Why Study at HEC Paris?

HEC Paris stands in a class of its own among French and European business schools. Founded in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it has consistently held the top position in French rankings and competes head-to-head with London Business School, INSEAD, and the Ivy League schools in global prestige. For international students considering France, HEC Paris represents the absolute pinnacle of business education in the country.

The school’s campus in Jouy-en-Josas, a leafy suburb about 20 km southwest of central Paris, offers a residential experience rare among European business schools. The 140-hectare wooded campus includes student residences, sports facilities, restaurants, and a vibrant associative life with over 100 student clubs. This creates an immersive, cohort-driven community experience that is often compared to elite US business schools. Despite the suburban setting, Paris and its professional ecosystem are easily accessible via the RER C train line (approximately 35 minutes to central Paris).

What truly distinguishes HEC Paris is its unmatched network. The HEC alumni association counts over 70,000 members worldwide, including a disproportionate number of Fortune 500 CEOs, heads of state, and entrepreneurs. In France, the “HEC” brand opens virtually every door : from strategy consulting firms like McKinsey and BCG to luxury conglomerates such as LVMH and Kering, investment banks including Rothschild and Lazard, and the highest levels of the French civil service. Internationally, HEC Paris is the most recognised French school by far, with strong employer connections across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

HEC Paris is extremely selective. The Grande École programme admits approximately 380 students per year, with the international track (administered separately from the French concours) seeing acceptance rates below 10%. Strong GMAT/GRE scores, excellent academics, and meaningful extracurricular or professional experience are essential. The MBA programme is even more selective, accepting roughly 260 students from over 4,000 applicants annually.

HEC Paris Programmes for International Students

The Grande École Programme : HEC’s Flagship

The Grande École programme (officially the Master in Management, or MiM) is HEC Paris’s signature offering and the most sought-after business degree in France. Ranked #1 worldwide for Masters in Management by the Financial Times in multiple years, this programme is the fast track to elite careers in consulting, finance, luxury, technology, and entrepreneurship. It runs over two to three years, with the first year covering core management fundamentals and the second dedicated to specialisations and professional experience.

International students can enter the Grande École through the international admissions track, which is separate from the French classe préparatoire concours. This track evaluates candidates based on academic transcripts, a competitive GMAT or TAGE MAGE score, motivation letters, and a rigorous oral interview (typically conducted in Paris or by video). The average admitted GMAT score hovers around 710-730, while TAGE MAGE candidates generally need 350+ out of 600 to be competitive. HEC also values diverse profiles : students with engineering, science, humanities, or arts backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply.

MSc Specialised Programmes

HEC Paris offers several highly ranked MSc programmes taught entirely in English, each designed for students who want deep expertise in a specific business domain. These include MSc International Finance (ranked #1 globally by the Financial Times), MSc Strategic Management, MSc Marketing, MSc Sustainability and Social Innovation, MSc Data Science for Business (joint with École Polytechnique), and MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Each programme lasts 10 to 16 months and includes a professional thesis or internship component. These MScs attract students from top universities worldwide and offer strong career outcomes, particularly in Paris, London, and global financial centres.

Campus Life at HEC Paris

🏛️ Campus & Facilities

The Jouy-en-Josas campus spans 140 hectares of parkland and features a state-of-the-art learning centre, the newly renovated “HEC Village” student housing, multiple restaurants and cafés, a gymnasium, tennis courts, and a lake. The campus has undergone significant investment in recent years, including new academic buildings and a digital learning hub. On-campus housing is available (and encouraged) for first-year Grande École and MBA students, fostering a tight-knit community atmosphere. The campus also hosts the HEC Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, where student startups are incubated.

🌍 International Student Experience

HEC Paris is profoundly international, with students from over 130 nationalities. The MBA programme is roughly 90% international, while the Grande École’s international intake has grown steadily and now represents about 40% of each cohort. English is the working language for most programmes and campus activities, though French proficiency is a significant advantage for career opportunities in France. The school runs a robust buddy system and orientation programme for international arrivals, and the International Student Association (BDE International) organises cultural events, trips, and networking. HEC also has exchange agreements with 120+ partner universities worldwide.

Admissions Requirements and How to Apply

Grande École (MiM) : International Track

• Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
• GMAT (700+ recommended) or TAGE MAGE (350+ recommended)
• English proficiency: TOEFL 100+ or IELTS 7.0+
• Motivation letter and CV
• Two academic or professional references
• Oral interview (30 min, in-person or remote)
• Application fee: €150
• Rounds: typically 4 rounds, October-May

MBA Programme

• Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
• GMAT (average 690, 730+ preferred) or GRE equivalent
• Minimum 3 years professional experience (average: 6 years)
• English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS if non-native)
• Two professional recommendation letters
• Video essay (online platform)
• Panel interview (in-person or virtual)
• Rolling admissions with 4 rounds

Tuition Fees and Cost of Living at HEC Paris

HEC Paris offers extensive financial support. For the Grande École, need-based and merit-based scholarships can cover up to 100% of tuition : the HEC Foundation awards over €12 million annually in grants. MBA students can access the HEC MBA Scholarship (up to €24,000), Forte Foundation Fellowships (for women), and the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (French government-funded, covering living expenses for international students). MSc students are eligible for programme-specific merit awards. Additionally, French banks offer preferential student loans (prêts étudiants) at very low rates, often with no repayment until after graduation.

Career Outcomes and Employment After HEC Paris

HEC Paris consistently delivers some of the strongest career outcomes of any business school in Europe. For Grande École graduates, the top-recruiting sectors are management consulting (approximately 30% of the class, with firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain hiring heavily from HEC), finance and banking (20%, including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Rothschild, and Lazard), technology (15%, with Google, Amazon, and Microsoft among top recruiters), and luxury and consumer goods (10%, led by LVMH, L’Oréal, and Kering). HEC’s Career Centre organises over 200 company events per year, from on-campus presentations to networking dinners and case study competitions.

For MBA graduates, the salary uplift is substantial : the average post-MBA salary reaches approximately €125,000 three years after graduation, representing a significant return on the programme investment. HEC MBA alumni frequently move into C-suite and senior leadership roles within 10-15 years. The school’s entrepreneurship track is also world-renowned: HEC-founded startups collectively raise hundreds of millions in venture funding each year, and the HEC Incubator has supported over 600 startups since its creation. Notable HEC alumni include François-Henri Pinault (CEO of Kering), Pascal Soriot (CEO of AstraZeneca), and multiple French presidents and ministers.

