iaelyon School of Management - Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3

iaelyon School of Management stands as France’s largest university-affiliated business school, forming part of the esteemed Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3. Since its founding in 1956, it has grown to welcome over 7,000 students annually across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, with academic tracks covering initial education, apprenticeships, and executive learning. As a leading institution within the IAE France network, iaelyon integrates theoretical mastery with real-world relevance, fostering a curriculum that balances scholarly excellence and practical application. Its academic programs span bachelor’s to PhD levels, underpinned by an international outlook that prioritizes cross-border collaboration, cultural fluency, and business adaptability.

Committed to cultivating globally competent and ethically sound leaders, iaelyon’s mission emphasizes preparing students for today’s complex international business landscape. Its EFMD-accredited MSc in International Management—recognized since 2008—epitomizes its high academic standards, while its pedagogical vision promotes a socially responsible ethos that aligns with the United Nations’ sustainable development principles. The institution benefits from its strategic position in Lyon, a city with both considerable heritage and economic vitality. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a dynamic European business hub, Lyon enhances students' professional outlook through proximity to innovation-rich industries and corporate networks across Europe.

iaelyon’s stature is further reflected in its ecosystem: a faculty of 165 teacher-researchers, engagements with 95 visiting professors, and collaboration with 1,000 industry practitioners who contribute on-campus expertise. The school maintains 156 international academic partnerships across more than 50 countries, reinforcing programs with dual degrees and mobility options. With over 60,000 alumni worldwide and a 95% graduate employment rate, iaelyon has earned a “triple crown” of academic quality, global connectivity, and commitment to responsible business education. This unique combination of tradition and foresight empowers iaelyon’s graduates to thrive in evolving global markets and positions the school as a top-tier choice for management education in France and beyond.

iaelyon maintains a robust and far-reaching career support structure, designed to connect students with professional opportunities from the outset of their studies through long after they graduate. A key pillar of this ecosystem is its global alumni network of over 60,000 graduates, operating in diverse sectors around the world. This network, coordinated by active leaders like alumni president Harien Macé, facilitates lifelong professional development, offering mentorship, exclusive events, and direct access to hiring managers. Personalized coaching, targeted job fairs, and internship placements connect students with recruiters, aided by academic advisors and corporate liaisons who structure pathways into top-level firms, entrepreneurial ventures, and public service.

With over 2,000 corporate partners, iaelyon’s deep integration with the business community enhances employability and real-world readiness. These relationships form the backbone of well-structured internship and apprenticeship pipelines, geared toward strategic management and leadership roles. Students engage in immersive learning through business games, consulting projects, and industry-led seminars that enable direct interaction with executives and professionals. These experiences are not add-ons to the curriculum—they are central learning components that ensure the practical relevance of theoretical instruction. Thanks to this embedded career focus, 95% of graduates secure employment shortly after completing their studies.

Beyond local opportunities, iaelyon’s international dimension broadens graduates’ global employability. With 156 institutional partnerships in more than 50 countries, students pursue study-abroad placements, dual degrees, and experiential modules that build a multicultural profile essential in today’s workforce. The school also leverages insights from 1,000 expert practitioners and 95 global visiting professors, ensuring programs reflect the latest industry demands. Offerings like short, certified corporate trainings and tailor-made solutions extend iaelyon’s influence across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. By weaving academic rigor with lifelong professional empowerment, iaelyon nurtures high-performing, globally minded professionals poised to lead across sectors.

Choosing iaelyon School of Management offers students a value-driven, globally relevant education grounded in academic prestige and professional utility. As the largest IAE in France, with more than 7,000 enrolled students, the school presents a full spectrum of programs from undergraduate to PhD levels. These are offered in initial, work-study, and executive education formats, allowing students to tailor pathways that reflect their individual goals. A defining feature is the school’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning through double-competence programs, enabling students to blend business with law, languages, or technology for enhanced career possibilities. All degrees are state-recognized, ensuring academic legitimacy paired with practical excellence.

iaelyon’s pedagogical approach stands apart through a strong emphasis on innovative, hands-on learning. Students participate in experiential modules such as business simulations, workshops led by industry leaders, and practical internships—all designed to cultivate the soft and hard skills needed in modern organizations. The school maintains an exclusive distinction as a public institution with EFMD-accredited programs, notably its MSc in International Management, reflecting adherence to international academic and operational standards. This ensures that graduates are not only market-ready but globally competitive. The Magellan research center further enhances this delivery by feeding cutting-edge insights into entrepreneurship, digital behavior, and organizational development directly into classroom content.

Lyon’s socio-economic landscape significantly enriches the learning process. Home to three public universities and recognized widely as an economic powerhouse in France, the city provides students with access to an extensive network of 2,000 corporate partners. This interface offers unparalleled industry exposure, unmatched by isolated academic campuses. Moreover, iaelyon’s commitment to social responsibility is embedded in its instruction through affiliations with the UN Global Compact and PRME, integrating sustainability and ethical management into the curriculum. For students seeking a cosmopolitan yet cost-effective education, iaelyon delivers elite-level outcomes at public university fees—uniquely merging accessibility, internationalism, and academic prestige.

