
Join a School in France | Application Process and Eligibility for 2025
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What is the Join a School in France Application?
If you're planning to join a school in France for a Master’s in Management, this application process makes it much easier. With the Join a School in France program, you don’t need to apply to each business school separately. Instead, you can apply once and be considered for five top French business schools: HEC Paris, ESCP Business School, emlyon business school, SKEMA Business School, and Audencia Business School. It’s a simple and smart way to save time while applying to some of the best MiM programs in France.
Join a School in France vs. Direct Application: Which is Better?
Criteria | Join a School in France (SAI) | Direct Application to Individual Schools |
Number of Schools Applied To | One application for five schools: HEC Paris, ESCP Business School, emlyon business school, SKEMA Business School, and Audencia Business School. | Separate applications to each school individually. |
Application Fee | €220 total for all five schools. | Varies by school; typically around €100–€150 per school. |
Number of Essays Required | Four short essays (approximately 500 characters each). | Up to eight long essays per school, depending on individual requirements. |
Interview Process | One interview applicable to all five schools. | Separate interviews for each school, if shortlisted. |
Application Platform | Single, centralized online portal. | Individual application portals for each school. |
Eligibility Criteria | Non-French undergraduate degree holders with at least three years of higher education completed outside France. | Varies by school; generally similar but may have specific requirements. |
Flexibility in School Selection | Apply to all five schools simultaneously; cannot choose specific schools within the SAI application. | Full control to choose and apply to specific schools of interest. |
Essay Customization | General essays reviewed by all five schools; limited opportunity to tailor responses to individual schools. | Ability to customize essays and applications to align closely with each school's values and programs. |
Time and Effort | Streamlined process saves time with a single application and interview. | More time-consuming due to multiple applications, essays, and interviews. |
Application Outcome | Potential offers from multiple schools through one process; candidates choose their preferred offer upon acceptance. | Independent outcomes from each school; candidates may receive multiple offers and choose accordingly. |
Admission Process for the Join a School in France Application
Application Deadlines for Join a School in France
Application deadline for the September 2025 intake are already open. Below is the Join a School in France's admissions application calendar:
Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | |
Application Deadlines | October 10th, 2024 | January 3rd, 2024 | February 28th, 2025 | April 17th, 2025 | June 4th, 2025 |
Admissibility Results | October 28th, 2024 | January 23rd, 2024 | March 20th, 2025 | May 13th, 2025 | June 13th, 2025 |
Interviews Periods | November 4th-13th, 2024 | January 14th – February 7th, 2025 | March 25th – April 4th, 2025 | May 13th – 23rd, 2025 | June 17th - 20th, 2025 |
Final Admissions Results | November 22nd, 2024 | February 19th, 2025 | April 17th, 2025 | June 6th, 2025 | July 4th, 2025 |
Eligibility Requirements for Join a School in France
1. Educational Qualification
You must hold a non-French undergraduate degree that represents at least three years of study (such as a Bachelor’s, Licence, Benke, etc.) from a nationally recognized institution outside of France
Students currently in the final year of their undergraduate program are also eligible to apply, as long as they provide valid proof of enrollment
There are no restrictions on your field of study—this program is open to candidates from all academic backgrounds
2. Diploma Verification
Only non-French undergraduate diplomas are accepted for admission through Join a School in France
If you haven’t graduated yet, you can still be admitted, but you must submit your official diploma showing at least three years of undergraduate study by December 31st of your intake year
3. Document Authenticity
All applicants must confirm that the information and documents they submit are true and accurate
Your documents, including diplomas and certifications, may be verified by one of the five participating schools (HEC Paris, ESCP, Emlyon, SKEMA, or Audencia) or by a third-party verification service)
Application Requirements for Join a School in France
To apply for a Master in Management through Join a School in France, you need to submit the following 10 documents. All documents must be in English or French and carefully prepared.
Required Documents for Join a School in France (10 Total)
Academic transcripts from all undergraduate years
Diploma or certificate of school enrollment for your final year
Management test scores (GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, Shorter GRE, TAGE MAGE, or CAT)
English language test results (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, or Cambridge exams)
Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
A recent ID-style photo (headshot)
CV or resumé outlining your academic and professional experience
Copy of your passport or national ID card
Payment receipt for the €220 application fee
All submitted documents will be verified by the admissions team (especially test scores like GMAT, GRE, or TAGE MAGE)
Make sure every document is clear, accurate, and authentic. Incomplete or false submissions may lead to disqualification from the application process
Let me know if you want this styled into a downloadable PDF or checklist for your readers!
Application Essay Questions for Join a School
The SAI MiM application includes four questions for 500 characters. These questions are crucial for evaluating your application, so thoughtful and well-written responses are essential. The questions are:
Describe your proudest accomplishment?
Describe a time you faced failure, and what lessons you learned from it?
Have you participated in any extracurricular activities (hobbies, sports, volunteering)?
How does your application benefit the 5 member schools? Please specify, if you have a preferred choice among our members schools and why?
Interview Process – Join a School in France
Once applications are reviewed by the member schools, candidates will be informed whether they are invited to the interview stage
Interview Invitation
Applicants will receive an email from Join a School in France with links to each school’s website where admissibility results are posted
Candidates must check each school's webpage to see their admissibility status
If an applicant is eligible for at least one school, they will be invited to an interview
If eligible for multiple schools, only one interview is required for all of them
The date and time of the interview will be provided in the official email invitation
Interview Centres
Interviews are held around the world at official Join a School in France partner centres
Applicants select their preferred interview location during the online application
If a selected centre cannot open, alternative options will be provided by the admissions team
In special cases, new interview centres may be created
To request a change in interview location, applicants must email the admissions team before the application deadline
Interview Format
Interviews last between 20 to 30 minutes
They are conducted in English
There is no fixed format – interviewers may include alumni, business professionals, or diplomatic representatives
The interview focuses on your motivation, personality, and argumentation skills
A valid ID must be presented at the time of the interview
Interview Questions for Join a School
These are rated on a scale of 1 to 4.
Questions you may be asked during the interview include:
Why do you want to pursue a MiM?
How proficient are you in French?
Why do you want to study in France, and what do you know about it?
What are your future career plans?
How will a degree from our school help you achieve your goals?
What do you hope to gain from this degree?
Do you have any questions for us?
If you pass the interview, you will receive an offer letter via email. You will need to make a non-refundable payment to secure your place in the program.
Conclusion
In summary, the SAI application provides an efficient way to apply to multiple prestigious French business schools for a Master in Management program, simplifying the process and saving both time and money. Preparing well for both the essays and the interview will be key to a successful application.
FAQ's
What program do I apply for through Join a School in France?
Join a School in France is a selection process that allows you to apply to our 5 member schools (Audencia Business School, emlyon business school, ESCP Business School, HEC Paris, SKEMA Business School) for the Master’s in Management program only
Should I have studied particular courses to be able to participate in Join a School in France?
No, the selection is opened to all applicants whatever their degree as long as they meet the application requirements.
Can I apply to several rounds?
Application to several rounds is not allowed. You can apply to only one round per year. However, you may ask to transfer to another round. In order to do that, you have to send an email to Join a School in France (joinaschoolinfrance@cci-paris-idf.fr) with your full name, your application number and the round for which you wish to transfer to.
What GMAT score is taken into account if I have several scores?
They will take into account your best GMAT score, as long as it is received before the application deadline.