Presentation
Excelia First Year for French Students
Excelia First Year is a generalist post-Bac year that allows you to have an extended international experience at one of our university partners (Australia, Canada, Ireland) before making an informed decision. You will thus develop solid foundations while refining your study project and improving your language skills and international outlook.
At the end of this year, you will be able to continue your studies in the 2nd year of higher education, provided you have validated the 60 ECTS credits. This will give you a clearer vision of your aspirations and strengthened knowledge to succeed in the field that suits you best.
Excelia First Year for International Students
The Excelia First Year programme is a generalist introductory year, carried out in France (or under certain conditions internationally), which allows international post-Bac students to take time to build their path and confirm their direction within one of Excelia's programmes.
This year thus enables them to significantly strengthen their knowledge in various fields such as languages, geopolitics, management, tourism, and communication. At the end of the programme, students earn 60 ECTS credits, allowing them to join the 2nd year of a programme at Excelia: Bachelor Business, Master Grande École, Bachelor Hotel Management, Bachelor Tourism Management, or Bachelor Communication and Digital Strategies.
Designed with an interactive and practical approach, Excelia First Year alternates between courses and real-world projects to help students affirm their orientation, build self-confidence, and develop their skills.
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LanguageEnglish / French
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Qualification1 year of higher education
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Location
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Tuition Fees
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In shortPost-High School, International, Business, Tourism, Communication
4 reasons to choose Excelia First Year
A Programme to refine your career path choice
Excelia First Year allows you to have a meaningful international experience or explore different fields such as management, communication, or tourism. Thanks to this year of study, you will be able to better understand your interests and choose the path that best suits you for the 2nd year of higher education.
A foundation of general knowledge and skills
You will benefit from an active teaching approach combining lectures, projects, and case studies. This method will provide you with essential transferable skills to thrive in various sectors.
The opportunity to have your first international experience
With the international pathway in Australia, Canada, or Ireland, you will have the chance to experience life abroad from your first year of study. This enriching immersion, both personally and academically, will help you develop your open-mindedness and adaptability, key skills for your future.
Language enhancement courses
The programme includes intensive English courses to improve your language skills. This enhanced learning is a real asset for thriving in an international environment.
Programme structure
International immersion in Australia: Study in Melbourne or Brisbane 
International immersion in Canada: Study in Toronto or Vancouver
International Immersion in Ireland: Study in Dublin
Start in September - French track - in La Rochelle, Tours, or Paris
Start in February - French track in La Rochelle or English in Paris
International immersion in Australia: Study in Melbourne or Brisbane
International immersion in Canada: Study in Toronto or Vancouver
International immersion in Ireland: Study in Dublin
Rankings
12th
Financial Times 2024
Among the best business schools in France
6th
HappyAtSchool® 2024
For a great student experience
15th
Figaro Étudiant 2024
One of the top business schools in France
Lessons
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Year 1
La Rochelle start dates: september or february -
Description Cours EN
September start date
Semester 1
- Business Game
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- General knowledge
- English: everyday language and business communication
- Workshop: Drama Improvisation and Public Speaking
Semester 2
- Dream Career Bootcamp
- Principles of Accounting
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & Environment
- English: business communication
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Communication
- Graphic design tools (Adobe suite: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, etc.)
- Introduction to images and video (angles, image capture, sound, editing, etc.)
- History of Art and Visual Analysis
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
- SCAP or civic project
- Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning
February start date
Semester 1
- Business Game
- Principles of Accounting (at the start of the semester)
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & the Environment
- General knowledge
- English: business communication
- Workshop: Drama Improvisation and Public Speaking
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Communication
- Graphic design tools (Adobe suite: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, etc.)
- Introduction to images and video (angles, image capture, sound, editing, etc.)
- History of Art and Visual Analysis
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
Semester 2
- Business Game
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- General knowledge
- English: everyday language and business communication
- Civic project
- Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning)
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Year 1
Tours - september start date -
Description Cours EN
Semester 1
- Business Game
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- General knowledge
- English: everyday language and business communication
- Workshop: Drama Improvisation and Public Speaking
Semester 2
- Dream Career Bootcamp
- Principles of Accounting
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & Environment
- English: business communication
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Communication
- Graphic design tools (Adobe suite: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, etc.)
- Introduction to images and video (angles, image capture, sound, editing, etc.)
- History of Art and Visual Analysis
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
- SCAP or civic project
- Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning)
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Year 1
Start dates: September or February -
Description Cours EN
September start date
Semester 1
- Business Game
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- General knowledge
- English: everyday language and business communication
- Workshop: Drama Improvisation and Public Speaking
Semester 2
- Dream Career Bootcamp
- Principles of Accounting
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & Environment
- English: business communication
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Communication
- Graphic design tools (Adobe suite: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, etc.)
- Introduction to images and video (angles, image capture, sound, editing, etc.)
