The ESSEC Master in Finance (MIF) is a career-oriented postgraduate program offered by ESSEC Business School in France. Designed for students seeking careers in corporate finance, financial markets, fintech, asset and portfolio management, or risk management, the MIF program emphasizes a global perspective to succeed in European and Asian financial markets.
In this analysis of the ESSEC MIF Program, we cover:
Class Profile
The ESSEC Master in Finance program presents a class profile that underscores the program’s focus on academic excellence and diversity. The average age of students is 24 years, which suggests a cohort composed predominantly of recent graduates and early-career professionals, poised to deepen their expertise in finance.
An analysis of academic backgrounds reveals that 65% of the students hold degrees in Economics, Finance, or Business, indicating a strong alignment with the program’s rigorous financial curriculum.
Interestingly, 35% of the class holds degrees in Engineering and Science, bringing a critical analytical and quantitative perspective to the cohort.
Gender diversity is another important aspect of the class profile, with women constituting 30% of the student body. While this indicates progress towards gender balance, it also highlights an area for potential growth in increasing female representation in the finance sector.
Class Profile | ESSEC (Master in Finance) Typical Class Profile |
| Average Age | 24 years |
| Hold Degrees in Economics, Finance, and Business | 65% |
| Hold a Degree in Engineering and Science | 35% |
| Women | 30% |
Cost of Attendance
The ESSEC Master in Finance program offers flexible duration options of one or two years, depending on your academic background. The cost structure includes a tuition fee that varies based on the program's duration and the student’s citizenship status. For the one-year program, EU citizens can expect to pay €27,900 in tuition, while non-EU citizens pay €31,000. The two-year program tuition is set at €13,500 (Year 1) + €27,900 (Year 2) for EU citizens and €13,500 (Year 1) + €31,000 (Year 2) for non-EU citizens. Additionally, a one-time service fee is required, which ranges from €2,000 to €2,340 depending on the program duration and student nationality.
Beyond tuition and fees, students should budget for living expenses, which are estimated between €1,300 and €2,000 per month, depending on lifestyle choices. This equates to an additional €20,000 per year. Thus, the total estimated cost for the one-year program ranges from €32,140 to €35,340, while the two-year program costs €87,830 to €91,130
Expenses (For One Year Program) | EU Citizens | Non-EU Citizens |
| Total Tuition | €27,900 | €31,000 |
| Service Fee | €2,240 (approx.) | €2,340 (approx.) |
| Living Expenses | 20000 | 20000 |
| Total | €32,140 (approx.) | €35,340 (approx.) |
Expenses (For Two Year Program) | EU Citizens | Non-EU Citizens |
| Tuition Year 1 | €13,500 | €13,500 |
| Tuition Year 2 | €27,900 | €31,000 |
| Registration Fee (per year, total €4,000) | €2,000 / year | €2,000 / year |
| Service Fee (one-time) | €2,430 | €2,630 |
| Living Expenses (approx. €20,000 per year × 2) | 40000 | 40000 |
| Total Estimated (incl. living) | €87,830 (approx.) | €91,130 (approx.) |
Scholarships & Loans
The ESSEC Master in Finance program offers 8 funding opportunities to support students.
Scholarships include the ESSEC Academic Excellence/Diversity Scholarships, covering up to 50% of tuition; the Ardian Singapore Track Scholarship, providing up to 30% of tuition for international Singapore Track students; and the LIFE Lebanon Scholarship, offering up to $12,000 annually for Lebanese students.
The EIFFEL Scholarship gives €1,181 monthly for non-French students under 30, while the Financial Specialist Scholarship (FSS) supports Singaporeans with up to 70% of tuition fees and additional expenses.
The CIMB ASEAN Scholarship and Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship offer full funding for ASEAN and Singaporean students, respectively.
The Bourse CROUS provides a tuition discount for CROUS holders.
Name of Fund | Eligibility | Amount |
| ESSEC Academic Excellence/Diversity Scholarships | Open to all Applicants but awarded based on merit | up to 50% of total tuition fees. |
| Ardian Singapore Track Scholarship | Open for International applicants of Singapore Track | up to 30% of total tuition fees. |
| LIFE Lebanon Scholarship | Lebanese applicants or those of Lebanese descent | Up to 12 000 USD per year |
| EIFFEL Scholarship | non-French candidates who are no older than 30 years old (double nationality included) | A monthly allowance of €1,181 |
| Financial Specialist Scholarship (FSS) | Singapore citizens | up to 70% of the qualifying tuition fees and S$7,000 for the expenses |
| CIMB ASEAN Scholarship | An ASEAN citizen | full scholarship award |
| Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship | Candidates holding Singaporean citizenship | full tuition fees and an annual allowance of S$50,000 for up to 2 years if |
| Bourse CROUS | CROUS scholarship holder | discount on tuition for the current year |
Curriculum
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 careers in corporate finance, financial markets, fintech, asset and portfolio management, and risk management.
The program is available at two campuses: ESSEC France (Cergy, Paris area) and ESSEC Asia-Pacific (Singapore), allowing students to choose according to their professional goals.
