Founded in 1981, the MSc in Hospitality Management program (IMHI) is acknowledged as Europe's top hospitality management program. It feactures renowned faculty and industry pioneers fostering responsible leadership. The program offers an innovative, industry-engaged curriculum, adapted to global hospitality trends and emphasizes international, strategic insight for a resilient industry. It offers a distinctive blend of core and elective courses, shaping impactful, responsible leaders to current and future challenges
"The apprenticeship path has helped me to deep dive into my career plan, by combining learnings at school and professional skills. Thanks to this program, I’ve been able to get more responsibilities at work and become more knowledgeable about the job market."
IMHI 2022, Manager In Training (MIT), Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
“What makes the internship rhythm so great, in my opinion, is the possibility to focus both on studies and work experience without compromising on either of the aspects and also the flexibility of exploring a new career field before making the final choice post completion of the master’s.”
IMHI 2023
“I really wanted to become a hotel general manager and I believed that I needed to improve my strategic planning and financial management skills. Indeed, I needed a prestigious and demanding Master’s program like the ESSEC IMHI to achieve my goals. “
IMHI 2014, Founder & Managing Director, Mindset Legacy
“IMHI has given me a fantastic opportunity to add a true international dimension to my career. Without IMHI, I would never have had the same chances which led me to work for great international food brands such as Häagen-Dazs, Starbucks and Pret a Manger today. IMHI remains a world-class program for students who want to work and to perform in this sector.”
IMHI 1985, Managing Director France, Pret A Manger
Academic Excellence
Design your own journey by choosing from among 6 concentrations: Digital Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Hospitality, Real Estate Management, Luxury Experiences Management and Beyond Food & Beverage.
Professional Experience
Select your own hands-on and paid professional experience in the form of an Internship or an Apprenticeship.
Work on a real-life Capstone Project in collaboration with Covivio.
International Exposure
Through our unique collaboration with Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA), students enrolled through our IMHI program have the opportunity to earn part of their Master's degree abroad.
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1-YEAR ADVANCED TRACK |
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Aug |
Induction |
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Sep-Dec |
Core Courses (Choose one concentration out of 6 in October) |
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Each trimester, students validate electives based on the chosen concentration. Electives from other concentrations are also open. |
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Jan-Jun |
Core Courses and Electives |
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July-Dec |
4-6-month Professional Experience |
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2-YEAR FOUNDATION TRACK |
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1st Academic Year |
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Students will choose between the three paths |
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Aug-Sep |
Induction, Seminars, Refreshers, Courses |
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Internship Path |
Exchange Path |
Apprenticeship Path |
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Oct-Dec |
Courses |
Courses (ESSEC) |
2 Days in Company / 3 days at ESSEC |
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Jan-Mar |
Courses at Boston University and Internship |
3 Days in Company / 2 days at ESSEC |
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Apr-Jun |
Internship |
Full-time in Company |
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July-Sept |
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2nd Academic Year |
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Students who took Internship or Exchange Paths in Year 1 will continue with Internship Path in Year 2. |
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Internship Path |
Apprenticeship Path |
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Oct-Dec |
Courses |
2 Days in Company / 3 days at ESSEC |
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Jan-Mar |
3 Days in Company / 2 days at ESSEC |
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Apr-Jun |
2 Days in Company / 3 days at ESSEC |
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July-Sept |
Full-time in Company |
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In the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality and tourism, Digital Leadership is the compass guiding businesses through digital transformation. You will learn about the strategic use of a company's digital assets to achieve business goals like online distribution, sales and CRM.
The evolving financial landscape of the hospitality industry and the rising significance of asset management in corporate strategies present fresh and formidable challenges in the real estate sector. To position yourself for success in these dynamic roles, it is crucial to augment your understanding of sustainable real estate finance and associated concerns, thereby contributing to lasting and meaningful impact.
Shaping an entrepreneurial mindset extends beyond creating new ventures; it's about preparing the next generation of leaders. Through a hands-on approach, students will develop the qualities required to innovate, navigate challenges, and envision solutions to drive change in an ever-evolving world.
This concentration deep dives into the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to excel in the luxury hospitality sector. It combines the fundamentals of hospitality management with a focus on the branding trends, high standards, and unique demands of luxury establishments.
Understanding the context and tools of sustainable hospitality management, you will learn and practice how you can integrate the environmental and social aspects of any business decisions to drive an organization’s value in the long term.
