BBA Essec vs Bsc Finance: Data science at Exeter university

I think what OP meant was not just targeted at the ESSEC BBA but more globally at all bachelor's programs in France.

The short explanation is : the "Classes Prépa" pathway is much more highly regarded in France, as the reputation of business schools mainly stems from their Master in Management (MiM or Programme Grande École/PGE) programs, which students typically join after 2–3 years of prep school. This reputation largely comes from the highly selective nature of the Prépas, and to a lesser extent, from students who join the MiM through parallel admission from public French universities or international institutions. It goes without saying that MiM programs typically offer the best placement.

Bachelor’s programs, on the other hand, suffer from a relatively poor reputation in France. I would say this is due to several reasons. 1) The admission process is not as selective as for MiM programs (though the specifics may have changed, it is still relatively easy to enter these programs, especially given the large cohort sizes). 2) Quite expensive path, considering that it can reach 15k per year, and then you will most likely need to do a Master, so total cost could exceed 100k easily. This explains why BBA students sometimes acquire the 'rich kids' label, as these programs are often perceived as a 'pay-to-win' pathway. 3) The programs are very generalist, attracting many young students who are unsure about their career goals, which likely leads to weaker placement outcomes.

Obviously, there are several tiers of MiM and BBA programs. I’d say the BBA programs at ESSEC and EDHEC are the two best BBA programs, and in finance, they can provide a solid starting point. While this is a broad generalization, a student from the ESSEC BBA can likely secure similar internship opportunities as a student from a top 6–9 MiM program. Essentially, these BBAs are not target programs, but motivated students who are determined to break into finance have a fair chance of success. It might require building up their CV with a few more internships compared to students from top-5 MiM programs, but the opportunity is there.

To counter what OP said, it is possible for BBA students (at least from ESSEC or EDHEC) to enter top-3 MiM programs, although it is quite rare (perhaps 5 students per cohort), so I would not rely on this outcome. However, it is quite common for them to pursue a MIF at schools like ESSEC, ESCP, LBS, or Imperial. If you have the financial resources and possibly some connections to help secure interviews or internships, pursuing a BBA is absolutely fine. You would still attend one of the best business schools in the country and would likely enjoy your time there. However, I would strongly advise against going into debt for a BBA in France if you aim to work in IB or other prestigious careers but lack the connections or network to secure initial interviews or internships.