Visa and Work Permits for International Students

International students accepted to HEC Paris receive support from the school’s dedicated International Affairs office for visa and residence permit applications. Non-EU students will need a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS), which serves as your residence permit for the first year. During your studies, you can work up to 964 hours per year (roughly 20 hours per week). After graduating, you are eligible for a one-year post-graduation job-seeker visa (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour, or APS), which allows you to work full-time while seeking employment in France. If you secure a job offer with a salary above approximately €40,000 per year (roughly 1.5x the French minimum wage), you can convert to a full work permit. HEC’s strong employer relationships mean that many international graduates successfully transition from student visa to professional status in France.

Get Expert Guidance for Your HEC Paris Application

Your Dream School offers personalised HEC Paris admissions coaching

Our expert consultants have guided hundreds of students through the HEC Paris admissions process : from Grande École to MBA and MSc programmes. We provide comprehensive support including TAGE MAGE and GMAT preparation, essay and motivation letter review, interview coaching, and application strategy. Whether you are applying from a French prépa or an international university, we know exactly what HEC looks for and how to position your candidacy for success.

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Why Study at EDHEC Business School?

EDHEC Business School has established itself as one of France’s most dynamic and internationally oriented grandes écoles. Founded in 1906 in Lille, EDHEC has evolved from a regional commerce school into a global powerhouse with campuses spanning three continents. What sets EDHEC apart from its French peers, HEC, ESSEC, and ESCP, is its distinctive focus on the intersection of academic research and professional practice, particularly in financial economics, risk management, and entrepreneurship.

EDHEC holds the prestigious Triple Crown accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA : a distinction held by fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide. The school consistently ranks in the top 10 in Europe in the Financial Times Masters in Management ranking, and its MSc in Finance regularly appears in the global top 5. For international students, EDHEC offers an attractive combination of world-class education, multi-campus flexibility (you can study in France, the UK, or Singapore), and significantly lower tuition costs compared to equivalent programmes in the US or UK.

The school’s research centres, particularly the EDHEC-Risk Institute, are globally recognised in the finance industry. EDHEC graduates are actively recruited by the world’s leading financial institutions, consulting firms, and technology companies. The alumni network includes over 50,000 graduates across 130 countries, providing a strong professional foundation for your post-graduation career.

EDHEC is notably more accessible than HEC or ESSEC, with a higher acceptance rate and lower tuition : while still offering comparable career outcomes in finance and consulting. It is one of the best value-for-money options among France’s elite business schools.

Related reading: Best Business Schools in France for International Students.

EDHEC Programmes and Degrees

The Grande École Programme (Master in Management)

EDHEC’s flagship Grande École programme is a 2-to-3-year Master in Management (MiM) that accepts students both from French classes préparatoires and through international admissions. The programme is structured in two phases: a foundation year covering core business disciplines (finance, marketing, strategy, operations), followed by one or two years of specialisation. Students choose from tracks including Financial Economics, Business Management, and Global Business : and can complete exchanges at over 280 partner universities worldwide. The programme includes mandatory professional internships totalling 12-18 months, providing substantial real-world experience before graduation. International students can apply directly after completing a bachelor’s degree, and the programme offers both French-taught and fully English-taught options.

MSc Programmes

EDHEC offers 8 specialised MSc programmes, each designed for graduates seeking deep expertise in a specific field. The most prestigious is the MSc in Finance, which consistently ranks in the top 5 globally by the Financial Times : graduates of this programme are heavily recruited by bulge-bracket investment banks, hedge funds, and asset management firms. Other popular MSc tracks include Financial Markets, Corporate Finance and Banking, Marketing Management, Strategy, and Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. All MSc programmes are taught entirely in English and include a 6-month professional internship. Many MSc students complete their internship abroad, leveraging EDHEC’s international partner network.

Related reading: Choosing your business school.

Campus Life at EDHEC

🏢 Multi-Campus Advantage

EDHEC’s multi-campus model is one of its greatest strengths. The main campus in Lille offers a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility in the heart of northern France’s economic capital, with excellent transport links to Paris (1 hour by TGV), Brussels, and London. The Nice campus provides a Mediterranean environment, ideal for the MBA programme and MSc specialisations. The Paris campus, centrally located, hosts executive education and certain MSc tracks. International campuses in London and Singapore extend the EDHEC experience globally, allowing students to spend semesters in different countries without leaving the EDHEC system.

🌍 International Experience

With students representing over 110 nationalities, EDHEC is one of the most internationally diverse business schools in France. Every programme includes an international component : whether through exchange semesters (EDHEC has 280+ partner universities), dual-degree programmes (including options with schools in the US, China, South Korea, and India), or multi-campus mobility. The International BBA in particular is designed for maximum global exposure, with students studying across at least three countries during their 4-year degree. EDHEC also offers dedicated French language courses for non-francophone students and an international student buddy system to help newcomers integrate into French campus life.

For more detail, see also: Alliance Manchester Business School: Admissions & Fees.

EDHEC Admissions Requirements

Grande École (International Track)

• Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
• GMAT 650+ or GRE equivalent (recommended)
• TAGE MAGE 300+ (for French-system candidates)
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+
• Motivation letter and CV
• Admissions interview (online or in-person)
• Application fee: €100

MSc and MBA Programmes

• Bachelor’s degree (MSc) or 3+ years experience (MBA)
• GMAT 680+ for MSc Finance (avg admitted score)
• Strong academic transcript and GPA
• English proficiency: IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL 100+
• Professional references (1-2)
• Video or in-person interview
• Application fee: €100-€170

EDHEC Acceptance Rate and Selectivity

EDHEC’s acceptance rate varies significantly by programme. For the Grande École programme through the concours (classes préparatoires track), EDHEC admits approximately 500 students from around 6,000 candidates who rank EDHEC among their top choices : making the effective acceptance rate around 8-10% for the prépa track. For international direct admissions to the Grande École, the acceptance rate is higher at approximately 25-30%, though this varies by year and the quality of the applicant pool. The MSc in Finance, EDHEC’s most competitive specialised programme, admits roughly 15-20% of applicants, with an average admitted GMAT score of approximately 690. The International BBA has an acceptance rate of around 20-25% for international candidates. Overall, while EDHEC is more accessible than HEC Paris (which admits fewer than 5% of international applicants), it remains a highly selective institution where a strong academic profile and test scores are essential for admission.

