Partially funded

ENS-PSL International Selection (Sciences and Arts & Humanities)

Université PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres), France

Scholarship overview

The International Selection is ENS-PSL's competitive examination for international students. It recruits young graduates from all over the world, in Sciences and in Arts & Humanities, into the 3rd year of a bachelor's degree (licence 3) or the 1st year of a master's degree (master 1). Candidates must show at least one year of undergraduate study at a foreign university and outstanding results.

Admitted students join the community of normaliens, study at ENS-PSL and at the university at the same time, and receive a grant for three years and a room on an ENS-PSL campus. At the end of the programme they hold a master's degree in their speciality and the diploma of the École normale supérieure.

The examination has two steps: selection on application, then remote written and oral tests for shortlisted candidates. Students enrol in the DENS (ENS graduate degree).

Award Information

  • Under 26 on the opening day of applications (Arts & Humanities: no older than 25, must not have turned 26).
  • Sciences: at least one year of undergraduate studies awarded by a foreign university, and at least two years of undergraduate studies at the time of enrolment.
  • Arts & Humanities: proof of at least three years of study toward a foreign university degree, supported by complete transcripts; applicants currently in their 3rd year may apply.
  • Sciences: not registered in a French high school or higher education institution for more than 6 months in total during the competition year and the preceding year.
  • Arts & Humanities: not resident in France for more than 10 months during the competition year or the preceding year.
  • Must not have applied to the International Selection before.
  • The Director of ENS may on rare occasions authorise applicants with a non-standard background.
  • Arts & Humanities candidates are advised to be fluent in French.
  • Grant of 1,000 euros (monthly payments, between the 5th and 10th of each month) for 3 years.
  • A room on one of the ENS-PSL campuses.
  • Intensive French lessons and a welcome programme of conferences and department visits at the start of the course.
  • Master's degree in the chosen speciality plus the ENS diploma at the end of the programme.
  • Application window (both streams, 2027 session): 16 October 2026 (14:00 Paris time) to 15 December 2026 (14:00 Paris time).
  • Arts & Humanities: shortlist from 21 January 2027; tests 15-26 February 2027; admission results from 9 March 2027.
  • Sciences: shortlist from 27 January 2027; tests 3-19 March 2027; admission results from 26 March 2027.
  • Scholarship set up at administrative registration in September 2027; first payment (September and October) in October 2027.
  1. Create an application on the OnePSL30 platform before the deadline (no email applications are processed; do not use @icloud.com addresses).
  2. Upload the full dossier; request 2 to 4 letters of recommendation through the platform by entering referees' emails.
  3. If shortlisted, take the written and oral tests by videoconference.
  4. If admitted, apply for a student long-stay visa if needed and prepare the registration documents (certified translations of diplomas and birth certificate, ID photos).
  5. Register administratively in September, when the scholarship is set up.

Official links

Documents you will need

  • Curriculum vitae.
  • Motivation letter of 1 to 3 pages (Times New Roman 12, 1.5 spacing). Arts & Humanities: in French (French and English for Economics, Linguistics, Cognitive studies). Sciences: in French or English, stating interest in ENS, the chosen department and a study plan.
  • Arts & Humanities: research project of at most 3 pages (10,000 characters) with bibliography.
  • University transcript(s).
  • High school diploma.
  • 2 to 4 letters of recommendation.

How selection works

Dossiers are first screened for admissibility. Shortlisted candidates take remote tests. In Arts & Humanities there are three exams: a written exam in French (weight 1), an oral exam in the discipline (weight 2) and an interview of 20-30 minutes on background and project (weight 2); oral parts are in French and candidates may use English. In Sciences, oral tests are run by each scientific department. Marks determine the list of admitted students.

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