Our welcoming policy for international students is a strong feature of ENS de Lyon, which has been awarded the three-star Bienvenue en France label.
ENS de Lyon welcomes 13% international students, with some 70 nationalities represented on the campus.
Since September 2020, ENS de Lyon is awarded the most honorable “Bienvenue en France” 3-star label. This label is the result of actions taken by various services, departments and laboratories to better inform international students about the range of courses offered by the School and their new living and study environment.
ENS de Lyon as your destination
Welcome Days
For each new start of the academic year, the International Relations Office, in collaboration with the Foreign Languages Center, organizes a week of discovery and integration for international students. French Language courses at different levels, cultural activities and administrative information: a complete week-long program to help newcomers integrate the school in the best possible conditions.
Learning French
The Foreign Languages Center of ENS de Lyon is dedicated to teaching foreign languages to students specializing in other disciplines. Among the thirteen languages taught, the Language Center specifically offers “French as a Foreign Language” (FLE) courses for international students. The ENS de Lyon can also help students learn French by offering year-round courses to deepen their knowledge of “French-style” methodology, with workshops focusing on the practice of academic writing and speaking.
Learn more about “French as a Foreign Language” courses
Study at ens de Lyon
Interested in studying at ENS de Lyon?
See our admissions pathways for all the possibilities open to you for joining the School.
In particular, ENS de Lyon and its partners offer international students excellence scholarships to join one of its Masters programs, depending on the student's level and motivation for research and teaching careers.
Application for a Master’s degree and an excellence scholarship
Do you wish to come and study as an exchange student?
Application for a student exchange program
Is your arrival at ENS de Lyon confirmed?
ENS de Lyon will help you prepare for your stay. Find all the information you need on the essential procedures to complete before and after your departure, accommodation, and daily life on campus.
Hear from our former International students
Get inspired by the stories of former international students at ENS de Lyon as they share their personal experiences. These videos offer valuable insights into life at one of France’s top institutions, helping future students prepare for their own journey abroad. Hear first-hand what it’s like to study, live, and grow at ENS de Lyon.