Senior executives and decision makers for the industrial and business
community of France are, for the most part, graduates of the Grandes
Ecoles. Over 60 % of the managing directors and chief executives
of France's 100 largest firms hold degrees from these schools.
Grandes Ecoles graduates in engineering play a key role in the
research and development of innovative technologies behind creations such
as the Ariane space launcher, Airbus, the TGV high-speed train, nuclear
power systems and the Minitel videotext system. Many have been recognized
in their fields in international scientific circles ; some are members
of the French Academy of Science.
The Grandes Ecoles, the leading institutions for French engineering
and management education, deliver graduate degrees.
Accredited by the Ministry of National Education and the "Commission des Titres d'Ingénieur", the Grandes Ecoles (GE) are distinguished by :
A highly selective admission process
- for engineers requires intensive study in mathematics and physics, general studies with a strong scientific emphasis and liberal arts ;
- for managers requires a wide spectrum of studies in liberal arts, economics and mathematics.
based for most GE on a nation-wide competitive examination which :
Quality programmes, integrated and flexible
- broad, integrated courses of study in the core disciplines to prepare general engineers and managers ;
- student/faculty ratio of 10:1 ;
- lifelong-learning programmes in executive education, career development, and advanced technologies.
Traditional close ties with Industry
- ensuring in-company or industrial training/internships ;
- guest and visiting lecturers, many from abroad, come from industry, consultancies and the professions in general.
Adaptability and Cooperative Approaches
- autonomy of each GE to develop and adapt its own programmes, often jointly with other establishments, within the French educational system ;
- small size : 300-1000 students ; GE in regional groups pool certain resources to form entities the size of technological universities.
High calibre research
- accelerated development of research activity within the European Economic Community and in an international context. Over 1,000 doctorates awarded annually ;
- collaboration by groups of GE with regional industry and business, each specializing in specific technologies, and interacting with similar networks abroad.
European and International Focus
- an immersion in foreign languages and cultures, exchanges of students and professors, projects and internships abroad ;
- identity by discipline, in which individually or collectively the GE and their partners have an international presence, such as in engineering fields or management.
