École des Ponts ParisTech, officially the École nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC), is a French public engineering school in Champs-sur-Marne, in the Marne-la-Vallée area of the Paris suburbs.[1] It was created in 1747 and has 1,678 students.[2][3] Since July 2024 it has been a member of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris),[4] which is ranked 43rd in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[5]
The school sets its own engineering fees, not the national university rates. For 2026/27 the standard rate is €4,150 a year; students who meet none of the listed conditions (for example, not being an EU, EEA or Swiss national) pay an increased rate of €7,600. Foreign engineering students also pay a €1,000 contribution for international cooperation.[6] Applicants usually need French at A2 to B2, depending on the department and country, and must reach B2 French before they graduate.[7][8]
Key facts
| Official name | École nationale des ponts et chaussées (École des Ponts ParisTech) |
| Location | Champs-sur-Marne, Marne-la-Vallée (6 and 8 avenue Blaise-Pascal, Cité Descartes, 77455 Champs-sur-Marne)[9] |
| Type | Public higher education establishment training engineers (grande école)[2] |
| Founded | 1747[2] |
| Students | 1,678, of whom 995 engineering students and 336 on advanced master’s (mastère) and specialist courses[3] |
| International partners | 73 partner institutions in 34 countries; 43 dual-degree agreements[3] |
| Part of | Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris), since 16 July 2024[4] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not ranked separately; IP Paris, of which the school is a member, is 43rd (2nd in France)[5] |
| Tuition 2026/27, engineering programme, standard rate | €4,150 per year[6] |
| Tuition 2026/27, engineering programme, increased rate | €7,600 per year (students who meet none of the exemption conditions)[6] |
| Contribution for international cooperation (CMCI) | €1,000 per year for foreign students in the engineering programme[6] |
| French requirement | A2 to B2 certificate before arrival, depending on department and country; B2 required before graduation[7] |
| English requirement (free movers) | B1 by an official test[7] |
| Official website | ecoledesponts.fr |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About École des Ponts ParisTech
The school states that it was created in 1747 and describes itself as a higher education establishment that trains engineers to a high level of scientific, technical and general competence.[2] Wikipedia adds that the King’s Council founded it as a training course for state engineers called “École royale des ponts et chaussées”, and that it took its current name in 1775.[1] The campus is at the Cité Descartes in Champs-sur-Marne, in the Marne-la-Vallée area of the Paris suburbs.[9][1]
On 16 July 2024 a decree approved new statutes for Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and the École nationale des ponts et chaussées became a member as the sixth school; the other five were École Polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis.[4]
How is École des Ponts ParisTech ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Institut Polytechnique de Paris is 43rd in the world and 2nd in France.[5] École des Ponts is ranked there as part of IP Paris; we found no separate QS 2027 position for the school itself.[5]
IP Paris also lists subject results, such as 44th in the world for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS subject ranking 2026), which is first in France.[5] The page does not say which member school contributes how much to each result. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at École des Ponts ParisTech?
The school lists these routes into its programmes: the engineering degree, a European Bachelor, master’s programmes, advanced master’s programmes, lifelong learning and PhD programmes.[10] The engineering degree has specialist departments. For free-mover applicants the school names Civil and Structural Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, City Environment Transport and Economics, and Management and Finance.[7] Students entering through the international routes follow a two-year engineering diploma, which the school compares to a Master of Science.[7]
How much does École des Ponts ParisTech cost in 2026/27?
| Engineering programme, 2026/27 | Standard rate | Increased rate |
|---|---|---|
| First, second and third year (per year) | €4,150 | €7,600 |
| Work placement of two consecutive semesters | €940 | €1,880 |
These are the rates approved by the school’s board on 12 March 2026 (deliberation 26-03-09).[6] The deliberation applies the ministerial order of 25 April 2013 (as amended) on enrolment fees at this school, not the national university rates.[6]
Who pays the increased rate?
The increased rate applies to students who meet none of the listed conditions. The conditions include: being a national of an EU or EEA state or of Switzerland; holding a residence document as a family member of such a citizen or one of the listed long-term resident cards; having been tax-resident in France, or attached to a French tax household, for at least two years; being a refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection; or coming from a state with an agreement that provides for the same fees as for French nationals.[6]
Contribution for international cooperation
Foreign students in the engineering programme, including those admitted under agreements with foreign institutions, pay a further €1,000 a year (€248 for a long placement and €350 for an extension of under six months). Holders of a France Excellence scholarship admitted under such agreements can receive a 50 % exemption.[6]
Payment and exemptions
Fees are paid in one instalment at enrolment, or in three equal instalments on request. Students can be exempted from all or part of the fees under the conditions set in the Education Code.[6] For rent and living costs near Paris, see our France guide and the Study in France guide.
