HEC EMBA Admissions: Paris, Doha and Riyadh Executive MBA Guide

What is the HEC Paris Executive MBA and who is it for?

The Executive MBA from HEC Paris business school lasts 18 months and takes about 50 days out of the office. It combines core courses, leadership development, a capstone project and one of nine specialisations, such as Making Artificial Intelligence Real or Leading a Sustainable Energy Transition, taught in cities including Paris, London, New York, Singapore and Doha. Participants are typically in their late thirties, often with closer to 15 years of experience. You choose from six intakes:

The HEC Executive MBA in Doha and Riyadh

HEC has been in Qatar since 2010, when it became the first European partner of Qatar Foundation's Education City and launched the country's first international Executive MBA. HEC Paris Doha now teaches in Msheireb Downtown, and the HEC Executive MBA Doha and Riyadh intakes follow the same structure. Full details are on the HEC Paris in Qatar Executive MBA page. Doha also runs the Emerging Leaders Track each October for professionals with at least five years of experience.

What are the HEC EMBA requirements?

• A bachelor's degree in any discipline.
• At least eight years of work experience. For the Gulf intakes, HEC asks that five of them be at managerial level.
• One test: the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment or HEC's in-house management test, which you take during one of your interviews.
• Proof of English if your degree was not taught in English (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS or PTE).
• Essays, two recommendation letters and an English CV. Gulf applicants also submit an organisation chart and a salary slip.

How do HEC EMBA admissions work?

Admissions are rolling, with weekly pre-selection juries and monthly admission juries. Shortlisted candidates have two interviews in English with EMBA alumni, assessing leadership, communication and fit. In Doha, the process includes a business case workshop and a two-hour selection interview before a final jury in Paris. Upcoming windows include 9 to 26 November 2026 and 7 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. If you are not admitted, you cannot reapply for another intake in the same year.

HEC EMBA tuition

HEC Paris in Qatar lists HEC EMBA tuition of $128,000 for the Doha and Riyadh programme, and $124,000 for the Emerging Leaders Track, as of October 2026. Fees for the intakes in France differ and change each year, so confirm them with admissions.

What about the TRIUM Global Executive MBA?

HEC also runs the TRIUM Global Executive MBA with NYU Stern and the London School of Economics, across five international locations. It ranked first among joint programmes in the QS 2026 EMBA ranking and suits senior managers already working in an international context.

How can you stand out?

• Quantify your leadership: team size, budgets and results you changed.
• Secure your employer's support for time away before you apply.
• Choose an intake and specialisation that match your industry and region.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take the HEC EMBA in Qatar?

Yes. HEC EMBA Qatar intakes run in Doha, with Riyadh as a second Gulf location, and each takes 15 to 18 months in weeklong modules. You need at least eight years of experience, five at managerial level, and you take part in a business case workshop and selection interview as part of the process.

Should I choose the HEC EMBA or the full-time MBA?

The EMBA suits senior managers who want to keep their job and grow within their sector or company. The full-time MBA suits professionals with roughly 2 to 10 years of experience who want a career change. Read our guide to HEC MBA admissions to compare.

Do I need the GMAT for HEC EMBA admissions?

Not necessarily. You must submit one test, but HEC accepts the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment or its own in-house management test, taken during one of your two interviews. HEC has said it weighs all four equally, so choose the one that best shows your ability.