Dreaming of studying in Paris at a world-class institution on a prestigious scholarship? The ENS International Selection Scholarship is one of France’s most competitive awards for promising international students, offering elite training, close mentorship, and a launchpad into research and leadership careers.
This guide breaks down the 2026 intake in clear, practical terms: who can apply, what the funding covers, how selection works, and how to craft a standout application. Whether you’re aiming for Sciences or Arts & Humanities, you’ll find everything you need to plan strategically and confidently.
Overview: What is the ENS International Selection Scholarship?
The ENS International Selection Scholarship is a highly selective admissions track at École normale supérieure (ENS-PSL), Paris, designed for outstanding international students. It leads to advanced training at the master’s level (Degree Level: Master’s) and the prestigious ENS diploma, with a strong emphasis on research immersion and academic excellence.
- University Name: École normale supérieure (ENS-PSL), Paris
- Country: France
- Degree Level: Master’s (with ENS diploma track)
- Program Duration: Typically 2–3 years, depending on the student’s path and discipline
- Funding Type: Competitive scholarship with monthly financial support, plus academic integration and campus resources (financial aid/grant)
- Study Tracks: Two broad areas Arts & Humanities and Sciences, each with tailored selection steps including oral examinations
ENS organizes the International Selection as a competitive process involving file review and interviews and/or exams. External briefings highlight that shortlisted candidates face written and oral tests or at least oral examinations as part of the final decision-making.
The application typically opens in Q4 each year for the following academic cycle and has a December deadline; for the 2025–2026 round, the deadline was 12 December 2024 at 23:59 Paris time . This pattern is useful for forecasting 2026 timelines.
Eligibility Criteria
While the official page will publish the definitive 2026 rules, third-party summaries of recent cycles indicate the following common criteria. Always verify final details on ENS’s official site before submitting.
- Age requirement: Applicants are typically required to be under 26 years of age at the time of application.
- Residency requirement: External sources report that candidates must not have lived in France for more than a limited period prior to applying; some summaries note “not more than 10 months in the last five years” (verify exact wording on the official page for 2026) .
- Academic background: The competition is aimed at outstanding students who completed or are completing undergraduate studies outside France, applying to the Arts & Humanities or Sciences tracks. Shortlisted candidates proceed to oral tests and, in some cases, written exams.
- Application components: Typical materials include a CV, transcripts, references, and a research project statement; recent cycles have mentioned a research project of up to approximately 3 pages (about 10,000 characters including spaces).
- Single attempt or first-time applicants: Some cycles limit repeat applications; check the 2026 call for updated rules on reapplying (confirm on the official page when live).
If you have a non-linear profile, ENS has historically allowed certain exceptions by director approval in specific cases; always read the current-year notice carefully.
Coverage / Benefits: What the Funding Includes
ENS International Selection winners are typically awarded financial aid to support living and study costs in Paris, along with academic integration and access to ENS resources. External scholarship roundups of recent cycles commonly describe:
- A monthly grant (often cited around €1,000) for a period linked to the degree track (commonly 2–3 years; verify the 2026 duration and amount on the official page) .
- Campus support, including housing opportunities within ENS residences when available (check specifics each year).
- Academic integration into ENS-PSL: access to laboratories, seminars, research supervision, and the ENS community.
- Public university tuition in France is already low; some cycles note tuition waivers or minimal tuition at PSL/partner institutions depending on the program. Confirm the 2026 financial coverage for tuition and fees on the official notice.
Note: Benefits can vary by track and year; the official 2026 call will have the exact amounts, coverage, and duration.
Host Country & University Info
- Country: France renowned for its research infrastructure, public higher education model, and dynamic scientific and cultural ecosystems.
- University: École normale supérieure (ENS-PSL), a leading grande école in Paris, known for training researchers, academics, public leaders, and innovators.
- Academic ecosystem: ENS students access PSL’s interdisciplinary network, top-tier labs, and seminars—creating fertile ground for both disciplinary depth and cross-field collaboration.
