Non-EU students can apply for our Master's degrees (M1 or M2) depending on the quality of the candidate’s academic profile and motivation for research or/and teaching careers.

This application procedure concerns NON-EU students.

NON-EU students are students:
- who don't have the nationality of one of the countries of the European Economic Area (the 27 countries of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or of Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.
and
- who have obtained a higher education degree in a foreign country.

For French, EU students or non-EU students who have obtained a higher education degree in France, we invite you to follow the procedure described in the page Application for Master's degrees - EU/EEA.

[Ces informations sont disponibles en français à cette page.]

General information

Please note:

• Applications on record are subject to the decision of the ENS de Lyon admissions commission.
• International students (European and non-European) can apply through the Excellence Scholarship of the ENS de Lyon and its partners. Find out more
• In each program description, the language profiency requirements (English and/or French) are mentioned. See Academic programs
• Before starting your application, please read the whole procedure and consult the courses. See Master programs

Conditions

To apply for the first year of a Master's program (M1), applicants should justify holding a L3 degree (Bachelor - 180 ECTS) or, for applicants who have studied abroad, an equivalent level.

To apply for the second year of a Master's program (M2), applicants should justify holding a M1 degree (240 ECTS) or, for applicants who have studied abroad, an equivalent level.

Application process

Please find below the application process:

• for students who are not EU nationals and who have obtained a higher education degree in a foreign country.
• for students who reside in a country concerned by the “Études en France” process

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 
Academic programs are NOT opened on  "Études en France" Platform (CampusFrance)
You have to apply directly to ENS de Lyon (link on the following column)
When applying, you will have the opportunity to apply for a Master's degree with a merit scholarship. For more information, please refer to the dedicated page.

1. Opening dates for application: from November 12, 2025 (noon, Paris time) to January 23, 2026 (23:59, Paris time) 

   As an EU student - Apply here – Online Form - CLOSED

   As a non-EU student with a higher education degree in a foreign country - Apply here – Online Form - CLOSED

   As a non-EU student with a French higher education degree - Apply here – Online Form - CLOSED

2. Candidates' files are reviewed by the ENS de Lyon admissions commission.
3. The results of the admissions commission will be available on March, 9 2026. No decision will be communicated by phone.
4. Admitted applicants will receive an email giving them directions to register.

Practical information to prepare your stay

Documents to provide

Here is the list of mandatory documents to provide:

• Copy of your passport or national ID card
• Resume
• Cover letter
• A transcript of your grades/diplomas for your past and present studies : those documents are accepted only in French or English. If  the document is in another language, you have to provide a translated document in French or English, certified officially.
• For the running year, you have to indicate the information on the platform about your current studies – if you don't have your diploma yet, you can upload a proof of enrollment.
• Certificate of Language Proficiency : all information are indicated on this page

Incomplete applications will not be considered.