FAQ
Summer School
- For FAQs about our Summer programs click here
- For FAQs about the Youth Leadership Initiative click here
Summer Programs
HEC Paris Summer Programs are intensive two-week courses taught entirely in English. All participants are expected to be proficient in English as you will be working and socializing with an international cohort.
In order to benefit in full from the experience, both inside and outside of the classroom, applicants should be able to understand spoken language with relative ease and express themselves fluently and spontaneously. An overall CEFR level C1 is therefore required, including level C1 specifically in the Speaking and Listening components.
One of the following documents can be provided to fulfill the English language requirement:
- Evidence of mother tongue* (e.g. passport)
- Evidence of English as the language of instruction of your current / most recent degree (e.g., transcript/certificate of enrolment) or
- English language proficiency test score report (TOEFL or TOEIC or IELTS or Cambridge or Duolingo)
If you have any question as to the acceptability of an English language report, please contact the Admissions Team at admissionsummerschool@hec.fr.
* The status of native speaker (English mother tongue) applies to citizens (passport holders) from a majority English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom) who are automatically considered to meet the minimum English language requirement. Please simply upload a copy of your passport to the relevant field.
In certain cases, the Admissions team can also grant a phone/ visio interview to evaluate English language proficiency. Please note that if we require an interview for English language evaluation purposes, the application decision can take longer.
Applications will open towards the end of each calendar year. Candidates who have pre-registered will be informed when applications open so that they can submit their application shortly afterwards. Note that eligible candidates will be accepted on a rolling basis so we advise candidates to apply early. Please check below for questions on Eligibility.
The Admissions team will strive to get back to all applicants quickly. Applicants will receive admission results within three weeks after having successfully submitted their application.
Please note that if we require an interview for English language evaluation purposes, the application decision can take longer.
The Summer School welcomes diverse participant profiles. Participants included university-level students, recent graduates and young professionals up to the age of 30 who are seeking to discover a new domain. The Summer School regularly includes participants from over 50 nationalities, often with over 20 in any one classroom.
The summer pedagogy is designed to take into account differences of age and experience. The average participant is 22 years old. At minimum, participants must be 19 years of age at the start of the program and have at least one year of post-high school studies under their belt.
Summer Programs are open to participants from all domains and who are seeking a high-level academic experience, whether the topic is a new or familiar one. In addition to the English language requirement, there are also pre-requisites for the Finance Programs.
Please note that we take an advisory-based approach to your application, so given your background, the team may recommend an alternative program.
Eligibility for Finance Programs:
Corporate Finance
This introductory level program offers an overall view of Finance. It is suitable for beginning level business or economics students, and participants from another domain who are interested in adding Finance skills to their profile.
The program also welcomes applicants with experience in the field, who are seeking to refresh their skills, and to gain concrete real-life applications.
Investment Banking & International Finance
Sustainable Finance & Investment
These intermediate programs welcome motivated, ambitious participants with at least 2 years of undergraduate studies in a related field, such as Economics, Corporate Finance or Accounting, at the time of the program. A first domain-related internship experience may be beneficial. These programs are more technical than Corporate Finance.
Students with an engineering background are also welcome to apply to the Sustainable Finance & Investment program.
Mergers and Acquisitions
This advanced program is designed for students or recent graduates who already have solid fundamental and technical knowledge in Finance and want to gain technicality and expertise. It is recommended that participants have a strong academic background in Accounting, Corporate Finance, or Economics.
Participants can also be considered eligible if they have attended in one of the following HEC Paris Summer School Programs:
‐ Corporate Finance or
‐ Investment Banking and International Finance
FinTech
This introductory level program welcomes participants with an interest in the FinTech field and strong motivation to explore the economic model behind FinTech companies and the new technologies that are shaping the world of Finance. A background in Finance or Economics may be beneficial to gain maximum benefit from the program. However, there are no formal academic pre-requisites.
Summer Programs are only offered in June and July.
However, we are introducing online certificate programs at other moments of the year. Check this page for these new opportunities.
Summer Programs are intensive two-week programs on campus. They involve classes, individual and group work and will be full-time. Participants select one program maximum per session.
Participants should carefully choose programs of interest when applying. Once admitted to a program, changes cannot be accepted.
Yes, participants are required to obtain insurance for the duration of their stay at HEC Paris. Insurance should include health coverage, including repatriation, and personal liability coverage. When you sign the Terms of Sale you agree to procuring this coverage.
We recommend that you select an insurance that suits your budget and your needs, perhaps through your bank or credit card provider. There are also many insurance companies that offer international student travel insurance online.
