HEC MBA Admissions: Requirements, Deadlines and Costs for 2027

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

The HEC Paris MBA is a full-time programme on the residential Jouy-en-Josas campus of HEC Paris business school, about 17 km outside Paris. You can start in September or January. The standard format takes 16 months, and since January 2025 January starters can choose a 12-month accelerated route, which HEC recommends if you plan to grow within your current company.

The HEC MBA class profile is strongly international: the Class of 2026 is 95% international, with more than 60 nationalities. HEC describes its typical participants as managers aged 25 to 35 with an average of six years of experience. Specialisations include Finance, Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Deep Tech & AI.

What are the HEC MBA requirements?

• An undergraduate degree. Without one, HEC may consider you if you have at least five years of experience, including three in management.
• Work experience: no fixed minimum, but HEC strongly encourages at least two years and sees 2 to 10 years as ideal.
• A GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE or Executive Assessment score less than five years old. Holders of a top-ranked MiM may ask about a waiver.
• English: IELTS 7.0 (6.5 in each part), PTE 72, Duolingo 135, or the TOEFL and TOEIC equivalents, unless your degree was taught in English.
• Essays, two recommendations, an English CV and transcripts.

For a broader view, see our guide to MBA requirements.

How do HEC MBA admissions work?

After a pre-selection jury reviews your file, you have two separate interviews with HEC MBA alumni, which carry equal weight. Each opens with a 10-minute presentation on a topic of your choice, followed by in-depth discussion in English. A final Admissions Jury decides, usually five weeks after your deadline. The application fee is €200, and you can apply only once per cycle (a September intake plus the following January).

Upcoming HEC MBA deadlines

Check the official deadlines page, as dates may change.

HEC MBA tuition and career outcomes

HEC's fees page lists tuition of €102,000 for both the January 2027 and September 2027 intakes, paid as a €9,000 deposit and two instalments. Fees rise most years, so confirm the figure for your intake.

For the Class of 2025, 75% accepted job offers within three months of graduating, 64% took roles outside their home country and 57% switched sector. Europe accounted for 52% of placements, Asia and Oceania for 25%.

How can you stand out?

• Make your goal specific: the industry, function and region you want after the MBA, and why HEC's specialisations get you there.
• Treat the interview presentation as a showcase. Pick a topic that reveals how you think and lead, and rehearse it to 10 minutes.
• Aim for balanced test sections rather than one standout score.
• Apply early in the cycle if you need a visa or campus housing.

Frequently asked questions

What HEC MBA GMAT score do I need?

HEC has no minimum score, but the current class average is 635 on the GMAT Focus Edition, equivalent to about 690 on the previous GMAT. A score around or above that average, with balanced sections, keeps you competitive. The GRE and Executive Assessment are accepted on equal terms.

Should I choose the HEC MBA or the HEC Executive MBA?

The MBA suits professionals with roughly 2 to 10 years of experience who want a full-time career change. The Executive MBA targets senior managers with at least eight years of experience who keep working while studying, in France, Doha or Riyadh. Our guide to HEC EMBA admissions covers it in detail.

How much work experience do I need for HEC MBA admissions?

HEC sets no fixed minimum, but it strongly encourages at least two years and considers 2 to 10 years ideal. The Class of 2025 averaged six years. Beyond the number, show clear progression in responsibility and a convincing reason why now is the right time.