Presentation
Why study on the Excelia First Year programme?
Excelia First Year is a preparatory year, designed to immerse you in a variety of disciplines. You will gain a solid foundation of knowledge, thereby enabling you to fine-tune your plans and make an informed decision about your future academic studies.
This first year of higher education will give you a more precise insight into your aspirations, as well as the knowledge needed to succeed in your chosen field. Upon successfully completing this year of study, you will be awarded 60 ECTS credits, enabling you to join Year 2 of the Excelia undergraduate programme of your choice.
An overview of Excelia First Year
Excelia First Year is a generalist first year in higher education, carried out in France (possibility of studying overseas, subject to certain conditions). It is a post-High-School programme, giving students the opportunity to explore different subjects and think about their future study path, in order to select the most suitable Excelia programme.
This year is therefore an excellent opportunity for students to consolidate their knowledge in a wide range of fields, including languages, geopolitics, management, communication, and tourism. Upon successful completion of the year, students obtain 60 ECTS credits, enabling them to join Year 2 of one of Excelia’s undergraduate programmes: Bachelor in Business, Master in Management, Bachelor in Hospitality - Tourism Management Track, Bachelor in Hospitality - Hotel Management Track, Bachelor in Digital Communication & Strategy.
Designed with an interactive, hands-on approach, Excelia First Year combines lessons with practical projects, enabling students to not only consolidate their future direction, but to boost their self-confidence and acquire valuable skills and knowledge.
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LanguageEnglish / French
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Qualification1 year of higher education
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Location
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Tuition Fees
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In short1st year, Post-High School, Business, Tourism, Communication
5 reasons to choose Excelia First Year
An undergraduate programme to help you fine-tune your choice of studies
Excelia First Year is an opportunity to explore various disciplines such as management, communication, and tourism. This year of study will enable you to identify your interests and fine-tune your choices, with the aim of joining Year 2 of one of Excelia’s undergraduate programmes.
A comprehensive foundation of knowledge and skills
You will benefit from a dynamic approach to learning which combines lectures, projects, and case studies. This will provide you with the essential interdisciplinary skills needed to move forward in a variety of sectors.
A choice of undergraduate programmes
By successfully completing Excelia First Year, you will receive 60 ECTS credits, recognised in higher education. This will enable you to continue your studies by directly joining Year 2 of the programme of your choice: Bachelor in Business, Master in Management, Bachelor in Hospitality - Tourism Management Track, Bachelor in Hospitality - Hotel Management Track, Bachelor in Digital Communication & Strategy.
Language consolidation
Excelia First Year features intensive English language lessons to improve your linguistic skills; this will strengthen your language proficiency, enabling you to evolve in international environments.
The possibility to enjoy an international experience during this first year of studies
By choosing Excelia First Year Overseas, you have the opportunity of carrying out the programme abroad, in Australia, Canada or Ireland. This enriching immersion, on both a personal and academic level, will help you develop open-mindedness and adaptability skills that will be essential for your future.
Programme structure
September start date - French Track
February start date - French Track
Septembre start date - French Track
Septembre start date - French Track
February start date - English Track
Xpress Australia
Greenwich College: Melbourne or Brisbane
Canada
Tamwood College: Toronto or Vancouver
Irlande
International School of Business: Dublin
Excelia First Year: A preparatory year to build your future study path!
Embark on a year of exciting experiences with the Excelia First Year programme, on one of our campuses in La Rochelle, Paris or Tours. Enjoy a range of practical lessons, taught by a highly qualified team boasting a mix of academic experts and industry professionals; you will also have the opportunity to carry out a civic voluntary project focussing on sustainable development, the circular economy or environmental protection. If you successfully complete the year, you will receive 60 ECTS credits, enabling you to pursue your higher education by joining Year 2 of one of Excelia’s undergraduate programmes.
Looking for an even more international experience?
By opting for Excelia First Year Overseas, you can join one of our partner institutions in either Australia (Melbourne or Brisbane), Canada (Toronto or Vancouver) or Ireland (Dublin). For 6 to 7 months, you will explore the fundamentals of international business and management, enabling you to validate your first year in higher education. This enriching experience overseas will broaden your horizons and boost your career prospects.
Whether you choose to stay in France or head abroad, Excelia First Year has been designed to provide you with a truly unique experience and help you discover what really interests you.
Ready to take up the challenge? Join us now to start shaping your future!
Rankings
12th
Financial Times 2024
Among the best business schools in France
6th
HappyAtSchool® 2024
For a great student experience
15th
Figaro Étudiant 2024
One of the top business schools in France
FAQs
- What exactly is Excelia First Year?