How do you apply to École des Ponts ParisTech?
For the engineering degree the school lists several routes: classes préparatoires (CPGE), the “X or Normalien” route, university, transfer from another engineering school, international students, the “Talents” programme and top athletes and artists.[10] International students take one of two paths into the two-year engineering diploma:[7]
- Partner university: your home university pre-selects you and sends the list to the school. You then apply on the school’s platform, or on the IP Paris platform if you come from one of four named partner universities (Buenos Aires, Colombia National University, EIA University, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro).[7]
- Free mover: you apply directly on the IP Paris platform. You must be enrolled in a three- or four-year non-French higher education programme with high-level scientific content, be in the final year of your undergraduate cycle when you apply and hold the degree before arriving.[7]
Double-degree and exchange students follow a separate route through their home institution.[11] We give no deadlines because they change every year. Check the current fact sheet and the platform before you start.
Which language level do you need?
Free movers must send an official French certificate (DELF, TCF or TEF) by early June before arrival; it is not needed at application, but a missing certificate may cancel the admission decision. The minimum depends on the department and on your country:[7]
- Civil and Structural Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science: A2 for Latin-speaking countries, B1 for others.[7]
- City Environment Transport and Economics, Management and Finance: B1 for Latin-speaking countries, B2 for others.[7]
English must be certified at level B1 by an official test (TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge), also sent by early June.[7] The CEFR is the European scale from A1 to C2.
Since 2018 the CTI, the French body that accredits engineering degrees, has required engineering students to reach at least B2 in French, certified by an external exam in the third year before the final project.[8] The school offers about 30 French-as-a-foreign-language courses a year, and students who score below B1 on the placement test take a preparation seminar.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does École des Ponts ParisTech cost in 2026/27?
The engineering programme costs €4,150 a year at the standard rate and €7,600 at the increased rate for students who meet none of the exemption conditions. Foreign engineering students also pay a €1,000 contribution for international cooperation.[6]
Is École des Ponts part of Institut Polytechnique de Paris?
Yes. It joined as the sixth member school under the new statutes published on 16 July 2024.[4]
How is École des Ponts ranked?
IP Paris, of which it is a member, is 43rd in the QS World University Rankings 2027. We found no separate QS 2027 position for the school.[5]
Do I need to speak French to study at École des Ponts?
More about studying in France
- France: best universities
- Study in France: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in France
- Aix-Marseille University
- CentraleSupélec
- École Polytechnique
- École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
- ESSEC Business School
- HEC Paris
- INSA Lyon
- PSL University
- Sciences Po
- Sorbonne University
- Claude Bernard University Lyon 1
- University of Bordeaux
- University of Lille
- University of Montpellier
- University of Strasbourg
- Université Grenoble Alpes
- Université Paris Cité
- Université Paris-Saclay
- Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier University
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: École nationale des ponts et chaussées (history; student figure conflicts with the school’s, see FAQ)
[2] École nationale des ponts et chaussées: The School (page without a date)
[3] École nationale des ponts et chaussées: Homepage (key figures) (page without a date)
[4] Institut Polytechnique de Paris: New statutes and integration of École nationale des ponts et chaussées (article of 16 Jul 2024)
[5] Institut Polytechnique de Paris: Rankings (QS 2027 position of the institute; QS itself blocks automated access) (page without a date; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[6] École nationale des ponts et chaussées: Board deliberation no. 26-03-09 on tuition fees 2026-2027 (board session of 12 Mar 2026; scanned document in French)
[7] École nationale des ponts et chaussées: Applying for a degree program (page without a date; refers to the 2026-2027 fact sheets)
[8] École nationale des ponts et chaussées: French as a foreign language (FLE) (page without a date)
[9] École nationale des ponts et chaussées: Getting to the School (page without a date)
[10] École nationale des ponts et chaussées: Admissions (page without a date)
[11] École nationale des ponts et chaussées: Admissions for international students (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.