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This French Business School Offers Guaranteed Scholarships To All Its Female MBA Students

EMLYON Business School's scholarship program is helping more women access business education

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Tue Feb 12 2019

BusinessBecause
A scholarship can make or break a student’s business degree dreams, especially for students who are coming from less traditional business backgrounds, such as women or people from emerging economies.

While the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reported last year that most graduate business programs around the world were experiencing growth in the number of applications from women, this hasn’t always translated into diversity in the classroom.

In 2017, the Financial Times found that across MBA programs on its annual ranking, the average proportion of female students was just 35%. It’s clear that more needs to be done to encourage women into the MBA classroom, and this starts with business schools.

At EMLYON Business School in Lyon, France, they’re using guaranteed scholarships to increase diversity on their International MBA program. The scheme secures a 20% scholarship to all female applicants, totalling almost $8000 off the MBA tuition fees of $38,500.

But it’s not just women who make up diversity in the MBA classroom, as EMLYON also offer a 20% scholarship to students who are the first of their nationality to apply. This seems to be working—in the 2017-18 cohort, there were 22 nationalities represented on the close-knit program, and 90% of students came from outside France.


The impact of a scholarship

If you want to know how a scholarship can impact someone’s dreams to enter business education, just ask Elena Yushchenko (pictured).

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Originally from Russia, Elena had been thinking of applying to business school when suddenly her country’s currency lost 50% of its value, and the prospect of getting a student loan seemed impossible.

“I was not sure anymore that I’d be able to afford an MBA,” Elena explains. “I can’t describe my emotions when I learned that I got admitted and got a scholarship!”

Elena had been working as an analyst for international FMCG companies, and while she enjoyed her work, there was something missing. “I wanted to be responsible for my own marketing projects—first within a company, and then hopefully one day in my own startup,” Elena says.

Ultimately, it was the offer of EMLYON’s 20% scholarships that made her dreams a reality—after graduating in 2016, she landed a job as a social ads consultant for a firm in Paris and is now a manager at the same company. But she says it was the experience of working in such a diverse class that really built the skills she’s using today.

“Our class came from all over the world, and I definitely developed the ability to work in international teams,” she explains. “I was happy to be a part of our cohort, and it was an amazing journey to learn with them and from them.

“In the end, the scholarship from EMLYON Business School meant I could follow my dream.”


The value of an MBA

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Nathalie François (pictured) had been working as a lawyer in Brussels when she made the decision to move to France, and it was a realization of the career-enhancing power of an MBA that made her take the leap to business school.

“I had started to reflect on how you can move from being an expert in law to something broader,” she recalls. “The MBA was the opportunity to broaden my resume and gain knowledge and experience in other fields.”

When it came to choosing a school in France, Nathalie says EMLYON appealed to her for its atypical approach to MBA teaching. “The way they promote the MBA is really different to other business schools,” she explains.

“Other schools want to teach you to be the best manager in the world,” she adds, “but the International MBA program at EMLYON Business School was much more about being responsible, and taking part in the change you will see in the world.”

In line with this social approach to business, Nathalie also received a 20% scholarship to the MBA at EMLYON Business School, and she says it was this scholarship that made her understand her value to the business program, as a student from a more unconventional business background. “It was a way for EMLYON to say, ‘we are really excited to have you in our program,’” she says.

Despite the power of a scholarship, Nathalie advises candidates not to underestimate the hard work needed to gain an MBA.

“In financial terms, an MBA is something that’s still difficult to get,” she muses. “Ultimately, it’s really down to what you do with your MBA—if you take part in many things you can get so much out of the program.

“At EMLYON, you have the freedom and the help if you want to make something from the program. I’d say that if you really want to do an MBA, EMLYON is the place to do it.” 

Student Reviews

emlyon business school

Student

Verified

4/12/2023

On Campus

Intense courses, helpful professors

I am an international student in my 3rd year and I love going to this school and do not regret chosing it for my BBA. The classes are helpful, professors are always there to help as well and we have a very understanding administration.

Student

Verified

18/03/2023

On Campus

Leadership in an amazing city

I decided to do my exchange in Emlyon because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I found a space with very capable People.. participatory, empathetic and full of leadership. I will never forget Lyon, apart from giving me an unforgettable experience, he gave me great friends

Student

Verified

23/11/2021

On Campus

A lot of opportunities professionally and socially. A unique program in France.

You can choose your courses and do your internship, exchange whenever you want. It's flexible and adapted to the needs of each student. A great program and a great city! Professionally, it opens a lot of doors for you to find internships or jobs in France or abroad thanks to the network and career events.

Fabian

Verified

7/06/2020

MSc in Digital Marketing

Combining both worlds into one, this course gave me all the on-demand technical skills in data science while maintaining a business-oriented approach. Thanks to the strong academic profile of this university I was able to secure an internship and full-time job at Amazon.

Student

Verified

14/10/2018

Top Business School fostering innovative entrepreneurs

EMLyon is one of the best business schools. The campuses, associations and courses offered provide the students with the best options to build the future they have chosen. The various opportunities to study and work abroad also offer a deeper understanding of the world, not only economy-wise but social, which helps the student become as well a better individual and not only a pre-formated business school student.

Student

Verified

9/06/2020

Emlyon campus in Paris

It has a great international community and you have access to many international tools, courses and professors. I had many networking events and workshops for students. Campus and some details of the program could have been improved or need to be bigger in order to have a better student life.

Student

Verified

21/11/2022

On Campus

Entrepreneurship

Overall good content and good activities. Lack of administration but still ok. Good flexibility and liberty offered to the students. Finally, the amount of internship is also a good way to improve qualifications.

Student

Verified

25/05/2020

Good Reputation and International Business School

The course was not well adapted but it was up to the mark. The professors are very well experienced and their experience comes in handy while working on assignments. The facilities on the campus are top class. Truly professional. I really like spending time in the learning hub and using all the available resources. Lyon is an amazing city. You will never get bored.

Edel

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

MSc International Hospitality Management

The best educational experience of my life so far! It’s been full of exposure and great connections. From Lyon to London, Paris, Los Angeles and Las Vegas! Truly an exceptional way to discover the world of hospitality.

Student

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

Real networking opportunities

- meeting new people, specially professionals during seminars or evening meeting at school. - going abroad to study luxury - being involved as an ambassador to promote the school and the program I was into (MSc LMM) - having such a great professional core

Daphné

Verified

14/07/2024

On Campus

white baccalaureate in the world of work

I really appreciated the MS SDAI as a whole. The teaching staff, the different subjects, the university exchange, TEM... I started my internship in a consulting firm having acquired a solid foundation. Downside for CentraleSupélec, which I found far too academic for a program such as this.