Our History

HEC Paris, founded in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is one of France’s oldest élite higher education Grandes Ecoles.

Throughout its 130-year history, HEC Paris has attracted talented, innovative, entrepreneurial, ambitious and open-minded individuals.

HEC Paris Key Dates

‘École des Hautes Études Commerciales’ (HEC Business School) is founded

Creation of the HEC Alumni association

Establishment of the HECJF (Business School for Young Women)

Creation of the ‘Centre de Perfectionnement aux Affaires’ (current Executive MBA program)

HEC Business School moves from Paris to Jouy-en-Josas

The new campus is inaugurated by General de Gaulle

Creation of the ‘Centre de Formation Continue pour Dirigeants’ (current Executive Education program)

Launch of the ‘Institut Supérieur des Affaires’ (current MBA program)

Creation of the HEC Foundation by the HEC Alumni Association

Admissions process is made accessible to young women

PIM (International Management Program) is launched by HEC Paris, New York University and London Business School

Creation of the PhD program

CEMS (Community of European Management School) is set up by HEC Paris, Bocconi, Esade and Universität zu Köln

Merge between ‘Centre de Perfectionnement aux Affaires’ and HEC Executive Education to form the HEC Executive MBA

HEC Paris becomes the first business school in Europe to obtain all three AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB accreditations

Creation of the GREGHEC, a research laboratory partnership between the CNRS French National Center for Scientific Research and HEC Paris

The HEC Foundation launches THECampaign, the first ever fundraising campaign, raising over €112M

HEC Paris becomes a member of the Qatar Foundation

HEC Paris celebrates 50 years on the Jouy-en-Josas campus

HEC Paris becomes the first school in France to gain autonomous EESC status

HEC Paris launches its first fully online program, the MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship