International policy

The open international outlook of École Centrale Paris is a fundamental priority.

Training in foreign languages and cultures is very developed: 11 languages are taught (English mandatory for everyone, Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and French as a foreign language).

Each student studies at least two languages: English, for which a minimum level of 213 points (formerly 550) on the TOEFL is required for graduation (corresponding to the minimum required for studies in American universities), plus another foreign language. Around 60 % of the students take at least three foreign languages. In addition, these studies provide an open outlook on civilizations and cultures for which languages are vehicles; particularly as the foreign language lecturers of Centrale are qualified native speakers of the languages they teach.

Foreign students

Each year the École Centrale Paris traditionally admits, through competitive examinations, around thirty foreign students. They gain admittance either through the "normal" entrance examination, or through the entrance examination for foreigners, which is based on the "classes préparatoires" program.

However, these possibilities are limited, except in special cases, to foreign students coming from French speaking countries. The decree governing the entrance conditions to the École Centrale Paris allows, within the framework of the "International Education Program", flexibility and pragmatism to be employed in the recruitment of foreign students that have followed a first study course in higher education in their own countries. The T.I.M.E. program (Top Industrial Managers for Europe) is part of this framework.

the École Centrale Paris has put in place a second network called "Centrale Master's Degree" that allows Centrale students to study for a "Masters" in place of the 3rd year, in American, British, Canadian or Japanese universities.

Languages

The languages taught at the École Centrale Paris are English, Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and French as a foreign language.

Students must choose two languages, including English. The students are taught in small classes, at their own level (in written and oral comprehension, in a range of registers from the lecture to the scientific article). The second aim is to acquire a good knowledge of the culture and civilization of the countries concerned.

The study of a third language is highly recommended. Accelerated courses in French culture and French language are offered to foreign students:

• Each language is taught for 1 h 30 per week, with beginners benefiting in the first two years from language studies of 3 h per week. Continuous assessment allows the progress of the students to be followed throughout the length of the training. There are also numerous specialized courses (technical, scientific, economic, literature and history, etc.),
• Students who have a very high level in one language may sit a test at the beginning of the year and thus be free to study another, less familiar, language,
• Individual study in the 3rd year allows certain students with an advanced level to widen their knowledge on a more restricted subject.

Preparation for official examinations (TOEFL, Examinations of the Chambers of Commerce of different countries, the Cambridge examinations FCE, CAE, CPE, 2D and ZMP in German and "Cervantes" Institute in Spanish) is common. The teaching provided, the preparation for internship abroad periods, and the years of study abroad ensure that the student has a high standard, and gains maximum profit, from the country of his or her choice.

Travel, festivals and clubs allow greater openness towards the exterior and complete the students' knowledge of foreign cultures. The lecturers teach their mother tongue. They have at their disposal the audiovisual equipment of the Centre (a language laboratory, tape recorders, videos, etc.). The wide choice of magazines and newspapers that are freely available help the students to prepare for their international vocation.

Foreign experience

Every Centralien with French nationality must be able to show "foreign experience" to obtain his or her degree. This obligation may be realized by an "on-site" training period abroad, by an internship as a technician or an engineer, by a "summer job", by a third or fourth year in a foreign university, or by a temporary position in a French diplomatic or consular service abroad, either during a year's leave of absence or immediately after leaving the school.

This foreign experience must, in principle, take place in a non-French speaking country and last for at least six weeks. Linguistic training periods are only accepted for China and Russia. All of the training periods are followed by a report that is assessed by the Language Centre for validation.

For further information:
Email: contact.international@ecp.fr
Email: student.mobility@ecp.fr