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It is a generalist first year of higher education, designed to enable you to explore different subject areas before joining Year 2 of an Excelia undergraduate programme of your choice. You have the option of studying in France (La Rochelle, Paris or Tours) or overseas (Australia, Canada, Ireland).
- What are the academic opportunities after Excelia First Year?
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Once you have successfully completed the Excelia First Year programme (60 ECTS credits), you will have the opportunity of joining Year 2 of an Excelia undergraduate programme: Bachelor in Business, Master in Management, Bachelor in Hospitality - Tourism Management Track, Bachelor in Hospitality - Hotel Management Track, Bachelor in Digital Communication & Strategy.
- What are the admissions requirements for Excelia First Year?
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To join Excelia First Year, you need to have a High School qualification (e.g. baccalaureate or equivalent) and successfully complete the admissions procedure, which includes an assessment of your application and a motivational interview. We are looking for applicants who are enthusiastic, curious, and eager to discover different fields before specialising.
- How are the lessons and internships structured on Excelia First Year?
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Offering a mix of theory and practice, lessons are taught by a team of academic experts and industry professionals from a variety of fields. You will have the opportunity of carrying out practical projects and case studies, as well as a civic voluntary project focussing on sustainable development, the circular economy or environmental protection, enabling you to put your skills into practice and to develop your professional network.
- Are there any opportunities to go abroad?
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Yes, Excelia strongly encourages international mobility! You can choose Excelia First Year Overseas to carry out your programme at one of our partner institutions in Australia, Canada or Ireland. This enriching experience will help you discover new cultures and broaden your horizons.
- What are the advantages of studying at Excelia Business School?
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By joining Excelia Business School, you will be joining an establishment renowned for its academic excellence and international accreditations (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA). Our unique approach to teaching favours hands-on experience and learning by doing. In addition, our campuses in La Rochelle, Paris and Tours offer an exceptional environment for students, with an atmosphere that is both studious and convivial.
Lessons
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Year 1
La Rochelle start dates: september or february -
Description Cours EN
September start date
Semester 1
- Business Game
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- General knowledge
- English: everyday language and business communication
- Workshop: Drama Improvisation and Public Speaking
Semester 2
- Dream Career Bootcamp
- Principles of Accounting
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & Environment
- English: business communication
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Communication
- Graphic design tools (Adobe suite: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, etc.)
- Introduction to images and video (angles, image capture, sound, editing, etc.)
- History of Art and Visual Analysis
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
- SCAP or civic project
- Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning
February start date
Semester 1
- Business Game
- Principles of Accounting (at the start of the semester)
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & the Environment
- General knowledge
- English: business communication
- Workshop: Drama Improvisation and Public Speaking
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Communication
- Graphic design tools (Adobe suite: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, etc.)
- Introduction to images and video (angles, image capture, sound, editing, etc.)
- History of Art and Visual Analysis
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
Semester 2
- Business Game
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- General knowledge
- English: everyday language and business communication
- Civic project
- Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning)
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Year 1
Tours - september start date -
Description Cours EN
Semester 1
- Business Game
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- General knowledge
- English: everyday language and business communication
- Workshop: Drama Improvisation and Public Speaking
Semester 2
- Dream Career Bootcamp
- Principles of Accounting
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & Environment
- English: business communication
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Communication
- Graphic design tools (Adobe suite: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, etc.)
- Introduction to images and video (angles, image capture, sound, editing, etc.)
- History of Art and Visual Analysis
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
- SCAP or civic project
- Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning)
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Year 1
Start dates: September or February -
Description Cours EN
September start date
Semester 1
- Business Game
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- General knowledge
- English: everyday language and business communication
- Workshop: Drama Improvisation and Public Speaking
Semester 2
- Dream Career Bootcamp
- Principles of Accounting
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & Environment
- English: business communication
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Communication
- Graphic design tools (Adobe suite: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, etc.)
- Introduction to images and video (angles, image capture, sound, editing, etc.)
