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HEC Paris Ph.D. Program Guide 28 May 2026, 09:35
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HEC Paris Ph.D. Program Guide

I am starting the Ph.D. guide series to get you everything about Ph.D. programs at one place. As a matter of accuracy and authenticity, I will use only the school’s official website for any kind of information. This thread will help members at GMAT Club in getting unified information, instead of juggling multiple websites online.

Table of Content

1. Introduction
2. Research Areas
3. Program Structure
4. Ph.D. Funding
5. Admissions
6. Application requirements
7. HEC Paris Ph.D. FAQs

Introduction

The HEC Paris PhD Program is designed for ambitious scholars seeking to shape the future of research and academia. HEC fosters a culture of curiosity and collaboration, equipping you to explore new ideas, generate knowledge, and share it with the world.

With a low student-to-faculty ratio, you benefit from personalized guidance and close supervision, working with faculty as both mentors and peers. From day one, you are immersed in intensive coursework and cutting-edge research, supported by generous resources and a vibrant network of researchers, corporate partners, and alumni.

The program prepares you for a successful academic career, with a strong emphasis on research excellence and publications in top-tier journals. HEC Paris is consistently ranked among the world’s leading business schools.

HEC Paris offers eight areas of specialization, leading to a PhD in Management, Economics, or Law and Regulation.

Research Areas

The following eight areas of research are available at HEC Paris for Ph.D. program.

  • Accounting & Management Control
  • Economics & Decision Sciences
  • Finance
  • Information Systems & Operations Management
  • Law & Regulation
  • Management & Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Strategy & Business Policy

Program Structure

The HEC Paris PhD program is a full-time program designed to prepare students for academic careers. Success in academia requires deep expertise in a specific research field, strong training in research methods, and practical experience in data collection and analysis. Students also develop essential skills in writing and presenting papers, academic networking, and publishing research.




A two-phase curriculum
The program is structured in two phases:

• Year 1-2: Research Master Phase
• Year 3-5: Doctoral Studies Phase

Note that the Law and Regulation specialization offers a three-year track that starts directly with the doctoral studies phase.

Year 1-2: Research Master Phase
Coursework: During the first two years, students benefit from intensive coursework at the research frontier. Coursework includes:

  • Foundation courses in management and/or economics.
  • Foundation courses in research methods, including econometrics, statistics, machine learning, experimental design, and qualitative methods.
  • Specialization courses that offer state-of-the-art training in the chosen areas of specialization. These courses represent the bulk of courses over the first two years.
  • Elective courses.
  • Professional development workshops on topics such as academic writing, research reproducibility, academic publishing, and pedagogy.
  • Optional French language courses throughout the PhD program.

Research: From the first year, students start working on their research under the guidance of their advisor. Students write and defend:
  • A Summer Paper at the end of Year 1.
  • A Research Thesis at the end of Year 2.

Year 3-5: Doctoral Studies Phase
Research & Faculty Guidance: During the doctoral studies phase, students work on their paper-based dissertation and may take additional courses. They present their research to a panel of faculty members from their department at least once a year to gather feedback and advice.

Conferences: Students are encouraged and supported to present their research at international academic conferences. The PhD program provides conference funding, including transportation, food, lodging, visa costs, and conference fees. On average, the students participate in two academic conferences annually.

Academic Visits: Most students also spend time as visiting scholars at top universities or business schools abroad. The faculty has a strong network of co-authors who work at leading research institutions around the world. They leverage this network to help PhD students secure invitations for research visits ranging from a few weeks to a full academic year. These visits present a great opportunity for students to build their academic network, collaborate with renowned faculty, receive feedback on their research, and prepare for the job market. The PhD program supports students financially by offering an additional cost-of-living scholarship, return ticket, insurance, and visa fees. Institutions visited in recent years include HBS, MIT, Wharton, Columbia, Chicago U, LSE, and more.

Job Market: HEC prepares students for the academic job market in their final year through dedicated training workshops, mock interviews, and practice job talks. The program also supports students' travel to job market events.

PhD Degree: Students defend their dissertation in the final year of the program. Depending on their area of specialization, they are awarded a PhD in Management, Economics, or Law and Regulation.

The HEC Paris PhD program is a full-time program designed to prepare students for academic careers. Success in academia requires deep expertise in a specific research field, strong training in research methods, and practical experience in data collection and analysis. Students also develop essential skills in writing and presenting papers, academic networking, and publishing research.

Ph.D. Funding

All HEC PhD students receive a cost-of-living scholarship and full tuition waiver
HEC is committed to provide the conditions that enable its students to pursue research at the highest academic level. This includes a five-year cost-of-living scholarship, full tuition waiver, and additional financial support for conference presentations, research visits, job market activities, and ad hoc research needs.

Every PhD student benefits from the below funding opportunities for up to 5 years.