Cost of Studying at EDHEC

EDHEC offers a comprehensive range of financial support. The EDHEC Excellence Scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition for top-performing students. Need-based grants (bourses sociales) are available for French and EU students through CROUS. International students can apply for the EDHEC International Scholarship (up to €8,000/year), the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (French government-funded, covering living expenses for non-EU students), and various programme-specific merit awards. MBA students may be eligible for Forté Foundation Fellowships (for women) and the EDHEC Alumni Foundation grants. French banks also offer preferential student loans (prêts étudiants) with very favourable terms, often requiring no repayment until after graduation. Additionally, EDHEC’s apprenticeship track (alternance) allows students to have their tuition fully paid by a corporate partner while earning a salary : a uniquely French advantage.

Related reading: EDHEC BBA Admission 2026: Requirements & How to Apply.

Career Outcomes and Employment After EDHEC

EDHEC graduates are consistently recruited by top-tier employers across finance, consulting, technology, and luxury goods. For Grande École graduates, the leading recruitment sectors are finance and banking (approximately 30% of the class, with firms like BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Rothschild, and Lazard among top recruiters), management consulting (20%, including McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Oliver Wyman, and Deloitte), technology and digital (15%, with Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and L’Oréal Digital frequently hiring), and consumer goods and luxury (10%, led by LVMH, L’Oréal, and Kering).

EDHEC’s particular strength in finance is reflected in its MSc in Finance graduates, who achieve some of the highest starting salaries of any European programme : averaging over €55,000, with top performers in investment banking and quantitative finance earning significantly more. The EDHEC-Risk Institute’s reputation in the finance industry opens doors that few other schools can match, particularly in asset management, risk management, and financial engineering roles. EDHEC’s Career Centre organises over 200 corporate events per year, including dedicated recruitment fairs, networking events, and case study competitions. The school also has a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem: the EDHEC Entrepreneurs incubator has supported hundreds of startups, and the school runs the annual EDHEC Startup Academy.

Related reading: Why is it worth doing a Master’s degree abroad?

Visa and Work Permits for International Students

International students accepted to EDHEC receive dedicated support from the school’s International Relations office for visa and residence permit applications. Non-EU students will need a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS), which functions as your residence permit for the first year. During your studies, you can work up to 964 hours per year (roughly 20 hours per week), which many EDHEC students use for part-time consulting projects or internships. After graduating, you are eligible for a one-year post-graduation job-seeker visa (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour, or APS), allowing you to work full-time while seeking employment in France. If you secure a job with a salary above approximately €40,000 per year, you can convert to a full work permit. EDHEC’s location in Lille is particularly advantageous for international career seekers : the city has a growing tech and finance hub, and its proximity to Brussels, London, and Paris via high-speed rail means you can access employment markets across multiple European capitals.

To go further, read our guide: Bayes Business School (Cass): Admissions & Fees.

Get Expert Guidance for Your EDHEC Application

Your Dream School offers personalised EDHEC admissions coaching

Our expert consultants have guided hundreds of students through the EDHEC admissions process : from Grande École to MBA and MSc programmes. We provide comprehensive support including TAGE MAGE and GMAT preparation, essay and motivation letter review, interview coaching, and application strategy. Whether you are applying from a French prépa or an international university, we know exactly what EDHEC looks for and how to position your candidacy for success.

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Why Study at ESCP Business School?

ESCP Business School stands as an unparalleled institution with a claim no other business school can match: it is the world’s first business school, founded in 1819 in Paris as the École Spéciale de Commerce et d’Industrie. Over two centuries later, ESCP has evolved from its Paris roots into a truly European powerhouse, with campuses in six major cities across the continent : Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid, Turin, and Warsaw. This multicampus model is one of ESCP’s defining strengths and a fundamental differentiator from competitors like HEC, ESSEC, and EDHEC, which operate primarily from a single country base or limited locations.

ESCP holds the prestigious Triple Crown accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA, placing it among the world’s top 1% of business schools. The institution is consistently ranked among the top 10 in Europe and maintains an impressive global ranking of #6 in the Financial Times Masters in Management 2025. What truly distinguishes ESCP is not just its historical significance and strong rankings, but its unique value proposition for international students seeking a genuinely European education. At ESCP, you don’t simply study abroad in one city : you experience business education across multiple European capitals, with the flexibility to choose your campus each semester. This European breadth means you gain exposure to different business cultures, regulatory environments, and economic systems while building a truly continental professional network.

The school’s commitment to European integration sets it apart in an increasingly globalized business landscape. ESCP’s curriculum emphasizes comparative business practices across European markets, European law and regulation, and cross-cultural management : making graduates exceptionally well-prepared for careers in multinational corporations, international organisations, and European-focused roles. The school educates leaders from over 140 nationalities across its six campuses, creating a genuinely international community within a distinctly European framework. For students interested in building careers across Europe, whether in London’s financial markets, Berlin’s tech scene, Madrid’s growing startup ecosystem, or Paris’s corporate headquarters, ESCP provides unmatched geographic flexibility and local market expertise.

ESCP’s six-campus model is genuinely unique among top French business schools : you can study simultaneously in Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid, Turin, and Warsaw without changing institutions. This multicampus flexibility, combined with lower tuition than Anglo-American equivalents and strong European employment prospects, makes ESCP the top choice for students seeking a truly continental business education with career optionality across Europe.

To go further, read our guide: Best Business Schools in France for International Students.

ESCP Programmes and Degrees

The Grande École Programme (Master in Management)

ESCP’s flagship Grande École programme is a 2-to-3-year Master in Management that represents the gold standard of European business education. The programme is unique in its structure: students spend their first year at one campus (most commonly Paris, though London and Berlin are increasingly popular), the second year at a different European campus, and the third year (for those taking the extended track) at a third location. This campus-rotation model is genuinely distinctive : you receive education in multiple European business contexts, gain fluency in different regulatory and market frameworks, and build a pan-European professional network. The programme covers core business disciplines including finance, strategic management, marketing, operations, and business law, with specialization options in Entrepreneurship, Digital Transformation, Luxury Management, Finance, and European Business. Mandatory professional internships total 12-18 months, typically split between structured work placements across your study years. International students can apply directly after a bachelor’s degree, and the programme offers both French and English-language tracks with full flexibility between them.

MSc Programmes

ESCP offers 12 specialized MSc programmes, each delivered across multiple European campuses, allowing you to choose your study location while maintaining the same degree programme. The portfolio includes MSc in Management with 12 specialisation options: Finance, Luxury & Heritage Management, Digital Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, International Business, Supply Chain Management, Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence, Corporate Finance, Marketing Analytics, Business Analytics, International Hospitality Management, and Sustainable Finance. All MSc programmes are taught in English, typically combine 12 months of coursework with a 6-month professional internship, and emphasize practical business skills alongside theoretical knowledge. Most MSc students complete their internships at major multinational corporations across ESCP’s European cities or internationally. The flexibility to study in Berlin, London, Paris, Madrid, Turin, or Warsaw, depending on the programme, provides significant geographic advantages and allows you to tailor your education to specific European business ecosystems.

