FAQ

If you have any questions about studying at ENSAI, the Ker Lann campus, nearby housing, public transportation, student life, etc. here are some answers and resources:

General information
What are some key figures about ENSAI ?

Is ENSAI a public school?

Yes, ENSAI is a public engineering school (Grande école). It falls under the technical supervision of l’INSEE and is attached to the Ministry for the Economy and Finance of France. ENSAI, along with ENSAE Paris, is part of the Grouping of National Economics and Statistics Schools (GENES), a public higher education and research establishment.

Graduates of ENSAI’s engineering program, accredited by the Commission des titres d’ingénieur (CTI), receive a Master’s degree delivered by the French government.

ENSAI trains data scientists – engineers or civil servants – who are able to give meaning to data.

What are ENSAI’s opening hours?

ENSAI is open to the public, students, and staff from 7h30 am to 9 pm from Monday to Friday.

Occasionally the school is open for authorized evening events for student clubs and associations with approval from ENSAI’s Secretary General.

A security guard is present to manage reception in the entrance hall during opening hours.

Covid-19
Careers
What kind of career opportunities exist for students in the Official Statistics program?

After two year of taking classes, mostly in common with the engineering program, civil servant trainees can:
– start working. Their career can be oriented towards applied mathematics, economic studies, and computer science at INSEE, in statistical services of various French Ministries (the economy, education, employment, social affairs, sustainable development, etc.) or in institutions like la Banque de France, research centers, Eurostat, etc.
– complete, if certain criteria are met, the Master in Data Science for Decision Marking, co-accredited with the University of Rennes 1, as continual education either immediately after their two years at ENSAI or after having worked as a civil servant. Three specializations are offered:

  • Methodology for Official Statistics (MSP)
  • Statistics and Data Management (STD) – not open to INSEE personnel in continuing education
  • Statistical Studies (ES)

This Master is the only Eurostat labeled European Master in Official Statistics (EMOS) in France.

Official statisticians can, conditionally after several years of professional experience, reach the rank of Principal or Chief officer or other high ranking official in the civil service through competitive exams or promotions. L

What are career prospects like for engineering students?

Every year we measure the integration of our graduates into the workforce through a occupational insertion survey created by the Conférence des grandes écoles. Results show that ENSAI graduates are able to capitalize from their scientific and practical training, which clearly meet the needs of businesses:

 

Full employment and increasing salaries

In March 2019, almost all (96%) of ENSAI’s 2018 engineering graduates who wanted to join the workforce had a job.

The net total of employment for ENSAI graduates continues to be above that of most French engineering schools (91%).

 

Engineers present in all economic sectors

The 2018 “Ensaiens”, or ENSAI class of 2018, work in a variety of sectors, either directly in a company or as a consultant in a consulting firm.

Can I work in the public sector even if I’m an engineer?

Yes, engineers can find job opportunities in both the private and the public sector.

For example, some of our engineer graduates have found work at CNAM, CGET, or even at INSEE, others are employed at la Banque de France. Some graduates start working on a temporary contract (CDD) in the public sector and are eventually given a permanent contract (CDI). Other graduates choose to take specific entrance exams for government jobs. ENSAI also has alumni who work in private companies that have partnerships in the public sector such as UNEDIC (this list of examples is non-exhaustive).

The specialization Spacial Analysis and Health Economics, for example, offers students the necessary skills in Statistical Engineering, Economics, and Econometrics as they relate to the dynamics of territories and health. This expertise is increasingly sought-after in the evaluation of public policy as well as in the private sector.

 

Programs
What are the possible training through research options at ENSAI?

In 3rd year, engineering students who are interested in a research-based career can pursue, at the same time as their studies at ENSAI, a Master’s degree by doing “Option formation par la recherche” which translates roughly into education through research.

Here is a list of possible options at partner schools:

Are there international opportunities available for ENSAI students?

Offering international experiences to students and staff is a priority for ENSAI. A 4-week minimum period abroad (for studies or an internship) is a mandatory graduation requirement for all engineering students (except those who are already international students). ENSAI proposes more than 40 international partnerships including institutions in Europe, the United States, Africa, and Asia.

Is it possible to obtain a double degree while studying at ENSAI?

Yes, several double degree agreements with prestigious higher-ed institutions in France and abroad exist for engineering and official statistics students.
> Find out more here

What engineering specializations are offered at ENSAI?

ENSAI offers 6 different specializations for engineering students:

  • Advanced Statistical Engineering
    This specialization offers a large range of employment opportunities. ENSAI students will become skilled modeling experts in many fields of application such as quality/reliability in business, environmental predictions, and signal and image processing.