At the heart of iaelyon’s value to students and society is its commitment to forward-looking research and responsible innovation. This mission is realized through the renowned Magellan Center for Research, a multidisciplinary hub that drives studies in sustainability, entrepreneurship, digital disruption, and organizational change. With a team of 165 teacher-researchers, the center regularly translates theoretical findings into real-world business solutions, contributing to both academic advancement and corporate agility. Notable projects include the long-standing EUGINOV initiative, active since 1983, which explores managerial innovation pathways relevant to today’s fast-evolving global economy.

Integral to its innovative ethos, iaelyon is a dedicated signatory to the UN Global Compact and PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education), ensuring ethical leadership is front and center in all curricula. This translates into concrete changes—sustainability is not just a theoretical theme but a foundation for decision-making and strategic thinking. Environmental consciousness is embedded in coursework and campus policies, mirroring the green transformation of the city of Lyon at large. Digitally, iaelyon has embraced blended learning formats, offering students flexible access to modules, digital case studies, and interactive simulations that elevate both accessibility and relevance.

Innovation at iaelyon is not confined to laboratories or think tanks—it’s operationalized through entrepreneurship incubators, corporate co-development, and certified short programs that address immediate market demands. Partnerships with companies across Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe allow for a transcontinental knowledge transfer, making a global impact. Dual degree offerings and joint research initiatives with 156 academic institutions worldwide facilitate cross-cultural learning and innovation. Highlights include the expansion of IAELYON-branded certifications in global markets, EFMD accreditation, and the continuous evolution of programs to reflect industry needs. This seamless integration of academic research and on-the-ground application cements iaelyon’s role as a catalyst for innovation in European management education.

Q1: What distinguishes iaelyon from other business schools?
iaelyon blends the theoretical depth of a public university with the dynamism of a business school, offering state-recognized degrees complemented by EFMD accreditation, 95% graduate employment rates, and 2,000+ corporate partnerships—all at accessible tuition rates. This balance delivers private school outcomes without the prohibitive costs.

Q2: How international is the academic environment?
The school offers a deeply international experience, with 156 academic partnerships in over 50 countries, programs like SELF and MSc International Management taught in English, and diverse student cohorts. Opportunities for exchanges, joint degrees, and culturally rich experiences ensure global perspective development is fully embedded.

Q3: What types of career support are available?
iaelyon provides robust career services including personalized coaching, dedicated job fairs, access to a 60,000+ alumni network, career centers (SCUIO-IP), and hands-on industry integration through internships and corporate projects—ensuring practical experience aligns with evolving market demands.

Q4: Is housing support provided for students?
Yes, students can access housing options through iaelyon’s partnerships with CROUS and private providers like Cardinal Campus, offering secure, internet-enabled studios and apartments near the campus. Assistance is available to guide students through applications, budgeting (€400–€800/month), and integration.

Q5: How does iaelyon incorporate digital and sustainable innovation?
Through integration with the city’s sustainability initiatives and internal alignment with UN goals, iaelyon embeds environmental and ethical learning in its modules. Blended learning platforms, online certifications, and incubator projects further promote responsible, innovative thinking in a digitalized business environment.

Admissions at iaelyon vary depending on the academic level and program. For undergraduate applicants, entry is typically through the Parcoursup platform, followed by selection based on academic records and motivation. For master’s programs, candidates submit an online application including academic documentation, experience summaries, and statements of purpose. Research-focused PhD applicants must present a thesis proposal with relevant foundational studies. International candidates should meet language proficiency standards in French or English depending on the program, and may be invited to interviews. iaelyon also participates in national platforms like Etudes en France to facilitate simplified processes for non-EU students.

The school follows a clear academic timeline, with applications opening in January and main rounds concluding by May, followed by final acceptances in June or July. Orientation typically takes place in September. Tuition remains affordable due to its public status—approximately €170–€600 per year for standard programs. Specialized and executive programs command higher fees ranging between €5,000 and €10,000. A variety of financial aids are accessible, including CROUS scholarships, national awards like the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, and iaelyon-specific merit grants for international excellence. These supports underscore the university’s commitment to academic inclusivity and international diversity.

Regarding logistics, students benefit from well-connected campuses in Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse. The primary campus at 1C Avenue des Frères Lumière is accessible via Metro Line D. Housing is available through CROUS-managed student residences or reputable private options like Cardinal Campus (3–6 km from campus), offering furnished studios or shared flats. International students receive dedicated welcome and integration support, including help with health insurance registration, visa processes via Campus France, and residence permits. The student service center assists with banking, social security, and local administrative tasks. For inquiries, applicants can reach the admissions team via +33(0)4 78 78 70 66.