French engineering schools at a glance

In France, to issue an engineering diploma, engineering schools must be recognized and accredited as such by the French commission for engineering diplomas (CTI) and the State.
Each year, the updated list of accredited engineering schools is specified in a decree.

There are 200 engineering schools in France:

• 51 private schools,
• 116 public schools exclusively under the supervision of the ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, including 67 schools within a university,
• 33 public schools under the supervision of another ministry or a local authority.

Abroad, 29 establishments in nine countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Lebanon, Morocco, Switzerland and Vietnam) issue 37 diplomas accredited by the CTI and recognized by the French State. Holders of these diplomas are authorized to carry the title of graduated engineer in France. The engineering degree is a master-level degree.

In addition, two French schools award four joint degrees with two German establishments.

French engineering issue engineering degree as well as bachelor, master and doctorate degrees.

According to a study released by Campus France, French engineering schools welcomed 26,216 foreign students in 2018-2019.
A third of them were from North Africa and the Middle East, 23% from Africa-Oceania and 12% from the Americas.
French Engineering schools are also particularly popular with Brazilians (23% of Brazilian students in France are in engineering schools), Malaysians (22%), Indians (16%), Lebanese (14%) and Mexicans (14%). French engineering schools attract less students from Europe (15%) and Sub-Saharan Africa (14%) compared to all French higher education institutions.

The 26,216 foreign students are divided as follows:

• 69% are enrolled in engineering training,
• 21% pursue training leading to a bachelor, master or doctorate degree,
• 10% are preparing another diploma.

Engineering trainings seems to attract particularly Senegalese students (83% of Senegalese students in engineering schools pursue an engineering training), Brazilians (83%) and Beninese students (82%).