 

  • Biostatistics
    This specialization at ENSAI prepares students for fascinating careers in biotechnology, pharmaceutical laboratories, and public health.

 

  • Data Modeling for Spatial Analysis and Health Economics
    This ENSAI program offers a strong background in statistical engineering, economics, econometrics applied to territory dynamics and health, and will enable statistical engineers to evaluate both public policies and projects in the private sector.

 

 

  • Quantitative Marketing and Revenue Management
    ENSAI engineering students in this specialization will gain a strong background in marketing culture (marketing mix, experience marketing, digital marketing, customer relationship management). This will enable students to extract and analyze data in order to understand and explain it, as well as predict purchasing behavior of products and services.

 

  • Risk Management and Financial Engineering
    In order to asses and measure the risk associated to different financial operations, banks need the support of experts in banking regulations and advanced quantitative techniques. As risk and asset management are at the heart of this ENSAI specialization students will learn how to build quantitative tools to manage financial savings.
How long is the civil servant statistician contract with the French state?

An Insee civil servant statistician has a minimum fixed term contract of 8 years with the French government, this includes the two years of training at ENSAI. If the student decides to leave before the fixed term contract is up, s/he must reimburse the salary that s/he received while studying at ENSAI (€1,5550/month).

Do students in the Official Statistics program receive a salary?

Yes, students in the Official Statistics program (les attachés statisticiens stagiaires de l’Insee) have civil servant status in the French government and are paid approximately €1,550 gross/month during their studies at ENSAI.

Do students carry out internships during their studies?

 

Yes, all of our students carry out internships during their studies at ENSAI.

 

 

Student life
What does Ker Lann Campus look like ?

Find out in this video :

What are the tuition fees at ENSAI?

Statistical engineering students
The yearly tuition fee is €2,650 for EU students. ENSAI bursary students do not have to pay tuition fees.
All engineering students, including those with a bursary, must pay the CVEC fee (€92). More information in English can be found on Campus France.

The yearly tuition fee is €4,150 for non-EU students.

Insee civil servant trainees
There is no tuition feed.
Statistician trainees are French civil servants and are paid approximately €1,1550 before taxes per month while studying at ENSAI.

Master for Smart Data Science students
Tuition fees are either €4,000 or €6,000 depending on the student’s situation.
Students following this Master’s program are not eligible to apply for need-based financial aid.
All Master for Smart Data students, including those with a bursary, must pay the CVEC fee (around €95). More information in English can be found on Campus France.

Master in Evaluation & Decision Making students
Tuition fees for 2020/2021 are €243 for EU citizens and €3,770 for students non-EU citizens.
Students following this Master’s program are not eligible to apply for need-based financial aid.
All Master students, including those with a bursary, must pay the CVEC fee (€92). More information in English can be found on Campus France.

How can I apply for financial aid?

To find out if you are eligible for a need-based scholarship, you must complete an application with CNOUS.

The application for need-based financial aid must be completed annually with the help of the student social file (DSE) to be completed online. Students who received a CROUS grant the previous year must again compile an application online. Please keep in mind that when entering the DSE, the CROUS nomenclature is specific, students have to enter “Formation ingénieur” and then:

3rd year = 1A ENSAI
4th year = 2A ENSAI
5th year = 3A ENSAI
And finally, “Habilitation Economie ENSAI“».

International students who are European Union citizens are eligible for need-based financial aide financed by the French government.

The following international students are not concerned by this need-bases scheme:

  • Students enrolled in the Mastère Spécialisé, Statistics for Smart Data Master, Insee interns, and ERASMUS students;
  • Students whose tax residence has been in the European Economic Area (EEA) for less than two years;
  • Students with foreign nationality and tax residence outside the EEA unless they come from institutions that have a signed agreement with ENSAI explicitly stating the student’s eligibility to the grant;
  • Students taking a gap year.

 

Students who come from partner African schools (CAPESA : ENSAE Dakar, ENSEA Abidjan, ISSEA Youandé et INSEA Rabat), though not eligible for CROUS grants, are eligible for ENSAI’s internal grant system and will be contacted directly by ENSAI in order to finalize their financial aid application. Applications must be sent to bourses@ensai.fr.

All international students who are ineligible for the CROUS grant can apply for other types of grants from foundations, organizations or institutions (Bourse Eiffel, regional scholarships, foundation G Besse, etc.)

