Get the Ultimate Guide
to Applying for an MBA
Download for free
Download you MBA Admissions Guide
Pursuing a master’s degree is one of the best investments you can make. Yet for many people, affording tuition at prestigious institutions is unrealistic. That’s why HEC Paris offers scholarships to provide opportunities for the brightest global talent to realize their potential.
Almost every successful person in business has had to overcome obstacles. Some more than others. For HEC Paris School of Management, empowering international talent to break through barriers and realize their potential is beneficial on three levels.
It’s good for the student; it’s good for the school; and it’s good for the world at large.
For many years, HEC Paris has been dedicated to providing scholarships that enable talented international students to pursue master’s degrees. Viktoriia Trofimova, a Recruitment & Scholarships Manager at HEC Paris, explains that there are many different HEC Paris scholarships that students can apply for.
“Students can apply to as many scholarships as they are eligible for,” she says. “However, at HEC Paris, for master’s programs, the scholarships are not cumulative. So, if you get a scholarship, it means you got a scholarship that was the most advantageous for you.” (01:09)
HEC Paris scholarships fall into two categories: merit-based scholarships and need-based scholarships.
When you apply for an HEC Paris master’s program in France, you are automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship. However, students aren’t just assessed on their academic performance. They are also judged on the strength of their application, their interview performance, and a few other aspects, as Viktoriia explains.
“There are multiple factors that we take into consideration,” she says. “Not only your GPA, but also the management task… so GMAT, GRE, or TAGE-MAGE.” (00:24)
Viktoriia also notes that the school considers the international experience of students. “So, how many languages they speak, if they’ve done some interesting exchanges,” she adds. “Professional experience is also really valued. So, if you’ve done some interesting internships, that would definitely be a plus point.” (00:38)
In addition, HEC Paris takes essays and letters of recommendation into account when assessing scholarship applications.
“Around 30% of the top students at HEC will receive some kind of scholarship,” says Viktoriia. (04:22) This figure applies only to merit-based scholarships, of which there are nine in total. HEC Paris merit-based scholarships cover up to €15,000 in tuition fees for eligible students.
All international applicants are entitled to apply for any of the five HEC Paris need-based scholarships, including the Equal Opportunity Scholarship and the Imagine Fellowship.
This scholarship supports international students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. A financial assessment is made for the Equal Opportunity Scholarship. Family and personal income are taken into account, yet students can also tell their side of the story to boost their chances.
“You have an opportunity to write an essay,” says Viktoriia. “I would say the more you go into details, the more successful the application will be. So, it’s very important that you tell us about your personal circumstances.” (01:41)
Equal Opportunity Scholarship candidates have up to 35% of their tuition fees covered.
The Imagine Fellowship is designed to offer financial aid to exceptional talent from war-affected nations. The scholarship aims to promote peace, tolerance, and diversity, all of which are central to the school’s mission and values.
To date, a total of 20 Imagine Fellows have graduated from HEC Paris. They have turned their ambitions into impact and become ambassadors for peace and positivity.
“A lot of the students who apply for Imagine come from Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine,” Viktoriia says. “We understand that, [for some], the student fees at HEC are not feasible. So, most of the Imagine students get almost 100% of the tuition fees covered.” (03:00)
Imagine Fellowship applicants are also asked to complete a 350-word essay. In their essay, they need to articulate what makes them an ambassador of business and peace, while describing the peace initiatives they would implement on the HEC Paris campus.
When it comes to writing a scholarship essay, authenticity is key. This means, of course, steering clear of using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
“A very common mistake, in the past year at least, is the overuse of AI tools,” says Viktoriia. “Students probably don’t realize how easy it is to spot that the essay was written by an AI tool.” (04:46)
As Viktoriia explains, HEC Paris places great importance on the unique voice of each student.
“Be genuine. To be honest, if you make a spelling mistake or an error in your essay, it’s not as big a deal as if your essay was completely generated by AI,” she says. “So, don’t worry about making mistakes, don’t overthink it… We want to hear your opinion, your voice, your story, and not something that was generated by AI.” (05:23)
Authenticity builds a closer connection with the scholarship committee. It also makes your story more memorable and showcases your unique perspective and ambitions.
An HEC Paris scholarship gives you the chance to fund your future and take control of your own journey. As Viktoriia points out, many students believe that they won’t be able to get a scholarship. However, the reality is that HEC Paris has a great belief in empowering students to become future leaders.
“A misconception is that it’s not worth applying,” Viktoriia says. “Sometimes, students unpreselect themselves, even without asking. They think there is no chance to get a scholarship.” (07:47)
In fact, some form of scholarship is awarded to almost half of all international master’s students. “If we take into consideration all scholarships that we grant, it’s around 40% of the cohort,” says Viktoriia. “So, the chances are pretty high.” (08:00)
So, don’t let doubt and fear hold you back. Be bold, seize the moment, and apply for an HEC Paris scholarship. Don’t forget to be true to yourself, tell your story, and reflect your unique potential.
One chance is all you need to become the author of your own story.
Want to study at HEC Paris? Take our eligibility quiz to see if you qualify!
