École Polytechnique, known as “l’X”, is a French public engineering grande école in Palaiseau, in the Paris suburbs.[1] It was created in 1794 and has roughly 4,100 students, about 46 % of them international.[2][3] It is a founding member of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris), which is ranked 43rd in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[1][4]
The school sets its own fees instead of using the national university rates. The Bachelor of Science costs €15,900 a year for EU and EEA students and €19,600 for non-EU students.[5] The Ingénieur Polytechnicien programme costs international students €19,000 (EU) or €38,000 (non-EU) over three years.[6] Most Master of Science & Technology specialisations are listed at €19,200 a year.[7]
Key facts
| Official name | École polytechnique |
| Location | Palaiseau, Paris suburbs (Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex)[8] |
| Type | Public grande école, also described as a public research university[1] |
| Founded | 1794 (28 September 1794 according to Wikipedia)[2] |
| Students | About 4,100, of whom about 46 % international (from more than 100 countries)[3] |
| Programmes | Bachelor of Science, Ingénieur Polytechnicien, Master of Science & Technology, PhD program, Executive Master, Executive Education[9] |
| Intake of the Ingénieur class X2026 | 431 French students and up to 140 international students[3] |
| Part of | Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris), founding member[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not ranked separately; IP Paris, of which the school is a member, is 43rd (2nd in France)[4] |
| Tuition, Bachelor of Science | €15,900 per year (EU/EEA) · €19,600 per year (non-EU)[5] |
| Tuition, Ingénieur Polytechnicien, international students | €19,000 (EU) · €38,000 (non-EU), total for three years[6] |
| Tuition, Master of Science & Technology | Mostly €19,200 per year; between €0 (work-study track) and €28,950 depending on the specialisation[7] |
| Language of teaching | Bachelor in English (C1 required); Ingénieur in French, with a French-language track for non-French speakers[10] |
| Official website | polytechnique.edu |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About École Polytechnique
The school states that it “was created in 1794”.[2] Wikipedia gives the exact date as 28 September 1794.[1] Its campus is in Palaiseau, in the Paris suburbs about 14 km from the city centre.[1]
École Polytechnique is a founding member of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris).[1] Students can follow the Bachelor of Science, the Ingénieur Polytechnicien programme, one of 12 Master of Science & Technology (MSc&T) programmes for international students, or the PhD programme.[3]
How is École Polytechnique 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.[4] École Polytechnique is ranked there as part of IP Paris; we found no separate QS 2027 position for the school itself.[4]
The same IP Paris page lists, among others, THE World University Rankings 2027 (75th) and CWUR 2026 (32nd) for the institute.[4] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at École Polytechnique?
The school offers six programmes: the Bachelor of Science, the Ingénieur Polytechnicien programme, the Master of Science & Technology, the PhD programme, the Executive Master and Executive Education.[9]
- Bachelor of Science: admission is holistic, and English at CEFR level C1 is required.[10]
- Ingénieur Polytechnicien: Students are split into a French-speaking and a non-French-speaking track.[3]
- Master of Science & Technology: 12 programmes open to international students.[3]
See the programmes page for details of each.
How much does École Polytechnique cost?
| Programme | EU / EEA | Non-EU |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science (per year) | €15,900 | €19,600 |
| Ingénieur Polytechnicien, international students (three years in total) | €19,000 | €38,000 |
| Master of Science & Technology (per year) | €19,200 for most specialisations; €15,500 for Visual and Creative AI | |
None of these pages names the academic year; they carry the note “Rates are subject to change”, and the Bachelor page says that fees stay constant throughout the programme.[5] The Ingénieur schedule applies to students entering from 2019 onward.[6]
Bachelor of Science
Fees cover the years at École Polytechnique only; years at Columbia University follow Columbia’s rates. Scholarships and financial aid are available but limited and generally do not cover the full tuition.[5]
Ingénieur Polytechnicien
International students pay for the full duration of studies. The yearly split for non-EU students is €7,000, €15,500 and €15,500; for EU students €3,500, €7,750 and €7,750. A reduction can be requested based on family situation and income, and an exemption committee confirms the final amount.[6] French nationals in this programme study under military status, receive pay and have no study costs, on condition of at least 10 years of civil service within 20 years after graduation.[6]
Master of Science & Technology
Fees depend on the specialisation. The listed rates run from €0 (the work-study Extended Cinematography track, where the host company pays) to €28,950 for the two X-HEC double-degree tracks. Reduced rates exist for IP Paris students and for École Polytechnique graduates. The page lists an application fee of €95 and a non-refundable deposit of €3,200.[7] The Bachelor has a €105 application fee with no waiver.[10]
For rent and living costs near Paris, see our France guide and the Study in France guide.
How do you apply to École Polytechnique?
The route depends on the programme.
- Bachelor of Science: applications are reviewed in rounds, and shortlisted candidates are interviewed remotely in English for about 50 minutes. Selection is holistic and weighs academic and non-academic achievements.[10]
- Ingénieur Polytechnicien: admission is by competitive exam (concours) with places for French and for international candidates. In the 2025 concours there were 431 places for French candidates and 140 for international candidates, 45 of them through the preparatory-class (CPGE) route and 95 through the university routes. International candidates must be under 25 on 1 January.[11] Some university routes require enrolment in a first-cycle scientific university programme and no previous higher studies in France.[11]
- Master of Science & Technology and PhD: apply through the programme pages; the MSc&T application fee is €95.[7]
We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme. Check the admissions page of your programme before you start.
Which language level do you need?
The Bachelor of Science requires English at CEFR level C1 (the European scale from A1 to C2; C1 is advanced). Accepted minimums are TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6 in each skill, or Cambridge CAE/CPE grade B (176 overall, at least 169 in each skill). Results must be less than two years old, and IGCSE is not accepted. Native English speakers, or students who completed the two preceding years of school or higher education entirely in English, may be exempt, though the committee can reject an exemption request.[10]
In the Ingénieur programme, students follow a French-speaking track or a non-French-speaking track. Non-French speakers take a preparatory course with French language and culture classes and scientific courses, including 375 hours of French lessons over 17 weeks at the CAVILAM language centre in Vichy.[3] The Master of Science & Technology language requirements are on the programme pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is École Polytechnique free for international students?
How many students does École Polytechnique have?
Is École Polytechnique part of Institut Polytechnique de Paris?
How do international students apply to the Ingénieur programme?
Through the competitive exam, which reserved 140 places for international candidates in 2025: 45 via preparatory classes and 95 via university routes.[11]
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 des Ponts ParisTech
- 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 Polytechnique (type, date of founding and IP Paris membership; student figures conflict, see FAQ)
[2] École Polytechnique: History (page without a date)
[3] École Polytechnique: International students (page without a date; refers to the X2026 intake)
[4] 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)
[5] École Polytechnique: Bachelor of Science tuition fees (page without a date or year)
[6] École Polytechnique: Ingénieur Polytechnicien programme, cost of the programme (schedule for entry from 2019 onward; fee calculator updated 30 Jun 2026)
[7] École Polytechnique: Master of Science & Technology tuition fees (page without a date or year; footer 2026)
[8] École Polytechnique: Contact (page without a date)
[9] École Polytechnique: Programs (page without a date)
[10] École Polytechnique: Bachelor of Science admission criteria (page lists the 2026–2027 intake)
[11] École polytechnique and ESPCI Paris: Admission competition 2025, report and statistics (2025 concours; in French)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.