Gain a comprehensive 360° perspective and emerge as a visionary leader, poised to reshape the F&B industry. Navigate the complex terrain from supply chain dynamics to franchise development, all while appraising multiple business models in a swiftly evolving landscape of digital and sustainable transformation.
A 6-month full-time internship between years 1 and 2 of the program, anywhere in the world.
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Apply your knowledge from the classroom in a real work environment
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Gain a valuable and continuous 6-month experience to smoothly transition into employment
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Explore the different aspects of a business to make a more informed career choice
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Acquire international experience by choosing to do an internship abroad (option of attending Boston University for 2 terms)
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Choose optional and ESSEC Master in Management (MIM) - Grande Ecole courses, and get more involved in IMHI student life
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Develop a professional network in the relevant sector
3 days of courses and 2 days of work, which alternates with full-time work at the end of each academic year (6 months in year 1 and 2 plus months in year 2). Only in France.
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Get 2 years of sustained professional experience within one company
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Grow your responsibilities and skills over time
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Bolster theoretical knowledge with professional practice
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Finance your studies
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Possibility to continue on a permanent contract in the company
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Develop a professional network in the relevant sector
The CHIA Certification (Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics) provides evidence of thorough knowledge in foundational metrics and definitions that are used by the hotel industry. It is ideal for general managers, revenue managers, sales managers and corporate staff.
The Certification in Advanced Hospitality and Tourism Analytics (CAHTA) as part of the Asset Management course, this certificate introduces the most popular types of hospitality and tourism research projects. Students learn step-by-step instructions on how to create comprehensive, industry-quality projects.
The Certificate Hotel Valuer by HVS covers hotel market analysis and valuation topics such as estimating hotel occupancy and room rates, forecasting hotel revenue and expenses, and the hotel valuation process.
The HSMAI Commercial Career Start Program Certificate is specifically crafted to facilitate a smooth transition for students from academia into the hospitality job market, focusing on key areas such as sales, revenue, and marketing.
Johanna Wagner is a guest lecturer and hospitality professional with a background in hotel operations and asset management.
Leonard Jackson is an award-winning professor with more than 20 years of corporate and academic experience in the areas of business development, financial management and control, accounting, auditing, feasibility analysis, real estate finance, asset management and operations management.
Pauline Bilette is a strong revenue management expert with a career spanning more than 15 years. As a guest lecturer for the ESSEC MSc in Hospitality Management’s Final Capstone Project, she provides students with a consulting report format, structure, and methodology, coaching them throughout the trimester to succeed in producing a professional report for the client.
Alex Gibson is the Assistant Head of School of Marketing, Technological University Dublin. In his course at ESSEC, Alex gives students the opportunity to work on a live case study with a hospitality organization on strategic branding projects.
Professor Paulo Salvador teaches Managerial Innovation at IMHI with a very practical approach.
Participants have the option of earning part of their Master's degree abroad through BU SHA or on campus, in Cergy, France. Students experience two different cultures and forms of learning through a variety of teaching methods.
Participants interested in completing an internship in Boston benefit from an extensive network of partner requirements for their degree. hotels and restaurants, providing students with numerous opportunities to satisfy work experience.
Successful completion of this portion of the program earns students a Graduate certificate from Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration and a Master of Science in Hospitality Management.
For over 40 years, ESSEC Business School has been building relationships with industry leaders. With many alumni moving on to work for these international hospitality organizations, the partnerships have grown stronger over time.
ESSEC regularly hosts events where industry leaders from these organizations come to debate and discuss current issues and trends in the hospitality business. These events are followed by a networking event where students have the unique opportunity to discuss their careers with these individuals and also with the recruitment teams of the companies.
The partners and contributors participate in the program in various ways:
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Participation in selection juries
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Apprenticeships
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Mentor program
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Internships
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CEO conferences
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HR and executive search firm conferences
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Company visits
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Field projects and case studies
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Placements
Over the years, successive classes of students at ESSEC Business School have founded and managed more than 100 clubs and organizations, with a wide variety of themes: sports, cultural, humanitarian, international or civic, there is something for everyone!
These organizations, often founded and managed by the students themselves, aim to foster student life, promote the school's values, develop students' professional skills, and contribute to the social and cultural life of the campus.
