Rennes School of Business

Rennes, Capital of the Brittany Region, is a vibrant city and the largest university town in western France with 60,000 university students (over 17% international).  Rennes is only one and a half hours from Paris by TGV high speed train, and Mont Saint Michel and Saint Malo are within an hour’s drive.  The city is a leading center of the telecommunications industry with the largest European teaching-research facility in the field. Tourism, textiles, leather goods, agri-business, automotive assembly, and petroleum industries also contribute to the economy.

Bachelor Courses in English
Business.  Students normally register for a minimum of 24 ECTS units (12 credit hours) and are typically in class 15 hours per week. Students may choose one program from amongst level 2 (fall semester only); level 3; or level 4.

Master Courses in English
Business.  You can view level 5 course program offerings and descriptions here; students may only choose one program. Students will register for a minimum of 18 ECTS units (9 credit hours).

Language Courses
French language and French culture courses are offered during the semester; they are worth 2 ECTS each (1 US credit hours).

Accreditations
Rennes School of Business holds the following accreditations: EQUIS, AACSB, 23rd Financial Times, and AMBA.

Exchange Student Application
After your acceptance by the Magellan Exchange, you must complete the Rennes School of Business Exchange Student Application Form.  Your application will not be processed and your acceptance letter from Rennes will not be sent until this is completed.  After admission you will be able to register for courses online.  May 20 is the deadline for the fall semester, while October 20 is the deadline for spring semester.

Orientation
You can be welcomed by the student welcome team, Well’Come.   Student mentors are appointed upon arrival and these individuals can assist with your integration into French culture.  There is an official registration and integration program which is compulsory for all students. Please make sure that you arrive in time to participate in this program (dates are provided in the official acceptance letter). A fact sheet is available for more information.

Internships
Internships are possible for those with the necessary French fluency (550 or above on the Test d’Evaluation Francais) and on condition that the home university communicates directly with the company regarding the internship agreement. The university only provides access to the information and databases.

Students with Disabilities
The university is generally able to accommodate a student with a physical disability but has limited capability of accommodating a student with a learning disability.  Typical student accommodation as well as shops and services in the community have limited capability of accommodating students with disabilities.

Grades & Transcripts

Rennes School of Business uses the ECTS grading and credit system which consists of letter grades from “A” to “F,” with “E” being the minimum passing grade.

Transcripts are automatically sent to students and to the home university once the grades have been approved by the assessment committee, which convenes approximately two months after examinations.  Before leaving Rennes, you will be asked to leave your address and the address of your university in order for the transcripts to be sent.  For additional details on transfer of credits, please refer to the Student Guidebook.

Health Insurance
$0.  In France, the health care coverage is called “Sécurité Sociale” and it is free.  However, to receive coverage and have certain medical expenses refunded, you must register directly at the “CPAM” (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie). It is recommended though that you purchase coverage from home to cover you until the French insurance has commenced.

Textbooks
No cost

Students studying in France for longer than three months are required to obtain a student visa prior to departure.  Additional information is available online.

Housing
Shared apartment or house; independent apartment/studio in a private residence; private, independent apartment/studio; home stay; state student hostels.  Rooms are generally furnished and equipped.  Costs typically range from 350-500 EUR per month.  The Rennes School of Business Accommodation Department will contact all incoming students by email once acceptance is complete.  The School has its own housing platform, which allows you to find accommodation, find a roommate, find a subletting, or find a temporary room. Other housing information is available here.

Meals
A variety of inexpensive student restaurants are available, in addition to numerous local restaurants.

Transportation

You should fly to Paris or to another international airport for flight service to Rennes. Alternatively, there are several direct TGV (high speed) trains from Paris to Rennes daily: from Paris-De Gaulle Airport (CDG) with a journey of approximately 2 hours and from Paris-Montparnasse train station with a journey of approximately 1.5 hours. Rennes is 50 minutes by car to the English Channel and Atlantic Ocean.

The STAR bus/metro company provides transportation within the city and sells multi-journey passes.

