Lyon has excellent business schools. Almost all of them teach in French — sometimes with an "English track" bolted on. LIBS is the other way round: a business school in Lyon where English is the language of the whole school — lectures, group work, exams, admissions — with free French classes on the side.
What "English business school" means here
| At LIBS | Concretely |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 100% in English, from day one — no French-taught modules appearing in year two |
| Cohort | International by design: Asia, the Americas, the Commonwealth, Europe — plus French students going international |
| Admissions | The whole process in English (or French), with every decision in writing |
| French | Free FLE classes for every student — because three years in Lyon should leave you with two working languages |
| Level guarantee | A CEFR positioning test at the first class, daily business-English practice, a measured level every year |
The programs
Two programs form a complete five-year path, both entirely in English, both in central Lyon (84 rue de la Charité, Presqu'île): the Bachelor in International Business (3 years, the format known internationally as a BBA) and the Mastère in International Management (2 years, joined after a bachelor). Enrolment is open now for the October intake, with further intakes in January, April and July.
Why study business in Lyon at all
Because it is France's second economic hub at half the cost of living of Paris: a real job market for internships and first roles, one of the country's largest student populations, a walkable centre, and two hours from Paris by train. The full case — city, budget logic, student life — is in our guide to studying business in Lyon and on Why Lyon.
For international students: the landing is part of the offer
The Concierge Desk helps admitted international students prepare their application file (which they submit themselves to the French authorities), search for housing before arrival, open a bank account and get onboarded in Lyon. The visa decision always rests with the French authorities; official information is on france-visas.gouv.fr and Campus France.
How teaching in English works at LIBS
Choosing a business school in Lyon that teaches in English should mean exactly that: every lecture, case study, group project, exam and coaching session takes place in English, from the first day of the Bachelor to the final jury of the Mastère. There is no "English track" bolted onto a French programme. The cohort is international by design, and English is the working language of the classroom, the corridors and the career desk.
Language progress is built into the week rather than left to chance. Every weekday ends with a business-English session, so that the vocabulary of negotiation, finance, marketing and management becomes second nature. Each intake starts with a CEFR placement test, and your level is assessed again at the end of the year. The goal by graduation is professional fluency: the ability to lead a meeting, defend a budget or pitch a project in English without hesitation. A B2 level in English is required when you apply; the placement test then tells us where you stand and how we can support you.
Because you will live in Lyon, French is offered alongside your studies. Free French classes are open to every international student, from complete beginner to advanced. You graduate with an English-taught business education and a second European language, which is precisely the profile international employers look for.
The Bachelor and the Mastère are diplomas awarded by the school within the Groupe École de Commerce de Lyon. If you are comparing institutions, our honest guide to choosing a business school in Lyon lists the questions worth asking any school, including us.
Who this English-taught business school is for
- International students from Asia, the Americas, the Commonwealth and the rest of Europe who want a European business education, in English, in a city that is easier to live in than a capital.
- French students who want a fully English-taught path to an international career, rather than a few English electives inside a French curriculum.
- Students already in France who wish to switch to an English-taught programme without losing a year: see changing business school in France.
- Working students who need a weekly rhythm compatible with a part-time job or an internship: one day on campus, the rest online, with a clear calendar for the whole year.
Four intakes a year: how to join
Enrolment is open now. Classes start in October, with further entry points in January, April and July, so you never wait a full year to begin. The four-intake calendar explains how each entry point works.
The admission process is deliberately simple. You send us a message, in English, through the brochure request or by email. We reply personally and tell you which programme and intake fit your profile. You then send your application file by email: a copy of your passport, your transcripts and diplomas, a CV, a short motivation letter and, if you have one, an English-language certificate. We study the file, invite you to a video interview in English, and send you a written decision. Once you sign your study contract, the Concierge Desk takes over the practical side of your move.
For visa and residence questions, the official sources are France-Visas and Campus France; our student visa guide explains what they cover. Full details of the steps are on the admission page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a business school in Lyon that teaches in English?
Yes — LIBS, Lyon International Business School, teaches its Bachelor and Mastère programs entirely in English: lectures, group work and exams. No prior French is required.
Is LIBS an 'English track' inside a French school?
No. The whole school is English-taught by design — the programs, the admission process and the administration all work in English (and in French if you prefer).
Who studies at an English business school in Lyon?
Two publics share the classroom: international students from Asia, the Americas, the Commonwealth and Europe, and French students aiming at international careers who want their business degree entirely in English.
Do students learn French too?
Yes — free French classes (FLE) are included for every student, from complete beginner, plus a third language of your choice. English is the working language; French is the bonus you graduate with.
How do I join?
Request information or apply online; every admission decision is given in writing before you enrol. Enrolment for the October intake is open now, with further intakes in January, April and July.
Study business in Lyon, in English
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