months of professional experience

year of specialization in Finance and Management following the pre-specialization courses completed during the second year.

Bachelor’s degree

awarded and accredited by the French State

Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Management

Esdes Business School

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Management in Lyon and Annecy

The Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Management is a business management program, with 70% of its curriculum dedicated to core management courses. It offers students a dual specialization combining both industry-specific and professional expertise.

After a year of pre-specialization through elective modules during the second year, students can choose to specialize in Finance and Management in their third year.

This specialization was designed to meet the demands of careers in corporate finance as well as technical sales roles in the banking and insurance sectors. Students are introduced to key financial concepts through courses in financial analysis, financial law, investment project management and financing, and other essential topics.

Spécialisation Finance et Gestion
BACHELOR IN BUSINESS – BAC +3

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After two years of core coursework providing a solid foundation in management, applied through two professional experiences and internships, the third year allows students to specialize in Finance and Management.

During the second year of the core curriculum, students begin to orient themselves toward the field of finance through two pre-specialization modules: Financial Market Theory and Behavioral Finance.

In the third year of the program, the Finance and Management specialization prepares students for careers in corporate finance as well as technical-commercial roles in the banking and insurance sectors, by developing a broad set of skills. From financial analysis to wealth management, including business development strategies, FinTech, financial product innovation, and sustainable management control, students are fully equipped to support and advise clients, investors, and business leaders in their decision-making processes.

Students are encouraged to be proactive, take initiative, and continuously seek new ways to create value. They study management principles, marketing strategies, finance, team management, and other key areas essential to entrepreneurial and professional success.

KEY STRENGTHS:

Acquisition of solid professional experience
A multicultural faculty composed of Esdes professors-researchers and industry professionals

OBJECTIVES OF THE SPECIALIZATION:

Prepare for careers in corporate finance and technical-commercial roles in the banking and insurance sectors
Learn to support and advise clients, investors, and business leaders in their decision-making processes
Understand key financial concepts
Develop communication and sales skills, as well as the ability to recommend financial solutions tailored to clients’ specific needs

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

This specialization enables students to contribute to the design of business development strategies and to implement marketing and commercial plans, while learning to manage and make responsible decisions in complex environments. It also prepares them to manage a business unit, department, or profit center.

Upon completion of the program, graduates may work as:

Bank and insurance sales advisor (technical-commercial role)
Corporate credit analyst / Financial analyst
Treasury manager
Management controller
Accounting assistant

ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATION:

Student skills are assessed through exams and individual coursework each semester.

DEGREE:

Esdes, School of Business and Management at Université Catholique de Lyon (UCLy), is a leading business school within the Catholic University of Lyon. It is a member of the French Conférence des Grandes Écoles and holds AACSB accreditation. It is also ranked among the top 100 business schools in Europe in the Financial Times European Business School Ranking.

The Bachelor in Business with a specialization in Finance and Management leads to a degree officially recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and awards a Bachelor’s degree (Grade de Licence).

QUALIFICATION AWARDED:

logo diplome visé par l'etat logo diplome grade de licence Esdes Business School est accréditée AACSB et intègre le top 6% des meilleures Business Schools mondiales - UCLy

Bachelor’s degree (Level 6), officially accredited and conferring the French “Licence” degree, titled Higher Education Diploma in Business and Operational Management – registered in the French National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP) under number 38753 – NSF codes 310/312.

ONBOARDING COURSES:

Integration and immersion courses in the chosen specialization are offered at the beginning of the academic year for all students entering the third year.

For the Finance and Management specialization, onboarding courses include:

Financial Market Theory
Introduction to Management Control

CORE COURSES:

These courses are common to all third-year specializations and allow students to continue developing a broad understanding of management fundamentals, in order to best prepare for professional integration or further studies at Master’s level.

They include courses such as strategic intelligence, digital transformation and business ethics, ethical business and corporate social responsibility, and 360° customer experience.

SPECIALIZATION COURSES:

Financial risk management
Financial and non-financial reporting
FinTech and financial innovation
Investment project management and financing
Financial analysis and budgeting
Financial law

SECTOR MINORS:

In addition, the Bachelor offers students the opportunity to explore a promising industry in their region through an immersive seminar.

Students may choose from options such as: Wine & Gastronomy, Health & Wellness, Social Business, Industry & Innovation, Hospitality, Creative Industries & Graphic Design, Outdoor Industry, etc.

PEP’S Program

50 hours of face-to-face sessions including coaching, workshops, corporate awareness, and professional skills development

PEP’S is a program designed to support the transition from a student mindset to a professional mindset, helping students become unique talents. This development pathway, led by career consultants, includes workshops and direct interaction with the professional world.

The support is structured around three main areas:

To help students choose their third-year specialization and make informed career decisions, they complete an exploration pathway focused on companies, professions, and organizational functions. To refine their career plans, each student takes a personality test followed by a coaching workshop.

After working on essential tools such as CV writing and cover letters, several workshops are offered to support employability and professional integration: roundtables with professionals, a dedicated preparation program for Solicity, workshops on professional standards and workplace behavior, and digital identity management, combining soft skills and technical competencies.

To help students successfully manage their work-study experience, a dedicated module is provided covering time management, prioritization, stress management, and conflict resolution—addressing their daily challenges to help them become true professionals.

As professionalization is at the core of Esdes’ teaching approach, this entire program is recognized within the curriculum and validated through ECTS credits.

