My Career Path
My Career Path
Presentation
What is Excelia First Year?
Excelia First Year is a foundation year following secondary school (post-Baccalaureate), designed to provide a broad-based education in management, modern languages, and personal development. This formative year helps you build your academic and professional pathway.
The programme can be undertaken in France (on the Paris-Cachan campus) or internationally (under specific conditions).
Upon completion, you will earn 60 ECTS credits and gain access to the second year of the Bachelor in Business, of the BBA International, the Master in Management (Programme Grande École), the Bachelor in Hotel Management, the Bachelor in Tourism Management, or the Bachelor in Communication and Digital Strategies. By the end of the year, you will have developed a clearer sense of your aspirations and strengthened your knowledge to succeed in the field that suits you best.
Who is Excelia First Year for?
The Excelia First Year programme is designed for French and international students who have completed secondary education and wish to take time to shape their academic journey and confirm their study choices within one of Excelia’s programmes.
Developed with an interactive and hands-on approach, Excelia First Year combines academic courses with real-world projects to help students build confidence, refine their direction, and develop key skills.
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LanguageEnglish / French
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Qualification1 year of higher education 60 ECTS
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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 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 or Irlande, 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
Start in February - French track in Paris
International immersion in Australia 
International immersion in Irlande 
International pathway : study abroad from your first year
With the international pathway of Excelia First Year, you have the opportunity to experience an academic expatriation from your very first year. You will begin your studies at a partner institution in an English-speaking environment, in Australia or Ireland, for a fully immersive experience combining academic learning, student life and cultural discovery. A practical way to build confidence, improve your English and broaden your perspective from the outset of your studies.
- Up to 6 to 8 months abroad
- Destinations: Australia (Melbourne, Brisbane) and Ireland (Dublin)
- Courses delivered in English within a multicultural environment
- A highly enriching experience from the very start of your journey
Designed for students who want to explore their academic direction while gaining meaningful international exposure, this pathway combines academic exploration with personal development. You benefit from dedicated support to prepare your departure and make the most of your time abroad. At the end of the year, you will have earned 60 ECTS credits and can progress directly to the second year of a Bachelor’s degree or the Grande École Programme, with a strong international profile.
Discover our partner institutions
- Australia
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Greenwich College – Melbourne & Brisbane
Studying at Greenwich College means experiencing life in one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students. The campuses in Melbourne and Brisbane offer a dynamic, modern and globally oriented environment. With an excellent quality of life, cultural diversity and strong professional opportunities, it is an ideal destination for a first international experience. - Ireland
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International School of Business – Dublin
At the International School of Business, you will study in the heart of Dublin, a vibrant and cosmopolitan European capital. As the only English-speaking country in the European Union, Ireland provides the perfect environment to improve your language skills while studying in an international academic setting, close to many multinational companies.
Studying at Greenwich College means experiencing life in one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students. The campuses in Melbourne and Brisbane offer a dynamic, modern and globally oriented environment. With an excellent quality of life, cultural diversity and strong professional opportunities, it is an ideal destination for a first international experience.
At the International School of Business, you will study in the heart of Dublin, a vibrant and cosmopolitan European capital. As the only English-speaking country in the European Union, Ireland provides the perfect environment to improve your language skills while studying in an international academic setting, close to many multinational companies.Rankings
12th
Financial Times 2024
Among the best business schools in France
6th
HappyIndexAtSchool® 2024
For a great student experience
5th
Speak & Act 2025
Best School Experience - Happiness Barometer
Lessons
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Year 1
Paris start dates: february -
Description Cours EN
February start date
Semester 1
- Business Game
- Accounting Principles
- The Legal Environment of Business
- Principles of Economics and Sustainability Challenges
- Taking Action on Climate Change
- Business IT with Excel
- Improvisational Theatre Workshop / Public Speaking
- Climacité© or Humacité© Project, depending on the chosen option
- Business & Management
- Introduction to Financial Management
- Introduction to Business IT with Excel
- Business and Work Organisation
Elective option with dedicated masterclasses
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Communication
Semester 2
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Creating a Start-up
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- Professional Communication
- Business and Work Organisation
- English for General and Business Communication
- Community Engagement Project
- Dream Career
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Year 1
Excelia First Year Overseas -
Description Cours EN
Australia - February start date
Greenwich College: Melbourne or Brisbane
Lessons:
Business & 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
Irlande - September start date
International School of Business, Dublin
Lessons:
- Marketing Communications
- Business Finance & Accounting
- Business Law
- Social and Economic Aspects of Ireland
- Business Communication Skills
- Entrepreneurial Project
- Sales Management
- Modern Management
- Excel
- Business English
- TOEFL Training
- Mission Humacite©
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
With the international pathway of Excelia First Year, start your studies abroad from year one. Spend 6 to 8 months in Australia or Ireland in a fully English-speaking academic environment.
This immersive experience helps you build confidence, improve your language skills and gain independence.
You will earn 60 ECTS credits and progress to year two with a strong international profile.
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).
Careers
Cost of studies
Tuition Fees
Students from within the European Union*
- Excelia Fist Year Overseas
- Australia: €11,000 (visa included)
- Irlande: €10,000
- Excelia First Year
- Ferbuary start: €7 980
- September start : €9 500
* 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 Fist Year Overseas
- Australia: €11,000 (visa included)
- Irlande: €10,000
- Excelia First Year
- Ferbuary start: €8 300
- September start : €9 800
Tuition fees are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change from one year to the next.
Multiservice charge
Fee: €350
This one-off Multiservice fee gives access to the following services:
- Administration and support services
- International mobility insurance-assistance
- Reprographics credit (photocopying, printing)
- Unlimited access to all content on Exceliaprime Edutainment platform
- Personalised support and coaching from our Talent Centre
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)
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 and 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.
February intake — start your Excelia First Year in February 2027
Your academic calendar doesn't match the French September intake? Join the Excelia First Year this February: an intensive 6-month track designed to explore several fields of study, validate your first year and move straight into your chosen programme in September without losing a year.
📅 Intake: 15 February 2027
📍 Campus: Paris
👥 Who can apply: international students holding a high school diploma (or equivalent)
🎥 Admission: applications open all year round, with an online video interview
Testimonials