Full payment of the program fees is required within fourteen days after receiving official notice of program admission in order to confirm your place in the program. Payment occurs online by credit card. Wire transfers can also be accepted.
Please plan your program application date accordingly and in the time period when you will be prepared to make payment. Please contact the admissions office should you have difficulty for any reason.
Payment of the €50 fee per application occurs by credit card at the time of the online application. Please note that this fee is non-refundable.
Students attending HEC Paris partner institutions are exempt from the application fee if the application is made before the indicated deadline.
A participant has fourteen (14) days from the day of program payment to withdraw. In such a case, HEC Paris will reimburse all academic fees paid to HEC Paris in the course of the agreement, unless the withdrawal request is received on or after the start of the Program.
Any such request to withdraw a participant’s registration must be sent by email to Elyse Michaels-Berger at summerteam@hec.fr. Students will then be asked to indicate by online signature, their request to withdrawal.
The above information is included within the Terms of Sale. All participants are required to read and agree to the Terms of Sale, provided in full at the time of purchase.
Students may consider taking additional insurance to cover their potential cancellation, including for medical reasons, after the above cited withdrawal period.
The Summer Program is a full-time program, so you should plan any professional or other personal obligation outside of day-time program hours. Detailed schedules will be provided prior to program start.
100% attendance is strongly recommended for successful program completion. In the case of exceptional absence, missing a class does not exempt participants from preparation for the following session. All participants are expected to stay informed of work and assignments.
Evening work with other participants should be anticipated as part of class participation.
All students should plan to arrive on campus on the first Monday morning for check-in.
Please plan all return travel after 7 pm on the last Friday or as of the Saturday morning by 10 am following the program close. Students who are not present for the final exam or final student presentations will not earn credit.
100% participation (other than justified absences) is mandatory to obtain the Summer Certificate of Attendance and HEC Paris course transcript. Please consult the HEC Paris Summer School Academic Guidelines for further details.
Student readings are provided in eletronic copy. If students wish to purchase additional recommended books, this is at their own charge.
Programs culminate in final projects and/or team presentations.
HEC Paris Summer Programs are intensive, leading to the award of 5 ECTS credits over a two-week period. Students are required to attend all classes and participate in groupwork to earn credits.
For eligible credit transfer, students should verify with their home institution that any credits earned will be applicable.
Summer School students who successfully validate the program will earn a smart digital certificate upon program grading by the fall. This can be shared with schools or potential employers in a secured, digital format.
Only verified digital certificates are provided upon successful program completion. A paper copy of the certificate will not be provided.
An electronic copy of transcripts and the Certificate will be made available to students via a secure server at the end of September.
Students are encouraged to bring a laptop computer. If needed, there are computer rooms available to students on campus.
All Summer School students will have full access to the HEC Learning Center. The HEC Paris Learning Center welcomes you online 24/7 and is one of the richest in Europe in terms of business and finance resources. As part of the Summer School programs, all students will benefit from a tutorial on how to access library resources for their coursework and any research needs.
Participant evaluation criteria is communicated in each syllabus. Criteria can include the following elements: attendance, participation, individual and/or group work, final exam / presentation.
All HEC Summer School participants will have access to the fitness room and gymnasium as well as tennis courts, football fields, indoor and outdoor basketball courts. Tennis rackets and tennis balls are not provided; please plan to bring these with you.
HEC Paris has an on-campus student restaurant, a restaurant, two cafeterias where you can find a selection of food and drinks. There is also a supermarket a stone's throw from campus. Each student room is equipped with a kitchenette (fridge, hotplates, microwave oven).
Learning occurs both inside and outside of the classroom. An important component of the HEC Paris Summer School is teamwork that takes place after classroom hours. To fully benefit from your academic experience and HEC Paris campus life, located approximately 50 minutes outside of Paris, participants are encouraged to reside in on-campus residences. Housing will be guaranteed for all participants if the reservation is made at the same time as your program confirmation.
2025 Residential Fees follow:
· One Summer School session: €510 (12 nights)
· Two Summer School sessions: €1,020 (26 nights)
Participants who opt to reside off-campus are responsible for arranging their own transportation to campus in order to arrive in time for morning classes.
!! Please note that housing arrangements may differ for our dual programs with TUM and EHL.
All rooms are recently renovated single rooms equipped with a kitchenette, including a fridge, double hotplate, microwave oven and a sink. Each room also has a private shower and bathroom. The HEC Residence provides sheets for the duration of the summer stay. Soap, shampoo and toothpaste are the responsibility of each participant. Note that rooms do not include irons or hair dryers. Please plan accordingly.
