École Polytechnique and HEC Paris Data Science and AI for Business X-HEC (DSAIB)

The Master of Science and Technology Data Science & AI for Business is a two-year specialization designed for high-level, internationally oriented students. Taught jointly by Ecole Polytechnique and HEC Paris, this program offers the unique opportunity to study at two world-leading institutions for engineering and business.

This specialization provides its students with a very sought-after double expertise across all sectors and industries. It aims to train dual-profile managers and data scientists to become tomorrow's entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and data managers, who will go on to create impactful startups, disrupt business models, and manage innovation.

Study programme

The Master of Science & Technology Data Science & AI for Business combines a scientific and a business approach to contemporary data science issues and challenges. 

• The first year takes place at Ecole Polytechnique, with a strong focus on scientific and mathematic topics
• The second year is spent at HEC Paris, and uses learning-by-doing methods to help students enhance their management knowledge and apply it to solve complex business challenges
• During these two years, students benefit from world-class faculty and study alongside leading data scientists in specialized research units within a competitive environment

Year 1

The specialization gives students the opportunity to explore a wide range of methods from the fields of statistics and applied mathematics. during the first year, they follow courses in statistics, machine learning and programming language, among others.

The teaching focuses largely on the data produced by "real-life" cases. The curriculum also tackles the issue of data storage, as today’s companies need to constantly rethink the structure of their information systems without compromising performances and security. Depending on their profile, students may have access to mathematics foundation courses in mathematics, statistics and probabilities.

Year 2

HEC Paris offers a sharp focus on Data for Business for the second year of the curriculum through a range of business challenges and courses on how to create business value using data. 

• The first semester includes core courses (e.g. data analytics for business strategy, regulation and compliance in data science, digital transformation…) and business challenges with companies, during which students work on complex real-life business issues using sophisticated and up-to-date data sets. 
• During the second semester, students will choose between three specialisation tracks: Data Manager, Data Entrepreneur, Data Consultant.

Academic requirements

Students must follow the online application process and if they are successful will be required to attend an interview. To access this programme, students must have a Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, Business or Economics. Additionally, a strong background in Mathematics is required as this programme deals with data pools and mathematical techniques for extraction and data visualisation will be taught. Applicants must demonstrate full English-language proficiency.

The admission committee will assess the relevance and quality of the applicant's Bachelor's degree. The Graduate Point Average (GPA), individual grades for the courses, class rank and any academic awards will also be taken into consideration.