Frequently Asked Questions
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Although we strive to give you the most complete information on this web site, following are some of the most common questions we hear from our applicants.
If you think of something else you would like to know, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Information about the program
The HEC Paris PhD Program is built on a strategy of excellence in PhD instruction and placement success. It is a small and intensive program aiming to attract outstanding students with the highest level of ambition. Only between 10 and 12 students are enrolled every year and 1 to 4 in each area of specialization. The rigorous selection process and the small number of students admitted into the program ensure that we attracts high-calibre students.
Selectivity, demanding and intensive course training, close supervision, and full immersion in the research activities are cornerstones of HEC Paris’ philosophy in PhD training. HEC Paris is also pursuing a successful policy of encouraging academic exchanges with the world’s best business schools and research presentations in the leading conferences.
HEC Paris’ international, research-driven, young and yet renowned faculty is a key ingredient of success in our PhD Program. HEC faculty members are publishing many research articles in top research journals every year, and are active in all domains of research in management. The depth and quality of HEC Paris PhD course offer ensures that PhD students receive the training needed to carry out research at the forefront of their field.
As one of the oldest and top business schools in the world, HEC Paris has been successful in placing its PhDs in many leading business schools worldwide. They work in faculty positions in Europe, the United States and Canada, Latin America, Asia and Australia/Oceania. Some alumni also take up academic positions in economics departments, research organizations, or engineering schools.
While 90% of our recent PhDs pursue an academic career, some choose to pursue a career in government or international institutions or consulting where the skills acquired during the PhD are highly valued.
Learn more about placement here.
A successful PhD requires intensive training and comprehensive knowledge on research methods and current research trends. PhD students devote their entire first year to coursework, and a substantial part or most of their second year. Required course work in the second year vary by area of specialization. During this first year, PhD students will learn theoretical foundations, receive state-of-the-art methodological training and acquire knowledge about key insights and research findings at the frontiers of their field. HEC Paris faculty devote a considerable part of their time to training PhD students.
During the second year, PhD students will work on their thesis proposal. The thesis proposal is defended at the end of the year front of faculty from their area of specialization. With the help of their supervisors and other faculty members, they will define the most promising questions and avenues for their research ideas, and determine the research design.
Year three to five is dedicated to working on their research, presenting papers at conferences, enrich their research knowledge by spending time abroad in an international university, prepare their job market paper and of course the defense of their thesis.
The program is designed for five years although few students are able to complete their thesis within four years. As in most leading PhD programs in management, this is the time students need to prepare for the academic job market, advance their research vita (publications, working papers, and presentations) to maximize their chances for a high-profile faculty placement.
The HEC Paris PhD Program offers only one entry per year, in early September.
All our professors hold an international PhD and a large majority are international. Thus, HEC professors and staff members communicate exclusively in English.
To align with the international standards, the language of instruction is 100% English. Thus, we require that all candidates when they apply must prove proficiency of English by submitting the TOEFL, IELTS or the Cambridge exam.
Knowledge of French is not required. For interested students we offer optional French language courses and many obtain a very good level.
Score requirements:
Toefl: 100 IBT
Ielts: 7.5
Exemption: English natives and applicants who studied their university degrees (bachelor and master 100% in English).
When you live an study in a foreign country is it important to learn the local language not only to speak but also to understand the culture and customs.
Therefore, we offer all PhD students who do not speak French (from beginner to proficiency level) to register for the French language course. They can join the course during the entire program.
HEC Paris Learning Center of Languages is also the perfect place to learn or strengthen French and many other languages.
A majority of our successful PhD students go on an academic visit in another top business school or research department. Most of these visits take place during the 3rd and 4th year of the PhD studies. Such visits are very flexible and vary a lot in length (in general between 3 and 12 months). Students receive additional financial support for research visits. Every year, HEC Paris also receives around 3 to 5 visiting PhD students from other schools and departments around the world.
See more info on which universities the students join here.