On the same topic, see our article: Choosing your business school.

Campus Life at ESCP

🌍 Six European Campuses

ESCP’s six-campus network is unmatched in the business school world. The Paris campus, located in the 5th arrondissement’s Latin Quarter, places you at the heart of France’s capital and European business hub. London offers access to Europe’s premier financial centre and tech ecosystem. Berlin’s campus sits in the epicentre of Germany’s startup revolution and digital transformation movement. Madrid connects you to Spain’s rapidly growing entrepreneurship scene and expanding multinational corporate presence. Turin provides access to Northern Italy’s manufacturing and luxury goods sectors. Warsaw opens doors to Central and Eastern Europe’s fastest-growing markets. Each campus features modern facilities, dedicated student communities, and local industry connections. Students can study at different campuses semester-by-semester, creating truly personalized European educational journeys. The six-city network also means that wherever you want to work after graduation, London’s finance sector, Berlin’s tech startups, Paris’s luxury conglomerates, or elsewhere, you’ve already built local connections and campus networks.

🤝 Truly International Community

With students representing 140+ nationalities across its European campuses, ESCP is one of the world’s most internationally diverse business schools. Every classroom, project, and social event brings together perspectives from across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This genuine diversity is fundamental to ESCP’s educational approach: European business education rooted in a global perspective. The school actively supports international students through multi-language orientation programmes, buddy systems across campuses, and English-language support services. The student body is significantly older and more experienced than at undergraduate institutions : many arrive with 2-4 years of professional experience : creating a sophisticated, mature learning environment. ESCP also runs extensive student clubs and organizations across all campuses, from case competition teams to entrepreneurship clubs to cultural societies, ensuring you build meaningful international friendships alongside your studies.

ESCP Admissions Requirements

Grande École (International Track)

• Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
• GMAT 660+ or GRE equivalent (recommended)
• TAGE MAGE 310+ (for French-system candidates)
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+
• CV and motivation letter highlighting European interests
• Two professional or academic references
• Video interview (initial screening)
• In-person or video interview (assessment stage)
• Application fee: €100

MSc and Executive MBA

• Bachelor’s degree (MSc) or 5+ years experience (EMBA)
• GMAT 700+ recommended (MSc Finance and competitive programmes)
• Strong academic transcript or professional achievements
• English proficiency: IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL 100+
• Two professional references required
• Statement of purpose highlighting European career goals
• Video presentation (some programmes)
• Admissions interview (panel-based for EMBA)
• Application fee: €100-€200

ESCP Acceptance Rate and Selectivity

ESCP maintains a competitive but relatively accessible admissions process compared to top-tier competitors. For the Grande École programme, the overall acceptance rate is approximately 15-20%, though this varies significantly by admission track. International direct admissions to the Grande École have an acceptance rate of approximately 20-25%, making ESCP more selective than EDHEC (25-30%) but notably more accessible than HEC Paris (under 5% for internationals). The school receives approximately 8,000 applications annually for its Grande École programme across all tracks, with roughly 1,200-1,500 offers extended globally. For MSc programmes, the acceptance rate ranges from 18-30% depending on programme selectivity : specialized tracks like MSc in Finance and MSc in Luxury & Heritage Management are more competitive. The Executive MBA, targeting mid-career professionals with significant work experience, has an acceptance rate of approximately 30-40%. ESCP uses a rolling admissions process across most programmes, meaning earlier applications have higher acceptance chances. The school takes a holistic approach, considering not just test scores and GPA but also professional experience, motivation, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated interest in European business education.

On the same topic, see our article: Bayes Business School (Cass): Admissions & Fees.

Cost of Studying at ESCP

ESCP offers diverse scholarship opportunities including Merit Scholarships (covering 20-100% of tuition for top applicants), Need-Based Grants (available to EU and some international students), the ESCP Excellence Scholarship for high-achieving international students (up to €10,000/year), and the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship from the French government (covering living expenses for non-EU students). The school also participates in EMBA-specific funding programmes and offers payment plans allowing tuition to be spread across multiple years. International students may qualify for country-specific scholarships through their home governments’ education agreements with France. Additionally, ESCP partners with several banks offering preferential education loans to students; many French banks provide student loans with post-graduation repayment options. Finally, the Alternance (Work-Study) track allows students to have full tuition covered by a company sponsor while earning a salary : an increasingly popular option for Grande École students.

For more detail, see also: Study Abroad: Find the Ideal Master’s Degree for Your Career.

Career Outcomes and Employment After ESCP

ESCP graduates command strong positions across Europe’s leading employers in finance, consulting, technology, luxury, and international business. Grande École graduates show the following employment distribution: finance and banking (28% of graduates, with leading recruiters including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Rothschild, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Bank), management consulting (22%, including McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Oliver Wyman), technology and digital (18%, with Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and European tech leaders frequently recruiting), luxury and consumer goods (15%, led by LVMH, Kering, Richemont, and L’Oréal), and multinational corporations across sectors (17%). ESCP’s European multicampus model creates a distinctive career advantage: graduates have local networks in all six European cities, making them exceptionally attractive to multinational firms seeking employees with cross-European knowledge and pan-European professional relationships.

The school’s Career Development Centre is extraordinarily active, organizing 300+ campus recruitment events and networking activities annually. Major investment banks and consulting firms conduct dedicated ESCP recruitment tours across all campuses. ESCP maintains particularly strong relationships with leading European corporations headquartered in Paris (Danone, Sanofi, Société Générale), London (HSBC, Unilever), Berlin (Siemens, SAP), Madrid (Telefónica, Inditex), and across the continent. MSc graduates in specialized programmes achieve even higher salaries : MSc in Finance graduates average €58,000+ starting salary, with top graduates in investment banking and quantitative roles earning significantly more. The EMBA programme produces graduates with substantial career acceleration, typically seeing 40-50% salary increases within two years. ESCP’s strong entrepreneurship ecosystem has also produced hundreds of successful alumni entrepreneurs; the school runs incubators and startup acceleration programmes on multiple campuses.

To go further, read our guide: Alliance Manchester Business School: Admissions & Fees.

