#116 QS World Ranking#98 THE RankingFrancePublic (Grande École)
QS World Rank#116
Acceptance rate10%
Typical GPABachelor X: IB…
Tuition / year$12,000–15,000
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
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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