To build your personal research network it is essential to join international conferences, in general between year 3 and 5. Students receive financial support for conferences under the condition that they present a paper. The PhD program also finances Job Market events.
No, we do not offer any online program.
It is not possible to combine a PhD with work, and we do not offer courses via distance learning. Admitted PhD students must be fully dedicated to the program. In addition to the tuition fee waiver and scholarship, Teaching Assistant (TA) and Research Assistant (RA) positions are available to our PhD students, though participation in these roles is optional.
The PhD office can provide guidance or contacts for student housing, either on or near campus, or in Paris
Yes, on-campus accommodation is available particularly for the first two years. After that, doctoral students are expected to move to off-campus housing. However, it is important to noted that on-campus accommodation is limited and cannot be guaranteed. The annual scholarship includes a budget for accommodation, which is disbursed periodically.
The HEC PhD program is a five-year full-time study program. The first two years are dedicated exclusively to core and advanced courses, while the remaining three years focus on research, the completion of the doctoral dissertation, and the job market search. Throughout the program, PhD students will also prepare for teaching, develop essential soft skills, and undergo annual performance reviews to progress to the next academic year. For more information, please visit
No, if admitted, you must follow the entire 5-year program. The HEC PhD Program is a two-phase, five-year curriculum. It begins with an integrated two-year Master in Management Sciences (MMS) program, followed by three years of doctoral studies within the Doctoral School at Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IPP). The program cannot be separated. ONLY the Law & Regulation program offers two admission options: a 5-year track and a 3-year track. For more information, please visit the website
The PhD program officially begins on the first working day of September. During this time, first-year PhD students will arrive on campus for orientation week and pre-coursework. It is strongly recommended that newly admitted PhD students keep the second half of August free, as they may be required to arrive earlier.
The PhD program is taught entirely in English, and knowledge of French is not a requirement for admission or studying on the program.
My profile
Build on a strategy of excellence, the HEC Paris PhD Program aims to attract outstanding students with clear ambition to become top researchers in international academic institutions.
If you are passionate by research and wish to take the step from research consumer to research producer and join the world of academia, yes you are fit for the program.
We welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities, who are fluent in English and who have an outstanding academic record.
A university degree in a specific field is not required but applicants must hold a Master's or equivalent (sciences, engineering, .). Previous professional experience is not a requirement but may be a plus depending on the specialization.
No, there is no age limit to apply for the program. The average age is 29.
Yes. No specific professional experience is required to join the HEC Paris PhD Program.
If you are considering pursuing a PhD after your master’s and have a choice between a research-focused master’s and a more professionally-oriented one, it is generally a good idea to choose the research master’s. There are two key advantages to this approach. First, a research master’s allows you to save time, as the research-oriented courses you take will provide valuable content that accelerates your PhD training. Second, for selective schools like HEC Paris, a research master’s can be a positive factor in your application, as it demonstrates that you are familiar with conducting research, understand what is required, and are capable of learning the necessary skills.
That said, a research master’s is not a requirement. Students can always acquire the necessary research-oriented coursework during the PhD program itself.
Our PhD students come from a diverse range of academic backgrounds, holding master’s degrees in fields such as research, finance, economics, management, political science, engineering, law, and more.
See above. Adding to this, the HEC Paris PhD Program is open to candidates holding a Master’s degree. A research master’s is not a requirement. While excelling in a top-tier research master’s program is one way to demonstrate your potential, there are many other pathways to do so. The most important admission criterion is the potential you demonstrate for developing innovative ideas and conducting high-level research.
What is a research master’s? Many universities and schools, particularly in Europe, offer research master’s degrees, sometimes referred to as MRes or MPhil (these are typically "taught" master’s programs, focused on intensive coursework). These programs provide research training, some of which is continued during the PhD. The balance of research training between the master’s and PhD varies from institution to institution, and this is also the case at HEC Paris.
My Application
At HEC Paris we apply the online application system. Therefore, we will not accept any application or document sent by email or by post.
Please refer to the Admissions page for more information on the process.
