Career-oriented and internationally focused, the ESSEC Master in Finance is an intensive program designed to offer high quality training to high potential students who wish to pursue a career in corporate finance, financial markets, fintech, asset and portfolio management as well as risk management.
The program has a strong international dimension and teaches students to adapt to a multicultural environment, addressing multinational issues and providing exposure to both Europe and Asia. It offers a global approach to finance with a strong emphasis on the underlying skills necessary to operate in today’s financial professions.
The ESSEC Master in Finance program is authorized by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation to award a recognised BAC+5 degree, Master’s Grade, to its students. Authorisation is delivered following assessment by the National Management Programmes Assessment Commission (Commission d’Evaluation des Formations de Gestion - https://www.cefdg.fr) for a renewable period. This Commission undertakes assessment for all programs, with or without the Master’s Grade, delivered by business schools that are recognised by the French State to guarantee the quality of teaching delivered and the value of their degree.
This is valid whether you do your program at France campus or at Singapore campus.
CFA Institute - Qualify as an international Chartered Financial Analyst
If you are looking to make a career as a consultant in mergers and acquisitions, project financing, as an equity analyst, fixed income analyst, portfolio manager, equity salesperson, etc., you can prepare while studying at ESSEC by passing the CFA Institute exam to become a “Chartered Financial Analyst” which is the internationally recognized qualification.
ESSEC Business School has been recognized by Campus France and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research for the quality of its international students’ welcome.
The school received the highest level that can be obtained from the "Bienvenue en France" certification, which is the third level.
This certification recognizes the quality of ESSEC's reception in all the criteria provided:
- The quality and accessibility of information
- The welcoming of new international students
- The academic offer
- Accommodations
- Campus life
- The quality of post-graduate follow-up
The academic excellence of ESSEC’s programs is recognized through its international standards in management training, and it holds the prestigious “Triple Crown'' of accreditations: EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA.
Academic experience
The duration of the Master in Finance is 2 years (Master 1+Master 2) or 1 year (Master 2 only), depending on your latest degree.
Professional experience
Each year (M1 & M2), students will complete an internship with a duration of 4 to 6 months; it can take place anywhere in the world and is designed to facilitate students’ professional integration. The academic dissertation is an alternative option to the internship (during M2). It represents independent and individual research on cutting-edge topics related to any field of finance.
International experience
Students get a chance to participate in 2 Study Trips to London and Hong Kong or New York.
The MIF program has a strong analytical focus and aims to provide you with a comprehensive view of finance enabling you to develop and become a fully-operational professional.
According to your professional project, you may choose to apply in the program either on the ESSEC France campus (Cergy, Paris area), or the ESSEC Asia-Pacific campus (Singapore).
Depending on your latest degree, you will start the program in M1 and the total duration of the program is 2 years (M1+M2).
To build up your strength and help you build your foundations, you will begin the program with a term (T0) of preparatory courses in Finance, Accounting, Mathematics and Statistics.
Examples of courses include:
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Financial Theory
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Statistics
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Foundations of Calculus & Probability
During the following term (T1), you will follow 6 courses, 1 compulsary and 5 electives. Through this first year, you will be able to discover your professional interest, to help you decide on which track to choose in Year 2 (M2).
Example of courses include:
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Programming in Python
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Management Control
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Strategic Cost Management
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Sustainability Performance
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Entrepreneurship
- International Finance
- Industrial Organization
You will do a 6-month internship at the end of M1.
Depending on your latest degree, you will start the program in M2 and the total duration of the program is 1 year (M2), or you will continue with the second year of the program (M2) if you started in M1.
This year (M2) is divided into three terms, where you will cover: courses, 2 study trips to the major financial centers (London and New York or Hong Kong), specialized tracks, certificates in FinTech & Analytics, Energy & Commodities, andor/ AMF certification (optional), and an internship or academic dissertation.
Terms 0 & 1. Build your Foundations
In France (Paris area) or in Singapore, during these first terms you will take core courses and electives.
Examples of courses include:
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Corporate Financial Management
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Financial Markets
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Options (Financial Market track)
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Big Data Analytics
- ESG Investing
Terms 2 & 3. Choose your Track
To tailor the program to your career goals, you will follow core and elective courses on the specialization of your choice: Corporate Finance Track, Financial Markets Track, Fintech & Analytics Track.
Examples or courses include:
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Examples or courses include |
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France or Singapore Corporate Finance |
France or Singapore Financial Markets |
Singapore |
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Core courses |
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Elective courses |
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During term 2 you will also have the possibility to do inter-campus mobility.