- History of Art and Visual Analysis
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
• SCAP or civic project
• Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning)
Description Cours ENFebruary start date
Semester 1
- Dream Career Bootcamp
- Principles of Economics and Challenges of Sustainability
- Climatology, Water & Environment
- Principles of Accounting
- Marketing in a Changing World
- Intercultural Communication
Choice of one of the following options
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Specificities of the tourism and hospitality sectors and how they converge
- Tourism sector: key players and organisations
- F&B sector: service techniques
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Management Information Systems using Excel
- The Company and Work Organisation
Semester 2
- Business Game
- International Marketing
- The Challenges of Climate Change: the case of water
- The Company and Work Organisation
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a start-up
- Principles of Accounting
- E-workbook + Climacité© or Humacité© project (depending on chosen option)
- Civic project
- Self-management / Grand Oral / Motivation portfolio (including 6 hours of e-learning)
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Year 1
Excelia First Year Overseas -
Description Cours EN
Xpress Australia
Greenwich College: Melbourne or BrisbaneBusiness & Digital
- Leading communication in the workplace
- Articulating, presenting and debating ideas
- Managing business meetings
- Developing critical thinking skills
- Managing business resources
- Overseeing budgets and financial plans
Marketing & Communication
- Communicating with influence
- Managing project information and communication plans
- Writing persuasive copy
- Planning and interpreting market research
- Conducting marketing audits
Canada
Tamwood College: Toronto or VancouverCertificate in International Business
- International Business
- Project Management
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Integrated Marketing
- Human Resource Management
- International Trade
- Capstone Project
Certificate in Hospitality & Tourism
- Cross-cultural Communication
- Customer Engagement
- Professional Development
- Project Management
- Sustainable Tourism
- Business Ethics
- Capstone Project
Certificate in Digital Marketing
- Introduction to Digital Marketing
- Social Media & Community Management
- Marketing Channels - paid channels
- Strategic Web Design
- Marketing Technology & Automation
- Marketing Channels - content marketing
- Capstone Project
Ireland
International School of Business, Dublin- Marketing Communications
- Business Finance & Accounting
- Business Law
- Social and Economic Aspects of Ireland
- Business Communication Skills
- Entrepreneurial Project
- Sales Management
- Modern Management
- Excel S1
- Excel S2
- Business English S1
- TOEFL Training S2
- Humacité©
The different courses and projects are provided for indicative purposes only and are subject to change from one year to the next. The specialisations offered will only be available if the required minimum number of students is reached.
Experiences
International immersion
The Excelia First Year international immersion gives you the opportunity to study abroad from your very first year, in Australia, Canada or Ireland. You’ll explore the worlds of business, marketing and digital, while improving your English and enjoying a truly international experience. It’s a great way to learn differently, build confidence and enhance your future CV!
Humacité© Project
You have the opportunity to undertake a voluntary project in an NGO or an association, either in France or abroad. Such projects are unique features of Excelia, which is committed to educating students to become future managers who are socially and environmentally responsible and conscious of the importance of their role in society.
Business Game
Carried out as a company games or a board games, students work in teams to tackle and solve real-life business issues relating to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Climacité© project
Through Climacité©, our students will have the opportunity to make a personal contribution to the planet. The aim of the project is to raise awareness and educate students on the issues of environmental protection and how to effectively address climate change.
Careers
Cost of studies
Tuition Fees 2025-2026
Students from within the European Union*
- Excelia First Year: €9,500
- Excelia Fist Year Overseas: Australia €12,400 / Canada: €12,400 / Irlande: €10,000
* 27 European Union members (excluding France): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Students from outside the European Union
- Excelia First Year: €9,800
- Excelia Fist Year Overseas: Australia €12,400 / Canada: €12,400 / Irlande: €10,000
Tuition fees are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change from one year to the next.
Multiservice charge
Fee: €350 (1 year)
This one-off Multiservice fee gives access to the following services: Multimedia and Internet network, Cyberlibris (online library), Student Identity Card, Reprographics credit, Intranet, e-learning modules, Wi-Fi, Career Centre activities and services, International Insurance-Assistance (for any periods spent abroad during the period covered by this contract), University library, University Medical Service etc.
Admission
1 / Online application
Submit your application online and select your programme:
List of supportive documents required : CV and Proof of current academic level (exam certificate/s or letter from current academic establishment etc.)
Admission fee : An admissions fee of €50 is required (to be paid by bank transfer or credit card)
2 / Online video interview
Details of admissions tests
- Online video interview on our online admissions platform (in French or English depending on the chosen programme and track).
- Candidates have 5 days to respond to a series of questions (motivation, academic and professional projects)
Upcoming admissions deadlines
Possibility of taking the admissions test all year long.
3 / Admissions test results released and deposit to be paid
Admissions test results
Candidates will receive notification of their admission or non-admission within 6 days following their interview.
If you are admitted, you must pay the deposit, which will be deducted from your annual tuition fees, before the specified deadline.
Excelia has partnered with Flywire to provide our overseas families with an easier method of sending international fee payments. Flywire offers a best price guarantee when sending the payment by bank transfer, real-time payment tracking and 24x7 multilingual customer support.
4 / Administrative assistance
Confirmation of enrolment
You will receive confirmation of pre-enrolment as well as confirmation of accommodation which are necessary for your student visa application.
Click here for administrative assistance
5 / Proof of academic level required
Conditions of acceptance
To confirm your final acceptance, you must provide proof of your current qualifications and language ability:
English-Track and French-Track Programmes:
- Bachelor, Master, Masters of Science (MSc): B2*
- Foundation and preparatory programmes**: A2 or B1 depending on programme*
- For Summer School and FLE (French as a Foreign Language) courses: Open to students of all abilities
* Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
** International Foundation Programme et Excelia First Year
Proof of language ability is NOT required if:
- Please note that only official certificates will be accepted.
- You hold a qualification issued in a French-speaking country and are applying for a French track
- You hold a qualification issued in an English-speaking country and are applying for an English track
Please note that only official certificates will be accepted.
Testimonials