Most top PhD programs have application deadlines in January or earlier, but many candidates are not ready with their application material at that time, especially in Europe where many programs generally have later deadlines in May or in June. For this reason, we have decided to offer two admission rounds in January and in April.
Please visit the Admissions page to check the deadline calendar.
Candidates who are ready in January can receive early notification about their admission to the program, whereas candidates that need more time to prepare their application can take advantage of the late deadline in April.
There is no difference in the chances of admission between both deadlines. We apply strictly the same criteria, and the quality of the admitted candidates is the same. Thus, if you are ready in January, there is no reason to defer your application, but also no penalty when you do so.
Most of the time applications have a interest and motivation in joining a specific specialization but sometimes it happens that they hesitate between two similar options.
Therefore, we have decided to give applicants the opportunity to apply for a second specialization, by order of priority. If not admitted to the first choice of specialization your application will automatically be transferred to your second option. You are required to add a second personal statement letter to your online application.
The application fee is set at €60 and can be paid online through the application portal. For alternative payment methods, please contact us at doctorat@hec.fr. It is important to note that the application fee is non-refundable. While we empathize with individual circumstances, we regret to inform you that we do not provide waivers for the application fee.
HEC Paris receives a substantial volume of applications annually, and only fully completed online submissions will be reviewed. However, in exceptional cases, we may accept unofficial test scores for candidates with test dates very close to the application deadline.
No, you cannot submit multiple applications within the same recruitment year. If your application has been rejected, you may reapply for the following intake. However, it is advisable only if significant enhancements are made to your application materials, such as improved GMAT/GRE score, additional exceptional degrees, research papers or other notable academic achievements.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
General Questions
While you may believe that all essential information has been included in your online application, this might not always be the case. Hence, we recommend utilizing the statement of purpose to provide a clear portrayal of your identity, which might not be fully evident from the rest of your application. Articulate your intellectual journey and driving motivations behind pursuing a PhD and a career in research. Convey why you are a deserving candidate and what sets you apart.
Typically, letters of recommendation should be provided by faculty- members, scholars or advisors who can evaluate your academic background, research capabilities, and potential for teaching. While non-academic recommendations are permitted, it is important to note that they may not hold the same level of influence as academic endorsements.
No, selecting a supervisor or contacting them prior to applying for the program is not required.
Formal research experience is not mandatory for application. Many of our students join directly from undergraduate programs, using their undergraduate thesis as their primary research experience. Others come from industry backgrounds without formal research experience. What matters most is an understanding of academic research and the commitment needed to succeed, which can be demonstrated through various forms of research exposure.
To apply for the HEC Paris PhD program, it is important that your research interests align with the program's focus. Please visit our HEC Faculty & Research website at to review the CVs, research interests, and publications of our faculty members. This will help you identify the right faculty member who matches your research interests.
You may mention this review in your statement of purpose, including the name of a preferred professor if you have one. Please note that while we do not require applicants to find their own supervisor, mentioning a preferred professor may be helpful during the selection process.
Management Test Questions
The GMAT or GRE tests help us to evaluate the applicant’s analytical capabilities, which are essential for a successful career in research. There is no minimum required test score, but successful candidates typically have scores in the top quartile of the distribution. On average admitted candidates have a GMAT score of around 700 and a GRE score around 325.
At HEC Paris, none of our Programs offer waivers for GRE or GMAT scores. Additionally, the PhD Program mandates a management test for all candidates which cannot be exempted based on prior professional or research experience.
To complete your application, you must submit either a GMAT or GRE test score. Please note that we only accept test scores from the last 5 years
GMAT: Administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). For preparation resources and to find the nearest test center, visit the GMAT web-site.
GRE: Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). For preparation resources and to find the nearest test center, visit the ETS web-site.
To complete your application, you must submit an official GMAT or GRE score that is less than five years old.
GMAT: instruct Pearson VUE to send your official GMAT scores directly to the HEC Paris PhD Program using the code 0TL-6C-99.
In addition, please upload your personal score results to your application.
Please note that the above test scores are valid for 5 years.