Visa and Work Permits for International Students

ESCP provides dedicated support for international students navigating visa and work permit processes across its European campuses. For non-EU students studying in France (Paris campus), you’ll need a long-stay student visa (Visa Long Séjour Temporaire, VLS-TS), which serves as your residence permit for the first year and is renewable annually. If you’re studying at the London campus, UK student visa rules apply. For Berlin, Madrid, Turin, and Warsaw campuses, EU or bilateral student visa agreements typically apply depending on your nationality and the specific campus. During your studies, regulations vary by country: in France, non-EU students can work up to 964 hours per year; in the UK, post-Brexit restrictions apply; in Germany and other EU locations, more generous work arrangements typically apply. ESCP’s International Relations office provides comprehensive support for understanding requirements specific to your campus choices. After graduation, you’re eligible for different post-study work arrangements depending on which campus you complete your degree from : French-based graduates cantypically access a one-year job-seeker visa (APS), while UK-based graduates may access Graduate Route visas or Skilled Worker sponsorships. ESCP’s position across multiple European labour markets is a significant advantage for international graduates seeking to build post-graduation careers across Europe.

To go further, read our guide: Why is it worth doing a Master’s degree abroad?

Get Expert Guidance for Your ESCP Application

Your Dream School offers personalised ESCP admissions coaching

Our expert consultants have guided hundreds of students through the ESCP admissions process : from Grande École to MSc and EMBA programmes. We provide comprehensive support including TAGE MAGE and GMAT preparation, essay and motivation letter crafting, interview coaching (both video and in-person), and strategic guidance on campus selection for your goals. Whether you’re applying from a French prépa, an international university, or with professional experience for an MSc or MBA, we know exactly what ESCP looks for and how to position your application for success across all six European campuses.

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One of only three American institutions of higher learning to pre-date the American Revolution, Yale University owes its name to a 17th century Welsh merchant who donated his earnings from the sale of 9 bales of goods, 417 books and a portrait of King George I. Today, Yale University is home to about 5,200 undergraduates students of which about 10% are international.

It is not only part of the elite Ivy League of 8 American colleges and universities and a highly ranked university, but is also an innovative, forward-looking, international beacon of learning shining on the Eastern seaboard of the US in New Haven, Connecticut.

Yale: Training Leaders in all Domains

Since its inception, Yale has trained leaders in all domains of undergraduate and graduate studies. A few of the University’s notable alumni include Presidents George H. and George W. Bush, President and Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas, American journalist Anderson Cooper, actors Jodie Foster, James Franco, Claire Danes, and author Nigerian-born Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie along with 61 Nobel laureates, 5 Fields Medalists and 3 Turing award winners.

Campus Life

Proud of its campus life with over 450 student organizations and a competitive member of the Ivy League athletic conference, Yale University was the first in the USA to adopt a mascot. Seventeen generations later, “Handsome Dan XVII”, a bulldog, attends athletic events, befriends students and professors alike, and according to the University, is the best-known mascot among American colleges and universities.

Some of the more well known student organizations include The Yale Political Union, advised by former Democratic Secretary of State John Kerry and the world’s oldest humor magazine, The Yale Record.

The architectural integrity of the original campus has largely remained intact despite the addition and demolition of various buildings since the campus opened in 1701. The oldest standing structure on campus is Connecticut Hall, built in Georgian style for the English kings of the same name and dating back to 1752. It is also a National Historic Landmark. Students and visitors will also notice Gothic, French Renaissance and mid-century modernist architecture.

Residential Colleges

Most student housing, which Yale calls “Residential Colleges”, is located in the oldest part of Yale’s campus. To promote unity, incoming students are randomly assigned to one of 14 Residential Colleges where they live with roommates and share a bathroom. Within the same building, students also have access to common rooms, game rooms, dance studios, music practice rooms, work out rooms, dining halls and “butteries”, which sell snacks. Freshmen live in a freshman dorm their first year before moving into their Residential College.

Residential colleges are led by senior advisors who help with all aspects of campus, residential and academic life, a dean of each college who serves as the main academic and personal adviser and a head of each college, usually a professor, who oversees all aspects of a particular college’s life, including student integration.

A few additional traditions in Residential Colleges include “Master’s Teas” or a sort of meet-and-greet with special guests as well as weekly formal dinners.

For further information, see the campus >map.

Academics

Organization

All undergraduate students are part of Yale College. In order to graduate, all students must complete the common requirements as well as earn their major credits from their chosen major from among 80 options (shown here). Graduate programs are within the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. There are also professional schools at Yale (including Law, Medecine, Nursing, Public Health, etc.). The University’s most popular degree programs are Economics, Political Science, History and biological science-related majors. All study programs culminate with a thesis, exam or senior project.

Liberal Arts

As a liberal arts college, the Yale curriculum is vast. Students study a range of topics and have until the end of their second year to declare a major. One of the advantages of this system is that it helps students develop the critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills that will be crucial to students’ future careers. Yale promotes both diversity of choice and concentration in a particular area; moreover, students must take at least 2 course credits in the humanities and arts, sciences, and social sciences. Finally, they must fulfill 3 skills requirements: quantitative skills, writing and world language. 

How do I apply?

Former Dean of Admission at Yale, Jeffrey Brenzel, states: “An applicant’s academic strength is our first consideration. We review grades, standardized test scores, and evaluations by a counselor and two teachers to determine academic strength”. Aside from this, Yale also wants students who have something to bring to campus : students who have, as they say, “the potential to add to the Yale community and take advantage of the extraordinary opportunities available on our campus.” These two elements together make up the ‘holistic review’ that admissions teams use to assess applicants. Therefore, applying to Yale demands that potential applicants prepare significantly in advance and ask themselves honest questions about why they are interested in Yale. Finally, Yale says that it looks for students who wish to “stretch their limits”.

What is a holistic review?

When universities use a holistic review, this means that they are looking for students who have both a proven academic talent and also a high level of personal development and extracurricular accomplishment. Additionally, universities consider not only grades and test scores, but also on summer activities (camps, courses, online courses, internships, jobs), extracurricular activities, personal essays, teacher recommendations, and the list goes on.

What do I do when I’m ready to apply?

To apply to Yale, students may use the Common Application (Common App), the Coalition Application or the QuestBridge National College Match. An application fee (around $80) will be charged.

Students will need to provide information about themselves and their family as well as a certain number of official documents, which if not in English, will require translation:

• official transcripts/grade reports
• mid-year report (from final year in high school)
• 2 teacher letters of recommendation
• 1 school counselor letter of recommendation
• official test scores (ACT/SAT with writing, AP if applicable, IELTS/TOEFL)

What tests and results are required?

