From Silicon Valley to Paris: Why Students Are Opting to Study STEM In France

International students have plenty of options for studying STEM in France. The country is home to some of the best specialist science and technology universities in Europe, which are renowned for the quality of their STEM degrees. At the same time, challenging research conditions in the US are prompting many researchers and students to reconsider their study plans and opt for a university in Europe instead.

France is an excellent choice for STEM students and researchers. According to the scientific journal Nature, the country is among the top 10 countries for research output. It also ranks 12th in the world in the Global Innovation Rankings, measuring the quality of a country’s innovation ecosystem.

One of the top institutions for STEM in France is Ecole Polytechnique, part of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris. This historic institution offers a wide variety of English-language Master’s degrees for international students, including 12 different Master of Science and Technology programmes.

Each STEM-focused programme takes two years to complete and is taught in English at Ecole Polytechnique’s campus in the south of Paris – so students can access all of the incredible career and extracurricular opportunities in the country’s capital.

So, here’s why France could be the ideal place for you to pursue STEM.

Why Study STEM in France?

Research history

France has a long history of scientific study. Louis XIV founded the Academy of Sciences in 1666 as a centre for research and teaching in mathematics and sciences, including astronomy, chemistry and anatomy. Today, the country has the fourth-most Nobel laureates in the world, more than other scientific centres such as Canada, the Netherlands and Japan.

Many of France’s top educational institutions have an equally long history. Ecole Polytechnique, for example, was founded in 1794. Over its long history, it has produced Nobel winners, including Antoine Henri Becquerel and André-Marie Ampère, both of whom have scientific units named after them.

University Prestige

Thanks to France’s historic investment in scientific research (or because of it), the country is home to some of the world’s best specialist science, technology and engineering universities.

The Institut Polytechnique de Paris, of which Ecole Polytechnique is a member, is ranked 40th in the QS World University Rankings for Engineering and Technology subjects, on par with another Parisian university, Université Paris-Saclay. In total, there are four French universities in the top 100 universities.

Graduate Opportunities

Around 220,000 students graduated from STEM degrees in France in 2020, putting it among the top 10 countries in the world for the number of STEM graduates. Overall, 26% of all university graduates in France come from STEM degrees, a higher proportion than in the United States.

EDUopinions student reviewers attest to the country’s great opportunities for university graduates; according to our data, France is among the best countries in the world for job prospects.

Non-EU graduates of top STEM universities can take advantage of a temporary resident permit to stay in France for up to two years after graduation to look for a job. Additionally, graduates of French institutions can apply for French citizenship two years after graduation, increasing employment opportunities in France and the rest of Europe.

Students at Ecole Polytechnique can take advantage of the numerous graduate opportunities in the Paris region. Indeed, 78% of Master of Science and Technology students at Ecole Polytechnique are employed before they even graduate, with 64% remaining in France for their graduate jobs.

Employers of Ecole Polytechnique Master graduates include:

• IBM
• Schneider Electric
• GE Renewable Energy
• Expedia Group
• Total

Get to know École Polytechnique Paris

Ecole Polytechnique ranks 3rd in France and 26th globally in the Global Employability University Ranking & Survey. This is the only university ranking based entirely on employers’ opinions of universities; Ecole Polytechnique’s high ranking is a badge of approval from global professionals.

Each of Ecole Polytechnique’s Master of Science and Technology programmes is focused on a different specialist subject, spanning science, economics, management and mathematics. Degrees are focused on transferrable and in-demand skills, and students can choose from innovative subjects such as:

• Visual and Creative Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Trustworthy and Responsible AI (TRAI)
• Economics, Data Analytics and Corporate Finance
• Environmental Engineering and Sustainability Management

Students benefit from studying in a cohort that rarely exceeds 25 students, meaning that instructors can offer personalised guidance throughout their degrees. This expertise comes from Ecole Polytechnique and other top-ranked French institutions. For example, students can opt for dual degrees taught alongside professors from HEC Paris or ENSAE Paris.

Gain practical Experience

Not only do Ecole Polytechnique’s Master’s degrees focus on highly relevant technical and professional skills (such as AI, data science and cybersecurity), but they also give students plenty of opportunities to integrate themselves with their chosen industry.

Each year of a Master’s programme includes a four to six-month work placement at a company in France or abroad, allowing students to apply their skills to practical situations and network with professionals while studying.

Additionally, Ecole Polytechnique has developed every Master’s degree in collaboration with industry experts. As a result, you can be sure that you’re studying the technical subjects employers will ask for.

For example, the Master in Science & Technology in Extended Cinematography (MSc&T XCin) is structured as an apprenticeship, with tuition fees covered by partner companies and students developing their skills on professional work placements with these partners.

Enrich Your Study Experience

Students will find Ecole Polytechnique a rich place to learn new skills. The institution has a strong research heritage, with 23 scientific laboratories on campus and a centre dedicated to Innovation Management. This also means that degrees benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that seeks to broaden students’ skills.

Additionally, the Master of Science and Technology degrees include a series of humanities, languages, and personal development courses to enrich the study experience.

For example, students can add to their studies with classes in subjects like philosophy, sociology, literature and art history. This is an excellent opportunity for STEM students to explore other subjects of interest that they may not have had a chance to study in the past and add additional skills to their portfolio.

In addition to French as a Foreign Language (FLE) classes, students may also opt to enhance their CV by studying a foreign language such as Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian or Spanish.

Another area of extracurricular life unique to Ecole Polytechnique is sports. All Master of Science and Technology students participate in two hours of sports practice each week, choosing from a variety of individual and team sports, including:

• Basketball
• Football
• Martial arts
• Rowing
• Ultimate
• Climbing

Meet students from around the world

Of the around 3,700 students at Ecole Polytechnique, 36% are from outside France and about 70 different nationalities are represented on campus. On a Master of Science and Technology course, it’s even more diverse; 80% of learners are from outside France.

Consequently, during your studies, you’ll be part of a diverse community of learners and spend each day building intercultural skills in addition to business acumen.

However, it’s not just Ecole Polytechnique’s students that are diverse; 39% of the school’s faculty members are from abroad, meaning that classes are geared towards global business and not just France-focused. This international focus prepares students to adapt to different cultures and work successfully in large, multinational companies in France or abroad.

Conclusion

So, why study STEM in France? Well, there’s the country’s prestige in science and technology research, the job opportunities available to graduates, and the fact that you’ll get to study at some of the world’s best universities.

All of these aspects combine at Ecole Polytechnique. On a Master of Science and Technology, you’ll participate in an array of unique experiences, from industry immersions to sports competitions, that will undoubtedly lead to a memorable study experience – and a great job after you graduate.

Interested in hearing more about Ecole Polytechnique? You can read students’ opinions of the school’s prestigious engineering programmes in our article on the best specialised engineering schools in France. Or, prepare your student budget by reading about the typical living costs in French student cities.