During M2, ESSEC Master in Finance offers a unique opportunity for students to travel to two of the major financial hubs (London and Hong Kong or New York). The study trips allow privileged access to the most prestigious investment banks and consulting firms such as: Barclays Capital, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, BNP-Paribas, Crédit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, etc. Students not only meet and exchange views with professionals but also get to interact with ESSEC alumni.
During the M2 you will have opportunities to get a certificate in Energy and Commodities.
The Energy and Commodity Finance Research Center at ESSEC Business School aims at promoting research and disseminating knowledge in the field of commodity markets and energy finance. This goal is pursued by undertaking research projects and hosting activities for incentivizing interaction across disciplines including finance, economics, financial mathematics, operations research, and management science. Focus is put on bridging international collaborations among researchers at a worldwide level. The center organizes scientific conferences, runs a monthly webinar, supervises a dedicated graduate track, and manages Argo Review, a journal devoted to cutting-edge knowledge in the field.
The Master in Finance is built on the premise of learning by doing. Each year, students (M1 & M2) complete an internship with a duration of 4 to 6 months; it can take place anywhere in the world and is designed to let you integrate into the professional world.
Students are also enrolled in summer and graduate programs during the Master in Finance program. ESSEC is in partnership with AlumnEye, a network designed to help students to prepare for interviews in Investment Banking, Market Finance and Strategy Consulting. It trains students for the selection process of the most prestigious financial institutions. This interactive and personalized training, taking place at the beginning of the academic year. It allows students to stand out from the thousands of applications, and facilitates significant access to summer internships and graduate programs.
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Academic Co-Director,
Ph.D. in Finance,
University of Paris Dauphine (France)
Associate Academic Director,
Ph.D. in Finance and Economics,
University of Toronto (Canada)
Executive Director,
Ph.D. in Economics,
University of Paris Dauphine (France)
ESSEC Business School has formed a partnership with the Fung Institute of Engineering Leadership at UC Berkeley College of Engineering and offers students a dual degree with the internationally-renowned Californian university. This course leads to both the ESSEC Master in Finance degree and a Master of Engineering from UC Berkeley.
This partnership will permit students with a scientific background to complete the 1-year Master of Engineering program from UC Berkeley (August to June) after the completion of the Master in Finance.
An information session is organized with UC Berkeley every year in fall to present the partnership. The application process takes place in January, and once you are admitted to UC Berkeley, you may qualify for a 15% reduction in tuition fees. A scholarship is awarded as part of the program, with students still remaining eligible for other scholarships offered by the Master of Engineering program.
This dual degree offers increased career opportunities, in particular in the United States and in Silicon Valley. After receiving the degree, a residence permit for a two-year stay in the United States may be granted.
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.
ESSEC Paris-Cergy Campus
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.
ESSEC Asia-Pacific Campus, Singapore
ESSEC's Asia-Pacific Campus, which was inaugurated in 2015, is located in Singapore, Asia, a dynamic city-state known for its thriving business environment and multicultural population. The campus is located in the heart of the city, close to major business centers and commercial areas.
Discover all the things you can learn at ESSEC Asia-Pacific!
MIF'22
"The program has strong emphasis on career services and industry events. We have a lot of opportunities to meet hiring managers and professionals in the field".
ALLIANZ, ALMA CONSULTING GROUP, ARDIAN, BANCO SANTANDER, BANK OF AMERICA- MERRILL LYNCH, BARCLAYS, BNP-PARIBAS, CA CIB, CBRE INVESTORS, CDC ASSET MANAGEMENT, CITI, COMMERZBANK, CRÉDIT AGRICOLE ASSET MANAGEMENT, EY, GOLDMAN SACHS, HSBC, HOULIHAN LOKEY, ING, DANONE, JP MORGAN, KPMG, L’OREAL, LVMH, LYXOR, MORGAN STANLEY, NATIXIS, NOMURA, PwC, ROTHSCHILD, RWE, SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE, UBS and many more…
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.
During this recruitment fair you will establish exceptional contacts with financial institutions such as: Ardian, AXA, BNP Paribas, Bpifrance, Candriam, Centerview Partners, Crédit Agricole CIB, Hines, Moody’s, ODDO BHF, Qonto, Rothschild & co, Société Générale, UBS, etc.
During this recruitment fair you will establish exceptional contacts with consulting firms such as: Accenture, Accuracy, Bain & Company, BearingPoint, BCG, Capgemini Invent, KPMG, Mazars, McKinsey & Company, Roland Berger, Wavestone, etc.
This recruitment fair brings together around hundred companies. You will establish contacts with companies from all sectors of activity, such as: Air Liquide, Amazon, Bouygues, Carrefour, Ekimetrics, Groupe Casino, Henkel, L’Oréal, LVMH, Metro, Orange, Saint-Gobain, Le Groupe TF1, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Unilever, Vinci, etc.