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Here’s a strategic sequence to follow for the 2026 intake:
- Choose your track
- Decide between Arts & Humanities or Sciences. Selection procedures and expectations differ slightly by track; both include competitive oral tests, and some cycles include written components .
- Map your target programs and labs
- Identify ENS-PSL master’s pathways and research groups that match your background. Create a shortlist of potential supervisors and labs to reference in your materials.
- Prepare core documents
- CV/resume (1–2 pages, achievement-focused).
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
- Passport or national ID.
- Language proficiency evidence if requested (English and/or French, depending on program).
- Two to three strong recommendations.
- Research project: recent cycles cite up to about 3 pages or ~10,000 characters including spaces. Use this to demonstrate intellectual maturity, feasibility, and fit with ENS-PSL.
- Draft your research project with precision
- State a clear question, brief literature framing, methods, and expected contribution.
- Align with ENS strengths reference labs, seminars, or supervisors whose work fits your topic.
- Complete the online application
- Submit all documents through the ENS system by the stated deadline. The prior round’s deadline was 12 December 2024 at 23:59 Paris time for both tracks; expect a similar December timeline for the 2026 cycle and monitor the official page .
- Selection phases
- File review for eligibility and merit.
- Shortlisted candidates are invited to oral tests, and in some cycles written exams are included; interviews may be remote .
- Final results and enrollment
- Successful candidates receive formal admission/scholarship offers and will be guided through registration, housing, and visa steps.
Important Deadlines
- Last cycle reference: For the 2025–2026 intake, applications closed on 12 December 2024 at 23:59 (Paris time) for both Arts & Humanities and Sciences .
- 2026 intake (forecast): Based on historical patterns, anticipate a December 2025 deadline. As of Wednesday, October 22, 2025 UTC, the official 2026 call should be published or imminent; check the ENS page frequently and set alerts.
- Interview/testing window: Typically follows in early Q1 after the deadline; precise dates will appear in the official call.
Tip: Because timelines are tight, prepare documents and recommenders at least 6–8 weeks before the deadline.
Tips for Applicants (to Stand Out)
- Be research-specific: Your proposal should show a sharp question, feasible methods, and precise alignment with ENS labs and seminars.
- Demonstrate originality: Show how your approach adds something new methodologically, contextually, or theoretically.
- Quantify achievements: In your CV, include concise metrics (GPA, awards, publications, conferences, GitHub or Kaggle links for STEM).
- Reference fit naturally: Name potential labs, courses, or research teams at ENS-PSL, and explain why you fit them.
- Strong referee strategy: Choose recommenders who can attest to your research potential and independence. Provide them with your draft proposal early.
- Practice oral defense: Finalists face oral tests; rehearse a 5–7 minute overview of your project and a Q&A on methods and literature.
- Keep compliance tight: Respect page/character limits e.g., ~3 pages/10,000 characters for research project in recent cycles.
- Language clarity: Even if not required, clear English or French improves comprehension and evaluator confidence.
Conclusion
The ENS International Selection Scholarship is more than financial aid it’s an entry into a community of inquiry, mentorship, and high-impact research. If you have a clear academic vision, a compelling project, and the grit to excel, this is your moment. Prepare early, align your proposal with ENS strengths, and submit with confidence. Share this guide with a friend who should apply too and see you in Paris.
Stay bold. Your next chapter starts here.
Quick Answers for Students
- What is the ENS International Selection Scholarship?
A selective ENS-PSL admissions track for international students with funding, research immersion, and master’s-level study in Paris. - Who can apply?
Outstanding non-French residents under 26, with strong academics and a fit to Arts & Humanities or Sciences tracks; verify current rules. - What is the selection process like?
File screening followed by interviews; some cycles include written exams and remote oral tests for shortlisted candidates . - When is the deadline for 2026?
Historically December; the 2025–2026 round closed on 12 December 2024 at 23:59 Paris time . - What documents are needed?
CV, transcripts, ID, recommendations, and a research project (recently ~3 pages/10,000 characters); check the 2026 call. - What does the funding cover?
Typically a monthly grant (around €1,000) and campus support; verify exact 2026 benefits and duration on the official page.
