FAQ

This is neither a dual degree nor a bridge program, but rather a joint engineering program, delivered jointly by the two schools across their three campuses depending on the chosen track. ENSTA and ISAE-SUPAERO jointly award the degree, which is accredited by the Commission des Titres d’Ingénieurs.

The entire curriculum was jointly defined by the two schools, which have pooled their expertise to offer this unique and highly multidisciplinary program, strongly focused on innovation across the various technical fields of defense and security.

The degrees awarded therefore bear the names, logos, and signatures of both schools. And all FIDS program graduates simultaneously join the alumni networks of both ENSTA and ISAE-SUPAÉRO.

It is the only engineering degree of its kind in France, accredited by the CTI and jointly awarded by two engineering schools. The program thus meets the strong and growing demand for engineers in these fields, complementing the other engineering programs (general and specialized) offered by both schools.

Watch the video presentation of the program on Campus Channel

This new multidisciplinary engineering program addresses the strong and growing needs of the Ministry of the Armed Forces, as well as the 4,500 companies (SMEs, mid-sized firms, startups) and 9 major groups* that make up the French and European defense industry and supply society with high-tech civilian and military systems (the “dual-use” industry). The training program is multidisciplinary, career-oriented, and features progressive specialization.

What all these graduates have in common—and what sets the program apart—is a deep understanding of the issues, challenges, and methods that make engineering in the defense and security sectors unique. This knowledge and these skills are transferable to many other fields of application in cutting-edge engineering and so-called “sensitive” technologies (complex systems, innovative sectors with intense international competition, consulting & expertise…).

Examples of jobs (civil or military engineers): research and development engineer, complex systems design engineer, testing/calculation engineer, program manager, technical expert, data scientist…

[The nine major groups of the BITD (defense industrial and technological base) are Airbus Defence and Space, ArianeGroup, Arquus, Dassault Aviation, KNDS, MBDA, Naval Group, Safran, and Thales. The BITD accounts for more than 240,000 jobs in France. Other examples of partner companies: on page 4 of the FIDS brochure]

After a general core curriculum in the first year, students can choose from three specialization tracks for the second and third years:

• Naval/Land Systems in Brest,
• Cyber and AI in Paris-Saclay (Palaiseau)
• Aeronautical/Space Systems in Toulouse.

The process differs depending on status (civilian or military), but in both cases, choices regarding specializations will be reviewed and approved during the second semester of the first year

• For IETA students, the number of spots is set by the Directorate General of Armaments, and currently, ranking is the primary factor considered.
• For civilian students, placement is based primarily on the students’ stated preferences. Each student must rank the three options in order of preference. During the first phase, 60% of the spots are allocated based on the ranking, while the remaining 40% are selected by the program directors based on an evaluation of the student’s academic and career plans, as well as their academic performance in the first semester.

Engineering students who choose this track complete their first year of core curriculum on the Brest campus. Then, the second and third years take place on the campus of the chosen specialization (see previous question).

Note: Students with military status (see below) will first complete a year of military orientation (a “zero” year between the admissions exam and the start of their first year in Brest).

The choice of status (student/civilian or IETA/military) is indicated when submitting school preferences for the entrance exams on the SCEI website. Candidates may rank both options.

Choosing the status of Armament Studies and Technology Engineering Student (IETA) is a dual commitment—as an engineer and a military officer—to carry out technical and managerial missions within the DGA or on assignment within the Ministry of the Armed Forces or the defense industry.

Note: The status of Armament Studies and Technology Engineer (IETA) is accessible only through competitive exams: 90% after CPGE via the Mines-Télécom exam and Defense & Security engineering training (45 spots in 2026), 10% based on academic qualifications (engineering degree or final year of an engineering program, 5 spots in 2026).

Specific admission requirements must be met to become an IETA. You can find the list on our website

What are the career opportunities and specific features of the training program for IETA military cadets?

IETAs form the backbone of the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA).

These engineers lead complex, high-stakes projects across the broad technical expertise areas of the DGA and agencies within the Ministry of the Armed Forces (Shom, AMIAD, AID, the armed forces, etc.). IETAs therefore cover five major missions: equipping the armed forces, anticipating strategic needs and innovations, contributing to strategic international cooperation, guiding the 4,500 companies within the BITD (Defense Industrial and Technological Base), and developing deterrence capabilities (nuclear and cyber).

The commitment following admission to the competitive exam includes 1 year of personal and military training (Year 0), 3 years of engineering training, and a minimum of 8 years of service as an IETA officer.

In the training program, the main differences for military cadets are:

• The year of military discovery (“Year 0”): This follows admission to the competitive exam and precedes entry into the school. This year is shared with Polytechnique students and military engineering cadets from the Defense Infrastructure program. More info: XX
• Tuition is covered by the government, and IETA students receive a monthly stipend during their training, which increases over the four years from €1,560 to €1,950 (2026 pay scale). In return, the military student commits to beginning their engineering career at the DGA (Directorate General of Armaments).

Click this link to learn more about the specifics of the IETA program

The annual FIDS ENSTA/ISAE-SUPAÉRO class consists of just under 100 students.

