Student Life
In the heart of the Latin Quarter, student life at ESPCI Paris - PSL revolves around small, close-knit classes, a vibrant student club scene, and personalized support (financial aid, housing, health). Fully integrated into the engineering students’ education, this program fosters independence, a sense of responsibility, a spirit of initiative, and a commitment to teamwork.
Campus Life
The class size (85 first-year engineering students) fosters close supervision and regular interaction with the school’s teaching and research teams and administrative staff. This structure also promotes integration and cohesion among the classes.
Student Organizations: A Rich and Dynamic Student Life, Driven by the Students Themselves
At ESPCI Paris – PSL, engineering students stand out not only for their academic excellence. Curious, creative, and engaged, they are the driving force behind a particularly vibrant network of student organizations, which is the true lifeblood of the school.
Getting involved in a student organization means developing projects, advocating for causes that are close to your heart, acquiring new skills, and sharing meaningful experiences with other students. Club and organization life is also a key part of integration and helps create a close-knit community where everyone finds their place and can balance demanding studies with personal fulfillment.
This structure is based on three major student organizations: the Student Council (BdE), the Sports Council (BdS), and the Arts Council (BdA). The president of the BdE serves on the School’s Board of Trustees, reflecting the importance placed on student representation in the institution’s governance.
Numerous other organizations and initiatives revolve around these three offices, covering a wide range of fields: sports, culture, entrepreneurship, community service, and science outreach. In particular, students can get involved with EPICS, the science outreach association, or the Junior-Entreprise PCA, which allows them to carry out projects for companies and gain their first professional experience.
As students at PSL University, they also enjoy an exceptional environment. They can take classes at the university’s various campuses, participate in PSL’s sports and cultural activities, join numerous inter-school clubs, and access all student life services (health care, support for international students, arts and music programs, etc.). These are all opportunities to enrich their academic journey, broaden their horizons, and make the most of their college experience.
Social Inclusion and Mobility: Support to Help Students Study with Peace of Mind
The school has established a need-based scholarship program—the Joliot Scholarships—which has been available to French and international engineering students since 2010. These scholarships supplement other forms of financial aid (such as CROUs, etc.).
A total of €400,000 is invested in each class of engineering students during their time at the school (in the form of scholarships and financial aid).
To support study abroad opportunities, several funding programs are available (including Erasmus+, the Île-de-France Region, the ESPCI Fund, etc.) to facilitate an overseas experience as part of students’ academic journey.
Joliot Scholarship
The Joliot Scholarships are need-based scholarships awarded by a dedicated ESPCI Paris – PSL committee. They are open to all French and international engineering students and may be awarded in addition to any other scholarships or financial aid received by the student.
Applications for a Joliot Scholarship must be submitted through the Oasis platform between 1 and 13 September 2026.
Health, Well-Being, and Prevention: Support at Every Step
Because success also depends on well-being, ESPCI offers its engineering students a range of services to support them throughout their studies.
Students can receive free consultations with the school’s designated psychologist in a confidential setting, as well as access to all of PSL University’s health services. These services include preventive medicine, medical consultations, a psychological support center, and a telemedicine service available 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., covering a wide range of medical specialties.
The school also works to ensure that everyone has appropriate conditions for their studies. Students facing health issues, disabilities, or specific needs can receive personalized support and, if necessary, accommodations for their academic program, in coordination with the disability coordinator.
Finally, prevention is an integral part of school life. Every year, awareness-raising activities are organized for students and faculty to prevent gender-based and sexual violence, promote respect for everyone, and help create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
Practical Information
Psychologist at ESPCI Paris – PSL
Free and confidential consultations by appointment.
PSL University Health Services
- Preventive Medicine (recommended visit during the first year)
- Medical Appointments
- Psychological Counseling
- Prevention
Center for Prevention and Psychological
Counseling Rue Mazet, Paris 6th
https://psl.eu/vie-de-campus/service-sante-etudiant
Telemedicine
Thanks to our partnership with Qare, students have access to telemedicine consultations 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., in more than 30 medical specialties.
Disabilities and Academic
Accommodations For any request for support related to a health issue, a disability, or a need for academic accommodations:
Disability
Liaison Officer Anne Devulder
Learn more
: Visit the PSL University Health Services page to find out about all the support services available and how to make an appointment.
Housing: Options in Paris and the Nearby Suburbs
ESPCI Paris – PSL assists its students in finding housing and offers several options tailored to their needs.
The “Les Portes d’Orléans” (“La Rèz”) residence – Montrouge
Located about 30 minutes from the school, this residence offers furnished and fully equipped studio apartments ranging from 15 to 35 m². Rent is approximately €750 per month, including utilities, before housing assistance is applied. Housing is allocated by ESPCI Paris – PSL and managed by Studélites.
CROUS
Housing The school has a few housing units available at the Citeaux residence, near the Gare de Lyon. These units are allocated primarily to students in international dual-degree programs. The rent is approximately €440 per month, before housing assistance is applied.
Shared
Apartments Shared rooms are also available in furnished apartments located in the 13th and 19th arrondissements of Paris. The rent is approximately €655 per month.
The School’s staff assist students with the necessary steps to help them settle into life in Paris. Students can also take advantage of a guarantee program offered by ESPCI Alumni.
Housing assignments are random, so it is not possible to choose.
Priority is given to engineering students coming from outside the Paris area or from abroad. Other students are placed on a waiting list based on the distance between their family home and ESPCI, and in the order in which their applications are received.
Any tenant is eligible for housing assistance: applications can be submitted on the website www.caf.fr.
International Engineering Students: Welcome and Integration
The school has established exchange programs with 30 foreign universities (ranging from one semester to three years in duration) and provides dedicated support through the student life coordinator, the Student Union (BdE), and the International Relations Office. In addition, the PSL Welcome Desk offers practical services (administrative procedures, French as a foreign language, housing, and activities).