Duration
The duration of the Master in Finance varies 2 years (Master 1 + Master 2) for students with a 3-year Bachelor Degree or a Licence 3, and 1 year (Master 2 only) for those with a 4-year Bachelor Degree or a Master Degree.
Each year, students complete an internship lasting 4 to 6 months, which can be undertaken globally to facilitate professional integration.
Alternative for Master 2
As an alternative to the internship during Master 2, students may opt for an academic dissertation, involving independent research on cutting-edge topics in finance. Additionally, students participate in two study trips to major financial centers, such as London, Hong Kong, or New York.
Master 1 | Events | Masters 2 | Events |
| Term 0 (End of Aug-Sep) | Preparatory courses & AlumnEye Training | Term 0 (End of Aug-Sep) | Core Courses |
| Term 1 (Oct-Dec) | Core courses | Term 1 (Oct-Dec) | Core & Elective Courses; AlumnEye Training |
| Term 2 & 3 (Jan-May) | Internship | Term 2 & 3 (Jan-May) | Core and elective courses |
| Term 2 & 3 (Jan-May) | Internship or Academic Dissertation + International Study Trips (London and New York or Hong Kong) + Job Fairs |
Master 1
The Master 1 year serves as a foundation, covering essential finance prerequisites and allowing students to explore their specialization options for the Master 2 year.
Students begin with a preparatory term (T0) focusing on Finance, Mathematics, and Statistics, with Core Tracks such as Financial Theory, Statistics, and Foundations of Calculus & Probability.
The subsequent term (T1) includes six courses from a general track, including one compulsory course and five electives. This phase helps students discover their professional interests, guiding their choice of specialization in Master 2.
Electives include Programming in Python, Management Control, and Macroeconomic Theory and Development.
Master 1 concludes with a 6-month internship.
Master 2
The Master 2 year is tailored to deepen financial knowledge and align the program with individual career goals. It is divided into three terms, covering core courses, specialized tracks, and optional certificates.
Terms 0 & 1 focus on building a strong foundation with courses like Corporate Financial Management, Financial Markets, and Big Data Analytics. Terms 2 & 3 allow students to specialize in one of three tracks: Corporate Finance, Financial Markets, or Fintech & Analytics.
During Term 2, students also have the option to participate in inter-campus mobility. Master 2 students complete either a 4 to 6-month internship or an academic dissertation.
International Study Trips
During Master 2, students participate in two international study trips to major financial hubs, such as London and Hong Kong or New York. These trips offer exclusive access to leading investment banks and consulting firms, including Barclays Capital, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan. The study trips provide opportunities to meet professionals and network with ESSEC alumni.
Certificate Courses
In Master 2, students can earn a certificate in Energy and Commodities through the Energy and Commodity Finance Research Centre. This center promotes research and knowledge dissemination in commodity markets and energy finance, organizing scientific conferences, webinars, and managing Argo Review, a journal focused on cutting-edge knowledge in the field.
Internships and Graduate Program
The program includes internships each year, lasting 4 to 6 months, which can be undertaken globally. The internships are integral to professional integration.
Additionally, students benefit from AlumnEye, a network providing interview preparation for prestigious financial institutions, enhancing their chances of securing summer internships and graduate positions.
Previous internship placements include ARDIAN, Barclays, Blackstone, BNP Paribas, BOFA Securities, Citi, Credit Agricole CIB, Deutsche Bank, EY, Goldman Sachs, Houlihan Lokey, HSBC, Jefferies, J.P. Morgan, and KPMG.
Dual Degree
ESSEC offers a dual degree in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley.
Students can earn both the ESSEC Master in Finance and a Master of Engineering from UC Berkeley.
As of 2026, a 15% potential tuition reduction is offered with Berkeley. This program allows students with a scientific background to complete the Master of Engineering program in one year after finishing the Master in Finance.
Application Process
To apply for the ESSEC Master in Finance, prospective students must adhere to a structured admission process.
Application Preparation
Applicants should start by preparing a comprehensive application file. This includes a Curriculum Vitae (CV), a Motivation Letter (essays are not required), proof of degree(s) obtained, and official transcripts or grade sheets.
All documents must be in English or French.
If any documents are in another language, they must be officially translated by a certified translator.
Test Scores
As part of the application, candidates are required to submit scores from a management test such as the GMAT, GRE, or Tage-Mage.
Additionally, an English proficiency test score must be provided unless the applicant has completed at least three years of higher education taught entirely in English.
References
The application process also requires two references: one academic and one professional.
Applicants must enter the referees' contact details into the online application system as soon as possible. This action will trigger a link to be sent to the referees, allowing them to submit their recommendations online.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of €100 is required and must be paid online.
Submission
After compiling all necessary documents, completing the steps outlined, and paying the application fee, applicants should submit their application through the online portal.
Confirmation
Following a successful review of the application, the Admissions Office will contact the applicant with instructions on how to confirm their place in the program. This step is essential to secure enrollment in the ESSEC Master
Next Read (Application Guide): ESSEC Master in Finance (MIF): Motivation Letter Analysis, Tips and Strategies
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