ESDES Business School, established in 1987 within the Catholic University of Lyon (UCLy), offers programs from bachelor's to master's degrees. With campuses in Lyon and Annecy, it emphasizes responsible management and interdisciplinary learning. Accredited by AACSB, ESDES ranks among the top business schools globally.
Its Master in Management program is EFMD accredited and has been recognized in the Financial Times ranking of the best 100 Masters in Management schools.Students benefit from international exposure, with opportunities for exchanges and double degrees.
ESDES Business School World Rankings 2024-25
ESDES Business School's global standing reflects its dedication to quality education. In the QS World University Rankings for Masters in Management 2025, ESDES is placed in the 151+ bracket. This ranking highlights the school's commitment to developing competent management professionals.
Below, you will find the ranking details for ESDES Business School over the years:
Ranking Bodies
Ranking 2025
Ranking 2024
Ranking 2023
QS World Ranking (Masters in Management)
151+
151+
151+
A broader look at subject-wise rankings provides valuable insights into how ESDES excels in different academic disciplines. Understanding these rankings will help you assess the strengths of specific programs and career prospects.
Subject-wise Rankings of ESDES Business School Universities
ESDES Business School has achieved notable positions in various academic disciplines. Below is a table highlighting the subject-wise rankings of ESDES Business School:
Program
Ranking Body
Ranking
Master in Management
Financial Times
91
Master in Management
QS Rankings
151+
These rankings underscore ESDES's commitment to excellence in management education. Moving on to the next section, it's essential to explore the achievements and excellence of ESDES Business School's campuses.
ESDES Business School Campuses: Excellence and Achievements
ESDES Business School's campuses in Lyon and Annecy exemplify academic excellence and notable achievements. The school's commitment to quality education is evident through its prestigious accreditations and global rankings.
Below is a table showcasing the major recognitions and achievements of ESDES Business School:
Recognition
Year
Details
AACSB Accreditation
2021
Earned AACSB accreditation, placing it among the top 6% of business schools worldwide.
EFMD Accreditation
2020
Grande École Program accredited by EFMD, validating high educational standards.
Financial Times Master in Management Ranking
2024
Listed among the top 100 globally for the third consecutive year.
Speak & Act Best School Experience – Happiness Barometer
2025
Ranked 3rd for student satisfaction in France.
Annecy Campus Inauguration
2019
Opened a state-of-the-art campus in Annecy, offering modern amenities in a scenic location.
These achievements highlight ESDES’s commitment to delivering a world-class business education. Moving forward, the next section explores ESDES Business School's miscellaneous rankings in 2025.
Miscellaneous Ranking 2025
ESDES Business School has achieved notable positions in various rankings, reflecting its commitment to excellence.
Below is a table highlighting ESDES's miscellaneous rankings for 2025:
Ranking Body
Ranking
Year
Details
Speak & Act Best School Experience – Happiness Barometer
3rd
2025
Recognized for exceptional student satisfaction and experience.
Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking
Top 90
2024
Listed among Europe's leading business schools.
These accolades underscore ESDES's dedication to providing a high-quality educational environment. Moving to the next section, it's essential to explore the unique USPs of ESDES Business School colleges.
Unique USPs of ESDES Business School Colleges
ESDES Business School offers distinctive features that set it apart. Below are the unique selling propositions of ESDES:
USP
Description
Integration within a Multidisciplinary University
ESDES is part of the Catholic University of Lyon (UCLy), benefiting from resources and interdisciplinary exchanges with six faculties and five professional schools. This integration fosters unique profiles with cross-disciplinary skills.
Commitment to Responsible Management
The school emphasizes sustainable development and responsible management, aligning with the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) to instill ethical values in students.
Strong International Focus
ESDES offers opportunities for international exposure through study abroad programs, partnerships with over 100 universities in 36 countries, and programs taught entirely in English.
Dynamic Student Life
The school boasts a vibrant campus life with numerous student associations, fostering personal development and community engagement.
Accreditations and Recognitions
ESDES holds prestigious accreditations, including AACSB and EFMD, placing it among the elite business schools globally.
