The Institut de Gestion Sociale (IGS) is a federation of colleges, making up one of France’s most dynamic private universities with campuses in Paris, Lyon, Nantes and Toulouse. IGS was founded in 1975 on the concept of practical education. IGS works with over 1,000 companies, French educational institutions and over 50 foreign universities, in Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Pacific. More than 10,000 students attend IGS at the different campuses.

KEI students take courses at the American Business School, a unit of IGS. The curriculum at ABS is based on the American model and stresses practical applications. English is the language of instruction. ABS is accredited in the USA by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) and certified in France as Level 2 by the Ministry of Labor.

ABS faculty and students come from Europe, Asia, Africa and America, providing an international atmosphere in the classroom. Professors and lecturers are selected based on their academic credentials as well as professional experience. Of the 300 students at ABS, 50% are French; the other 50% come from more than 70 different countries. Small class size, diversity, tolerance and readiness to challenge assumptions creates a learning environment for cross-cultural exchange and understanding.

ABS is situated on the Parodi campus, located at rue Alexandre Parodi 75010 Paris, near the Canal St. Martin. Campus facilities include lecture halls, reading rooms, computer laboratories, Internet and cafeteria. More than 3,000 students, mostly French, study at the IGS – Parodi campus.

Teaching & grading

ABS curriculum is based on the American educational system. The teaching style also reflects an American approach – lecture, discussion and group work. However, there are also differences. Many ABS professors were educated in Europe, and bring with them a European approach to education. For example, there is no eating or drinking in the classrooms. Students are expected to show respect towards their professors; telling professors that they are wrong or arguing in class is simply not done.

As in most French universities, many classes are held seminar-style once a week. The meeting room will likely change each week, and room assignments are posted online and in the ABS building each Friday for the coming week. Thursday afternoon is reserved for sports. To facilitate participation in sporting activities, some Thursday morning classes are held at the new sports facility in Eaubonne, a 25-minute ride by suburban train. Intramural team sports, gymnastics, and a swimming pool are available at the facility.

The grading system is based on a 4.0 Grade Point Average. Grades are assigned in letters (A, B, C, D and F).

Each course is equivalent to 3 semester credits (45 academic contact hours). Syllabi are used by most professors. Professors will announce at the beginning of each course what the final grade will be based on. Although it is not done very often, it is entirely normal and acceptable for your entire course grade to be based on your final exam. (The US is just about the only country in the world where continuous assessment is the norm.)