About HEC Paris
HEC (Hautes Etudes Commerciales) Paris is considered to be one of the “four aces” in training the French elite. Unique to France, the “Grande Ecole” concept was introduced by Napoleon so that “the best and the brightest” could be channeled into his ministries, armies, and engineering corps. HEC's School of Management is among the first business schools in Europe and the first in France to hold the Triple Crown Accreditation. HEC has a long-established tradition of welcoming international students to its lively and friendly campus: an ideal environment in which to live and learn for over 3500 students from 80 nationalities in our programs.
Stern has established an undergraduate exchange with HEC Paris during the third year (or what HEC refers to as the "foundation" year) of its five-year program. HEC Paris’s five-year program consists of two years of rigorous study that some consider equivalent to the first two years of a bachelors program. This is followed by an additional three-year program where students complete their bachelor studies and then commence their master level studies. HEC students earn a master's degree at the end of their five-year program.
Term Dates
HEC Paris offers IBEX opportunities in the fall and spring semesters.
- Fall semester: early-September to mid-December
- Spring semester: late-January to late-May
In addition to pursuing a regular fall or spring semester exchange at HEC Paris, students can consider pursuing a spring semester through the HEC Entrepreneurship Program [jump link], sponsored through the generosity of the Cagni Foundation.
- Spring Entrepreneurship Program: mid-January to late-May
Dates are approximate and may be subject to change.
HEC Entrepreneurship Program (Spring Only)
Additional important information, including in-depth descriptions/timelines for the Incubator and Launchpad components, can be found on the HEC Entrepreneurship Flyer.
1. What is the HEC Entrepreneurship Program?
This program is sponsored through the generosity of the Cagni Foundation, in partnership with NYU Stern and HEC Paris. The program allows you to gain direct entrepreneurship experience by working on a startup project with a small team of fellow students. It only takes place in the spring semester, and is open to up to three NYU Stern Undergraduate students each year. This is an English-language program, so French language experience is not required, but strongly encouraged. You must apply for the HEC Entrepreneurship program during the regular IBEX application process, approximately a year and a half before you will actually go abroad for this experience.
2. Program Components
The HEC Entrepreneurship program consists of two components – the HEC Startup Launchpad and the HEC Incubator (Station F), for a total of 16 NYU credits for the semester. The program runs from mid-January to the end of May. As a participant in the HEC Entrepreneurship program, you will need to dedicate all of your time to the program and will not be able to take other HEC courses. See below (in the Pre-Approved Courses section) for how credits from this program can transfer back to Stern.
3. Program Location & Housing
The entire Entrepreneurship program will take place in Paris—not on the HEC campus. Students will live in downtown Paris for the duration of the program. HEC will assist students with locating housing, but there is no on-campus housing available.
4. Stipend
Up to three stipends will be awarded each year, and each award is for up to $12,500 USD. Stipends are awarded via check to the recipient and are subject to applicable taxes, so final award amounts will vary.
Housing and Living Costs
- Housing: Students are offered on-campus accommodation and prices vary according to room type from €550 – 680/month. On-campus accommodation is subject to availability and not guaranteed, but off-campus housing resources are also provided.
- Food: approximately €15/day based on meals at the on-campus student restaurant
- Culture and recreation: €100 – 120/month
- Transportation: €30 – 70/month
- Insurance: approximately €215 (In France, every student under 28 years old is required to register for the French student social security insurance system)
- Visa: $190 USD for Campus France registration, $30 for VFS processing, and approximately $115 for a Long Stay Student Visa
€ = Euro
Find out more about IBEX tuition, housing, and other logistics.
Language of Instruction
English or French
Student Services
The student services available to exchange students include:
- An active International Student Association that hosts weekly social events
- Over 100 student associations
- Sports activities