Requirements

Specialization year

The candidate must:

have at least a B2 level of English: 550 (TOEFL), 5.5 (IELTS) , 785 (TOIEC) or 60-74 (EasySPEAKing) exam
For French students who want to join the program, you will also have to provide a proof of a significant experience abroad

After receiving the application, including supporting documents, the admissions board will review the complete file. Eligible candidates will then be invited for a personal interview by Skype or Teams.

After the interview, the final admission results will be communicated by email.

Applications are evaluated as follows:

Admission	Weighting
Application form	10
Interview	10
TOTAL	20

Year 1

Students can join in 1st year and follow two-years within English Track. Once they validated 120 ECTS credits, they can enter the Global Business Development specialization.

The candidate must:

hold a recognized high school diploma or end of secondary school certificate (Baccalaureate, A levels…)
be in good academic standing
have at least a B2 level of English: 550 (TOEFL), 5.5 (IELTS), 785 (TOIEC) or 60-74 (EasySPEAKing) exam

Applications : supporting documents, 1st year

Documents required:

A copy of the student’s passport
Curriculum Vitae in English
Cover letter in English
Official copies of secondary education transcripts in English or French
Official copies of high school diploma or end of secondary school certificate
Official English test results (TOEIC, BULATS, TOEFL, IELTS, CAMBRIDGE, EasySPEAKing*) except for native English speakers (English as mother tongue) or candidates who have studied at least two years in a program taught in English (the candidate will have to provide supporting documents)
Optional: one recommendation letter from a professor or business professional
Application fee: 50 euros (non-refundable)

*Easy Speaking: realize this official English exam with ESDES. If you wish to pass this test, (50€ fees), please inform us in your application form.

Additional supporting documents, 2nd year

Documents required:

Official university transcripts, indicating grades and the number of credits completed
One recommendation letter from a professor. (Please ensure that all recommendation letters are printed on letter headed paper, and are signed and dated)
One recommendation letter from a business professional. (Please ensure that all recommendation letters are printed on letter headed paper, and are signed and dated)

Additional supporting docuements, 3rd year

Official university transcripts, indicating grades and the number of credits completed
One recommendation letter from a professor. (Please ensure that all recommendation letters are printed on letter headed paper, and are signed and dated)
One recommendation letter from a business professional. (Please ensure that all recommendation letters are printed on letter headed paper, and are signed and dated)

Why choose a Bachelor’s in Finance in Lyon?

Choosing a Bachelor’s in Finance in Lyon means opting for a dynamic and attractive city, recognized as one of France’s main economic and financial hubs. Lyon benefits from a dense network of companies, banks, audit firms, and startups, offering numerous career opportunities in corporate finance, banking and insurance, and asset management. These opportunities are further strengthened by Esdes’ powerful alumni network (ranked among the Top 100 European Business Schools by the Financial Times).

The city hosts more than 1,200 financial companies (including banks such as BNP Paribas and Société Générale, fast-growing FinTechs, and CAC 40 companies with local offices), over 25,000 finance-related jobs, and a dynamic ecosystem including French Tech Lyon and the Finance Innovation cluster.

What careers does the Esdes Finance Bachelor prepare you for?

This program prepares students for strategic careers in corporate finance and technical-commercial roles in banking and insurance: financial analyst, treasury manager, management controller, and technical-commercial advisor, among others.

The skills acquired cover financial analysis, risk management, FinTech, non-financial reporting (ESG), and client and executive advisory services.

The goal is to contribute to responsible business development strategies and to manage a business unit. Early pre-specialization in Year 2 (financial markets, behavioral finance), internships in Year 3, and the PEP’S program support rapid professional integration or further studies in Master’s programs (PGE/MSc). A faculty combining researchers and industry professionals ensures both academic rigor and operational relevance.

Can you join the Finance and Management Bachelor in Year 2 or Year 3?

Yes, it is entirely possible to join the Bachelor’s in Finance and Management in Year 2 or Year 3 for students with a Bac+1 or Bac+2 background in management, accounting, finance, or economics.

Admission is based on a strong application (academic records, CV, motivation letter), followed by a structured interview: 25 minutes in French and 5 minutes in English to assess your career objectives.

What skills do you gain from a Finance Bachelor in Lyon?

This program provides advanced expertise in corporate finance: financial and budget analysis, risk and investment management, FinTech, ESG reporting, and financial law.

From Year 2, students follow a pre-specialization in financial markets and behavioral finance. In Year 3, the focus shifts to wealth management and client advisory.

The core management curriculum covers strategy, business ethics and CSR, digital transformation, and team leadership. Sector minors (health, wine, industry, hospitality, etc.), the PEP’S program (coaching, digital identity development), and varied assessments (exams, coursework, dissertations) help students develop a responsible decision-making mindset. Internships further strengthen professional experience.

How does the Finance and Management Bachelor stand out from other programs?

This program stands out through its early pre-specialization in Year 2 (financial markets, behavioral finance) and its dedicated third year (risk management, FinTech, ESG reporting, financial law).

Sector minors (wine & gastronomy, health, industry, hospitality, etc.) and the exclusive PEP’S program (50 hours of ECTS-validated coaching) enrich the student experience.

Accredited AACSB and CGE (RNCP 38753), the program benefits from a mixed faculty of researchers and industry experts and strong professional experience components.

Focused on corporate finance and banking/insurance technical-commercial roles, with a strong CSR orientation, it supports both fast employability and progression to Master’s degrees (PGE/MSc). A unique positioning at the heart of Lyon.