Top Business Schools in France vs India: A Guide for Indian Students and Expats in the EU

Pursuing a business degree is a major decision that requires careful consideration, especially when moving to a new country. At L’Association Frehindi, under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris, we support Indian and South Asian students and professionals in navigating academic transitions abroad. Whether you are choosing between top Indian business schools or elite French institutions, understanding rankings, cultural norms, and campus life differences is essential. This article aims to compare the top business schools in France and India, while shedding light on the cultural challenges Indian students often face—and how we can h

 

🏆 Top Business Schools in France (Based on Financial Times European Business School Rankings – December 2023)

 

Out of 90 European business schools ranked by Financial Times, France stands out with a strong presence. These schools are divided into four tiers:

 

Tier I (Top 9 Schools in Europe)

  • HEC Paris (Rank 1 in France)

  • ESCP Business School (Rank 4 in Europe)

  • EDHEC Business School (Rank 7)

  • ESSEC Business School (Rank 9)

Tier II (Rank 10–38 in Europe)

  • EMLyon Business School (Rank 10)

  • INSEAD Business School (Rank 18)

  • Audencia (Rank 25)

  • KEDGE Business School (Rank 29)

  • Grenoble Ecole de Management (Rank 33)

  • NEOMA Business School (Rank 34)

Tier III & IV (Rank 39–90)

  • TBS Education (46)

  • Excelia Business School (54)

  • IESEG School of Management (55)

  • Rennes School of Business (60)

  • ICN Business School (68)

  • SKEMA Business School (71)

  • MBS – Montpellier Business School (75)

  • Institut Mines-Télécom Business School (76)

  • ESSCA School of Management (80)

  • EM Normandie (84)

  • IAE Aix-Marseille (85)

  • ESC Clermont (86)

  • ESDES Business School (87)

Note: For Engineering courses, refer to the Top 30 Engineering Colleges in France.

 

🇮🇳 Top Business Schools in India

 

While India does not feature in the Financial Times European Rankings, its top business schools are highly regarded globally:

  1. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad

  2. IIM Bangalore

  3. IIM Calcutta

  4. Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad/Mohali

  5. XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur

  6. SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai

  7. Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon

  8. IIM Lucknow

  9. IIM Kozhikode

  10. Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University

  11. NMIMS, Mumbai

  12. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune

  13. IIFT, New Delhi

  14. TISS, Mumbai (for HRM)

  15. Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

  16. IIM Indore

  17. IIM Udaipur

  18. IMT Ghaziabad

  19. IIM Shillong

  20. IIT Bombay – SJMSOM

🌍 Key Cultural Differences: France vs India – What Indian Students Should Know

 

1. Gender Norms and Equality

 

In France, gender equality is deeply embedded in academic and professional settings.
Example: Priya from Delhi was initially hesitant to speak freely in a class debate at ESCP. Her classmates, including male peers, encouraged open dialogue, making her feel respected and equal—a contrast to her previous experience in India where classroom hierarchies were more rigid.

 

 

2. Freedom and Lifestyle

 

French students enjoy greater personal freedom in decision-making, nightlife, relationships, and dress codes. In India, even top institutions often have strict curfews and rules—especially for women.
Example: Rahul from Pune, studying at KEDGE, was surprised when his French roommate invited friends over without prior permission. He struggled initially with the concept of shared autonomy in student accommodations.

 

 

3. Accommodation Norms

 
Shared apartments (colocations) are common in France. Co-ed living is normalized. In contrast, Indian students often expect single-gender hostels with set routines.
Example: Anjali from Jaipur found it challenging to adapt when assigned a mixed-gender flatshare in Montpellier. L’Association Frehindi guided her in communicating preferences respectfully and finding an alternative all-female residence.

 


 

4. Professorial and Administrative Interaction

 

French professors prefer to be addressed by their first name and encourage informal, direct communication. Indian systems often require more formal deference.
Example: Karan from Chennai felt awkward calling his marketing professor “Jean” instead of “Sir,” but soon appreciated the democratic learning culture.

 

🎯 How L’Association Frehindi Supports You

 

Our goal is to help Indian and South Asian expats feel informed, secure, and integrated during their academic and professional journey in France and the EU. We provide:

✅ Guidance on selecting the right business school
✅ Support with accommodation choices and roommate matching
✅ Cultural orientation workshops
✅ Alumni connect programs
✅ Assistance with scholarships, visas, and administrative hurdles

 

🔚 Final Thoughts: Navigating Your Business Education Journey in France vs India

 

Choosing between India and France for your business education is more than just comparing rankings—it’s about aligning your academic goals, cultural comfort, and career ambitions with the environment that best supports them.

Indian institutions like the IIMs and ISB are globally renowned for their competitive admissions, structured pedagogy, and strong alumni networks within India and Asia. However, France offers a gateway to the EU job market, access to multilingual and multicultural experiences, and world-class business schools such as HEC Paris, ESCP, INSEAD, and more.

But the journey doesn’t end at admission. As many students like Priya, Rahul, Anjali, and Karan have experienced, the real challenges begin after arrival—navigating new social norms, communication styles, and living conditions. That’s where L’Association Frehindi steps in.

Through our strong network and active collaboration with Indian embassies across the EU, we provide cultural orientation, accommodation support, alumni connections, and emergency guidance to ensure that Indian and South Asian students don’t feel isolated or overwhelmed during their time abroad.

Whether you’re dreaming of a startup in Paris or returning to India with a global perspective, remember: the right preparation and support system makes all the difference.

So if you’re planning to study in France or anywhere in the EU, reach out to L’Association Frehindi. Together, we’ll ensure your academic dreams are matched with practical guidance and a supportive community.

 

 

📲Let’s Stay in Touch

 

💬 Join our WhatsApp community for Indian expats in France — a trusted space for real-time questions, support, and shared experiences.
📞 Connect directly at +33 6 27 92 43 98 for personalized guidance.
📘 Like our Facebook page: facebook.com/assofrehindi for daily updates and useful info.
📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel “Indians in France” for legal, cultural, and lifestyle guidance.

 

🇮🇳🤝🇫🇷
With Frehindi by your side, navigating life across borders becomes a little easier — and a lot more reassuring.

 

Warm regards,
Haru Mehra
President,
L’Association Frehindi
A not-for-profit association under French Law 1901

📧 haru@frehindi.com | 🌍 www.frehindi.org | 📞 +33 6 27 92 43 98

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