There are no minimum required or cut-off scores for applying to the HEC Paris PhD Program. We accept applicants with a wide range of scores. If you have taken a test multiple times, the Admissions Committee will consider only your highest score when reviewing your application.
No. At minimum, your unofficial score, available on the test date, must be uploaded to your application form by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
No, we do not accept unofficial GMAT or GRE test scores. You are advised to wait until your application is complete, including the official management test scorecard (test taker copy) before submitting. If by the deadline date, you have not received your official score results, we will exceptionally accept your unofficial GMAT or GRE score provided on the day of the test or a screenshot of your GMAT or GRE score from the respective websites. Once the official scores are available, they must be scanned and sent via email to doctorat@hec.fr. Please note that the HEC admissions team takes no responsibility for updating non-communicated scores.
We recommend that you take the GMAT and GRE/TAGE MAGE test at least two weeks in advance of submitting your application.
No, we accept either of the above-mentioned tests without any preference.
Our policy requires that applicants submit GMAT or GRE scores that are no more than five years old. Scores that do not meet this requirement will be considered invalid and will not be reviewed.
We accept the GRE General Test at home, and the GMAT Online Exam and the new test formats for the GMAT® (Focus Edition) and GRE® (Shorter General Test) for admissions. Please check with GMAC and ETS for the tests' terms and conditions and availability in your city.
English Test Questions
The HEC PhD Program is conducted entirely in English.
Proficiency in English is crucial for a successful international research career in management. Therefore, we utilize the TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English language tests to assess applicants’ language skills. No other language tests will be considered.
Applicants who have completed a minimum of two years of university education in English are eligible for exemption. To apply for exemption, please contact the PhD office with your CV, transcripts, and English proficiency certification from the relevant institution(s).
Native English speakers are automatically exempt from the proficiency test. You can proof of your English-speaking nationality by uploading your ID or passport with your application.
To complete your application, you must submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score that is less than two years old. TOEFL: Order a copy of your score sheet for the HEC Paris PhD office through your local center.
Code number: 3306
After receving your TOEFL results, please add your personal test report form to your application.
IELTS: Before taking the test, nominate HEC Paris School of Management as your score test receiver institution on the IELTS Application Form
Fill in the receiver's information as follows:
Name of person/department: PhD Program/Admissions Office
Name of institution/agency/body/employer: HEC Paris School of Management
Address: 1, rue de la Libération, 78351 Jouy en Josas CEDEX, France
After receiving your IELTS results, please add your personal test report on your application. By uploading your score in your application, you give us permission to verify the result. For more information, please visit the IELTS web-site.
Cambridge tests: Upload your personal score report oto your application. By sharing this information, you give us permission to verify the result. For more information please visit the Cambridge test web-site.
TOEFL: 100 IBT
IELTS: 7.5-
Cambridge: C2
No, we accept any of the above mentioned tests without any preference.
No, our policy requires that applicants submit an English test no more than two years old. Scores that do not meet thisrequirement will be considered invalid and will not be reviewed.
We accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Please check with ETS for the tests' terms and conditions and availability in your city.
Degrees & Transcripts Questions
No, a Master's degree is not required for admission to the HEC PhD program. The minimum requirement for admission is a bachelor's degree.
Yes, the TOEFL test is automatically waived if your master's degree was taught in English and was two years in length. Your degree transcripts will serve as proof of the waiver.
Yes, we accept applicants who are in their final year of undergraduate studies or in their last year of a master’s degree. In the application form, please provide a certificate of enrollment along with the latest official transcript.
Yes, applicants must submit an official English translation of their non-English transcripts, certified by a third party. Please upload e-copies of these official documents to the online application portal.
No. There is no minimum GPA requirement to apply. We consider variances in grading systems from around the world.
On your application, for each degree, enter your grade using the grading scale fromyour institution, as reflected on your transcript (ex : 3/4, 7.1/10, 82/100, first class, second upper class, etc.). If transcript does not include an average, you will need to calculate it yourself.