École Polytechnique (X)
- QS ranking#116
- Acceptance rate≈10%
- Typical GPABachelor X: IB…
- Tuition / year≈$13,000–16,500
Overview
About École Polytechnique (X)
France's most elite institution; military school tradition; Institute Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris); Napoleon founded; world-leading mathematics; CEA/CNRS research links; very small class (500/yr)
- International environmentDiverse; ~30% intl (Bachelor X); small intake; elitist tradition
- Teaching styleResearch + mathematics-intensive; grandes écoles admission by competitive exam; unique military formation
Academics
Subjects and fit
Strongest subjects
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- Multidisciplinary Science
Best for
- Mathematics
- physics
- engineering researchers; those seeking French grandes écoles elite network
Getting in
Admission requirements
- GPA: Bachelor X: IB 39+/A-levels A*AA; Cycle Ingénieur: French prépa competitive exam
- IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL 100+ (Bachelor X)
- Bachelor X (intl): no special exam; Cycle Ingénieur (French): 2-yr competitive prépa
- Difficulty: Extremely Competitive (French cycle); Competitive (Bachelor X intl)
- Acceptance rate: ~10% for Bachelor X intl
- Deadline: Bachelor X: Jan 6 (application) | Cycle Ingénieur: July (exam-based) | Graduate: rolling
On campus
Campus and location
On-campus housing (Palaiseau); Paris-accessible; reasonable cost vs London
Money
Costs and scholarships
- Tuition (USD)~€12,000–15,000/yr ≈ $13,000–16,500 (Bachelor X) French cycle is different
- Living cost (USD)12,000–18,000 USD
- ScholarshipsGaspard Monge full-scholarship (intl Bachelor X covers everything); Excellence Scholarships
After graduation
Careers and outcomes
- Industry connectionsTotal, EDF, McKinsey Paris, BNP Paribas, Airbus, CEA (nuclear); top French grands corps
- InternshipsCEA/CNRS research placements; industry partnerships; military formation creates leadership roles
- EmployabilityTop 100 globally; world-leading for mathematics/physics; French grande école prestige unmatched in France
The honest view
Why students choose École Polytechnique (X)
- Gaspard Monge full-scholarship (intl Bachelor X covers everything); Excellence Scholarships
- Employability: Top 100 globally; world-leading for mathematics/physics; French grande école prestige unmatched in France
Worth knowing
IP Paris collaborative structure complex; French grandes corps prestige mainly within France; language barrier
GlowBal's insider note
VERIFIED: École Polytechnique is known as 'X' in France a mark of absolute elite status. INSIGHT: Gaspard Monge scholarship is France's most generous full-scholarship for international students 30 scholarships per year.
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