Where to study business in Lyon? The city counts several business schools; this guide covers the option most guides skip — studying business in Lyon entirely in English, at LIBS.
Most international students who want a business degree in France picture Paris — then discover the rents. Lyon offers the alternative: a major business city, a huge student population, two hours from Paris and ninety minutes from the Alps, at a fraction of the capital's cost. And at LIBS, the entire program is taught in English.
Why Lyon for business studies
Lyon is France's second-largest economic hub: a dense fabric of corporate headquarters, industry, trade and services where business students find internships, part-time jobs and their first professional network. It is also one of Europe's great student cities — lively, walkable, and far more affordable than Paris.
Studying business here means studying inside a real business ecosystem, not next to one. LIBS's campus is at 84 rue de la Charité, in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement, between Place Bellecour and the Rhône.
The English-taught programs
| Program | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in International Business | 3 years | Management, international marketing & trade, digital business, intercultural communication |
| Mastère in International Management | 2 years | Global strategy & leadership, international marketing, entrepreneurship, cross-cultural management |
Both programs are taught entirely in English — lectures, coursework and exams — and are open to international and French students alike. Students are enrolled at École de Commerce de Lyon and receive the school's diploma, with a LIBS international specialisation; exact terms are confirmed in writing before enrolment. Looking specifically at the three-year option? See the English-taught BBA-style bachelor in detail →
Learn French while you study
You don't need French to start — but you'll want it to work in Europe. That's why free French as a Foreign Language (FLE) classes run alongside the program. You study business in English and pick up professional French as you go, graduating with both.
The Concierge Desk: from admission to arrival
What makes the difference for international students isn't only the language of instruction — it's whether the school helps you actually get to Lyon and settle in. LIBS's Concierge Desk supports you with the student-visa process, finding housing before you arrive, opening a bank account and onboarding into city life. Visa decisions always rest with the French authorities — no serious school can promise a visa — but you will never face the paperwork alone.
Want the full admission roadmap?
Every step from first message to your first day in Lyon.
Cost of living in Lyon
Most international students budget roughly €800–€1,100 per month for rent, food and transport, depending on housing:
| Item | Typical monthly range |
|---|---|
| Rent (student housing / shared) | €450 – €700 |
| Food | €200 – €300 |
| Transport (city pass) | €35 – €70 |
| Everyday life | €100 – €150 |
Already living in Europe on a valid permit? Joining from Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg or Germany is often simpler than you think — see applying from within Europe, or the complete France guide.
Study business in Lyon: your timeline, step by step
Students who study business in Lyon with us follow the same clear path, whether they come from Lagos, Hanoi, Montreal or Marseille. It starts with a message: tell us where you are in your studies and which intake you have in mind, and a LIBS advisor replies personally, in English. You then send your application file by email (passport, transcripts and diplomas, CV, short motivation letter, English certificate if you have one). We study it, invite you to a video interview in English, and send you a written admission decision.
Once admitted, you sign your study contract and the practical side begins. Students who need a visa turn to the official sources, France-Visas and Campus France, with our student visa guide as a companion. Because visa and travel steps take time, we recommend completing your file well ahead of the intake you are aiming for. From the moment your contract is signed, the Concierge Desk helps you search for and apply to housing, prepare your arrival and settle into student life in Lyon. Our student housing guide explains the options and what French landlords expect.
What you can do after studying business in Lyon
An English-taught business education in Lyon opens doors on both sides of the Channel and far beyond, because you graduate with two working languages and an international network built in the classroom. Typical paths for our students are the international functions of companies of every size: export and international sales, international marketing, business development abroad, supply chain and trade operations, purchasing and sourcing. Our career guides describe each role, the skills it requires and how the programmes prepare you for it:
- How to become an export manager
- How to become an international marketing manager
- How to become an international business developer
- International supply chain careers
- Careers in international business: the overview
Many students also combine study and work. The rules for working while studying in France depend on your status; the page summarises them and points to the official sources.
Lyon at a glance for business students
Lyon sits at a European crossroads, with fast rail links to Paris, Geneva, Marseille and the Alps, and an international airport. Its economy is diverse rather than dependent on one sector: life sciences and pharmaceuticals, chemicals and clean technologies, digital services, logistics, gastronomy and a long textile and industrial heritage that has turned into design and engineering. For a business student this means internships and case studies drawn from real companies, not only from textbooks.
The city itself is compact and walkable, organised around two rivers, with a historic centre listed by UNESCO and neighbourhoods where students actually live. Public transport is dense and affordable for students, and the cost of living is gentler than in a capital, as our section above explains. Read why Lyon for the longer version, and how to study business in France in English for the national picture.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study business in Lyon entirely in English?
Yes. LIBS teaches its Bachelor in International Business and its Mastère in International Management entirely in English — lectures, coursework and exams. No prior French is required to start.
Why Lyon rather than Paris?
Lyon is France's second-largest economic hub with a large student population and a cost of living significantly lower than Paris — a major business city at a fraction of the capital's cost.
Will I learn French while studying?
Yes. Free French as a Foreign Language (FLE) classes run alongside the English-taught program, so you graduate with professional French on top of your degree.
Does LIBS help with visa, housing and arrival?
Yes, through the Concierge Desk: guidance through the student-visa process, housing before you arrive, a bank account and onboarding. Visa decisions always remain with the French authorities.
What diploma will I receive?
Students are enrolled at École de Commerce de Lyon and receive the school's diploma, with a LIBS international specialisation. Exact terms are confirmed in writing before enrolment.
Ready to study business in Lyon, in English?
Tell us where you are today — an advisor will map out your path and the next intake.