ESC Amiens

ESC Amiens, officially known as École Supérieure de Commerce d’Amiens, is a distinguished French business school founded in 1942 by regional business and academic leaders. It is strategically located in Amiens, a historically rich city in the Hauts-de-France region, ranked 19th in the *L’Étudiant* 2023–2024 Best Student Cities ranking. The school sits on a spacious 4,000 m² city-center campus, surrounded by a public park and within an eight-minute walk of the central train station, offering accessibility and a serene academic environment. As one of France’s top 40 business schools offering state-recognized degrees, ESC Amiens emphasizes a mission built on experiential education, regional commitment, and inclusiveness, enriching the academic journey in both local and international contexts.

The institution’s educational evolution has expanded its offerings beyond foundational business modules to include comprehensive Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, continuing education and work-study programs. ESC Amiens champions academic innovation through clusters of excellence while reinforcing corporate links and encouraging practical learning. Since pioneering middle management programs in 1988 and launching MBAs in 2012, the school has consistently adapted to modern business needs. After a brief merger into France Business School in 2012, ESC Amiens reasserted its autonomy, now thriving as a resilient, independent institution that reflects 80 years of principled progress. The school supports a vibrant student community integrated into the wider university life of Amiens, a mid-size city with a welcoming and culturally rich setting.

Blending tradition with modern educational practice, ESC Amiens distinguishes itself through rapid network development in both domestic and international academic circles. The campus environment promotes creative exploration and social responsibility, aligning with the school’s foundational values. Students benefit from cultural treasures such as the UNESCO-designated Amiens Cathedral and horticultural marvels like the Hortillonnages gardens, while enjoying proximity to major European capitals. Only an hour from the sea, Amiens offers a balance of access, affordability, and quality of life, making ESC Amiens an ideal choice for students seeking an innovative business education rooted in legacy and regional vitality.

ESC Amiens strengthens student employability through a career-focused framework embedded in its curriculum design and corporate partnerships. The school’s proactive business department offers customized career guidance, beginning with internship placement and extending through to full-time employment. Thanks to close industry collaboration, the curriculum is infused with current market trends, turning theory into actionable skills. Work-study programs across Bachelor, Master, and MBA levels empower students to gain field experience while pursuing state-recognized degrees. This model transitions academic learning into professional readiness, deeply integrating business realities into education and giving students an edge in competitive job markets.

Over 80 years of legacy underpin a robust alumni network, with graduates contributing actively across a spectrum of industries from finance and marketing to logistics and entrepreneurship. The school’s regional roots strengthen its influence across Picardy businesses, which nurtured its inception and continue to offer professional opportunities. Simultaneously, ESC Amiens’ proximity to European centers like Paris and London fuels international mobility. Its alumni are known for adaptability, critical thinking, and leadership—a profile nurtured through experiential coursework and returned reinforcement from active alumni mentoring, ongoing events, and corporate engagement. Internal career events, coaching sessions, and business competitions further hone workplace readiness.

ESC Amiens sets itself apart by embedding social responsibility and inclusivity into its career support model. Students are prepared not only for financial success but also as contributors to inclusive, ethical workplaces. Companies are actively involved in co-developing course content, offering real-time evaluation and direct recruitment. Graduates frequently take on nuanced roles in international firms, NGOs, or dynamic startups, equipped with both academic qualifications and the soft skills essential for modern leadership. The school’s emphasis on network longevity nurtures reciprocal relationships between current students and alumni, driving legacy-building and ensuring that ESC Amiens serves as a platform for sustainable career progression.

ESC Amiens is an ideal choice for prospective students seeking academic excellence backed by historical depth. Established in 1942, the institution blends tradition with modernity by offering pioneering programs that span from Bachelor to MBA levels, incorporating work-study formats that provide real-world experience alongside academic learning. This personalization is amplified by the school’s compact campus structure, enabling strong relationships with professors, one-on-one mentorship, and accessible support services such as counseling and language coaching. ESC Amiens’ state-recognized degrees are built on 80 years of curriculum refinement, placing student success and practical innovation at the heart of its pedagogy.

Located in Amiens—ranked among France’s best student cities—the school offers vibrant cultural immersion, easy access to Paris, London, and coastal towns, all at a fraction of Parisian living costs. Well-connected train lines offer seamless mobility while on-campus facilities, free language tools, and Microsoft software packages maximize learning efficiency at no additional cost. Post-2012, the school’s reestablishment as an independent institution demonstrates strategic resilience and a sharpened focus on its foundational strengths: regional business integration, international adaptability, and educational inclusivity. Rather than replicating generic large-school models, ESC Amiens centers its growth on relevance, agility, and practical application.

