I quite fancy the idea of doing my MBA in France.Which business school is best in terms of kudos and prospects in your opinion (esp with MBBB).As you may know, HEC is faring very well in recent FT league tables but it seems INSEAD is THE favourite with people in this forum.Your comments and input are most welcome.BTW My Background: Bachelors degree from LSE + 4 years business development and strategy positions at Microsoft, IBM and WPP (the british marketing group). Looking to break into MBBB firm.

Silly question, but I assume you have to be fluent in French, they are not bilingual these courses are they?

I think Insead is actually taught in English.Have a look at where each uni's alumni end up. I don't know for HEC but for Insead a large number end up working in top strategy consulting firms so to me that suggests it's a good place to go for that goal.

Gina againI am fluent in French which is one of the reasons I am considering HEC. The other reason is that I am also considering pursuing a career in France.I'm aware that HEC has a stellar reputation in France as one of the Grande Establissements but as I have a very international outlook am interested in knowing how it compares to INSEAD on a global level.Hope this clarifies things...

For international outlook and Job prospects I would reccomend INSEAD or over the border in Switzerland IMD.Thats just my opinion FWIW

INSEAD all the way, HEC is good but INSEAD is better in my opinion.

I hear insead is good for making a move to a top strategy firm but less likely to facilitate a career change form a consultant into the finance area. Anyone any experience of this?

Secondly, how is it pronounced?!

Pronounced In-sea-add. Insead is more recognised internationally and you must speak English and another language before admission and must learn a third before graduation. HEC is also a good school. Both take the MBA in English and require knowledge of more than one language.

HEC has an excellent reputation in France (by far and far the best alumni in France) and that in itself could get you break into MBBB in France although on the other hand it is somewhat difficult to break into the French market generally if you're not French and have not been transferred within the company. INSEAD is much better known in English-speaking countries and is very highly respected in France as well. I would recommend INSEAD except maybe if you're certain you want to work in France afterwards.

The French are a weird race. INSEAD is widely considered as one of the finest non-American schools out there, but ask a Frenchperson about it and many have never heard of it, it was started by the Americans I understand and that's just not good enough for them.HEC is THE business school for French people in the Grande Ecole system, but has nowhere near the reputation outside France as INSEAD.

gina,HEC is good but not as good as insead. insead also has a better brand name than hec.HEC paris is known more in europe, but insead has worldwide appeal thanks to its singapore campus.

The French can't get decent jobs in France at the moment so I would go for Insead if I were you. You will be very much on the front line for new opportunties.