These unique aspects contribute to ESDES's reputation as a leading institution in business education. Moving to the next section, it's essential to understand the methodologies employed by ranking bodies to evaluate business schools.
Ranking Bodies Methodologies
Understanding how major ranking organizations assess universities provides insight into their evaluation criteria.
QS World University Rankings
QS World University Rankings assess institutions using six key indicators:
Indicator
Weighting
Academic Reputation
40%
Employer Reputation
10%
Faculty/Student Ratio
20%
Citations per Faculty
20%
International Faculty Ratio
5%
International Student Ratio
5%
These indicators aim to provide a comprehensive view of an institution's performance.
Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings
THE World University Rankings utilize 13 performance indicators grouped into five categories:
Indicator
Weighting
Teaching
30%
Research
30%
Citations
30%
International Outlook
7.5%
Industry Income
2.5%
These metrics aim to provide a balanced comparison across universities.
U.S. News & World Report Rankings
The U.S. News Best Global Universities rankings evaluate institutions based on 13 indicators that measure academic research performance and global reputations. Key factors include:
Indicator
Weighting
Global Research Reputation
12.5%
Regional Research Reputation
12.5%
Publications
10%
Books
2.5%
Conferences
2.5%
Normalized Citation Impact
10%
Total Citations
7.5%
Number of Publications among the 10% most cited
12.5%
Percentage of total publications among the 10% most cited
10%
International Collaboration
5%
Percentage of total publications with international collaboration
5%
Number of highly cited papers among the top 1% most cited in their respective field
5%
Percentage of total publications among the top 1% most highly cited papers
5%
These indicators aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of global research performance. Moving to the next section, it's essential to understand why ESDES Business School is the smart choice for your education.
Why ESDES Business School is the Smart Choice for Your Education
ESDES Business School offers unique advantages for aspiring business professionals. Consider the following compelling reasons:
Integration within a Multidisciplinary University: As part of the Catholic University of Lyon (UCLy), ESDES benefits from resources and interdisciplinary exchanges with six faculties and five professional schools, fostering unique profiles with cross-disciplinary skills.
Commitment to Responsible Management: The school emphasizes sustainable development and responsible management, aligning with the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) to instill ethical values in students.
Strong International Focus: ESDES offers opportunities for international exposure through study abroad programs, partnerships with over 100 universities in 36 countries, and programs taught entirely in English.
Dynamic Student Life: The school boasts a vibrant campus life with numerous student associations, fostering personal development and community engagement.
Accreditations and Recognitions: ESDES holds prestigious accreditations, including AACSB and EFMD, placing it among the elite business schools globally.
These distinctive features make ESDES Business School a compelling choice for your business education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is ESDES's Approach to Sustainable Development?
ESDES integrates sustainable development into its curriculum, promoting responsible management aligned with the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).
How Does ESDES Foster Interdisciplinary Learning?
Being part of UCLy, ESDES offers interdisciplinary courses across six faculties and five professional schools, enhancing cross-disciplinary skills.
What International Opportunities Does ESDES Provide?
ESDES has partnerships with over 100 universities in 36 countries, offering study abroad programs and double degrees.
How Does ESDES Support Student Associations?
ESDES boasts around twenty student associations, fostering personal development and community engagement.
What Are the Language Requirements for Exchange Students?
Exchange students must have a minimum B2 level in the target language (French or English).
Does ESDES Offer Programs in English?
Yes, ESDES offers programs like the Bachelor in Business - International Track, taught entirely in English.
What Is the Application Fee for International Students?
The application fee for international students at ESDES Business School is EUR 50.
What Are the English Proficiency Requirements?
For undergraduate programs, a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or TOEFL score of 550 is required.
How Does ESDES Rank Globally?
ESDES is ranked #151+ in the QS World University Rankings for Masters in Management 2025.
What Is the Duration of the Bachelor in Business Program?
The Bachelor in Business program at ESDES is a three-year course.
Does ESDES Offer Winter Intakes?
Yes, ESDES offers a Winter Intake for the Master in International Business Administration program.
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