Volume II – Top European MIF Programs: What and When You Need to Apply

The joyful culmination of your journey to business school will come when you finally get your acceptance. That day, you’ll anxiously open your application portal, rapidly dart your eyes across your screen, and beam a great big smile when you see the good news.

But if you hope to enroll in a top-ranked European Master in Finance (MIF) program in August/September 2025, this exciting day is still a ways away. And if you want to ensure it comes, it’s time to start preparing, leaving no stone unturned on your path to crafting the ultimate applicant profile.

Whether you already have a concrete list of the universities you’re eyeing or are still mulling your options, you must first know what materials you need for your applications and when to submit them.

With that in mind, A1 MBA Consulting is excited to continue our series covering application essentials for the Financial Times Top 15 early career, pre-experience MIF Programs in Europe. This post will take a deep dive into the three universities occupying the 4th to 6th places in the ranking:

4. ESSEC Business School (France)

5. EDHEC Business School (France)

6. Nova School of Business and Economics (Portugal)

ESSEC Business School

Application Deadlines: 

ESSEC Business School is yet to announce its application calendar for students looking to enroll in September 2025. We will add this information as soon as the university publishes it.

Application Materials:

• Completed Application Form
  
  
• Motivation Letter (Maximum: 1 Page)
  
  
• GMAT / GMAT Focus / GRE / TageMage Official Score Report
  
  
• English CV
  
  
• Official Transcripts for All Academic Terms Since High School (Including Exchange Programs)
  
  
• Contact Details for One Academic and One Profesional Reference
  
  
• English Language Test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, or TOEIC)
  
  
• €100 Application Fee

EDHEC Business School

Important Note

EDHEC Business School offers five different Master in Finance programs:

1. MSc in Climate Change & Sustainable Finance

    

2. MSc in Accounting and Finance
   
   
3. MSc in Corporate Finance and Banking
   
   
4. MSc in Financial Engineering
   
   
5. MSc in International Finance

As each of these courses covers different areas of finance, the entrance requirements and average student profile differ from MIF to MIF. It is cruical to closely analyze each available program’s curriculum and post-MIF career outcomes to find the best option for you at EDHEC.

To help you in this endeavor, check out the university’s “Which Master in Finance is right for you?” quiz.

Application Deadlines:

EDHEC Business School is yet to announce its precise application calendar for students looking to enroll in September 2025. We will add this information as soon as the university publishes it.

However, we know that the university’s first round of MIF applications will open in September 2024.

Application Materials:

• Completed Application Form
  
  
• Optional Aptitude Test Score: A GMAT/GMAT Focus or GRE or TAGE MAGE or CAT* Official Test Score Report (CAT* for Indian Students Only) Can Add Value to Your Application
  
  
• CV
  
  
• Letter of Motivation
  
  
• Academic Transcripts
  
  
• Two Letters of Recommendation
  
  
• Online Video Interview
  
  
• Acceptable English Proficiency Tests/Certificates (TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS):
  
  
  • TOEFL Internet-based ≥ 92
    
    
  • TOEIC ≥ 850
    
    
  • IELTS ≥ 6.5
    
    
  • Cambridge Test of English > 175

Nova School of Business and Economics

Application Deadlines:

Nova School of Business and Economics is yet to announce its application calendar for students looking to enroll in September 2025. We will add this information as soon as the university publishes it.

Application Materials:

• Completed Application Form
  
  
• Curriculum Vitae (in English)
  
  
• Academic Grade Transcript with Full Course List and Grades (in English)
  
  
• Academic Bachelor’s Diploma 
  
  
• One-Page Motivation Letter (in English)
  
  
• English Certificate with a Minimum Level of C1 (Mandatory for All Non-Native English Speakers)
  
  
• Optional – Any Other Documents in English to Enrich Your Application:
  
  
  • A Reference Letter
    
    
  • Additional Language Certificates
    
    
  • GMAT / GMAT Focus / GRE Score

• Motivational Video (5 Minute Maximum) Answering the Following Questions:
  
  
  • Where do you see yourself professionally in 4 years (geography, industry, position)? 
    
    
  • How will your academic and professional journey until now contribute to reaching this goal? Please provide examples of past experiences and learnings.
    
    
• €51 Application Fee

Apply with Confidence: A1 MBA Consultant