Junior IMHI
The Junior IMHI association works as a consultancy group to solve problems for all kinds of structures within the hospitality industry: owners, groups & independent hotels.
IMHI Traiteur
IMHI Traiteur is a student association dedicated to catering and cooking. It provides 100% homemade food for students for events at the ESSEC campus and in Paris. The goal of this association is to cook and ensure guest satisfaction! The profit generated is used to finance the student graduation ceremony.
THE LAB
For any student at the Cergy Campus looking for a delicious lunch, the LAB is a great option. IMHI students, with cooking skills, run and manage the pasta box stall on campus during lunch hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during their break.
IMHI BDE
The IMHI BDE (Bureau des Élèves) is the student association of ESSEC. It plays a key role in the dynamic and fast-paced student life on campus and serves as a bridge between the administration and other clubs. The BDE organizes many of the social events which make the students’ time at ESSEC Business School so memorable.
ESSEC's historic campus is located in the city of Cergy, about 30 km northwest of Paris. The campus covers more than seven hectares and offers modern and spacious facilities. It includes several buildings, a library, a gymnasium inaugurated in 2023, as well as areas for relaxing between classes.
Accor, Amadeus, BNP Paribas Real Estate, Compass Group, Disneyland Paris, Expedia, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Groupebertrand, Hilton Worldwide, Honotel Development, HVS, InterContinental Hotels Group, Indian Hotels Company Limited, Hyatt, JLL, Kempinski, Louvre Hotels Group, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Le Meurice Paris, Pierre & Vacances CenterParcs, Raffles, Fairmont, Swissotel, Restalliance, Sodexo, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Steigenberger Hotel Group, SwissLife, The Ascott Limited
As part of their courses, students participate in industry-led conferences from October to March, allowing them to broaden their knowledge about the industry and network with leading professionals in the field related to their concentration.
Towards the end of the program, students will have an opportunity to meet several recruiters from trending companies in the industry: a great occasion to build a network and find a full-time position.
IMHI collaborates with different partners like: Fabrique du Tourisme: A think tank initiated by Extendam, Bpifrance, MKG Consulting, which aims to identify the challenges and trends of the industry. HSMAI Europe Student Council: aims to support hospitality undergraduates’ and graduates’ professional growth, harness entrepreneurial skills and directly connect them with peer groups and hospitality brands across the UK and Europe.
Career guidance and advice:
Students benefit from continuous support in career guidance and professional development to help them find a job that matches their profile after graduation. This support includes personal development coaching, designed to help students highlight their skills and experiences, and gain full awareness of their strengths. By defining a personal strategy to showcase their competencies, students maximize their chances of succeeding in the professional path they have chosen.
The ESSEC Career Services offer a wide range of services, including one-on-one interviews, workshops, mock interviews, conferences, and numerous opportunities to meet company executives and HR professionals.
Each year, our Career Services provide:
- 25,000+ exclusive job offers: internships, apprenticeship contracts, graduate programs, V.I.E (International Volunteer in Business), and permanent positions
- 350+ recruitment events with recruiters based in France and internationally: job fairs, company presentations, and case studies.
- Nearly 4,000 one-on-one career coaching sessions with career consultants.
- Access to 3 self-training platforms and over 50 articles written by career consultants.
- 200+ career-focused workshops.
- Close to 7,000 professional experiences monitored.
When you join ESSEC Business School, you join a community and will discover the power of the ESSEC network.
ESSEC Alumni already has 74,000 graduates with diverse profiles dispersed in all corners of the world. With unique personalities, they share a common goal: to achieve their career objectives. As you enter ESSEC, you become a member of ESSEC Alumni and you remain one forever. This is the lifetime membership, that ESSEC has been the first French Business School with a global reach to put in place.
ESSEC Alumni is by your side at every stage of your career:
When you are a student, to guide you in finding professional opportunities through the network, exchanging with graduates, benefiting from various services to launch your start-up, and staying up to date with the latest news from the ESSEC community.
When you are a graduate, to support you throughout your professional life, help you develop your network and exchange with your peers, guide you in benefiting from services for your start-up, and allow you to rediscover the atmosphere of your ESSEC years.
Since its creation, ESSEC has always cultivated a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, which lies at the very core of its educational approach, research, and managerial practices.
- ESSEC Ventures is a structure that supports ESSEC students with business projects. It consists of an incubator, a talent incubator, and a seed fund. It also organizes numerous events bringing together entrepreneurs and investors.
