What is a Grande Ecole

What is a Grande Ecole d’Ingénieurs ?

An original feature of the French system of higher education in science and technology is that there are in fact two parallel systems: the universities, and the Grandes Ecoles d’Ingénieurs that train highly selected students to occupy key positions as engineer-managers in a wide range of industries and public administrations in France and abroad.

The particular features of the Grandes Ecoles include:

• highly selective admissions procedures ;
• top-level teaching staff that includes a mix of academics, professionals from business and industry and consultants;
• courses that are closely tailored to match the present and future requirements of industry and business in France and abroad ;
• Company and industrial placements, and student projects commissioned by companies ;
• a staff-student ratio that enables students’ progress to be closely monitored ;
• a wide range of extra-curricular activities: the arts, cultural activities, voluntary work, sports and pre-professional projects (student-run Junior Companies, etc.) ; 
• a strong esprit de corps, fostered by influential alumni associations.

The Ecole Centrale Marseille is a Grande Ecole d’Ingénieurs, set up in 2003-2004 by the fusion of four engineering schools, the oldest of which was founded in the 1890s. The Ecole Centrale are among the most prestigious of the French Grandes Ecoles d’Ingénieurs, offering an M.Sc. level postgraduate degree in science, engineering and management (Diplôme d’Ingénieur). Centrale Marseille students are recruited from among the successful candidates in the Centrale- SUPELEC competitive entrance examination after a preparatory two-year undergraduate course in maths, physics and chemistry (the Classes Préparatoires).

A rich scientific, technological and industrial context the Marseille area has developed into a major centre for tertiary sector industries, located at the hub of an international crossroads linking the European Union to the Greater Mediterranean area:

• France’s second biggest centre for scientific research and higher education (more than 100,000 students),
• France’s leading centre for Microelectronics (ST Microelectronics, Atmel, Gemplus) and for Photonics (Alcatel Space, SESO and more than 100 SMEs)
• A major industrial centre: petrochemicals and chemicals, metallurgy, aeronautics (Eurocopter, Dassault), robotics;
• Cadarache chosen as the site of the ITER international nuclear fusion research centre.

Students in Marseille also benefit from a unique natural and cultural environment: Provence’s rich cultural heritage, sunny climate, Mediterranean lifestyle, impressive range of natural landscapes, historic towns and villages.

A paradise for outdoor sports and activities:
- rock climbing and scuba diving in the Calanques natural park;
- sailing and sail boarding ;
- skiing and mountaineering (major Alpine resorts within less than four hours’ drive),
- and a strategic position with easy access to Barcelona, Genoa, Nice, Lyon and Paris (3 hours by the TGV high-speed train).