The ideal springboard to Excelia's study programmes
Choose a leading higher education group recognised in France and internationally.
The Business Foundation Programme (BFP) is primarily aimed at international students who are looking to carry out management studies at a Higher Education establishment in France.
This programme, in one semester or one year, will enable you to acquire the fundamentals of management, while developing the necessary linguistic and technical competencies in english to be able to apply for Excelia’s undergraduate or postgraduate programmes.
Whichever Excelia programme you subsequently choose, you will be joining a major French Business School, obtaining an internationally-recognised qualification.
- Paris : BFP in English
- La Rochelle : BFP in French
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LanguageEnglish / French
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Location
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Tuition Fees
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In shortFrench, Language Business, Further studies
5 Reasons to choose the Business Foundation Programme
Guaranteed progression
When you pass our programme, you have a choice of guaranteed progression to more than 10 degrees in business, tourism or communication at Excelia.
Quality Assurance
Excelia, ranked among the top 10 business schools in France and 30th among the top 100 worldwide, has robust quality assurance processes in place to oversee and continually enhance academic standards. Furthermore, we are proudly accredited by EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB.
Top-quality teaching
With over 30 years of experience and as part of our prestigious school, we offer exceptional teaching and support.
Personalised support
Our committed student support team is with you every step of the way, from your application to university life and beyond. We facilitate seamless progression to your degree program, help you find top-quality accommodation, and provide professional visa assistance. Click the link below to learn more.
Campus experience
Begin your university journey on campus right from the start! Connect with a diverse international student community, take advantage of state-of-the-art campus facilities, and immerse yourself in a lively, inclusive environment. Choose from a range of countries and cities to discover the perfect setting for your studies and personal growth.
Rankings
FAQs
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What are the pedagogical objectives of the Business Foundation Programme?
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The aim of the programme is to enable you to improve your level of French or English (to B1 or B2), to prepare you for language proficiency tests, to discover different teaching methods, and to experience life in France. It also prepares you for our qualification-awarding programmes and offers the opportunity of a work placement to enhance your career prospects in France.
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What are the academic requirements for joining the programme?
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There are no specific academic requirements, however some prior knowledge of the fundamentals of business would be useful. To start in October, you must have an A2 level of French or English, and for February, a B1 level.
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How long is the Business Foundation Programme?
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The exact duration depends on your initial language level and choice of start date: you can choose a full academic year starting in October (level A2) or a semester, starting in February (level B1).
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What are the advantages of studying in La Rochelle or Paris?
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On our campuses you will benefit from a pleasant setting, modern facilities, an international atmosphere… and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the French culture!
Lessons
- Languages, Business, Personal Development, and Culture
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Description Cours EN
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Language Skills
- Intensive business language lessons in French or English
- Official language test
- English
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Business and Management Skills
- Introduction to the world of business
- Intercultural and Ethical Management
- Introduction to Marketing
- Consumer Behaviour
- French Economy and European Economy
- Fundamentals of Accounting & Finance
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Experiential and Personal Development (EPD)
- Drama lessons
- Methodology lessons
- Internship search techniques
- Tutoring from former BFP students
- Company visits and lectures
- Vocational orientation and personalised support
- Preparation for the entrance tests of qualification-awarding programmes
- Immersion in a programme of your choice
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Culture and Modern Society
- French, English and European Culture
The different courses and projects are provided for indicative purposes only and are subject to change from one year to the next. -
Experiential and Personal Development (EPD): individual support by a mentor
Throughout your studies, you will benefit from personalised support and guidance. The school offers workshops structured around personal development (self-awareness and self-assertion) and communication tools (such as CVs and cover letters), an overview of Excelia’s different qualification-awarding programmes, an introduction to the local economy, etc.
With this in mind, EPD therefore includes the following:
- Methodology lessons
- Mentoring by former students of the Business Foundation Programme
- Career orientation and personal support
- Preparation for the entrance tests of Excelia’s qualification-awarding programmes
- Opportunity to interact and discuss with students currently on your preferred future study programme
Expériences
Support and Guidance, Personal Development
One of the main objectives of the BFP is to enable you to prepare for your future studies and fine tune your professional project. Through Excelia's innovative teaching tools and experience, you will benefit from personalised advice to help you...
- to identify and develop your project: personal development workshops on self-awareness, defining your aspirations etc.
- to develop your personal communication tools (CV, cover letter, etc.), and present them effectively, making sure you give the best impression
- to prepare for the entrance tests of your higher education study programme
Drama workshop
As a future professional, you will need to present and defend your ideas and projects in front of a variety of audiences. Our drama workshops are a perfect opportunity of learning in a fun way. In a relaxed environment, you will develop your self-confidence and your oral skills through sketches, improvisations and public speaking, etc.
Optional Internship
At the end of the programme, you have the option of carrying out an internship in a company. This internship constitutes a veritable immersion in the French business world, giving you the opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired throughout the programme. It will not only boost your experience but will be highly beneficial for your further studies.
Study progression
The Business Foundation Programme (BFP) at Excelia is a true gateway to all our programmes, whether you choose the English-speaking or French-speaking pathway. This programme adapts to your linguistic and academic needs, enabling you to join our Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees based on your preferences and level of study.
BFP in French
The French-speaking BFP opens the doors to 32 Excelia programmes delivered in French. These programmes cover a wide range of fields and are ideal for thriving in a Francophone academic and professional environment.
Examples of French-speaking programmes include:
- Bachelor in Business
- Master in Management
- Masters of Science in Marketing, Finance, Purchasing & Supply Chain, Tourism, and Communication
Explore all French-speaking programmes
BFP in English
Upon completing the English-speaking BFP, you will gain access to over 15 Excelia programmes taught in English (English Track), most of which are offered at our Paris campus. These programmes include Bachelor’s degrees (Bac+3/4) and Master’s degrees (Bac+5), providing an internationally recognised academic experience tailored to a globalised environment.
Examples of English-speaking programmes include:
- BBA International
- Master in Management
- Masters of Science (MSc) in Marketing, Management, Finance, or Tourism
Explore all English-speaking programmes
Choosing Excelia means tailoring your academic future and enriching your professional prospects, whatever linguistic pathway you select.
Cost of Studies
Tuition Fees 2025-2026
International students
French Track
- Semester: €5,500
- Year: €7,900
English Track
- Semester: €6,800
- Year: €9,700
Tuition fees are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change from one year to the next.
Multiservice charge
- Fee (1 semester): €175
- Fee (1 year): €350
Services included in the Multi-service fee:
- Administration and support services
- International mobility insurance-assistance
- Reprographics credit (photocopying, printing)
- Unlimited access to all content on Exceliaprime Edutainment platform
- Personalised support and coaching from our Talent Centre
Admission
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.
