ESSEC Master's in Finance: Motivation Letter Analysis, Tips and Strategies

In this in-depth ESSEC Master’s in Finance Motivation Letter Tips, we cover:

•    Overview
•    Mission, Goals and Values
•    Ideal Candidate
•    What to Highlight
•    Motivation Letter Tips

Overview

The ESSEC Master in Finance (MIF) program is a highly intensive, career-oriented program tailored for students aiming to excel in corporate finance, financial markets, fintech, asset and portfolio management, or risk management. It provides a global perspective on finance with a robust analytical focus, equipping students with the skills necessary to adapt to the financial markets in Europe and Asia. 

The program spans one to two years, depending on prior education, and offers a unique combination of academic and professional experiences, including study trips to major financial hubs like London and New York, and internship opportunities across the world. 

ESSEC partners with AlumnEye, ensuring students are well-prepared for competitive positions in top-tier financial institutions.

ESSEC Master’s in Finance Program: Mission, Goals & Values

ESSEC’s mission is to "infuse leadership with meaning" by preparing future leaders to address contemporary economic, social, and environmental challenges. This is achieved through an academic approach that emphasizes humanism, responsibility, innovation, and openness, which are the core values guiding the institution.

Students are trained to anticipate and creatively address global uncertainties, supported by cutting-edge research and technology. For instance, the MIF program’s study trips and exposure to global financial markets highlight how ESSEC integrates its values of openness and innovation into real-world financial training.

ESSEC's purpose is summarized in its signature "Enlighten. Lead. Change."

•    Enlighten: Using research and multicultural approaches to better understand global financial challenges.
•    Lead: Guiding transformations in industries and society, fostering sustainable and inclusive progress.
•    Change: Acting as agents of change by aligning business goals with societal well-being, focusing on responsible finance.

Ideal Candidates for the Program

The ESSEC MIF is designed for high-potential candidates with a strong academic background in fields like engineering, science, mathematics, business, or economics from top institutions. The ideal candidate demonstrates is driven, open-minded, and demonstrates leadership potential for a career in global financial markets. This international mindset is crucial, as the program emphasizes adaptability to multicultural environments. 

For example, someone aspiring to work in financial hubs such as London, New York, or Hong Kong would fit the program’s focus on cross-border financial expertise.

Additionally, the program seeks individuals who are eager to engage with real-world financial issues through internships and professional experiences. The MIF program’s practical elements, such as the internship component and AlumnEye training for investment banking interviews, reflect the demand for proactive, ambitious students with a clear vision for their financial careers.

What to Highlight in Your Motivation Letter

Your motivation letter should go beyond listing your qualifications and should reflect a strong alignment with ESSEC’s values, mission, and goals. 

Focus on how you embody both the academic rigor and the leadership skills the program seeks to cultivate.

•    Global Perspective: Highlight experiences that demonstrate your ability to work in multicultural settings or tackle global financial challenges. Show how your ambitions align with the program’s strong international focus, such as any previous internships, study abroad programs, or global finance projects you’ve been part of.

•    Leadership Potential: Reflect on instances where you took the initiative to lead a project or a team, even in non-finance settings. For example, if you led a student finance club or organized a fund-raising for the underprivileged, this would resonate with ESSEC’s mission to create responsible leaders.

•    Commitment to Responsible Finance: Showcase how your career goals align with ethical financial practices. With ESSEC's emphasis on balancing value creation and social good, examples of how you have been involved in sustainable finance or built an interest in ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing would strengthen your case.

•    Innovation and Adaptability: Mention your ability to innovate in finance. Whether it's learning new financial technologies or developing creative approaches to solve complex problems, these traits will demonstrate your alignment with ESSEC’s focus on leadership through innovation.

By tying these specific traits to your past experiences and future ambitions, you can craft a strong motivation letter that clearly aligns with ESSEC’s mission of developing global, responsible financial leaders.

Motivation Letter Tips

How to Approach

Clearly Articulate Why You’re Applying to the ESSEC Master in Finance Program

When writing your motivation letter, make sure to emphasize why the ESSEC Master in Finance is your program of choice. 
Consider its strong global focus, with campuses in France and Singapore, and how its curriculum, which integrates both academic rigor and professional exposure, aligns with your career aspirations. 

Mention specific program highlights, such as the two study trips to financial hubs like London and New York, which provide invaluable industry insights. 

Also, the program's partnership with AlumnEye, a network that prepares students for interviews in investment banking and market finance, offers a unique opportunity to stand out in competitive recruitment processes.

