CILO ranked 1st best bac + 3 course in international trade

13 October 2023

  • Awards and distinctions

  • Training

For the first time in 2016, Inalco's International Business and Oriental Language (CILO) degree has been ranked 5th among France's best Bachelor's/Bachelor's degrees in its category by SMBG, the national leader in ranking and comparing higher education programs. Nearly 500 courses are ranked in 47 specialties.
CILO : le diplôme classé 5ème meilleure formation bac + 3 en commerce international
CILO : le diplôme classé 5ème meilleure formation bac + 3 en commerce international © Inalco‎

SMBG ranking

The ranking criteria are as follows:

  • The reputation of the programs among companies.
  • Salaries and job opportunities upon graduation, as well as opportunities for further study.
  • The satisfaction feedback from students who have taken these programs.

Inalco's CILO diploma

Founded in 1970, Inalco's international business program has combined the formidable linguistic potential of "Langues O'" with high-level professional teaching dedicated to international business management since its inception. Building on this longstanding experience, in 2014 the program launched an institutional diploma in International Commerce and Oriental Language (CILO).



The CILO enables students with little or no knowledge of economics, management, law, marketing (etc...) to acquire fundamental knowledge and skills in just one year, which will then enable them to enter the workforce or pursue a master's degree in international business or management. In this way, they will be able to enhance their previous language skills with the professional competencies that are essential for working in this sector.



On entry, this diploma requires:

  • a validated bachelor's degree (all disciplines)
  • skills in Oriental languages (around 50 access languages, from Chinese to Swahili) at a level equivalent to a bachelor's degree in languages, both written and spoken.
  • strong motivation and a professional project related to international business

    • .

Featuring a teaching staff combining professionals and academics oriented towards the business world, this course recruits a third of foreign students (out of 20-25 students per class) who train in accounting, management, international economics, marketing, law and develop solid knowledge of a language and a geographical area (Asia, Russia and Eastern European countries, Africa, Maghreb and the Middle East).



The International Business program also benefits from long-standing cooperation with the Conseillers au Commerce Extérieur de la France (CCEF), senior executives from internationalized French companies who give talks and share their experiences with students throughout the year.

A high success rate

Since its inception, this diploma has enjoyed a high success rate (over 80%), enabling students to pursue a Master's degree in International Business at Inalco (63%), continue their studies at other institutions (12%) or enter the professional world directly (13%).