In addition, each of the three campuses hosts 250 to 300 engineering students from other programs, alongside whom the FIDS cohort pursues its studies and with whom FIDS students lead the many extracurricular projects of student life. Each campus accommodates 1,000 to 2,000 students within its walls. In a dynamic and stimulating environment!

As capacity on campus is very limited, ISAE-SUPAERO prioritizes housing for international students. They can benefit from Toul’Box services if they wish to be assisted in their arrival in France at ISAE-SUPAERO.
All students receive information to help them find housing suited to their needs, near ISAE-SUPAERO and in the city center. For more information, please visit the TOUL’BOX website.
You can visit the Alteal website to find out about housing options on campus.

No, they are individual rooms, but there are kitchens and common areas.

The BUT Science and Materials Engineering can apply.

We are recruiting BUT GMP graduates, from a student or apprentice status program.

Yes, provided you provide an invitation to take an English test. Some students may not have time to take the English test before submitting their application. This is possible, but you must provide proof of the date you plan to take the test. If you are admitted to the program, you will be admitted provided you pass the English test before the start of classes.

No, admission is only in the first year.

Yes, it is possible, we also look at your Bac+2 course.

No, you can apply during the year you graduate. You will be asked for your diploma at the start of the academic year in September.

Yes, this is an eligible training.

Yes, we also have 2 apprentices this year whose access qualification is a physical license.

Several excellence scholarships are offered to Master’s candidates who apply during the first application session, see “Funding assistance”: https://www.isae-supaero.fr/fr/formations/master-of-science/

Yes, from 2024, BTS candidates will have to complete a year of ATS prep or professional license to apply for our training.

Once your admission notification has been sent to you, you have approximately 3 weeks to confirm your admission and reserve your place in the Master’s program. A deposit of €1,200 towards your tuition fees is required at this time. This deposit is non-refundable. Until the deposit is paid, your admission to the program will not be confirmed, and after 3 weeks, your place will be offered to another candidate.

Written exams are conducted in person at one of the locations. Oral exams will continue to be conducted via videoconference.

Approximately 600 for around a hundred places in the 4 schools.

Approximately 600 for around a hundred places in the 4 schools.

No, the IEVex Advanced Master® is reserved for engineers and test pilots selected by EPNER.
However, ISAE offers an Advanced Master® with a “flight testing” option: the Aeronautical Engineering – Flight Test Engineering option, which requires the same prerequisites as the other Specialized Master® programs.

Yes, except for applicants who are citizens of: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States.

Yes, except for applicants whose official native language is English.
See the list of exempt countries in the admission requirements.

Please contact: [admission-masters@isae-supaero.fr]

This is not a competition: applications are analyzed on the basis of the results obtained in written tests (placement tests), the quality of the academic record and motivation (oral).

Interviews may only be scheduled as part of an application for the IEM Advanced Master® in Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management scholarship.
However, it is possible to have an interview with the program directors or program leaders during the pre-application phase.

No, no interview is planned, but it is possible to have an interview with the guidance officers or program leaders during the phase preceding the application submission.

This is not a prerequisite, but it is a plus, mention it in your application.

You can apply for up to 5 Advance Master programs at the same time, specifying the order of your preferences. You can apply to both ISAE-SUPAERO and ENAC Advanced Master programs.

1. How the Letter of Recommendation Process Works
Your letters of recommendation (a minimum of two) must be submitted directly by your referees. Once you have validated your application — including payment of the application fee — your referees will receive a unique code allowing them to upload their letter securely to your application profile. They will also receive an automatic email with full instructions. If they experience any difficulty, please contact the admissions team at admission.masters@tsaae.fr.
It is advisable to validate your application a few days in advance so that your referees have enough time to upload their letters.
If your referee encounters a problem, they may exceptionally send their letter directly to lor-masters@tsaae.fr.

2. Follow‑up and Monitoring by the Admissions Team
The admissions team monitors applications regularly. They can resend the automatic email to your referees as a reminder and can confirm when your application is complete. Please note that response times may vary depending on the number of applications being processed.
In the days following the application deadline, you will be notified by email if any documents are missing. Depending on the nature of the missing document(s), a short extension may be granted in exceptional circumstances. For any further questions, please contact admission.masters@tsaae.fr.

3. Who Should Write Your Recommendation Letters
It is recommended to include at least one or two letters from university professors. If you have completed an internship or gained professional experience, a letter from your supervisor is also acceptable.
You may submit more than two letters if you wish.

4. Language and Format of the Letters
Letters of recommendation may be written in English or French. The format of the reference letter is flexible.

Candidates of foreign nationalities may apply provided that they have diplomas deemed equivalent and have completed at least one year of study in France as part of initial training.

Consult our admission conditions: https://www.isae-supaero.fr/en/academics/our-advanced-master-programs/

👉 Check our admission requirements.

Hold a bachelor’s degree obtained abroad or equivalent in the following fields: mechanical engineering, mechatronics, aerospace, electronics, electrical, computer science, telecommunications, etc. or a Bachelor’s degree in science and engineering obtained in France. Students with an excellent level, graduates in mathematics or physics can also apply for the ISAE-SUPAERO master’s degree.