Learn more

Where can I find student friendly housing?

Most students chose to live on the Campus de Ker Lann or very close by to limit their commute. There are 7 private student residence halls available on campus, located 10mn by food from ENSAI. Students can also look for housing in the nearby towns of Bruz, Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, Rennes, Chartres-de-Bretagne, Pont-Péan, and Laillé for example.

Is ENSAI close to the center of Rennes?

ENSAI is located on the Campus de Ker Lann, south of Rennes and 5 minutes by car from the airport in St-Jacques de la Lande.

A commuter train links the Ker Lann campus to Rennes in 7 to 10 minutes and there are several regular buses to and from the center of Rennes (lines 57, 157 Ex, and Ker Lann Ex), which take an average of 25 to 35 minutes.

Are there opportunities to practice sports at ENSAI?

Yes, at ENSAI, optional sports classes are offered to students in the evening.
Proposed sports include: soccer, basketball, volleyball, handball, tennis, badminton, cross-training, table tennis, and running.
Tournaments are organized on campus for badminton, soccer, handball, and basketball.
Students also have access to shared athletic facilities on campus (a soccer field, tennis courts, in-door volleyball and badminton courts, dedicated spaces for playing pétanque and palet breton, and tennis tables) as well as a small gym space at ENSAI. Open from 7h30 am to 7h30 pm, ENSAI’s gym is equipped with several exercise machines (elliptical bike, stationary bike, treadmill, and rowing machine), exercise mats, equipment for core strengthening, and two punching bags.

 

How can I get in touch with ENSAI students?

You can contact ENSAI’s 2020 student association Barbadata. They will answer your questions and share their experiences at ENSAI with you.

If you wish to get in touch with ENSAI alumni, you can email contact@ensai.org. You can also find more information (in French) about ENSAI Alumni Association on their website.

Admission / Entrance Exams
How do I transfer to ENSAI?

Engineering Program
This method of admissions is open to students who have successfully completed one of the following:

  • 2 years of post secondary school education (Bac+2): holders of a DUT (French University Technology Diploma equivalent to an HND) in Statistics and Business Intelligence (STID) or Computer Science
  • a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
    • Mathematics and Computer Science applied to Human and Social Sciences (Miashs)
    • Statistics
    • Applied Mathematics
    • Economic Science
    • Computer Science applied to Business Management (Miage)
    • or equivalent

 

ENSAI’s Master’s Programs

Master admissions are based on qualifications. A minimum of 4 years of higher education equivalent to 240 ECTS credits (at least a 4-year degree or first year of a master’s degree) is required.

 

It is not possible to transfer into the civil servant program

 

How can I obtain my competitive examination (concours) results?

Please contact our admission service, which can only provide the oral examination results for B/L students. For all other examination results, students need to contact the examination organizers.

How can I obtain proof of enrollment and/or admission letter?

Our admissions service can provide you with a letter of admission as soon as you are admitted to ENSAI. Students will obtain their proof of enrollment certificate (certificat de scolarité) once they have officially accepted the offer of admission to ENSAI and paid their tuition fees.

Do students in the Official Statistics program receive a salary?

Yes, students in the Official Statistics program (les attachés statisticiens stagiaires de l’Insee) have civil servant status in the French government and are paid approximately €1,550 gross/month during their studies at ENSAI.

Quels sont les concours qui permettent d’intégrer l’ENSAI ?

Il existe quatre concours pour intégrer l’ENSAI :

Concours “économie et sciences sociales” (élèves de khâgnes scientifiques B/L – concours inter-ENS)

Concours “économie et gestion” (élèves de classes préparatoires Cachan D2 – concours inter-ENS)

Concours “mathématiques” (élèves de classes préparatoires scientifiques MP, MPI, PC, PSI – concours commun INP)

Concours interne  : ce concours est ouvert aux fonctionnaires et agents non titulaires des trois fonctions publiques et des établissements publics qui en dépendent, ainsi qu’aux militaires, magistrats et aux candidats en fonction dans une organisation internationale intergouvernementale.

Puis-je intégrer l’ENSAI si je ne passe pas l’épreuve de physique ?

OUI, vous pourrez être admissible à l’ENSAI si vous ne passez pas l’épreuve de physique au concours CCINP. Nous ne prenons pas en compte cette épreuve.

Quels sont les coefficients des épreuves des concours ?

Les coefficients des épreuves des concours pour intégrer l’ENSAI sont les suivants :

Les coefficients n’ont pas été modifiés en 2020. Seules les épreuves orales ont été annulées.