Ecole Polytechnique

University typeGrande Ecole

CityParis

CountryFrance


About École Polytechnique

École Polytechnique is a leading French institute which combines top-level research, academics, and innovation at the cutting-edge of science and technology. Its curriculum promotes a culture of excellence  with a strong emphasis on science, anchored in humanist traditions. The school produces socially responsible professionals who excel in leading complex and innovative projects which address current and future challenges facing our society.

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Ecole Polytechnique is one of the world's leading small universities and it has long been one of the best universities in the world for science and engineering. The university is an integral part of the French plan to develop the University of Paris Saclay, of which Ecole Polytechnique is a key component, into a world-class hub for research and development that can rival Silicon Valley and other elite universities.

Researchers, professors and alumni from Ecole Polytechnique have received prestigious awards including Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals and many of their former students are now global business leaders. 40% of all CEOs of French companies have completed some part of their education at Ecole Polytechnique and three of the Harvard Business Review's 100 best performing CEOs in 2017 are former students. According to the QS Graduate Employability Rankings of 2017, the university is the 6th best university in the world with only Cambridge and Oxford ranked anywhere near it in terms of UK universities.

Ecole Polytechnique was founded in 1794 and can already look back on over two centuries of scientific achievement. It is also the model that many universities around the world have followed, including California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Known colloquially as l'X after the crossed swords in its logo, this nickname also references the fact that Ecole Polytechnique has mathematics at its core and students are encouraged to discover the unknown. While the university has long since welcomed graduate students and researchers from around the world, from 2017 they have also started teaching a Bachelor's degree in English.

Location

Ecole Polytechnique is located in the Parisian suburb of Palaiseau about 20kms from the centre of the city. The university's campus is self-contained and undergraduate students are encouraged to live there for the duration of their studies. New halls of residence are currently under construction.

 


Other courses at Ecole Polytechnique

About A Star Future

A Star Future provides information and guidance to British students looking to pursue their undergraduate studies abroad.

Through our presentations in schools and our websites we aim to ensure that British-educated students are well informed about their choices.