Admissions: Enrolling in the Engineering Program

Pathways to the Engineering Program

Admission through a competitive exam after completing a preparatory class

Most engineering students enter ESPCI after completing a preparatory class for the grandes écoles.

PC and MP Programs

Applicants from the Physics-Chemistry and Mathematics-Physics tracks are admitted through the joint X-ENS-ESPCI entrance exam.

About two-thirds of the engineering students admitted to the first year are recruited through this process.

BCPST Program

A few spots are also available for applicants majoring in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences.

Integrated Preparatory Classes of the Gay-Lussac Federation

Students in the integrated preparatory classes of the Fédération Gay-Lussac may enter the engineering program through an interclass placement process, the details of which are specified for each admissions cycle.

Admission Based on Academic Qualifications

Admission based on academic credentials, also known as admission based on application materials, allows approximately 20 engineering students to enter the engineering program each year.

The selection process varies depending on the applicant’s educational background.

PSI and TPC Preparatory Classes

Applicants from the Physics and Engineering and Technology, and Physics and Chemistry tracks are selected based on their application materials and then invited to an interview.

University Programs and BUTs

Applications are open to students from the following groups, among others:

• in their second or third year of a bachelor’s degree program;
• in the second or third year of a bachelor’s degree program in technology;
• a bachelor’s degree in physics and chemistry or a degree considered equivalent.

Selection is based on a review of the application, an interview, and a math test. The eligibility criteria, required documents, and timeline are specified during each admissions cycle.

Each year, about ten students—both men and women—from university programs and BUT programs enter the engineering program through this pathway.

2026 Admissions Schedule

Joint X-ENS-ESPCI Entrance Exam — PC and MP Tracks

• Online registration: December 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. through January 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
• Deadline for submitting documents: January 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Admission Based on Academic Qualifications — All Programs

• Online application submission: February 2 through February 27, 2026, at midnight
• Interviews and oral exams: May 18–June 5, 2026
• Release of results: late June 2026

Since dates and procedures may change from year to year, applicants are encouraged to review the information published for the application cycle corresponding to the year they are applying.

Admission to the engineering program: Key Statistics

• 59 engineering students recruited through a competitive exam
• 26 engineering students admitted through alternative admission channels
• 11% of engineering students are recruited internationally
• 40% of engineering students are young women
• One-third of engineering students receive a Joliot scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions About Admission

How do I get into an engineering school specializing in physics and chemistry?

Admission to ESPCI’s engineering program is primarily granted to students who have completed a science-focused preparatory class.

Candidates from the PC and MP tracks take the joint X-ENS-ESPCI entrance exam. Other pathways are available to students from the PSI, TPC, and BCPST tracks, the integrated preparatory classes of the Gay-Lussac Federation, as well as university programs and BUT programs.

Can you enter an engineering program after earning a bachelor’s degree or a BUT?

Yes. Admission based on academic qualifications is open to applicants who are currently in their second or third year of a bachelor’s degree program, as well as those in their second or third year of a BUT program.

Holders of a bachelor’s degree in physics and chemistry or an equivalent degree may also apply. Each year, about ten students with university degrees or a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Sciences (BUT) enter the engineering program through this route.

What is the difference between the entrance exam and admission based on academic credentials?

The X-ENS-ESPCI joint admissions exam is a national process based on common exams and a ranking. It is primarily intended for applicants from the PC and MP preparatory classes.

Admission based on academic records is a process organized by ESPCI. It is based on a review of the applicant’s academic record and, depending on the admission track, on an interview and a math exam.

Can you apply after completing a PSI or TPC preparatory class?

Yes. Applicants from the PSI and TPC tracks may apply through the admission-based on academic credentials process. Selection is based on the application materials, followed by an interview.

Can international applicants enroll in the engineering program?

Yes. International applicants may enter the engineering program through the admission tracks that correspond to their academic background. Degrees earned abroad must demonstrate a level of education equivalent to that required for the chosen admission track.

Admissions Glossary

BCPST
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Sciences. A scientific preparatory program.

BUT
(Bachelor of University Technology). A three-year degree program offered at a university institute of technology.

Competitive Examination
A selection process based on standardized tests and a ranking of candidates.

CPGE
Preparatory class for the grandes écoles. A science-focused program typically taken for two years after the baccalaureate.

Bachelor’s
Degree: A three-year university degree program. L2 refers to the second year of the bachelor’s degree program, and L3 refers to the third year.

MP
Mathematics-Physics. Scientific preparatory program.

PC Physics and Chemistry Track
Scientific preparatory program.

PSI
Physics and Engineering Sciences. A scientific preparatory program.

TPC
Technology, Physics, and Chemistry. A scientific preparatory program.

Admission Based on Academic Qualifications

A selection process based on a review of the applicant’s academic record, typically supplemented by an interview or a test.