Can I get into HEC Paris MFin with an engineering background and no CFA?

Question

I’m from a mechanical engineering background and currently working in a fintech company as a data analyst. I have about 1.5 years of work experience and plan to apply to the HEC Paris Master in International Finance program next year. I haven’t done CFA, but I’m planning to take GMAT soon and aim for a 700+ score.
Since most of the class seems to have finance degrees or CFA certifications, I’m not sure if someone like me — without a core finance academic background — has a fair shot. Would my work in fintech and strong quant skills help balance that? And does HEC accept candidates from engineering backgrounds often, or is that rare? Would really appreciate any guidance on how to position my profile.

S Raghav · Accepted Answer

Coming from engineering into high finance might seem like a stretch &mdash; but it&rsquo;s not unusual at HEC. The key is how well the story is framed.
&bull; No CFA isn&rsquo;t a problem if there's strong interest shown through projects, learning, or your fintech work. &bull; A GMAT score of 700+ helps show the quantitative strength needed for the program. &bull; Adcoms know that roles in data analytics often overlap with finance &mdash; especially in fintech, risk, and strategy. &bull; Adding a couple of finance-related projects (workplace or self-initiated) strengthens the case even more. &bull; HEC&rsquo;s MFin class is deliberately diverse &mdash; engineering grads often stand out when their goals are clearly explained. &bull; Avoid simply saying &ldquo;switching to finance&rdquo; &mdash; focus on why finance genuinely fits, and why HEC is the right path now.

T Mehta · Answer

Yes, it&rsquo;s absolutely possible to get into HEC Paris MFin with an engineering background and no CFA, especially with fintech experience and strong quant skills. HEC regularly admits candidates from STEM fields &mdash; what matters more is how well the profile aligns with the finance industry. A 700+ GMAT, paired with your data analyst role, already signals solid analytical capability, which the admissions team values. Many engineering grads make it to top finance programs by demonstrating interest and readiness through relevant internships, side projects, or strong motivation letters.
Lack of CFA isn&rsquo;t a dealbreaker if other parts of the application show potential. HEC looks for diversity in academic backgrounds, and fintech work often overlaps with financial modeling, risk analysis, and data-driven decision making &mdash; all highly relevant to IB and asset management. Just be clear in your essays about your transition goals, and use your fintech experience to connect the dots.

Divakshi Arora · Answer

Yes, you can get into HEC Paris MFin with an engineering background, even without CFA. HEC admits students from non-finance degrees every year, provided they show strong quant skills and relevant exposure. Your fintech data analyst role already shows experience with numbers and financial data, which can balance the lack of a finance major. A GMAT score above 700 (with strong quant) will help prove academic readiness.
While many classmates do have finance or CFA backgrounds, HEC looks for diversity in the class. Engineers and STEM grads are not rare at all. What matters is how you position your story &mdash; connecting engineering, fintech experience, and future goals in IB/PE/AM. If you can explain why MFin is the right step and back it with internships or projects, you&rsquo;ll be a competitive applicant.

B.K Sharma · Answer

A lot of applicants assume HEC MFin is only for people with CFA or finance degrees, but that&rsquo;s not true.
&bull; Every year, engineers and STEM graduates get in, especially those with experience in data, tech, or analytics linked to finance. &bull; Your fintech role gives you an angle that pure finance majors may not have &mdash; familiarity with financial systems and quant-heavy work. Play that up. &bull; CFA isn&rsquo;t a requirement. It helps, but a 700+ GMAT with strong quant is usually enough to show you can handle the coursework. &bull; What matters most is showing clear motivation for shifting into finance. Admissions like candidates who can connect their current work to IB, AM, or PE goals, not just generic interest.
So yes, engineering backgrounds are common in the class, and with the right positioning, your profile can stand out.