• SAT Subject Tests: recommended but not required. Notes for international students (See the FAQ here).
• English proficiency: A 100 on the TOEFL or 7 on the IELTS is required.
• GPA and Rank: Students whose schools do not use these criteria will not be at a disadvantage.
• IB, A-Level, French Bac, etc.: While these scores cannot replace the SAT/ACT, this information should be self-reported on the application and be included in the School Report from a school administrator.
• Essays: In addition to the Common App essays, students will also have to upload answers to the Yale-specific essay questions below. For more information about Yale-specific essays, see here: https://admissions.yale.edu/essay-topics

The middle 50% of test scores (the 25th to the 75th percentiles) for enrolled freshman are as follows:

• ACT Composite: 33-35
• SAT-Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 720-770
• SAT-Math: 740-790

We’re here to help you succeed in your application.

What are the deadlines to apply?

Following submission of the application documentation, students may also be contacted by Yale directly to set up an interview with a Yale alumni.

Is it possible to transfer to Yale?

Yes, currently enrolled students at accredited 2- or 4-year colleges and universities may apply to transfer to Yale before March 1st. The admit rate is just under 3%, which is an even lower admit rate than for first year students. Out of 1,000 students who apply to transfer, around 20 to 30 applicants are accepted. More information is available here.

When do you have to start preparing for the University of Yale?

Taking into account the numerous specific requirements for American universities like taking specific exams, the importance of extra-curricular activities and the numerous essays to write, we recommend you start to think about your application for the United States from the start of your penultimate year at the latest.

TIMELINE FOR AN APPLICATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Throughout Year 11 and Year 12:

• Year 11 to February of Year 12: Start researching US colleges and preparing for standardized exams.
• Spring (March to May) of Year 12: We recommend you take the standardized tests for the first time (SAT and SAT Subject Tests) plus English exam (TOEFL) if necessary and register for futures sessions of the tests.
• Summer (June to Aug): Start writing your essays for your application.

Autumn at the start of your Final year:

• Ask your teachers and counselors to complete the required documents
• Take the SAT or ACT for the second time if you think you can improve on your score significantly before the deadline.
• Early Action Candidates: October is last month in which you can take the ACT Plus Writing Test so that Yale can examine your results.
• November 1st: deadline for Early Action applicants(!) : this will be the last month you can take the SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject tests and TOEFL so that Yale can examine your results.

Winter and Spring of your Final Year:

• End of March/Early April: Admission decisions for ‘Regular Decision’ are available online.
• Mid-December: The decisions for Early Action are available online
• January 2nd: Deadline for Regular Decisions candidates(!) : this will be the last month you can take the SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject tests and TOEFL so that Yale can examine your results.
• February: Regular Decision Candidates: It is your last month to take the ACT Plus Writing so that Yale can examine your results.

What is the profile of Yale students

In its mission statement, Yale states that the University wants to “educate students (…) and develop their intellectual, moral, civic, and creative capacities to the fullest”. To this end, Yalies, as students call themselves, are extremely motivated, aware, and engaged “in every sphere of human activity”. Hundreds of student organizations exist, including dance, debate, singing, theater and ahletic clubs of all levels.

For the incoming class of 2022 (admitted spring 2019) 35,308 students applied, 95% of them in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. Of this number, nearly 1,600 enrolled in early 2019 (slightly less than the very selective 6.3% acceptance rate).

The top 15 intended majors declared at the time of application included biomedical engineering, chemistry, computer science, economic, English, environmental studies and ethics, politics & economics.

What are the school fees at the University of Yale?

The total estimated cost of attendance at Yale is near $70K per year. Tuition alone costs $50K for the year. About 50% of Yale students receive scholarships and/or other grant aid from Yale sources.

Admission to Yale is need-blind, which means that a student’s admission is not based on his or her family’s ability to pay tuition. Yale provides financial aid that is entirely need-based.

International students will be glad to know that they are eligible to receive the same financial-aid policies as American students: their admission is need-blind. They have access to financial aid to meet 100% of their demonstrated need and may avoid bank loans to finance their education.

Are you ready to study at Yale?

We’re here to help you succeed in your application.

The image of the ‘Golden State’, Stanford or Leland Stanford Junior University, was founded by its namesake in 1891. Leland Stanford decided to go west of New York in the search of gold and opportunities.

There he founded, with his wife Jane, the university which is home to a flagship of innovation in the ‘Bay Area’ of California and is in effect one of the most highly reputed universities in the world (No.2 according to the QS University Rankings 2018). Its slogan is ‘The wind of Freedom blows’ (Die Luft der Freiheit weht).

Stanford’s campus is situated in a region known for the free circulation of ideas and for its successful technological enterprises like Facebook (at Menlo Park) LinkedIn (at Mountain View), and lots of others at Palo Alto. The University is situated 34 miles to the south (around 55km) of San Francisco and 22 miles north of San Jose (around 35km)

Stanford University in a few words

Life on Stanford’s campus

The promotion of 2021 is home to more than 7 000 students from more than 75 countries. The campus is familiarly known by the name of ‘The Farm’, derived from the era when horses rather than students roamed once was once the farm of the founders of the university, Leland and Jane Stanford.

At 87 meters, the Hoover Tower dominates all the other structures on campus. Named after the former president of the United States, the tower is home to a collection of works linked to the history of the 20th century offered by President Hoover. The tower offers to students and to visitors an impressive view of Stanford and its surroundings. The Hannah Honeycomb house was constructed by Frank Lloyd Wright from 1937. This octagonal house was originally the house for the scholars of Stanford. It is henceforth considered to be a historical site. Among the most visited places on the campus, we must mention the White Plaza, which is in many ways the center of student life on campus.

Academic life at Stanford

The professors at Stanford are considered to be among the best in the world. As of March 2018, 81 Nobel prize laureates, 27 Turing prize laureates and 7 fields medals have been affiliated with Stanford and as students, former students, professors or personnel members.

Additionally, Stanford University is particularly known for its entrepreneurial spirit and the capacity of its students to attract funds for startups.

The former students of Stanford have founded a great number of companies, producing together more than 2.7 million dollars of revenue annually and creating 5.4 thousand jobs in 2011, the equivalent of the world’s tenth largest economy (2011).

Stanford has shaped 30 living millionaires and 17 astronauts. It is also one of the principal producers of members of the United States congress. The university currently employs more than 2,000 professors.

