been accepted and you have successfully enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program, your time as a student in Munich begins. During your first semesters at Munich Business School, you’ll learn key business fundamentals, choose your areas of concentration and electives based on your degree program and interests, and collaborate with your fellow students on exciting projects.
Your first semesters at Munich Business School are also the ideal time to plan your semester abroad at Skema Business School. When you’ll study abroad at SKEMA depends on your degree program and when you started your studies. If you’re in a bachelor’s program and began your studies in the fall, your semester abroad will take place in the sixth semester—a transfer in the fourth semester is only possible to the Sophia Antipolis or Lille campuses. If you started your bachelor’s program in February, you’ll go abroad in the sixth semester. In the Master’s program, the semester abroad is generally scheduled for the third semester. The MBS International Center is here to provide you with advice and support as you plan your semester abroad at Skema and will answer all your questions regarding campus selection, course selection, housing, and student life.
Once you’ve successfully completed your first semesters at Munich Business School and finalized your plans for your semester abroad at SKEMA, it’s finally time to get started. Yay, your semester abroad in France is about to begin! Immerse yourself in the new (university) culture, make new friends, soak up everything around you, try new things, and create memories that will last a lifetime! One thing is certain: the experience of studying abroad in France will stay with you forever, and you’ll return a changed person. After your semester abroad, you’ll either return to Munich Business School for one to three more semesters (Bachelor’s program) or complete your degree with your thesis (Master’s program).
For particularly ambitious master’s students, the partnership between MBS and Skema also offers the option of a dual-degree program with campuses in France, China, the U.S., and Brazil. Those interested in this path will receive not just one, but two internationally recognized degrees upon completion. The MBS International Center will be happy to advise you on which path—an exchange semester or a dual degree—best fits your career plans.
To qualify for a business degree program at Munich Business School—and thus also at SKEMA Business School—you must meet certain academic and language requirements. MBS offers several application rounds. We recommend applying early, as the number of available spots is limited.
For many aspiring business students, studying at SKEMA Business School in France is a dream come true. At the same time, studying abroad in France is a major step that requires careful planning and financing. To help you organize your plans as best as possible, this FAQ provides answers to common questions about studying at SKEMA Business School.
Yes, Skema Business School is one of the most internationally recognized business schools in France and Europe. As one of less than 1% of universities worldwide with triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), it meets the highest quality standards in teaching, research, and international focus. The latest rankings also speak for themselves: In the 2025 Financial Times rankings, the Master in Management program ranked 18th worldwide, while the Master in Finance program ranked as high as 2nd. Particularly impressive is the international campus network, with locations on five continents, which offers students unique opportunities for mobility during their studies.
That depends mainly on your personal preferences. Lille is ideal for anyone looking for a manageable, affordable student city centrally located in Europe. Paris is the right choice for you if you want to experience the vibrant life of a global metropolis with direct access to international corporations. Sophia Antipolis is particularly well-suited for anyone passionate about technology, innovation, and the Mediterranean lifestyle on the Côte d'Azur. Important: Not every campus is available every semester; it’s best to check the exact options early on with the MBS International Center.
Since Skema Business School is a partner institution of Munich Business School, you won’t have to pay any additional tuition fees at Skema for your exchange semester. However, you should factor in the local cost of living: Rent for student housing typically ranges from 650 to 1,000 euros per month, depending on the city and type of housing, with Paris generally being the most expensive and Lille the least expensive. In addition, there are expenses for food, transportation, health insurance, and leisure activities, which you should budget for individually.
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