!! Please note that housing arrangements may differ for our dual programs with TUM and EHL.
Check-in at the Residence occurs Monday morning of each program start from 9 am to 12 pm. The Summer team will be present to welcome you then. Please note that the rooms are not available before the Monday morning. If you arrive in France earlier, you are responsible for finding alternative accommodation until program start. There is a Best Western hotel adjacent to the campus.
Check-out of the Residence is requested by 10 am on the Saturday following your program close. If you are attending more than one consecutive summer school program, there is no need to check-out between programs. You may however be asked to switch rooms between periods.
!! Please note that times for check-in and check-out may differ for our dual programs with TUM and EHL.
HEC Paris is fully equipped to host students with disabilities. Upon acceptance into the program, students needing special assistance should contact summer admissionsummerschool@hec.fr.
The French government website states that persons entering France to take part in short training programs not exceeding 90 days require a Short-Stay Visa. A study visa is not required.
In addition, all international students are expected to verify requirements with their local French consulate for any country-specific details and plan accordingly.
All students who confirm their place and make full payment of their tuition fees will be sent a digital Certificate of Enrolment which can be used for visa application purposes.
In addition, if the admitted candidate selects the option of on-campus housing, they will also receive a Housing Certificate.
Both documents should be submitted with your visa application.
Yes, students are required to obtain travel insurance for the duration of their stay at HEC Paris. Insurance should include the following elements:
- Health insurance
- Medical expenses
- Personal liability or third party insurance (often covered by the home insurance policy)
- Repatriation (if family is living outside France)
When you sign the Terms of Sale, you agree that you are responsible for procuring the necessary insurance. There is no need, nor the possibility, to upload anything on the portal. It is your full responsibility and in the absence of the relevant insurance, you will be required to cover any expenses incurred.
The HEC Paris campus is located just outside of Paris in Jouy-en-Josas and accessible both from major airports (Orly and Roissy) and from center Paris. Please consult the Campus Access page here. Please contact us if you have any questions about how to reach the campus. Our team will be pleased to help you.
All rooms at HEC Paris are recently renovated single rooms equipped with small kitchenette, including a fridge, double hotplate, microwave oven and a sink. Basic cooking utensils will also be provided. Each room has a private shower and bathroom.
The HEC Residence provides you with bedding, sheets and towels for the duration of your stay. Soap, shampoo and toothpaste are the responsibility of each student. Note that rooms do not include irons or hair dryers. Please plan accordingly.
!! Please note that housing arrangements may differ for our dual programs with TUM and EHL.
Check-in at the Residence occurs Monday morning of each program start from 9 am to 12 pm. The Summer team will be present to welcome you then. Please note that the rooms are not available before the Monday morning. If you arrive in France earlier, you are responsible for finding alternative accommodation until program start. You might like to take the opportunity to explore nearby Versailles or spend a night in Paris. A free shuttle bus will be organized from Paris on the first day of the program. See the next FAQ for more details. There is also the Best Western Saclay hotel adjacent to the campus.
Check-out of the Residence is requested by 9 am at the latest on the Saturday following your program close. If you are attending more than one consecutive summer school program, there is no need to check-out between programs. You may however be asked to switch rooms between periods. Participants are responsible for organizing their own transport at the end of the program.
!! Please note that times for check-in and check-out may differ for our programs with TUM and EHL.
The HEC Paris campus is located just outside of Paris in Jouy-en-Josas and accessible both from major airports (Orly and Roissy) and from central Paris.
As a summer school student, you are expected to organize your own transportation to and from campus. A free shuttle bus will be proposed to all incoming students on the first day of the program. It will depart from Central Paris (metro station Denfert Rochereau) at 10am sharp on the Monday morning of the program start. This will enable participants arriving before program begin to enjoy Paris and travel to campus on the first day of classes. A registration link for this shuttle bus will be sent to all admitted participants at the end of May.
If you are coming directly to HEC Paris on the Monday morning, please consult the Campus Access page here for full details on how to reach campus.
Youth Leadership Initiative
Applications for the next edition will open in March.
Candidates are invited to pre-register their interest for next summer. They will then be alerted when the application portal opens.
Applicants will be invited to submit their application for consideration at their earliest convenience, knowing that places will be allocated on a rolling basis.
Applicants will be informed of decisions within 3 weeks of submitting their application and families will then have 14 days to confirm their place and pay their tuition fees.
