International students can join the ENS de Lyon by successfully completing the competitive entrance exam. They have access to all academic programs offered by the ENS de Lyon in Arts & Humanities as well as Sciences, while benefiting from the "Normalien élève" status.
Registrations for the 2024 competitive entrance exams to the École normale supérieure de Lyon are open from Saturday, December 9, 2023 to Tuesday, January 16, 2024 (5:00 pm).
"Normalien" Status
"Normalien" is a specific French status for students of an École normale supérieure.
Students admitted to the ENS de Lyon Diploma through competitive exam obtain the status of "Normalien élève". Treated as trainee civil servants, they receive a monthly stipend during their studies and commit in return to work for the French state for at least 10 years (including the period of study at the ENS).
The vast majority of Normaliens are French but the status is also open to international students, under specific terms:
- For citizens of the European Union or the European Economic Area: 1,500€/month salary for 4 years and commitment to work for the French state for 10 years – just like French nationals.
- For students from other countries - the best candidate in each "série de concours": 1,000€/month grant for 3 years.
More about ENS de Lyon Diploma (French website)
Competitive Entrance Exam
- 1st entrance exam: Upon two years of Classe Préparatoire aux Grandes Écoles (preparatory classes to top-flight French schools)
- Arts & Humanities competitive entrance exam (in French)
- Sciences competitive entrance exam (in French)
- 2nd entrance exam: Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree in science, medicine or engineering: 2nd entrance exam (in French)