Entertainment
Rennes is home to a variety of museums, including the Rennes Folk Museum with exhibits about everyday life over five centuries, and ‘les Champs Libres,’ a contemporary multi-media performance center.  Numerous cultural and sport events take place, such as jazz festivals, air shows, and women’s tennis competitions. With 67,000 students in the city, there is never a shortage of entertainment options.  On campus, there are two gymnasiums for athletic activities.  Exchange students may find participation in a social service, civic, or athletic organization a good way to get acquainted with other students.  The beaches of WWII’s D-Day invasion are nearby, as well as Mont Saint Michel monastery, St. Malo, the King Arthur Legend forest, and the Loire Valley.  Rennes is also only a 90-minute train journey from the center of Paris.  The Well’Come team often organizes trips and cultural visits to local and national tourist areas at a reduced cost.

Shopping
Shopping opportunities are readily available, both in the old center of the city as well as in the suburbs.  Place de la Republique is the main square in the center of town. The Saturday morning market at Place des Lices is a popular shopping venue.

Climate

Rennes has a temperate climate with precipitation evenly distributed throughout the year. Winter temperatures average lows of 32ºF and highs of 45ºF; snow and ice are possible but not frequent.  Summer temperatures average lows of 60ºF and highs of 80ºF.

Consumer Behavior
The Consumer Behavior course will examine the concept of consumer behavior by critically exploring conceptual frameworks for understanding, measuring, and managing the current and upcoming digital generation. Existing theories will be integrated to develop a holistic and managerially useful understanding of consumer behavior.

Pre-Requisites: The program is open to bachelor- or master-level students. A minimum of one year of undergraduate study is required, along with knowing the fundamentals of marketing.

Meals and Accommodations: A list of nearby housing options at varying price points will be provided by the school; you may book the residence of your choice. You are responsible for your meals.

Transportation: You will need to arrange your own transportation to Europe. It is recommended that you fly into Paris and take a train to Rennes, or fly into Rennes.

Cost: There is no program fee, but you will pay for your housing (approximately 500-700 EUR for the program, depending on your choice of residence), meals, transportation, and personal expenses. You must obtain a passport if you do not already have one; non-US citizens should check to see if a visa is required. Tuition fees are paid to the home school as usual (if applicable).

Cross-Cultural Management
The Cross-Cultural Management course deals with three main points: overview of today’s global business environment (people – planet – profits); the cross-cultural framework references; and how to manage a cross-cultural team, dynamics and process strategies.  This program comprises different pedagogical activities, including 27 hours of face-to-face teaching, personal study time, and company visits.

Pre-Requisites: The program is open to bachelor- or master-level students. A minimum of one year of undergraduate study is required.

Meals and Accommodations: A list of nearby housing options at varying price points will be provided from the school; you may book the residence of your choice. You are responsible for your meals.

Transportation: You will need to arrange your own transportation to Europe. It is recommended that you fly into Paris and take a train to Rennes, or fly into Rennes.

Cost: There is no program fee, but you will pay for your housing (approximately 500-700 EUR for the program, depending on your choice of residence), meals, transportation, and personal expenses. You must obtain a passport if you do not already have one; non-US citizens should check to see if a visa is required. Tuition fees are paid to the home school as usual (if applicable).

Sustainable Business
In the Sustainable Business course, students will learn a conceptual framework and practical ideas for understanding how organizations and managers can optimize economic, social and environmental performance through a successful Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. Topics include reframing the purpose of business, CSR and stakeholders, responsible leadership and strategy, the environmental challenge, sustainable production and consumption, sustainability reporting, CSR in the workplace, slowing down fast fashion, and tackling the plastic problem.  This program comprises different pedagogical activities, including 27 hours of face-to-face teaching, personal study time, and company visits.

Pre-Requisites: The program is open to bachelor- or master-level students. A minimum of one year of undergraduate study is required.

Meals and Accommodations: A list of nearby housing options at varying price points will be provided by the school; you may book the residence of your choice. You are responsible for your meals.

Transportation: You will need to arrange your own transportation to Europe. It is recommended that you fly into Paris and take a train to Rennes, or fly into Rennes.

Cost: There is no program fee, but you will pay for your housing (approximately 500-700 EUR for the program, depending on your choice of residence), meals, transportation, and personal expenses. You must obtain a passport if you do not already have one; non-US citizens should check to see if a visa is required. Tuition fees are paid to the home school as usual (if applicable).