Cost of living Scholarships
All students who have entered the program in 2025 receive a cost-of-living scholarship of €26,000 per year for five years, funded by the HEC Foundation. This scholarship is not tied to a research assistantship. Optional teaching assistant, research assistant, and other teaching opportunities are available and provide additional income.

Pregnancy during PhD: Completing a PhD is a long journey and should not come in the way of starting a family. At HEC Paris, female students benefit from a paid maternity leave and may receive up to six months of additional scholarship funding to complete their dissertation serenely

HEC provides a full tuition waiver to all PhD students.
Tuition Fees (2025-2026)

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
€ 30,000
€ 30,000
€ 12,000
€ 12,000
€ 12,000

Doctoral School registration fees
PhD students are required to pay registration fees to the Doctoral School (joint between HEC Paris and Institute Polytechnique de Paris) from the third year on.

In 2025/26 (subject to annual changes):
  • Registration fee: €391
  • CVEC (Contribution à la Vie Etudiante et de Campus): €103

Research Visits
HEC Paris Faculty have a strong network of co-authors who work at top business schools and leading research universities around the world. They call on this network to help PhD students receive invitations for research visits ranging from a few weeks to a full academic year. These visits present a great opportunity for students to get feedback on their dissertation papers, collaborate with renowned faculty, grow their academic network, and prepare the job market.

The PhD office supports students financially by offering an additional cost of living scholarship, return ticket, visa fees, and mandatory health insurance.

Conference Funding
The HEC Paris PhD Program offers generous support to students to present their research output at academic conferences. Conference funding includes transportation, food and lodging, visa costs, and conference fees. On average, HEC Paris students participate in two academic conferences annually.

Research Project Funding
HEC Paris provides ample funding opportunities to support PhD students’ research. These include a dedicated quarterly call for PhD research grants, as well as regular funding opportunities offered through the interdisciplinary research centers: Hi! Paris Center on Artificial Intelligence, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, and Sustainability & Organizations Institute.

Teaching, TA, RA
PhD students have ample opportunities (with no obligation) to work as teaching assistants or research assistants. These roles support your professional development by allowing you to work closely with faculty on course design, delivery, and administration, as well as on key stages of the research process such as literature reviews, coding, and data analysis. TA and RA positions help you deepen your knowledge of topics and methods that will benefit your growth as a teacher and researcher. They also offer the opportunity to earn additional income.

Admissions

Apply for the HEC PhD Program
Hec looks for high-potential, curious, and highly motivated candidates aiming for academic careers. Join HEC PhD program and become part of a vibrant community of researchers, students, corporate partners, and alumni. Benefit from close supervision and personalized guidance from world-class faculty.

Your application
You must select one specialization from the eight available areas, described here. If you are interested in two specializations, you may indicate a second choice, which will be considered independently of your first choice.
Sought After Profiles

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with an excellent academic record.
  • Fluent in English.
  • Strong motivation to conduct academic research and aim for an international academic career.
  • Prior research or industry experience is not required but can be an asset, depending on the specialization.

Timeline
Preparing a strong PhD application takes time. You will need to complete the online application, write a compelling statement of purpose, and contact two referees early. Preparing for the GMAT or GRE may also require additional time.

To give applicants the best opportunity to submit a complete and competitive application, HEC Paris offers two admissions rounds. There is no advantage to applying in Round 1 or Round 2—both are considered equally.

Round I
  • Application opens: July
  • Preferred deadline: December
  • Final deadline: January

Round II
  • Application opens: January
  • Deadline: April

Interviews & decisions
Application packages are reviewed by the faculty of the department to which you are applying. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with faculty members. Interview decisions will be communicated 3–4 weeks after the application deadline.

Admissions and waitlist decisions are communicated 1–2 weeks after the interviews.

Application requirements

  • Personal statement – A specific research topic is not required at this stage.
  • Two recommendation letters
  • Optional: Writing sample / research material that may support your application such as master thesis or research paper.
  • CV
  • Management test (GMAT or GRE).
    Exemption 1: Not required for the Law and Regulation specialization.
    Exemption 2: Applicants currently enrolled in a pre-experience program at HEC Paris or IP Paris may request a GMAT/GRE exemption. To apply, submit your CV and grade transcripts to [email protected] at least 4 weeks before the application deadline. The exemption is subject to approval by the PhD Program based on academic excellence
  • English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge)
    Exemption 1: Native English speakers.
    Exemption 2: Applicants who have completed at least two years of university studies in English may request an exemption. To apply, submit your CV and proof of English-taught studies (certificate, transcript, etc.) to [email protected].
  • Official academic transcripts – All transcripts from higher education institutions (Bachelor and Master, if applicable).
  • Degree certificate(s) or current enrollment certificate
  • Specific to the 3-Year Track in Law and Regulation: Master’s degree in Law required. A short proposal (max. 3 pages) outlining the envisaged PhD project or research area is required.
  • Non-refundable application fee – €60

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

HEC Paris Ph.D. FAQs

Click here for HEC Paris Ph.D. FAQs

Good Luck!
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