In France, the “titre d’ingénieur” is a qualified Master of Science and Engineering. It can be awarded only by institutions which are accredited by the “Commission des Titres d’ingénieurs” (CTI).
Please visit :
the site of CDEFI (Dean conference of institutions awarding the “titre d’igénieur)
the site of CGE (Association of “Grandes Ecoles”)
The Engineering “Grandes Ecoles” and their degrees
The “Titres d’ingénieur” are prepared and delivered in institutions which are generally referred in France as “Grandes Ecoles”. Besides the diversity of their status, the “Grandes Ecoles” share many specific features, regularly assessed by the CTI.
highly selective admission procedures
small size (300 to 4.000 students)
flexible educational programmes
strong links with industry and business : compulsory internships (in France and abroad), contracts with companies
active alumni networks
international networks : exchange of students and professors, double degree programmes
mandatory foreign language training
The Grandes Ecoles award the “diplôme d’ingénieur” degree recognised by the French Government, after successful completion of 5-year programmes beginning after the “baccalauréat “ (end of secondary studies diploma). The “Titre d’ingénieur” is a Master of Science and Engineering ; then it opens the way to doctoral studies and is a highly priced degree by companies.
Most Grandes Ecoles also offer a variety of other graduate, doctoral and executive programmes.
Broad theoretical knowledge combined with practical training make Grandes Ecoles students particularly adaptable beyond their field of specialisation. Students are continuously supervised and assessed to maintain low failure and low drop out rates.
Employment surveys regularly demonstrate that the graduates from Grandes Ecoles get the easiest access to qualified jobs with the best salaries : typically, about 50% of them get a job contract in the same time as they graduate.
The “Diplôme d’Ingénieur” curriculum
Graduate engineering studies corresponds to 300 credits in the European ECTS credit system ; most students get their degree in 5 years.
Preparatory courses: 2 years (120 ECTS)
The first 2 years provide the student with a strong grounding in science (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science) : these undergraduate courses take place in the so-called “classes préparatoires aux Grandes Ecoles”. They prepare students for a nationwide competitive entrance examination for the Grandes Ecoles.
Engineering cycle: 3 years (180 ECTS)
During the last 3 years, the multidisciplinary approach of the Grandes Ecoles combines the fundamentals of engineering with technical and applied training as well as humanities and social sciences and a gradual specialisation in a specific field of engineering.
Some engineering schools have a 5-year curriculum, meaning that the preparatory courses are integrated in their programme. About 20% of the students entering the engineering cycle are recruited from other university curricula after a competitive examination or are foreign students recruited in the frame of exchange programs with foreign universities.
To obtain the “titre d’ingénieur” a minimum stay of 2 years in the French institution within the engineering cycle is required; these 2 years may include a 6-month project and/or a 6-month supervised internship in industry (in France or abroad).
Awarded degrees in Engineering and Science
All the curricula offered by the Grandes Ecoles include a strong and broad theoretical basis, with a research orientation. During their studies, the students may specialise in a broad variety of domains :
Aeronautics – Industrial engineering
Agronomy, agricultural engineering – Marine engineering
Architecture – Material sciences
Biology, biotechnology – Mechanical engineering
Chemistry – Military engineering
Chemical engineering, process engineering – Physics
Civil engineering – Pulp and paper engineering
Computer science, applied mathematics – Statistics
Electronics, electrical engineering – Telecommunications and networks
Energetics, thermal power engineering, fluid mechanics – Textile technology
Environment – Transport studies and planning
Food science, food engineering
Geology, earth sciences
