After a BTS in International Commerce (CI), many people are asking themselves the crucial question of their academic and professional future. The idea of joining a Bachelor’s degree in LEA or a business school seems attractive, but often complex to realize. In 2025, these choices become even more strategic. With the diversification of profiles, particularly those from universities or BTS programs, renowned institutions like ESCP, HEC Paris, or INSEEC BBA now offer parallel admission opportunities. These access routes are made possible through specific competitive exams or by admission based on application, open to a variety of profiles, provided they are well prepared. The current context encourages great flexibility, because the key to success lies in a detailed knowledge of the possible paths, the entry procedures, and the approaches to favor to maximize your chances. This article deciphers all these options for you, including the advantages of a Bachelor’s degree in LEA or a business school, the procedures to follow, and the targeted profiles who can access them. There’s no question of staying put: in 2025, you must know how to adapt to build a solid future in the competitive world of management, business, and international relations.
Why consider a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (LEA) or a business school after a BTS (Brevet de Commerce)?
Embarking on further studies after a BTS in International Business is often a natural next step for those who want to broaden their skills or open up new career paths. The key question is: why not go directly to business school? The answer is that the university route offers several advantages. First, the LEA (Applied Foreign Languages) degree allows students to acquire solid linguistic and intercultural skills, essential in international business. Second, these degrees provide access to advanced specializations: management, marketing, human resources, etc.
But that’s not all: at a time when business schools like EM Lyon, KEDGE, and INSEEC are focused on diverse profiles, the LEA degree is becoming a strategic step in preparing to join these institutions via the parallel admissions pathway. The real advantage? The opportunity to capitalize on a university career while aiming for a top management school in the final cycle. Especially since in 2025, it’s important to note that many prestigious schools are accepting more and more university students each year, particularly through specific competitive exams or application-based admissions.
Furthermore, few young people realize that pursuing a bachelor’s degree also makes it easier to change direction if the BTS no longer matches their aspirations, or if the market changes unpredictably. Flexibility has become an essential criterion for building a solid career. Thus, combining a Bachelor’s degree in LEA or management at university with admission to a business school is a winning strategy in 2025, particularly for those who want to expand their horizons in the globalized world or international relations.
How to Enter a Business School After a BTS (Higher National Diploma in Business Administration) or a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics
How do parallel admissions work?
Parallel admissions are gaining momentum in the academic landscape in 2025, as they offer a preferred gateway to progress from a BTS (Higher National Diploma) or a Bachelor’s degree to a leading business school. These competitive entrance exams or admissions applications are often highly selective, but they are also more accessible than the traditional direct entry process. For example, to enter INSEEC or ISG (Institut de Sciences Po), you generally need to submit a strong application, sometimes an aptitude test (such as the Tage Mage), or a motivational interview.What will change in 2025 is that the majority of schools now prioritize university graduates, particularly those from management or Bachelor’s programs. In partnership with universities, they offer several entry paths starting at the Bac+2 or Bac+3 level. The trend is toward diversification: even undergraduate students in philosophy or social sciences can try their luck, as long as their profile demonstrates an interest in management, business, or languages.Competitive Exams/Admission Pathways
Accessible Schools
| Main Tests | Ideal Profile | Passerelle 2 | ESCP, HEC Paris, EDHEC, KEDGE, Grenoble École de Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice questions, motivational interview, application review | Bac+3 or LEA degree, management or economics | Ecricome Tremplin 2 | IESEG, SKEMA, NEOMA, Montpellier Business School |
| Logic test, language, interview | Bac+3, versatile profile | Specific Competitive Exams | HEC, ESSEC, EM Lyon |
| Written test, motivational interview | Solid academic profile, international experience | Key Steps to Successful Admission to Business School | Anticipate Selection: Prepare your applications and aptitude tests such as the Tage Mage or TOEIC early 📚. |
Build up experience: internships, community projects or language commitment 🔎.