Example: For Eliza, the ESSEC Master in Finance's international exposure and professional support were key reasons for her choice. Coming from a multicultural background and with experience in both asset management and MedTech, Eliza was drawn to the program’s strong academic focus and the opportunity to expand her global network through study trips and diverse student cohorts.

Tip: Focus on a specific element of the program, such as the AlumnEye partnership or the study trips, and explain how this aligns with your goals. Avoid generic statements and instead tie the unique features of the program to your career aspirations.

Highlight the Skills and Experiences You Bring

Your motivation letter should go beyond listing your CV. Instead, highlight the specific skills and experiences that make you a strong fit for ESSEC. 

Discuss technical competencies relevant to finance, such as analytical skills, problem-solving, or specific software expertise. 
If you have professional experience, discuss how it has prepared you for this rigorous program. ESSEC encourages leadership and innovation, so if you have demonstrated these traits in internships or projects, make sure to emphasize them.

Example: Eliza’s internships in both asset management and the MedTech sector were pivotal to her finance career. During her time as a CFO assistant, she honed her financial analysis and data management skills, while her role in asset management gave her insight into the fixed income sector. These experiences, combined with her trilingual abilities, positioned her as a standout candidate for the ESSEC program, where diversity and adaptability are highly valued.

Tip: Reflect on the program’s focus areas—corporate finance, fintech, risk management—and connect these with your previous experiences. Emphasize how your background prepares you to excel in specific areas of the curriculum.

Explain How the Program Will Help You Achieve Your Career Goals

In this section, connect your long-term career aspirations with what ESSEC offers. 

Whether you aim to work in financial markets, fintech, or portfolio management, explain how the ESSEC Master in Finance provides the ideal platform to help you reach these goals. 

Mention opportunities such as the internship program (which can be completed worldwide) or the academic dissertation option, both of which offer avenues for deepening your expertise. 

ESSEC’s global alumni network, professional coaching, and industry-focused curriculum can also be highlighted as ways the school will support your career progression.

Example: Eliza is passionate about working in Europe’s major financial hubs. The internship opportunities at ESSEC, combined with the study trips to London and New York, will provide her with unparalleled access to these financial centers. Her goal is to specialize in asset management, and she views ESSEC’s strong connections with industry leaders and the focus on real-world financial applications as key to achieving this ambition.

Tip: Be specific about how the program’s offerings, such as the internships and global alumni network, will help bridge the gap between where you are now and your future career goals.

Why ESSEC Business School?

Beyond the Master in Finance, consider why you want to be part of ESSEC Business School. 

The school’s mission of "enlightening, leading, and changing" the business world aligns with the evolving role of finance in addressing global challenges. ESSEC’s core values—humanism, responsibility, innovation, and openness—should resonate with your personal and professional values. If you’re particularly drawn to its multicultural environment or its strong focus on experiential learning, mention this. The 100+ student organizations at ESSEC also offer a vibrant community to engage in various extracurricular activities.

Example: Eliza appreciated ESSEC’s strong emphasis on developing responsible and innovative leaders. She was particularly drawn to the school’s mission to prepare professionals to address contemporary social, economic, and environmental challenges—something she sees as essential in today’s interconnected financial world. Additionally, Eliza looks forward to contributing to and benefiting from the diverse cultural experiences offered through ESSEC’s campus in France.

Tip: Mention a specific aspect of the school’s culture or values that resonates with you. If you plan to be involved in any extracurricular clubs or organizations, describe how they fit into your overall learning experience.

Demonstrate What Inspires You and How You’ve Engaged With the Field

Show that you are genuinely passionate about finance and have engaged with the field beyond your academic and professional experiences. 

Discuss any books, articles, or thought leaders in finance that have influenced you. 

If you have participated in projects, online courses, or competitions that are relevant to finance, mention them here. 

ESSEC values students who demonstrate initiative and curiosity, so show that you have gone beyond the classroom in your pursuit of knowledge.

Example: Eliza’s interest in finance was further developed through her participation in extracurricular activities such as finance-related workshops and online courses on fintech. 

She has also been an avid reader of financial literature, particularly focusing on books about the future of investment strategies. This proactive approach to learning helped her confirm her desire to specialize in asset management, a field in which she sees herself innovating in the future.

Tip: Be sure to mention any self-directed learning you’ve done, such as online courses, reading, or attending finance-related events. This shows you are proactive in your education and committed to a long-term career in finance.

Final Take

Your motivation letter should provide a coherent narrative that explains why ESSEC is the ideal place for you to achieve your career goals. By integrating your experiences, career aspirations, and what inspires you, your letter will stand out and demonstrate how you align with the program's objectives.

Reference

• ESSEC Master in Finance