Skip to main content
About HEC About HEC
Summer School Summer School
Faculty & Research Faculty & Research
Master’s programs Master’s programs
Bachelor Programs Bachelor Programs
MBA Programs MBA Programs
PhD Program PhD Program
Executive Education Executive Education
HEC Online HEC Online
About HEC
Overview Overview
Who
We Are
Who
We Are
Egalité des chances Egalité des chances
HEC Talents HEC Talents
International International
Campus
Life
Campus
Life
Sustainability Sustainability
Diversity
& Inclusion
Diversity
& Inclusion
Stories Stories
The HEC
Foundation
The HEC
Foundation
Summer School
Youth Programs Youth Programs
Summer programs Summer programs
Online Programs Online Programs
Faculty & Research
Overview Overview
Faculty Directory Faculty Directory
Departments Departments
Centers Centers
Chairs Chairs
Grants Grants
Knowledge@HEC Knowledge@HEC
Master’s programs
Master in
Management
Master in
Management
Master's
Programs
Master's
Programs
Double Degree
Programs
Double Degree
Programs
Bachelor
Programs
Bachelor
Programs
Summer
Programs
Summer
Programs
Exchange
students
Exchange
students
Student
Life
Student
Life
Our
Difference
Our
Difference
Bachelor Programs
Overview Overview
Course content Course content
Admissions Admissions
Fees and Financing Fees and Financing
MBA Programs
MBA MBA
Executive MBA Executive MBA
TRIUM EMBA TRIUM EMBA
PhD Program
Overview Overview
HEC Difference HEC Difference
Program details Program details
Research areas Research areas
HEC Community HEC Community
Placement Placement
Job Market Job Market
Admissions Admissions
Financing Financing
Executive Education
Home Home
About us About us
Management topics Management topics
Open Programs Open Programs
Custom Programs Custom Programs
Events/News Events/News
Contacts Contacts
HEC Online
Overview Overview
Degree Program Degree Program
Executive certificates Executive certificates
MOOCs MOOCs
Summer Programs Summer Programs
Youth programs Youth programs

Admissions

Apply for the HEC PhD Program

Start your application

The PhD application process

Built on a strategy of excellence, the HEC Paris PhD Program, known for its small size, aims to attract outstanding and motivated future PhD students with a clear ambition to become top researchers in international academic institutions. 

For the 2024 September intake, we look for high potential candidates to join our research ecosystem and work with over 50 international fellow students and more than 100 research faculty.

Who we are looking for

Built on a strategy of excellence, the HEC Paris PhD Program, known for its small size, aims to attract outstanding and motivated future PhD students with a clear ambition of becoming top researchers in international academic institutions. 

One application - two options

A specific research topic is not required at this stage. However, you are required to choose one specialization area amongst the eight areas. You may be interested by two specializations and therefore, we offer you the possibility to add a second choice on your application. The second choice will be handled only if the first choice is unsuccessful. 

Applicant profile

PhD in Management:

We welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities who

  • hold a university degree (Bachelor or Master) or equivalent in any field (sciences, engineering, political science, etc). Note that the PhD in Law and Regulation requires university studies in the field of legal studies
  • are fluent in English
  • have an outstanding academic record
  • are highly motivated to study at one of the world's best research business schools

Previous professional experience is not a requirement but may be a plus depending on the specialization.

PhD in Law and Regulation:

We welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities who

  • hold a university degree (Bachelor or Master) in the field of legal studies
  • are fluent in English
  • have an outstanding academic record
  • are highly motivated to study at one of the world's best research business schools.

Previous professional experience is not a requirement but may be a plus depending on the specialization.

When to apply

Preparing an application for a PhD Program is a long process. It takes time to complete the online application, write your statement of purpose (SoP) and don't forget to contact your two referees as soon as possible. Preparing the GMAT or GRE test may also take time. 

To give a maximum of chance for applicants to submit an outstanding and complete application, we have decided to hold two admissions sessions. Note that there is no difference whether you apply in the first or second round.  

Admissions Calendar

Round I

  • Opening of the System: July 1, 2023
  • Application deadline: December 18, 2023 (preferred deadline). January 3, 2024 (latest deadline)

Round II

  • Opening of the System: January 9, 2024
  • Application deadline: April 22,  2024. 

The decision 

You will be informed whether or not you have been invited to the interview phase 3 - 4 weeks after the application deadline

You will be informed whether you have been accepted on the programme or not 1-2 weeks after an interview

 



How to apply

by using the online platform, which you can reach by clicking on the 'Apply' button at the top of the this page. Note that we do not accept any application or document sent by email or by post. 

The selection is a 2 phase process:

  1. Evaluation of applications and selection of shortlisted applicants. The shortlist is published approximately 2 - 3 weeks after the application deadline.
  2. Interview of shortlisted applicants (in-person or online). Admission results are published within 5 - 6 weeks after the application deadline.

A complete application should include the following:

  • Degree certificate(s) or current enrollment certificate
  • All official academic transcripts obtained in a higher education institution (Bachelor and Master if applicable) 
  • Personal statement motivating your choice of pursuing a PhD (SoP)
  • Résumé (CV)
  • Optional Research material that may support your application (dissertation, paper, research work, ...)
  • GMAT or GRE official test score report *   **
  • TOEFL or IELTS or Cambridge test score report ***
  • 2 completed online reference forms from professors
  • Proof of ID
  • Non-refundable application fee of €60.

Business studies and professional experience cannot waive the management test requirement.
Applicants from  HEC Paris and IPP  currently enrolled in a pre-experience program, may apply for a special exemption from the management test. To apply for exemption, please send your CV and academic transcripts to the PhD Office at least 4 weeks before the chosen application deadline. Note that the exemption is not automatic but conditional on approval by the PhD Program Director based on the excellence of the grade transcript.

** The PhD in Law and Regulation does not require a management test. No need to apply for exemption. 

Please use the below HEC Paris codes to order your score report(s):
GMAT: 0TL-6C-99
GRE: 0795
TOEFL: 3306

*** English test exemption is granted to:

  • Native English speakers: A proof must be uploaded in your application
  • Applicants who studied a university degree of minimum two years in English may apply for exemption. Please submit your résumé (CV )and a proof of English taught university studies (certificate, transcript, ...) to the PhD Office.

 

PhD in Law and Regulation

Specific information and additional requirements:

  • Applicants must choose their track (3 year track or 5 year track) according to their academic background (see here for more information)
  • Applicants benefit from a Management Test score exemption 
  • 3 year track: This track is open to applicants holding a master degree in Law. An additional short proposal on the envisaged PhD project or area (max 3 pages) is required.

 

Ask a question

 

We welcome applicants from any field with a strong desire
to pursue an academic career and who are curious, eager to
learn and to explore new ideas.

Johan Hombert,
Director of the HEC PhD program

 

The HEC PhD program offers PhD Students from other universities to spend time at HEC Paris as a visiting student researcher or to join one of our Block Seminars. This is a unique opportunity to study and network with HEC PhD Students and Faculty.

The HEC Paris PhD Program offers an attractive series of block seminars open to PhD students from all over the world.

The HEC Paris PhD program welcomes PhD students from other universities who wish to benefit from courses, seminars and individual supervision by the professor who is the primary host.