Despite this incredible list of achievements, the students have plenty of time to define their own academic goals under the direction of professors, of personnel or former students.

Effectively, a number of students do not declare their ‘major’ until their second year (or ‘sophomore’) at Stanford.

Before choosing, the students meet with a ‘PMA’ or a ‘pre-major’ counselor. This person oversees a small group of first year students and helps them choose their classes and to navigate through university life until they declare a ‘major’ of studies.

In total, 57% of undergraduate students become graduates of a school of human sciences and sciences, which comprises programs as varied as afro-american studies, study of slavic language and literature, or physics and political sciences.

Among its other schools (or departments), Stanford is also home to a school of Earth Sciences, energy and environment and a School of Engineering. Additionally, is also home to 10 campuses across the world in cities like Le Cap, Hong Kong (from 2019), Istanbul, Kyoto, Oxford and Paris.

Every campus has a member of the faculty in residence and staff as well as students, which allows for the creation of a true ‘home from home’ for the students of Stanford.

How do I apply?

Apply for a Bachelor’s at Stanford

To apply to Stanford, you will need to use the Common App (or ‘common application’) centralized platform through which you can apply to the majority of American colleges and universities.

You must provide information on your family : including your parents’ professions-, provide your record of grades or high school grades, provide a mid-year report, submit 2 letters of recommendation, submit a ‘school report’, write a CV, send results of your official tests (ACT/SAT/SAT Subject tests- Note that the written parts of these examinations are obligatory), describe your extracurricular activities and, like for the majority of highly selective colleges, complete the development questions as a response to the supplementary dissertation questions specific to Stanford. You must submit all your documents before the appropriate deadline. If you are sure that Stanford is your first choice, you might want to make a request for ‘Restrictive Early Action.’ The anticipated documents must be submitted before November 1st. The university stipulates that you must complete the ACT/SAT by November.

The documents for a ‘regular decision’ application must be submitted before January 2nd. In this case, the students are allowed to choose to take the ACT/SAT at the end of February. Stanford does not require the SAT Subject Tests, but it is probably preferable to take the tests corresponding to your interests and your strong points.

The university does not require an English test, but they strongly recommend taking the TOEFL but does not recommend the IELTS.

Finally, the university will accept your highest scores of each section of the ACT/SAT separately, which they call ‘superscoring’.

The Application

Your application for the Bachelor’s to the university of Stanford must comprise the following elements:

• The ‘Coalition Application’ or ‘Common Application’ which comprises questions specific to Stanford :
• Lists and descriptions of all activities and accomplishments of the student (achievements, activities, employment and summer activities)
• Personal essay
• Stanford-specific questions

Your School Grades

• Official transcript of all your school reports
• Recommendation from a school counselor and school profile
• A complete
• ‘Mid Year-Report’

Standardized tests

• SAT or ACT score
• Score from a standardized English exam (IELTS, TOEFL, DET)

• 2 letters of recommendation from teachers
• These recommendations must come from teachers of academic disciplines
• For candidates for engineering, one of these must come from a teacher of mathematics or science.

Complementary documents for the application :

Optional interview with an alumnus/alumna

Supplementary materials

When do you have to start preparing for the University of Stanford

Taking into account the numerous specific requirements for American universities like taking exams; consistently participating in extra-curricular activities including clubs, music, sports, and side projects; and the numerous essays to write, we recommend that students begin start to think about their path to Stanford as soon as they begin high school. The application itself is typically completed during the fall semester of students’ last year in high school.

What is the profile of the students at the University of Stanford?

The admission process at Stanford is a ‘holistic’ process with takes into consideration numerous factors at considers each application on the whole and doesn’t just focus on academic results and tests.

For more detail, see also: Dartmouth College: Admissions, Requirements & Fees.

What is the profile of the students at the University of Stanford?

Approximate school fees at undergraduate level (all USD):

Total school fees for Bachelor’s:

$228,832 for 4 years (57,208 per year)

Total budget estimated for a Bachelor’s:

$296,692 for 4 years

Total budget for one year: $74,173

• School fees and obligatory fees: $57,208
• Accommodation: $13,618
• Books and equipment: $1,246
• Other expenses: $2,101

School fees for a Master’s

Total costs of Master’s school fees: around $61,000 per year

Total cost estimated for a Master’s: $84,280 per year

Total budget for a year of a Master’s:

• School fees and obligatory fees: $61 006
• Accommodation: $17,298
• Book and equipment: $1,000
• Other expenses: $3,887

School fees for the LLM:

Total cost of school fees for the LLM: around $65,252

Total budget estimated for an LLM: $93,740

• School fees and obligatory fees: $ 70,660
• Accommodation: $21,505
• Books and equipment: $1,575
• Other expenses: $3,900

MBA School Fees:

Total cost of school fees for the MBA: $106,416

Total budget for the MBA: $168,307

Total predicted budget for a year of MBA: $110,914

Personal expenses: $6,066

School fees: $74,400

Obligatory fees: $3,693

Insurance and health costs: $4,480

Books and equipment: $900

Accommodation: $21,375

Related reading: Brown University: Admissions, Requirements & Fees.

Are you ready to study at Stanford?

We’re here to help you succeed in your application.

The University of St Andrews is the most highly renowned and the oldest university in Scotland. Along with >The University of Edinburgh, St Andrews is considered to be the best university in Scotland and one of the most prestigious in the United Kingdom, on the same level as Oxford  or Cambridge.

Regularly classed as the third best university in the United Kingdom in all the national rankings, their students are the most satisfied in the U.K (Complete University Guide, 2018)! St Andrews, the university was established between 1410 and 1413- the first in Scotland- and comprising three colleges (University College, St Mary’s College and St Leonard’s College). Today, its student body of around 8000 at undergraduate level and 2000 graduates is composed of more than 135 nationalities and 45% are international students.

So, St Andrews is one of the most international universities in Scotland! The Complete University Guide classifies the Management, Divinity and the Middle Eastern and African Studies among its academic programs with the school of English, Philosophy, Anatomy and Physiology equally very well ranked by The Times and The Sunday Times.

Situated in the very picturesque city of St Andrews, the university was established between 1410 and 1413 and comprises three colleges (University College, St Mary’s College and St Leonard’s College).

Along with the University of Edinburgh, St Andrews is considered as the best university in Scotland and one of the most prestigious in the United Kingdom, on the same level as Oxford or Cambridge

The University of St Andrews in a few words

With more than 135 nationalities represented and 45% of students being international, Saint Andrews is one of the most international universities in Scotland.