Its edge lies in a unique trifecta of rapidly growing academic networks, a spirit of experimentation, and strong regional identity. Students are equipped with cross-disciplinary tools to become adaptable professionals ready for evolving business environments. Clubs and competitions nurture soft skills while career services ensure targeted professional development. For cost-conscious learners—especially international talents—ESC Amiens delivers a premium French education with lower financial barriers, preparing graduates for upward mobility in leadership, entrepreneurship, and global enterprise. The result is a launchpad not just for credentials, but for character-driven achievement in tomorrow’s marketplace.

ESC Amiens’ long-standing commitment to societal transformation and academic excellence is evident in its continuous embrace of innovation. Since its founding during World War II as a response to regional economic needs, the school has contributed significantly to Picardy’s development through cutting-edge business programs that span traditional management to middle management training in 1988 and innovative MBA initiatives launched in 2012. These milestones reflect the school’s mission to create impact by equipping students with skills that transcend theory, emphasizing applied learning, corporate relevance, and ethical business practice.

Innovation is embedded in every aspect of ESC Amiens’ operations. Through robust research support and entrepreneurial incubation, students engage in dynamic projects often co-designed with local businesses and multinational partners. The curricular design features work-study integrations and live consulting experiences, ensuring that learning outcomes align with real-market expectations. Digitally, the school is forward-facing—offering cutting-edge computer labs, online language platforms, and remote learning tools that prepare graduates for the increasingly digital business world. Experiential labs emphasize curiosity and problem-solving, fostering a culture of experimentation and collaboration reminiscent of the school’s origins near Europe’s innovation corridors.

Sustainability and inclusivity further amplify ESC Amiens’ impact. Initiatives such as on-campus wellness programs, green spaces for relaxation, and health services support the development of conscious leadership. Social equity is championed through scholarships (like CROUS aid) and programs focused on widening access for underrepresented groups. The school’s post-merger resurgence is not just a restoration of independence but a reinvigoration of its core values—a strategy that’s paid off with inclusion in France’s top 40 state-degree granting business schools. ESC Amiens represents more than a business school; it is a beacon of responsible, innovative education aimed at solving 21st-century challenges with empathy, adaptability, and insight.

Q1: What services are available for international students upon arrival?
ESC Amiens offers comprehensive support through a dedicated international team that assists with airport pick-up, housing placement, banking setup, and orientation. Students also receive a campus access pass connecting them to vital facilities like the cafeteria, sports complex, and digital tools.

Q2: Can I enroll in work-study programs, and how do they function?
Yes, students can opt for flexible formats including full-time, part-time, and work-study programs at Bachelor, Masters, and MBA levels. These allow alternation between academic modules and paid industry placements, earning practical experience alongside recognized qualifications.

Q3: How accessible is the campus to students living nearby?
The ESC Amiens campus is situated centrally, with most students living within a 10-minute walk. Connectivity is enhanced through strong public transport options, and students benefit from affordable amenities including free library and software access, sports facilities, and coaching programs.

Q4: What social and extracurricular activities can students participate in?
With various clubs ranging from marketing and finance to arts and sports, students can engage in competitions, workshops, and events that foster leadership, creativity, and community involvement. Cultural immersion is further enriched through local excursions and student-run events.

Q5: Are health and wellness services available on campus?
Yes, the school offers both physical and mental wellness resources including counseling services, on-site health support, and partnerships with student health programs. Services are accessible via the CVEC contribution, ensuring student well-being remains a core focus.

Admissions at ESC Amiens begin with an online submission through the official website, where applicants are required to provide academic transcripts, a motivation letter, and proof of language proficiency, such as TOEIC or equivalent (preparation tools are available). Bachelor programs are open to high school graduates for a three-year track, whereas Master's and MBA programs target graduates or professionals seeking advanced specialization. Selection is competitive and emphasizes alignment with the school’s focus on commerce and management. Application deadlines align with the French academic year, and early submissions are encouraged for access to housing and scholarship aid.

Tuition fees vary by program but include access to all campus facilities, technological resources, and academic support. Work-study formats offer cost reductions via paid corporate placements. Financial assistance is available through CROUS, offering social aid, housing assistance, and mobility scholarships for international learners. All students are required to pay the CVEC fee, which grants access to universities' health, sports, and welfare services across the country. The integration of practical and learning support through CVEC ensures a balanced and accessible educational experience.

Accommodation in Amiens is both affordable and convenient. ESC Amiens works with providers such as MyRoom and CROUS to offer studio apartments between €150–300/month including meals. Residences like Twenty Campus include Wi-Fi, fitness gyms, cleaning services, and communal kitchens. Most options are within walking distance and offer secure, furnished living spaces conducive to student life. Public transportation is easily accessible with monthly passes averaging between €30–50. International students can also benefit from airport shuttle services offered by the school. These practical solutions, when combined with the city’s moderate cost of living, make ESC Amiens both economically and logistically attractive.