- ESSEC Antropia is a structure that supports ESSEC students with social enterprise projects so that social, environmental, and economic considerations can come together to create a better world.
Serving more than 1,700 alumni from over 45 nationalities spanning 60 countries, the Alumni Association of the ESSEC Hospitality Management IMHI (AAIMHI) works to ensure that the values of ESSEC Business School and relationships created during their studies continue to enrich the professional and personal lives of IMHI graduates.
AAIMHI Values and Objectives
Serving our members with generosity, mutual help, sincere friendship, and active communication, in line with the core of service excellence experienced in the hospitality industry. Promoting our school and its reputation; seizing all opportunities in our network to connect industry leaders and key decision makers to our school. Actively participating in the evolution of academic content to ensure the program keeps ahead of hospitality trends.
Activities
- Monthly meetups in Paris during which current students can meet alumni and AAIMHI board members.
- International meetups in Dubai, London, Geneva, and New Delhi are organized in cooperation with ESSEC Alumni. With over 70 alumni chapters located worldwide, ESSEC Alumni offers a wide range of services, organizes special events all over the world in all business sectors, and gives career advice to its 71,000 graduates.
- Participation at the annual Graduation Ceremony to address and welcome the new graduates into the hospitality industry.
- Cross-participation with ESSEC Alumni Clubs such as ESSEC Travel.
- Regular Meetings with the program and school administration.
"The board of the Alumni Association AAIMHI is a highly motivated and very active group, striving to bring back to the hospitality community in all possible ways. We strongly believe that it is our responsibility towards the program and our alumni, as we are only stronger together."
IMHI 2010 - AAIMHI President - Chief Operating Officer - Campbell House
You will need to provide:
- 1 English test score - mandatory. The English test is not required if the applicant has spent at least 3 years in a higher education program completely taught in English. In that case, please provide us an official certificate with the mention that the medium of instruction is English.
- 1 Management test (TAGE MAGE, GMAT or GRE) is optional but can add value to your application.
It can take several months to prepare and register for an exam slot for these tests. Keep this in mind before starting your application as without these test scores uploaded in your application file, it will be incomplete.
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Test |
Validity |
Additional information |
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The English tests must not be older than 2 years at the application deadline (application round you choose to apply in) |
Minimum score 850 |
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Minimum score 6.5 |
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Minimum score 95 - Institution Code: 0520 |
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Minimum score 175 |
Create your candidate account. You can fill in the online application at your own pace and come back to it at any point. You can only apply once per program each academic year.
All documents must be provided in English or French. Official translations will also have to be provided for documents in other languages by a certified translator.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. A complete online application includes the following items.
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Items |
Description |
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Curriculum Vitae (CV) |
One page maximum |
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High school diploma or equivalent |
Authenticated copy of the diploma or transcripts |
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Degree(s) obtained |
Authenticated copies of official degrees since high school (school leaving).While applying, if you do not have your final diploma that makes you eligible for the program, you can apply with an Enrollment Certificate with an expected date of graduation. |
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Transcripts/Grade Sheets |
Upload Authenticated copies of official transcripts, in chronological order, for all academic terms attended since high school, including exchange programs, repeated years, preparatory classes, grading system details and double degree (simple copies and screenshots are not accepted). If your studies have been interrupted, please add a letter with the academic year concerned and explain the reasons (gap year, illness, change of direction, travel, employment, leave, internship, etc.). |
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2 x Recommendations |
One academic and one professional reference is recommended. |
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1 English Test |
Copy of official score (test taker version) |
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Professional Experience |
Copy of work and internship certificates |
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French Language Requirements |
Students are not required to speak French. However, we do encourage international participants to learn French in order to have a truly rich experience while in France or if they wish to find a job in France afterwards. ESSEC's Language Department offers a number of languages to choose from as elective courses which are included in the cost of tuition. |
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A Certificate for Athletes (if applicable) |
A certificate for High Level Athlete (HLA) or Certificate of Aptitude for Sports Practice is required. The certificate must be valid at the time of application. |
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1 Identity Card |
Passport or |
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1 Photograph |
A recent ID photo |
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Application Fee |
100 euros non-refundable and payable online only |
Once you have completed your online application and have attached all the supporting documents, the final step is to submit your online application. Once you have submitted your application online, you cannot make changes to your application.
