The École normale supérieure (ENS) in Paris is one of the most prestigious schools in Europe, and its International Selection is one of the few routes that puts a Nigerian student into a fully funded master-level place there. The programme takes a small group of foreign students each year, gives them a monthly grant and a room on an ENS campus, and lets them study alongside the school’s own normaliens. This guide explains what the award pays, who can apply, how the two-stage selection works, what the 2027 timetable says, and how to check the current round on the official ENS page.
Reviewed by Miles Obi
What the ENS International Selection pays
According to the official ENS International selection page, successful candidates receive a monthly grant of 1,000 euros for three years, paid into a French bank account, along with a room on one of the ENS-PSL campuses. Across a full year that adds up to about 12,000 euros in grant money. The grant covers living costs, which matters a great deal in Paris, and the room removes the need to find accommodation on the private market at the start of your studies.
The school also says that tuition at French public universities is paid by the state, so the grant is mainly for living costs rather than fees. Laureates still pay the standard registration fees, and the grant does not cover gap years. Check the official page for the current list of what is and is not covered before you plan your budget.
Who can apply
The International Selection is designed for students who did their first cycle of study abroad. The school says it is aimed at young graduates in Arts and Humanities as well as in Sciences who have completed at least one year of undergraduate study at a foreign university and who have distinguished themselves with strong results.
- You must be under 26 at the start of the programme. This is a firm rule.
- You must have completed at least one year of undergraduate study at a university outside France in the calendar year before applications open.
- You must not have lived in France for more than 10 months during the academic year of the selection, or during the previous year.
- You can apply to the International Selection only once.
Nationality is not a barrier, so Nigerian students can apply on the same terms as everyone else. The programme places students in the third year of a bachelor’s or the first year of a master’s, depending on their record and their field.
How the selection works
The competition runs in two stages. The first is a selection based on your application file, which includes your academic transcripts, CV, a statement explaining your academic interest, and reference letters. The second stage is a set of admission tests. For Arts and Humanities these are one written test and two oral tests. For Sciences the tests are also run by videoconference, with written and oral parts. Candidates who are shortlisted must be prepared to take the tests remotely.
Applications are submitted through the OnePSL platform, which you reach from the official ENS International selection page. Email applications are not processed, and an application is only valid when all the required documents are uploaded by the deadline.
The 2027 timetable
The school’s official timetable for the 2027 session is below. Dates are taken from the official ENS page as it stood when this article was reviewed. Check the official site for any change before you plan around them.
- Applications open: 16 October 2026, 14:00 Paris time.
- Applications close: 15 December 2026, 14:00 Paris time. This is the last cycle’s closing deadline for this round.
- Shortlist results: from 21 January 2027 for Arts and Humanities, and from 27 January 2027 for Sciences.
- Admission tests: 15 to 26 February 2027 for Arts and Humanities, and 3 to 19 March 2027 for Sciences.
- Admission results: from 9 March 2027 for Arts and Humanities, and from 26 March 2027 for Sciences.
The official page also lists what happens after admission: an invitation letter, a visa attestation, a list of documents to prepare for registration, and information about French lessons. Admitted students who need a student visa apply for a long-stay study visa. Administrative registration takes place in September, and the first grant payment is made in October covering September and October.
Is the portal open now?
The 15 December 2026 deadline in this article belongs to the 2027 round, but the portal’s status can change. Do not rely on this article for whether applications are open today. Go to the official ENS International selection page, check the current application window, and confirm the portal is receiving applications before you start. The link is https://www.ens.psl.eu/en/une-formation-d-exception/admissions/international/international-selection and the page also lists the shortlist and results dates.
How to prepare a strong application
- Read the official rules for your subject area first. Arts and Humanities and Sciences have separate timetables and different test formats.
- Gather your academic transcripts from every university you have attended, and get certified translations if your documents are not in French or English.
- Write a clear academic statement that explains your research interest and why ENS suits your plans. This is the part that most candidates underestimate.
- Ask two lecturers who know your work for reference letters early. Referees may be slow, so do not leave this until the last week.
- Upload every required document before the deadline. An incomplete file is not considered.
- If you are shortlisted, practise written and oral work in your field, and prepare for remote testing with a stable internet connection.
Language and course choice
Language requirements vary by department. Many science courses are taught in English, while humanities courses often need French. Check the requirements for your chosen subject on the official page, and consider starting French lessons early. The school runs French courses for foreign students at the start of the year, so you will get support if your French is still developing.
Other scholarships to compare
If France is your target, it is worth comparing the ENS grant with other French awards. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is another strong option for Nigerians aiming at French study. For a wider list of awards that cover living costs, browse our guide to fully funded scholarships for Nigerians.
Stay safe while applying
Only apply through the official ENS website and the OnePSL platform linked from it. ENS does not ask you to pay an application fee to a private account, and no agent can guarantee you a place. If anyone asks for money upfront to secure a slot, that is a scam, so stop and check the official page before you send anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit? Yes. You must be under 26 at the start of the programme.
Do I need to speak French? It depends on your subject. Many science courses run in English, while humanities courses often need French. Check the official page for your department.
How much is the grant worth? 1,000 euros a month for three years, which comes to about 12,000 euros a year, plus a campus room.
Can Nigerians apply? Yes. The International Selection is open to students from around the world who meet the entry rules.
Do I pay tuition? Tuition at French public universities is paid by the state, but laureates pay standard registration fees.
Apply only through the official École Normale Supérieure website.
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