Route de Saclay, 91120 Palaiseau, France
Career Counselling
Institut Polytechnique de Paris is a highly ranked French institution of higher engineering education, situated in Paris. It is a highly selective University, with only 8,000 students enrolled. It is the most international University in France, with almost 40% of the students holding international passports.
Academic and research activities at IP Paris are divided into five Schools: École Polytechnique, ENSTA, ENSAE, Télécom Paris, and Télécom SudParis. They are further divided into Departments and Laboratories, with Interdisciplinary Centers providin...
| Establishment year | 1741 (oldest School established) |
| Total Students | 8,000 |
| International Students | 3,120 |
| QS World University Rankings 2024 | =38 |
| Campus Size | 494 acres |
| Total Number of Campuses | 2 (Palaiseau and Evry) |
| University Website | https://www.ip-paris.fr/en |
| No. of Schools and Divisions | 5 Schools (grandes écoles) |
| Nobel Prize Winner Alumni | 4 (Alumni + Faculty) |
| No. of Education Programs | 189 (overall) |
| Student to Faculty ratio | 8:1 |
Institut Polytechnique de Paris offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses through 5 Schools, also known as grandes écoles. These are further divided into Departments and Laboratories.
ENSAE Paris conducts undergraduate and postgraduate programs through three Departments (Economics, Social Sciences and Management, and Mathematics) and two Interdisciplinary Centers (Energy for Climate and Artificial Intelligence & Data Analysis).
IP Paris mandates the following degree / diploma prerequisites for applicants to different programs:
Applicants must also hold a valid international passport.
Every course at the University typically has language prerequisites, with a level of fluency in either French or English required according to the medium of instruction. Details of the minimum level required (usually B2 or C1) can be found on the page for each course.
All applications to IP Paris must be submitted online through the University portal. There are no application fees. Master’s applicants must apply in one of three different periods based on their chosen specialization: November to February, February to April, and April to May. The following documents must be uploaded online as part of the application process: detailed academic transcripts from a Bachelor’s degree program, two academic letters of reference, curriculum vitae, and a personal statement. The reference letters must be uploaded directly by the two referees. All students who receive an offer must complete their online registration and payment of the first year’s fees between May and September every year.
Applications to PhD programs at the University follow a similar procedure. However, applications are open only between November and January, and students must first contact a member of the IP Paris faculty who agrees to be their doctoral supervisor. They will also need to upload a detailed research plan at the time of application.
Applicants to undergraduate degree programs at IP Paris must upload a provisional or final scan of their high school leaving certificate. Almost 75% of Bachelor’s students at the University are from outside France. Therefore, there is a clear understanding of the minimum qualifications needed for each course; these should be checked before applying.
After receiving an offer of admission from IP Paris, students who are not from the European Union must apply for a French long stay student visa. Depending on the country of origin, each student must apply for this visa either through the “Study in France” website or the nearest French Embassy. It is recommended that the application process start three months before the expected course start date. The visa can be used to obtain a residence permit, which must be renewed annually.
Course fees at IP Paris vary by program, and applicants should check the latest tuition fee details on the University website. In general, tuition fees at the five Schools of IP Paris are higher than most other Government universities in France. For example, Bachelor’s students from the European Union pay tuition fees of 14,600 Euros per year, while students from outside the EU are liable to pay annual tuition fees of 18,200. The high tuition fees reflect the fact that the University’s undergraduate degrees are highly selective, and that most students opt to spend one semester in an exchange program prior to their two month research project.
Master’s program course fees at IP Paris are typically slightly lower than undergraduate program tuition fees, but there is a large variation between courses. For example, the postgraduate degree in Applied Mathematics and Statistics has tuition fees of 4,243 Euros per year (for students from the European Union) and 6,243 Euros per year (for all other students). Other course fees can be found on individual program webpages.
The University estimates that the total budget per month to live in suburban Paris is 600 to 900 Euros. This includes accommodation, transport, food, shopping for personal items, recreation, and entertainment. Students must also pay the annual Campus Fee of 92 Euros; this is used to provide essential student services.
The campus of Institut Polytechnique de Paris is equipped with 30 world class research laboratories. Other highlights include a large Innovation Park and sports facilities that allow athletes and fitness enthusiasts at the University to stay healthy and active. Its location in the suburbs of Paris ensures that the campus has a large size (almost 500 acres) and extensive green areas and parkland. There are two campus locations close to each other: Palaiseau and Evry.
There are three main types of events organized on campus: academic events (including symposiums and conferences), sporting meets, and cultural shows. The wide range of student activities ensures that every member of the University community feels at home.
Both the main campus at Palaiseau and the smaller campus at Evry have a large number of dining options and student cafeterias. There are cinema theaters on both campuses, concierge services, supermarkets, and pharmacies.
Sports and physical activities are given prime importance at IP Paris. There are indoor and outdoor facilities to help students develop their football, volleyball, dance, swimming, tennis, horse riding, and basketball skills, in addition to a whole host of other sports. Gyms and 25 meter swimming pools are present on both campuses. A new state of the art sports hall is being constructed, with all five Schools having access.
The vibrant student life at IP Paris is undoubtedly due to the hundreds of student associations that are active across its five Schools. For example, in the largest subdivision of the University (École Polytechnique), there are over 250 active student associations, with more than 75% of the student body being part of at least one club.
Innovation and entrepreneurship are deeply embedded in the IP Paris ethos. The main campus is located in the Silicon Valley of France, and technology transfer to new startups is a major theme of the University's collaboration with the high tech industry.
Due to the high tuition fees and cost of living in Paris, most students enrolled in IP Paris require a scholarship. Students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds can apply for social scholarships: awardees are given a partial or complete tuition fee waiver.
The flagship financial award for European students enrolled in Master’s programs at IP Paris is the France Excellence Europa scholarship. This is awarded in certain fields of study, based on academic excellence and research potential. The amount associated with the scholarship is large, with an annual stipend of 13,700 Euros (which can be used to pay tuition fees and living costs) and a one time allowance of 1,700 Euros to settle in Paris. Awardees are also exempt from paying the Campus Student Contribution and are given three months to purchase an insurance plan. Applications for the scholarship must be submitted by the end of March every year.
The Sophie Germain Master’s Scholarships are awarded in the fields of pure and applied mathematics. Both domestic and international students may apply for this scholarship; the total award amount is 11,000 Euros per year, in addition to a complete tuition fee waiver. Candidates are selected on the basis of exceptional mathematical talent and performance in their undergraduate degree programs. As this is one of the most prestigious scholarships in France, it is not allowed to be combined with any other form of Government financial support. However, third party scholarships may still be allowed on a case by case basis.
Details of all scholarships available for international students can be found on the relevant webpage on the Campus France portal.