Participants include high school-level students from 15 to 18 years old (at program start) of all nationalities who are proficient in English as this is the language of tuition. Proof of proficiency will be requested as part of the application process. In exceptional cases, the Admissions Office may grant a telephone interview to confirm the level of English.
The Youth Leadership Initiative takes place in July. If you are interested in another time period, please let us know by contacting us at youthleadership@hec.fr.
The HEC Paris Youth Leadership Initiative is an intensive one-week program held in English. All students are expected to be proficient in English.
The following elements fulfill the English language requirement:
- Evidence (e.g., transcript/school report) of schoolwork completed in the English language or
- English language proficiency test score report (such as TOEFL or TOEIC or IELTS or Cambridge or Duolingo) or
- Letter of Recommendation from the applicant's English teacher, indicating the CEFR level overall of the applicant, and specifically in Speaking and Listening.
In certain cases, students may be invited for a phone interview with an admissions counselor to verify English language proficiency.
If you have any question, please contact the Admissions Team at admissionsummerschool@hec.fr.
The HEC Paris campus is located just outside of Paris in Jouy-en-Josas and is accessible both from major airports (Orly and Roissy) and from the center of Paris. Please see directions here or contact us with any questions.
Please see here for full admissions requirements.
Yes, students will be required to obtain insurance for the duration of their stay at HEC Paris. Insurance should include medical coverage and personal liability, as well as repatriation coverage for students coming from outside France.
The HEC Paris Youth Leadership admission team assesses the Youth Leadership Initiative independently and as such, no preferential advantage for any other program at HEC is afforded. Nonetheless, attending the Youth Leadership Initiative will allow you to gain an insight and familiarity with the HEC Paris campus.
We recommend that students wear comfortable clothing and make sure they have adapted shoes as there will be outdoor activities. There is no official dress code for the Youth Leadership Initiative; however, we encourage students to bring one business casual outfit for the final day.
Payment of a €30 non-refundable application fee occurs by credit card when submitting online application.
A limited number of €200 merit-based scholarships is available. To be considered for one of these scholarships, please submit an additional personal statement under the Essays section of your application, outlining the reasons why you merit such a scholarship.
Full payment is required within fourteen days after receiving positive admissions results.
Payment occurs online by credit card. Bank transfers can also be accepted.
A participant has a retraction period of fourteen (14) days from the day of confirmation to withdraw from the program. In such a case, HEC Paris will reimburse all refundable sums paid to HEC Paris in the course of the agreement, unless the withdrawal request is received on or after the start of the Program.
Any request to withdraw a participant’s registration must be sent by email to Ms. Elyse Michaels-Berger at youthprograms@hec.fr, including bank details for reimbursement, or by regular mail to the following address:
HEC Paris
Elyse Michaels-Berger
Director, Youth Leadership Initiative
1 rue de la Libération
78351 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex
France
The above information is included within the Terms of Sale. All participants are required to agree to the Terms of Sale, provided in full at the time of purchase.
Students may consider taking additional insurance to cover their potential cancellation, including for medical reasons, after the above cited withdrawal period.
The program is held on the HEC Paris campus in Jouy-en-Josas, 25 km from Paris. It is accessible both from major airports (Orly and Roissy) and from the center of Paris or Versailles. Please see directions here.
All students should plan to arrive on campus on each morning between 8am and 8.30am. Classes will start at 8.30am.
Classes end each day at 6.30pm. Students should plan to leave campus between 6.30pm and 7pm.
On the last day (Friday) please plan for departure at 7pm.
All travel arrangements should be made accordingly.
100% participation (other than justified absences) is mandatory to obtain the Youth Leadership Certificate of Attendance.
No, all class materials will be provided.
The Youth Leadership Initiative is a non-credit awarding program. Each student will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the program.
There is a cash distributor machine on campus at the welcome desk behind the HEC gift shop. Other than for purchases at the Gift Shop, students should not require additional money since the program includes food costs, including daily afternoon snacks.
No pocket money is required. However, students might wish to purchase items from the HEC Gift Shop.
The HEC Paris campus is located just outside of Paris in Jouy-en-Josas and is accessible both from major airports (Orly and Roissy) and from the center of Paris. Please see directions here or contact us with any questions.
All international students are expected to verify requirements with their local French consulate and plan accordingly.
All students who confirm their place and make full payment of their tuition fees will be sent a digital Certificate of Enrolment which can be used for visa application purposes.
HEC Paris is fully equipped to host students with disabilities. Upon acceptance into the program, students needing special assistance should contact youthprograms@hec.fr.