“At ESSEC I learned how important the networking is, and I secured my internship thanks to the ESSEC network”
(MIF’21)
You will need to provide:
- 1 Management test score - mandatory
- 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.
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TEST |
VALIDITY* |
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Management Test |
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5 years |
Select "ESSEC Business School-Master in Finance" |
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GRE or GRE Test at Home (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing) |
5 years |
Institution Code: 0839 |
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2 years |
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CAT |
1 year |
For Indian applicants |
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English Test |
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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 95 Institution Code: 0520 |
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IELTS Academic |
Minimum score 6.5 |
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Cambridge B2 First Minimum |
Minimum score 175 |
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TOEIC Listening and Reading |
Minimum score 850 |
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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.
Click here to take the GMAT Quiz and get an estimate of your score. Please note that you cannot apply with a GMAT Quiz score.
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. Once validated, your campus choice is final.
A complete application file includes the following items. Incomplete application will not be processed.
All documents must be provided in English or French (except the CV). Official translations must be provided for documents in other languages by a certified translator.
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Items |
Description |
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Curriculum Vitae |
1 page maximum - in English |
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Motivation Letter |
1 page maximum - in English |
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Degree(s) obtained |
Authenticated copies of accredited degrees since high school (school leaving).
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Transcripts/Grade Sheets |
Authenticated copies of official transcripts, by 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). |
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2 x References |
One academic and one professional reference is highly recommended. It is the applicant's responsibility to enter details of both the referees as soon as possible to allow them to send the online recommendation on time. Once you enter their details and save, a link is sent to them immediately to fill out the recommendation online. |
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1 Management Test |
Copy of official score (test taker version) |
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1 English Test |
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1 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 National Identity Card (only for EU citizens) |
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1 Photograph |
A recent ID photo |
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Application Fee |
€100 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 admissions. The deadlines to submit your application are listed in the table above.
Your application will be assessed by the admissions committee. You will be notified about the results by email (refer to the above mentioned calendar).
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.
If you applied for one-year program, please note that if the commission board finds that your experience or background is strong but not complete enough in some required aspects, you may be asked to join the two-year program instead in order to build up your strength and ensure your success.
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.
You need more information to prepare your application? Please refer to this link for insights on our application portal.
References are very important. The admissions committee is used to looking at these and the ones that make the difference outline concrete examples of how the student lives up to the praise/recommendations given. You should therefore select references who know you best and have experience of working with you either academically or professionally. It is much better to have a reference from someone who knows you than from someone you have selected due to their position.
The GMAT is a very important part of your application. It is mandatory and we encourage you to get ready for the GMAT exam in advance. You should aim for as high a GMAT score as you can possibly achieve.
No, the program is taught in English and all of the staff members speak English. You have the chance to learn French during your program.
However, we strongly recommend you try and learn French when you are here. Acquiring the language does help you during your time at ESSEC and in France. If you want to remain in France for your internship or job in the future, learning French is fundamental.
Every application is thoroughly reviewed by the admissions board which is composed of both academic and professional staff, with consideration given to all elements including hard and soft skills.
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STUDENTS COMPLETING THE PROGRAM IN 1 YEAR (M2) |
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Valid for 2025 intake for France and Singapore Campuses |
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European Union Citizens |
Non-European Union Citizens |
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Total Tuition |
€28,400 |
€31,500 |
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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 The remaining tuition fee is payable before August 31st of the academic year |
€23,400 |
€26,500 |
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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 (M1+M2) |
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Valid for 2025 Intake for France and Singapore Campuses |
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Master 1 (M1) |
Master 2 (M2) |
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European Union Citizens |
Non-European Union Citizens |
European Union Citizens |
Non-European Union Citizens |
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Total Tuition |
€14,500 |
€14,500 |
€28,400 |
€31,500 |
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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 Fee The remaining tuition fee is payable before August 31st of each academic year |
€9,500 |
€9,500 |
€28,400 |
€31,500 |
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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 |
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Scholarships
Description: To sustain the academic excellence of the program and enhance the education and experience of our students, ESSEC Business School offers the Academic Excellence scholarship to outstanding candidates and the Diversity Scholarship to students with varied cultural perspectives and backgrounds.
Eligibility: Open to all applicants and awarded on the basis of the overall quality of their application i.e. academic excellence demonstrated in the file: outstanding Management test scores, strong motivation, etc.;
Diversity Scholarship - Demonstrate academic excellence and bring diversity in terms of citizenship, prior education or background.
Amount: Can cover up to 50% of total tuition fees.
