Do I need to know French to apply or study at HEC Paris?

Question

Sushovan biswas · Accepted Answer

You don&rsquo;t need to know French to apply or study at HEC Paris, especially for their MBA and MiM programs. All the courses are taught in English, and since there are so many international students, English is the main language used for classes and communication.
That said, knowing a bit of French can be helpful. While it&rsquo;s not required for your studies, speaking French will make your life in Paris easier, especially when you&rsquo;re out of the classroom. It can also help you connect better with local companies, especially during internships.
If you plan to stay in Paris after graduation, learning French will definitely give you an edge, as many jobs in France prefer candidates who speak the language. But don&rsquo;t worry, you&rsquo;ll be fine at HEC Paris even if you don&rsquo;t know French &ndash; English will be your go-to language!

Shivam Jha · Answer

for most of the MBA and MiM programs, you don't need to know French. The courses are all taught in English, and you&rsquo;ll find that the majority of international students, including those from non-French speaking countries, study there comfortably without needing French.
That being said, it's still helpful to learn some basic French before moving to Paris. While it&rsquo;s not mandatory for your studies, knowing a few phrases can make your day-to-day life easier, like navigating the city, talking to locals, or even networking in the French business environment. But don&rsquo;t stress too much, because HEC Paris provides a great international environment where English is the main language used.
In short, you can apply and study at HEC Paris without speaking French, but if you have the time and interest, picking up the language could enhance your overall experience in France.

K S Saini · Answer

No, you don&rsquo;t need to know French to apply or study at HEC Paris. The MiM program is fully taught in English, and most international students arrive with little to no French background. Admissions are based on your academic record, test scores, and essays&mdash;not language fluency.
That said, learning basic French once you&rsquo;re there is highly recommended. Daily life in France&mdash;grocery shopping, travel, or renting an apartment&mdash;becomes much easier. Plus, many consulting and corporate finance roles in Paris prefer candidates who can communicate in French, especially for client-facing work.
HEC even offers free French language courses throughout the program to help international students adjust. So while French isn&rsquo;t a barrier for admission or academics, it definitely helps with networking, internships, and long-term career opportunities in France.

Pushpak J · Answer

Plenty of students at HEC Paris start with zero French, so it&rsquo;s not a requirement to apply or get in.
&bull; The entire MiM program, including lectures, assignments, and exams, is conducted in English. &bull; Classrooms are highly international&mdash;many peers and professors speak English daily. &bull; French classes are provided on campus for those who want to learn during the program. &bull; Knowing the language helps mainly for internships or jobs in France, where local firms value bilingual candidates.
If the plan is to work in Paris or other French cities after graduation, picking up conversational French is a smart move. But if the goal is to work elsewhere in Europe or Asia, English alone is more than enough for the program.