- Stand out during interviews: demonstrate your motivation, your ambitions, and your ability to go beyond your degree 🎯.
- Develop your soft skills: leadership, autonomy, and teamwork are essential for convincing the jury 🤝.
- Don’t neglect financial preparation: some schools offer financing options or scholarships 💰.
- In 2025, success also depends on a clear understanding of the requirements, as each school has its own criteria. Transparency in the procedures and a good preparation strategy are essential.
- The advantages of joining a business school after a BTS or a LEA degree
🧳
A powerful professional network
- : Grandes écoles like HEC Paris or ESCP have extensive alumni networks, facilitating access to employment. 🚀 Professional training
- : The “learning by doing” model allows for faster integration into the world of work. Internships, real-life projects, and partnerships with companies like KEDGE or IAE promote this direct immersion. 🎓 Recognized and valued degrees
- : Joining a business school after a bachelor’s degree or a BTS (Higher National Diploma) allows students to obtain internationally recognized post-secondary degrees, such as the Master of Science or MBA. 🌍 International exposure
- : Language and intercultural skills are valued, especially at institutions like Paris-Dauphine University or INSEEC. 💼 Easy access to internships and jobs
- : Thanks to their partnerships with major companies, these schools offer a definite advantage for quickly entering the job market. Target profiles for admission to business schools after a BTS (Higher National Diploma) or a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics 🎯
BTS (Higher National Diploma) students wishing to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics or a Bachelor’s degree in Management
- : Their linguistic and business skills are highly sought after. 🌍 University students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management, business administration, or economics : their compatibility with a business orientation and their ability to pass competitive exams facilitate their integration.
- 📈 Students retraining or changing career paths : those with a two- or three-year degree from other disciplines, but with a strong vocation for business or management, are also concerned.
- 💡 Internationalist profiles : those with fluency in several languages or with experience abroad, such as an internship at an International Business School or a semester abroad, particularly stand out.
- The ideal bachelor’s degrees for entering a business school in 2025 To maximize your chances, certain degrees are more suitable. Here are the most recommended: Bachelor’s Degree
Main Content
Integration Benefits
| Examples of Partner Universities or Schools | Bachelor’s Degree in Management | Management, Accounting, Marketing | Compatibility with Business Schools, Aptitude Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris-Dauphine University, IAE, Sorbonne University | Bachelor’s Degree in Eco-Management | Economics, Management, Finance | Multidisciplinary Approach, Open to Several Sectors |
| University of Bordeaux, Lyon 2, Grenoble École de Management | Bachelor’s Degree in Administration and International Exchanges | Languages, International Business | Facilitates Access to Multinational Schools Such as ESCP or INSEEC |
| University of Lille, Sorbonne University | Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management | Accounting, Finance, Entrepreneurship | Strong Employability in the Private Sector |
| IAE of Nice, University of Rennes 1 | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | 1. What are the best business schools accessible after a BTS CI? Institutions like ESCP, HEC Paris, EM Lyon, INSEEC, and KEDGE offer numerous parallel admission options, depending on your profile and preparation. | 2. Can I get into a business school with only a BTS (Higher National Diploma)? |
Yes, but often the preferred path is to pursue a bachelor’s degree or take specific competitive exams such as Passerelle or Tremplin, which also value BTS (Higher National Diploma) candidates.
- 3. How can I highlight my profile during the competitive exam or interview?
- Preparing for the written tests, highlighting your professional and linguistic experience, and demonstrating a clear motivation to join the school are essential keys in 2025.
- 4. Is changing direction after a BTS or bachelor’s degree common?
- Absolutely, more and more students are changing majors to meet their realistic ambitions or market changes. The flexibility of programs encourages this dynamic.
- 5. What are the expected costs of attending a business school?
- Costs vary greatly, but there are financing options, scholarships, or apprenticeships that can significantly reduce the cost, particularly at schools like EDHEC or ISG.
- Discover the challenges and opportunities of higher education. Explore different paths, current trends, and tips for academic and professional success.
