HEC PARIS MBA

This review was written by Nirvan Gandhi on 4th April, 2025

HEC Paris: The Most Beautiful Campus You’ll Ever Fall in Love With (But Read This Before You Apply)

First Impressions: I Went With My Wife… and We Were Sold

We didn’t go there expecting much. But by the time we left?

We were kind of just standing there, looking at each other, thinking—“Damn, this place is really something.”

HEC Paris has the most peaceful, green, and grounded campus I’ve seen. It’s not trying to be flashy. It’s not even trying to win you over. But it does. Quietly.

There’s a lake. Long walking trails. Proper campus accommodation. And a vibe that feels like college but grown-up.

And while I’m not the kind to get emotional about buildings or lawns… this one hit.

Divyanshu Jain
INSEAD (CO'25), HEC Paris Admit ($$)

A Campus That Actually Feels Like a Community

HEC isn’t in the city. It’s around 17 km outside Paris. And that’s a good thing.

The whole place is built to bring people together. Students don’t just come for classes. They live on campus, they hang out, they get tight.

Everyone I met talked about this massive tournament they’d won—and how it brought the whole school together. Students, staff, everyone was buzzing.

It’s rare to find an MBA program where people actually know each other beyond LinkedIn intros.
At HEC, it’s built into the structure.

The 16-Month Advantage: More Time, Less Panic

HEC’s MBA isn’t a 10-month blur like INSEAD.
It’s a 16-month timeline—and that makes a huge difference.

Here’s what that gives you:

A proper summer internship
Time for two recruitment cycles
Enough space to experiment or pivot

If you’re switching careers and geographies, this buffer is gold. It lets you move with strategy—not panic.

You start in January, and finish by April the next year. Enough time to go deep, explore, and still come out on time.

Let’s Talk Real: Jobs in France Are Not Easy Without French

This is where I need to be blunt.

If you don’t speak French, getting placed in France is going to be tough.
It’s not about the HEC brand—France still leans heavily toward hiring people who know the language.

So what do most international students do?

They look elsewhere:

UK (London’s consulting and product roles)
Amsterdam (huge for startups, relaxed visa policies)
Middle East (consulting + finance, solid HEC alum base)
Germany or Switzerland (depending on your industry + passport)

The good news? HEC’s career team knows this. They’ll support your international job hunt. And their alumni network is seriously strong—especially across Europe and the Middle East.

But let’s not pretend—France is not the default if you can’t speak the language.

January vs September Intake: Which One’s Better (And Why It Depends on You)

Here’s what most people don’t realize—HEC Paris actually offers two intakes each year:

One in January
One in September (not August like INSEAD)

And both come with internship opportunities. But the timeline—and what it lets you do—changes.

✅ January Intake

You finish your core courses by December
Then you can take on a 6-month internship from January to June
You graduate in June
Best if you want a deeper internship or to explore one big pivot thoroughly

✅ September Intake

You get access to internships during both summer and/or winter
Gives you the chance to explore more than one sector or geography
You still get 16 months—but split slightly differently

Either way—you’re not losing out on internships.

Clarity = January. Exploration = September.
That’s how I usually help applicants decide.

Talk to Admissions. Seriously.

Here’s one of the things that impressed me most about HEC:

Their admissions team is amazing.

I had multiple conversations with them—casual, open, helpful. They’re responsive, genuine, and truly care about fit.

If you’re planning to apply, don’t just fill the form and pray.

Book a call. Write to them. Ask your questions.
They’re the kind of team that wants to know who you are before your application hits their portal.

And yes—this helps your chances. They remember people who reach out thoughtfully.

The Interviews: Two Alumni, One Presentation (That You Better Nail)

This one’s different.

You’ll have two interviews, both conducted by alumni. And in both of them, you’ll need to deliver a presentation.

Same one both times? That’s fine. But make sure it’s:

Structured
Sharp
Personal

The topic can be your goals, an industry, a trend—doesn’t matter. What matters is how clearly you talk, how confidently you show up, and how much of you they get to see.

This isn’t a quiz. It’s a vibe-check.
I help my clients prep the storytelling part hard. Slides matter less than flow and presence.

Thinking of Starting Up? HEC Has You Covered

One of the coolest things about HEC is their tie-up with Station F, the biggest startup campus in Europe.

HEC has its own section there—F Station—where MBA founders get:

Desk space
Mentorship
Investor connects
Startup weekends and pitch nights

So if you’re even half-serious about launching something—this is real support, not brochure fluff.

Most Students Stay on Campus—and That’s a Feature, Not a Bug

Here’s something funny: even though you could stay off-campus, most students don’t.

Why? Because the housing is great.
It’s clean, close, and makes everything easier.

No long commutes. No last-minute dashes. No being disconnected from your peers.

And given the kind of community HEC builds, you actually want to be in the middle of it all.

Final Verdict: Should You Apply to HEC Paris?

Yes, if you:

Want more than 10 months to figure your next move
Like the idea of living on a real campus again
Are pivoting roles, industries, or locations
Want access to Europe + Middle East jobs
Care about people, not just placements
Have an idea for a startup (or might build one soon)

Maybe hold off if you:

Want to work in France but don’t speak French
Are aiming for the US right after your MBA
Don’t enjoy close-knit campuses or slower surroundings
Prefer fast, intense formats like INSEAD

Final Thoughts (From Someone Who Actually Walked the Campus)

I’ve been to a bunch of campuses.
Some leave you cold. Others feel too shiny.

HEC felt real.

You walk a little slower. Think a little deeper.
Talk to people who aren’t always “on.” And that stays with you.

But don't fall for the pretty trees.
Ask the hard questions—especially around jobs and geography.

Plan your story, reach out to the admissions team, prep that presentation.
Apply early. Avoid Round 3 if you can.

And if you need help getting your application strategy right?
You know where to find me.

BTW: Want to see more pics from my visit to the campus?

Scroll Below.