The university is composed of 4 faculties. Their departments of Physics and Astronomy, of International Relations, of Information Technology, Geography, English, Management, Philosophy and Theology and African and Oriental Studies are among the most reputed at the university and are in the national top 3. Indeed, in the 2019 Complete University Guide, 24 out of the 25 subjects offered by St Andrews rank within the top 10 nationally making St Andrews one of only three multi-faculty universities (along with Cambridge and Oxford) in the UK to have over 95% of their subjects in the top 10.

Numerous illustrious mathematicians, scientists theologians and philosophers are graduates or affiliates of the University of St Andrews, from which there are six Nobel prizes.Recent alumni include the former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond; former Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon; HM British Ambassador to China Barbara Woodward; United States Ambassador to Hungary Colleen Bell; Olympic cycling gold medalist Chris Hoy; and royals Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Six Nobel Laureates are among St Andrews’ alumni and former staff: two in Chemistry and Physiology or Medicine, and one each in Peace and Literature.

Student life

Admission to the University of St Andrews is reserved to the very best students and requires you to obtain excellent academic results.

How do I apply?

• The application on UCASYou must first submit your application on the UCAS platform, the equivalent of Parcoursup in England. This file comprises a cover letter (Personal statement) as well as a letter of recommendation from one of your teachers.
• Taking a standardized English testIt will also be asked of you to demonstrate an excellent command of the English language and you must also generally pass a standardized English test like the IELTS.
• The Conditional Offer of AdmissionFinally, if your application is accepted in the selection process, you will then receive a ‘conditional’ offer of admission. This means that you will only definitely be accepted on the condition that you obtain the minimum results Baccalaureate (most often a ‘Bien’ reference in the French Baccalaureate) and at a standardized English exam (generally between 6.5 and 7.5 in the IELTS)

When do you have to start to prepare for the University of St Andrews?

The deadline for applying to the University of St Andrews is fixed at the January 15th of your final year.

Always bear in mind the preparation work necessary for admission to Saint Andrews, it is strongly recommended to start preparing your application from your penultimate year to maximize your chances of success.

What is the profile of the students at the University of St Andrews?

Because of the high selectivity of the university, we recommend to send your application to these universities only if you can demonstrate that you have excellent academic results and are sure of obtaining at least a ‘Bien’ grade at Baccalaureate.

On the same topic, see our article: Interview with Laura, a French student at the University of St Andrews.

Are you ready to study at Saint Andrews?

We’re here to help you succeed in your application.

Established in 1746 and therefore one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the US, Princeton University is now one of eight elite American universities in the Ivy League. Additionally, it was ranked between 1st and 2nd best university worldwide for 16 of the 18 years between 2001 and 2018 by US News & World Report. QS World University Rankings places it at number 13 in 2018.

This private university has just under 5,400 undergraduate and about 2,700 postgraduate students. Its most well-recognized programs are consistently in the arts & humanities, natural sciences and social socials & management

Princeton University in a few words

The school is named for the famous alumni, the 28th president of the United States and former president of Princeton. Students enjoy its 600 acres set in suburban Princeton, New Jersey, which is about an hour by car from Philadelphia and about an hour and a half from New York City.

Concerning its academics, the highly reputed Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs delivers degrees from undergraduate to PhD. Among undergraduates the most popular majors include Public Policy Analysis, Computer Engineering, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, History, and Operations Research. Nearly 75% of classes have fewer than 20 students and many are taught in small, interactive groups around tables in seminar style; general and beginner courses are taught as in a lecture setting.

Princeton Tigers, as its students and their mascot are known, are particularly faithful to their alma mater and many attend an annual reunion on campus held each May. Graduating from Princeton is indeed, like many American universities, equal to gaining lifetime access to a club, in this case, a very selective one!

Related reading: Common App 2026: Complete Guide to US Universities.

Student Life

The beautiful campus of Princeton experiences all four seasons, including a colorful fall and a cold, snowy winter. Buildings are equipped with the latest technology and many residential colleges also provide comfortable common areas and dining halls.

Campus life

One of the things that differentiates campus life at Princeton is the presence of Eating Clubs. This group of 13 selective clubs are more than just off campus houses where students eat together; they are Princeton’s version of Greek Life. Moreover, they set the tone for the social scene on Thursdays and Saturdays. Located just off campus on “the street”, each member can bring two invitees to events on weekends. While they are likely to greatly influence your social life should you choose to join one, not every student is a member, nor need be.

To go further, read our guide: Dartmouth College: Admissions, Requirements & Fees.

How do I apply?

To apply to Princeton University, you will need to use the Common Application, a centralized platform through which you can apply to most American colleges and universities. You will need to fill in information about your family : including the occupation of your parents -, provide your transcript or high school grades, submit two teacher reference letters and a guidance counselor letter of reference, draft a résumé or CV, send official test scores (SAT, SAT Subject Test scores, ACT and English language test scores), describe your extracurricular activities and as with most highly selective colleges complete the essay questions on the Common App as well as answer additional essay questions specific to Princeton known as the Princeton Supplement. The application will be due on January 1st unless you are applying for Single Choice Early Action in which case you must submit all materials by November 1st.

The selection process for Princeton is divided into several steps that we describe to you below:

Related reading: Bachelor Admissions: Applying to US Universities.

The application file

Your application to Princeton University must comprise the following elements :

• Your results from the SAT and from the Subject Test
• Your results from the TOEFL, IELTS Academic or the  PTE Academic Test
• Your candidate file and the Princeton Supplement
• Your Princeton Financial Aid Application
• School Report, Guidance Counselor Letter and Transcript
• Teacher Evaluation Form 1
• Teacher Evaluation Form 2

For more detail, see also: Brown University: Admissions, Requirements & Fees.

When do you have to start preparing for Princeton?

Taking into account the numerous specific requirements for American universities like taking exams; consistently participating in extra-curricular activities including clubs, music, sports, and side projects; and the numerous essays to write, we recommend that students begin start to think about their path to Stanford as soon as they begin high school. The application itself is typically completed during the fall semester of students’ last year in high school.

Related reading: Boston University: Admissions, Requirements & Fees.

What is the profile of students at Princeton?

With a rate of acceptance of 6,5% for Bachelor’s level, admission to Princeton is on an extremely competitive level at both Bachelor’s and Master’s level. According to our research, to have a good chance of being accepted,you must be at the top of your class and have a SAT score close to 1600 or an ACT score of around 35.

For more detail, see also: Georgetown University: School Profile.

Are you ready to study at Princeton University?

We’re here to help you succeed in your application.