Procedure: Scholarship decisions are made during the application procedure. There is no additional application to fill out or request to make. Selected students will be notified upon being offered a place on the program.
Description: This prestigious scholarship is awarded to outstanding candidates admitted to ESSEC's Master's programs at the Asia-Pacific campus in Singapore. Open to Singaporean citizens and Permanent Residents, the scholarship aims to empower top talent with the education and skills needed to excel on the global stage.
Eligibility: Candidates must be Singaporean citizens or Permanent Residents of Singapore.
Amount: The scholarship will cover 50% of the total tuition fees.
Procedure: This scholarship is awarded during each admission session alongside the admission offer. No additional application or request is required. Selected students will be notified upon receiving their admission offer.
Description: Since 2012, ESSEC has a special partnership with Ardian Foundation which grants 5 to 6 fellowships for exceptional international candidates.
Eligibility: Open to all international applicants of the Singapore Track and awarded on the basis of the overall quality of their application i.e. academic excellence demonstrated in the file.
Amount: Can cover up to 30% of total tuition fees.
Procedure: Scholarship decisions are made during the application procedure. There is no additional application to fill out or request to make. Selected students will be notified upon being offered a place on the programme.
Description: A platform to channel the influence of Lebanese finance executives worldwide in order to establish stronger bonds, nurture the next generation and promote Lebanon.
Eligibility: Candidate must be Lebanese or of Lebanese descent, achieve and maintain academic excellence, demonstrate interest in pursuing a career in Finance and must be in financial need.
Amount: Up to 12 000 USD per year for the duration of the academic program.
Procedure: Students must submit the application directly on the LIFE website.
DESCRIPTION: The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs funds EIFFEL scholarship.
ELIGIBILITY: Reserved for non-French candidates, double nationality included, no older than 30 years old at the time the selection committee will meet (around mid-March).
AMOUNT: A monthly allowance of €1,181 and covered costs of one international return journey and social security cover.
PROCEDURE: ESSEC submits applications for EIFFEL scholarships on your behalf. Your application should be completed and submitted therefore in the first round of applications.
Description: The CIMB ASEAN Scholarship is a highly selective, full scholarship for exceptional students from ASEAN countries in which CIMB has a presence.
Eligibility: An ASEAN citizen, 27 years old and below in possession of an offer to pursue a degree or Master's programme from a top tier university in the world, ASEAN region or respective home country.
Amount: The CIMB ASEAN Scholarship is a full scholarship award covering all academic fees, including registration, examination and tuition fees, as well as living allowance. Other miscellaneous expenses related to airfare, visa/travel documents will also be subsidised.
Procedure: Please refer to CIMB ASEAN Scholarship for details.
Description: The Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) Scholarship is the premier postgraduate scholarship in Singapore. Set up in 1991, the scholarship marks Singapore's continuous effort to recognize outstanding individuals with the aptitude and inclination to contribute to Singapore and its society.
Eligibility: Candidates holding Singaporean citizenship will undergo a comprehensive evaluation on their leadership potential and accomplishments in their respective fields. Candidates should also demonstrate the potential to thrive in their professions, ultimately contributing to Singapore and its advancement.
Amount: Scholarship recipients will receive full tuition fees coverage and an annual allowance of S$50,000 for up to 2 years if they are pursuing a Master’s degree.
Procedure: Candidates can apply via the Public Service Commission Portal (Singpass login required). All applications will need to be supported by referee reports and submitted online by 10 March 2024.
If you are a CROUS scholarship holder enrolled in the Master in Finance program, you are entitled to a discount on your tuition for the current year depending on the level of your CROUS scholarship. Please note that €2,000 of enrolment and academic contributions fee/service fee is not include.
Student Loans
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 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 Marketing Management and Digital may now apply to Prodigy Finance loans. Contrary to the banks in France, Prodigy does not require a collateral or co-signer. These loans are granted on the student's future earning potential and don’t 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 euro (€) so no exchange rates are borne by the student. Disbursement starts from September and loan application processing time may go up to a month and a half. The sooner you apply, the better. We advise you to check your eligibility on the Prodigy website before applying.
Many US citizens or permanent residents opt to take out the US Federal Stafford and private Sallie Mae loans. These loans can cover up to the full cost of attendance and all applicants having a co-signer in the US are eligible for these loan programmes. ESSEC is listed as “ESSEC Business School", and has a code number of G30959.
More information on Sallie MAE
More information on US Federal loans
ESSEC employs its students in a wide variety of functions which can help towards everyday living costs. These are part time short-term contracts for example assisting teachers, carrying out market research, helping out at conferences and events, contributing to social media, etc.
