École Normale Supérieure - Auslandsstipendium für die Besten des Jahrgangs

ENS Paris International Selection scholarship

You will receive 1,000 EUR per month for 3 years (36 months) to study at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Paris, one of France’s most prestigious universities. In addition to this money, you will be provided with a furnished room on the ENS campus for around 315 euros per month, meaning that the scholarship largely covers the cost of living in Paris. Public universities in France do not charge tuition fees. You will only pay a small enrolment fee of a few hundred euros per year. You will study as a full member of the ENS student community and complete your studies with a Master’s degree in your field of specialisation as well as the ENS diploma. Each year, around 20 students are admitted, divided between the natural sciences and the humanities.

Who can apply

• Study phase: You are starting the 3th year of a Bachelor’s degree (Licence 3) or the 1th year of a Master’s degree (Master 1). At the time of your application, you will have completed at least one year of your Bachelor’s degree abroad, and by September following your admission, you will have completed at least two years.
• Field of study: You choose one subject from two subject areas. The natural sciences include biology, chemistry, earth sciences, computer science, mathematics, physics and cognitive science. The Humanities and Social Sciences include subjects such as History, Philosophy, Literary Studies, Linguistics, Economics, Political Science, Sociology and Art History.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply, with the exception of French nationals. They must not have lived in France for more than 10 months in the year of application or the previous year.
• Age: You are currently at 26 in the application process.
• First attempt: You may only apply once for the international selection process. Repeated applications will be rejected.
• Grades: You have achieved excellent results at school.
• Language: For the humanities, you need at least a B grade1 in French. For the natural sciences, no official level of French is required. Teaching takes place partly in French and partly in English, and the ENS offers intensive French courses at the start of the programme.

How to apply

Please complete the form online and then upload your documents: academic transcripts, CV, a personal statement, 2 to 4 letters of recommendation, and – for the Arts and Humanities – a research proposal. The application deadline is 3. December for the Arts and Humanities and on 15 December for the Natural Sciences. Shortlisted candidates will then sit written and oral examinations via video conference; the results will be announced in March.

How realistic are your chances?

This is an extremely sought-after award. Only around 20 places are awarded each year, and selection is based on rigorous subject-specific examinations. To stand a real chance, you will need outstanding results and a convincing, well-reasoned application in your field of study. If you clearly meet the requirements regarding age, stage of study and nationality, and are able to perform well in a demanding academic examination, it is worth giving it a go. Think of a place at university as something you have to work hard to achieve rather than something to be taken for granted.