Please keep in mind that there are several rounds of applications. The deadlines to submit your application are listed in the table above.
- Each part of your application will be thoroughly studied.
- You will be notified via email.
- Then you can access the result via the application portal
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview via videoconference.
The objective of this interview is:
- To understand you better: your personality and your values
- To evaluate your professional and personal project and its coherence with the program
The jury will then deliberate on your overall application and decisions will be submitted to the Program Director and ESSEC Admissions Committee.
You will be notified about the admission result by email (refer to the above-mentioned timetable). If you have been successful, you will then be contacted by the Admissions Office to inform you how to confirm your place in the program.
Following your admission, make sure to secure your seat in the program by paying the non-refundable deposit within 2 weeks.
This amount will be deducted from your tuition fee. Visit the "Financing" tab for more information.
You need more information to prepare your application? Please refer to this link for insights on our application portal.
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STUDENTS COMPLETING THE PROGRAM IN 1 YEAR (MSc 2) |
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European Union Citizens |
Non-European Union Citizens |
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Total Tuition |
€27,000 |
€30,000 |
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Deposit The non-refundable deposit is payable within two weeks from the day of admission and is deducted from the total tuition fee |
€5,000 |
€5,000 |
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Remaining Tuition The remaining tuition is payable before August 31st of the academic year |
€22,000 |
€25,000 |
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European Union Citizens |
Non-European Union Citizens |
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Service Fee The service fee is payable once in addition to the total tuition fee before joining ESSEC (irrespective of the duration of the program) |
€2,150 |
€2,250 |
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STUDENTS COMPLETING THE PROGRAM IN 2 YEARS (MSc 1 + MSc 2) |
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European Union Citizens |
Non-European Union Citizens |
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Total Tuition |
€42,000 |
€48,000 |
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Deposit The non-refundable deposit is payable within two weeks from the day of admission and is deducted from the total tuition fee |
€5,000 |
€5,000 |
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Remaining Tuition - Year 1 The remaining tuition is payable before August 31st of the first academic year |
€18,260 |
€21,460 |
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Remaining Tuition - Year 2 The remaining tuition payable before August 31st of the second academic year |
€21,000 |
€24,000 |
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European Union Citizens |
Non-European Union Citizens |
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Service Fee The service fee is payable once in addition to the total tuition fee before joining ESSEC (irrespective of the duration of the program) |
€2,260 |
€2,460 |
Students can access one or more of the following options to finance their studies or cover their living expenses.
Every year, hospitality companies with business units and/or head offices based in France offer the possibility to some ESSEC IMHI students to obtain their MSc through the apprenticeship program. Over two years, students spend some of their time in class and some working for a company.
As an ESSEC student, you can take out a preferential-rate bank loan, which covers full tuition and is repaid starting at the end of your first year of work.
ESSEC has developed a partnership with major French bank branches located in Cergy (LCL, BNP Paribas and Société Générale) to give you special terms and conditions.
Loan applicants are required to have a guarantor living in France. According to the banks, the guarantor must earn enough to cover the monthly loan payments but also either be a French citizen, a close family member and/or both. Additional fees and expenses will be the responsibility of the student.
International Students from 150 different nationalities admitted to the MSc in Hospitality Management (IMHI) may now apply for Prodigy Finance loans.
Contrary to French banks, Prodigy does not require a collateral or co-signer. These loans are granted on the student's future earning potential and do not take into account credit history.
Students may apply online on the Prodigy website. There is no hidden fee or early repayment fee. Interest rates may vary depending on individual profiles. Funds are directly disbursed to the school in euros (€) so no exchange rates are borne by the student. The loan application processing time may be up to a month and a half. The sooner you apply, the better.
We advise you to carefully read the Prodigy Finance website to check your eligibility before applying.
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Description |
Eligibility |
Amount |
Procedure |
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ESSEC ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE |
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To sustain the academic excellence of the program |
All international candidates demonstrating high-quality academic profile: outstanding GMAT score (depending on the program), strong motivation, etc. |
Can cover up to 40% of total tuition fees. |
Awarded with the admission decision at each session of admission. No additional application or request. |
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DIVERSITY OF GEOGRAPHY AND PROFILES |
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To sustain the diversity of the student body |
Be a citizen of all countries (except France) |
Up to 25% of total tuition fees. |
Awarded with the admission decision at each session of admission. No additional application or request |