- History of Art and Visual Analysis
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
• SCAP or civic project
• Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning)
Description Cours ENFebruary start date
Semester 1
- Dream Career Bootcamp
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & Environment
- Principles of Accounting
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Intercultural Communication
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
Semester 2
- Business Game
- International Marketing
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- The Company and Work Organisation
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- Principles of Accounting
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
- Civic project
- Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning)
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Year 1
Excelia First Year Overseas -
Description Cours EN
Xpress Australia
Greenwich College: Melbourne or BrisbaneBusiness & Digital
- Leading communication in the workplace
- Articulating, presenting and debating ideas
- Managing business meetings
- Developing critical thinking skills
- Managing business resources
- Overseeing budgets and financial plans
Marketing & Communication
- Communicating with influence
- Managing project information and communication plans
- Writing persuasive copy
- Planning and interpreting market research
- Conducting marketing audits
Canada
Tamwood College: Toronto or VancouverCertificate in International Business
- International Business
- Project Management
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Integrated Marketing
- Human Resource Management
- International Trade
- Capstone Project
Certificate in Hospitality & Tourism
- Cross-cultural Communication
- Customer Engagement
- Professional Development
- Project Management
- Sustainable Tourism
- Business Ethics
- Capstone Project
Certificate in Digital Marketing
- Introduction to Digital Marketing
- Social Media & Community Management
- Marketing Channels - paid channels
- Strategic Web Design
- Marketing Technology & Automation
- Marketing Channels - content marketing
- Capstone Project
Ireland
International School of Business, Dublin- Marketing Communications
- Business Finance & Accounting
- Business Law
- Social and Economic Aspects of Ireland
- Business Communication Skills
- Entrepreneurial Project
- Sales Management
- Modern Management
- Excel S1
- Excel S2
- Business English S1
- TOEFL Training S2
- Humacité©
The different courses and projects are provided for indicative purposes only and are subject to change from one year to the next. The specialisations offered will only be available if the required minimum number of students is reached.
Careers
Which Excelia programmes are available after Excelia First Year?
Upon successfully completing Excelia First Year, you will be awarded 60 ECTS credits; you can then enrol directly on Year 2 of one of Excelia’s undergraduate programmes:
Bachelor in Hospitality - Tourism Management Track
Cost of studies
Tuition Fees 2025-2026
Students from within the European Union*
- Excelia First Year: €9,300
- Excelia Fist Year Overseas: Australia €12,400 / Canada: €12,400 / Irlande: €10,000
* 27 European Union members: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France and French Overseas Territories, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Students from outside the European Union
- Excelia First Year: €9,800
- Excelia Fist Year Overseas: Australia €12,400 / Canada: €12,400 / Irlande: €10,000
Tuition fees are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change from one year to the next.
Multiservice charge
Fee: €350 (1 year)
This one-off Multiservice fee gives access to the following services: Multimedia and Internet network, Cyberlibris (online library), Student Identity Card, Reprographics credit, Intranet, e-learning modules, Wi-Fi, Career Centre activities and services, International Insurance-Assistance (for any periods spent abroad during the period covered by this contract), University library, University Medical Service etc.
Admission
September 2025 Intake: Apply
Bachelor First Year Overseas: Apply
1 / Online application
Submit your application online and select your programme:
List of supportive documents required : CV and Proof of current academic level (exam certificate/s or letter from current academic establishment etc.)
Admission fee : An admissions fee of €50 is required (to be paid by bank transfer or credit card)
2 / Online video interview
Details of admissions tests
- Online video interview on our online admissions platform (in French or English depending on the chosen programme and track).
- Candidates have 5 days to respond to a series of questions (motivation, academic and professional projects)
Upcoming admissions deadlines
Possibility of taking the admissions test all year long.
3 / Admissions test results released and deposit to be paid
Admissions test results
Candidates will receive notification of their admission or non-admission within 6 days following their interview.
If you are admitted, you must pay the deposit, which will be deducted from your annual tuition fees, before the specified deadline.
Excelia has partnered with Flywire to provide our overseas families with an easier method of sending international fee payments. Flywire offers a best price guarantee when sending the payment by bank transfer, real-time payment tracking and 24x7 multilingual customer support.
4 / Administrative assistance
Confirmation of enrolment
You will receive confirmation of pre-enrolment as well as confirmation of accommodation which are necessary for your student visa application.
Click here for administrative assistance
5 / Proof of academic level required
Conditions of acceptance
To confirm your final acceptance, you must provide proof of your current qualifications and language ability:
English-Track and French-Track Programmes:
- Bachelor, Master, Masters of Science (MSc): B2*
- Foundation and preparatory programmes**: A2 or B1 depending on programme*
- For Summer School and FLE (French as a Foreign Language) courses: Open to students of all abilities
* Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
** Business Foundation Programme et Bachelor First Year
Proof of language ability is NOT required if:
- Please note that only official certificates will be accepted.
- You hold a qualification issued in a French-speaking country and are applying for a French track
- You hold a qualification issued in an English-speaking country and are applying for an English track
Please note that only official certificates will be accepted.
Testimonials