– Copy of the diploma confirming the required level (except for students in their final year of studies – certificate of enrollment),
– Transcript of records for the last 3 years of study,
– CV (in English)
– Cover letter (in English),
– English language test results (TOEFL or TOEIC or IELTS or CAE Cambridge or Linguaskill)
– Application fee of €100.
– 2 letters of recommendation – sent directly by the professors through the system.

– Copy of the diploma validating the required level (except for students in their final year of studies – certificate of enrollment),
– Transcript of records for the last 3 years of study,
– CV in English,
– Cover letter in English,
– English language test results (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, Linguaskill, CAE Cambridge, etc.),
– Application fee of €100 (non-refundable),
– 2 letters of recommendation, one academic advisor, and one professional advisor,
– Jobseekers: proof of employment (Pôle Emploi)
– Foreign applicants: residence permit, tax receipts if applicable

TOEFL IBT 87, TOEIC Listening and Reading 850, TOEIC Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing 785, IELTS 6, Linguaskill 170, CAE/FCE Cambrige : 170 … validating a B2 level. Online versions of these tests will be accepted. Only tests taken after January 1, 2023 will be accepted.

List of tests and minimum scores accepted :
TOEFL IBT (Inst.Code : 9820) : 87
TOEIC: 785 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
TOEIC: 850 (Listening, Reading)
IELTS (academics): 6
CAE/FCE Cambridge: 170
Linguaskill: 170 (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
The test must be less than 2 years old.

Candidates must submit an application on the TSAAE – Toulouse School of Aviation and Aerospace Engineering by ENAC & ISAE-SUPAERO website. All applications received by the deadline are examined by the admissions jury. MS AERO OPS SA: application on the École de l’Air et de l’Espace website.

Candidates must submit an application on the TSAAE website ( TSAAE Toulouse School of Aviation and Aerospace Engineering by ENAC & ISAE-SUPAERO). All applications received in full and within the specified deadline will be reviewed by the admissions committee.
MS AERO OPS SA : Application on the Ecole de l’Air et de l’Espace website only.

The candidate must submit an application on the ISAE-SUPAERO website. Any complete application received within the set deadline will be reviewed by the admissions panel.

The written tests will consist of three multiple-choice questions (mathematics, English, and French). These are placement tests, not a “competition”. This is to ensure that candidates have the prerequisites for pursuing the industrial engineering specialty training.

The Master’s degree is a university degree, a state diploma.
It is combined with a three-year degree and falls under the European LMD (License, Master’s, Doctorate) system.

The Advanced Master’s® does not prepare for a doctorate.

The Advanced Master® is generally combined with a five-year degree.
The Advanced Master® also has the distinction of being aimed at both recent graduates AND professionals with several years of experience.

Please note: “Advanced Master®” is a trademark. It is invariable; never an “s”!

Grades from the last 3 years of higher education.

It is advisable to submit your application as early as possible to increase your chances of admission. Applications open in October of year N for a start in year N+1.

It is advisable to submit your application early in order to increase your chances of admission.

We have no preference.

If you are continuing your studies, at least one letter from a professor and/or one letter from a professional who supervised you during an internship. If you are a professional, attach two letters written by executives or managers.

In any department linked to production, the design office, with technical missions which must be validated by ISAE-SUPAERO before signing the contract.

Yes, absolutely. ISAE-SUPAERO is a generalist school. For example, some of our students have completed internships at Formula 1 teams.

We do not offer pilot training, but some of our alumni have gone on to become pilots after completing additional training. However, you can obtain your private pilot’s license at our airfield; we have a fleet of nine aircraft. You can also participate in aeronautical sports through clubs and associations (gliders, gliders, parachutes, etc.).

37% of our graduates’ employers are in the aerospace and defense sector. The remaining employers of our graduates are in other sectors: strategy/management/transition consulting, IT, energy, automotive, telecommunications, etc.

It can be more difficult in mathematics in particular, but the apprentices are very united and help each other within the class, each having strengths/difficulties.

ISAE-SUPAERO is a general engineering school.

The ISAE-SUPAERO engineering program is, first and foremost, a comprehensive program of excellence, with a strong scientific content, addressing the major challenges of the engineering profession.

It offers a wide range of high-level careers in numerous sectors: transportation, energy, digital technology, research, consulting, finance, and more.

Because aerospace is a cross-disciplinary knowledge base with significant technological challenges and a rapidly changing environment, you will master the keys to complex systems design, innovation, major project management, and entrepreneurship.

No, ISAE-SUPAERO is not just an aeronautics school in Toulouse… because it also provides courses in the field of space engineering or high technology in various fields (environment, transport, consulting and strategy, etc.)!

Yes, in your final year, you have the option of pursuing a research master’s degree, which will then lead you to a thesis.
ISAE-SUPAERO has five doctoral schools:

• Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Telecommunications: from Systems to Nanosystems (GEET)
• Mechanics, Energy, Civil & Process Engineering (MEGeP)
• Mathematics, Computer Science, and Telecommunications of Toulouse (MITT)
• University, Environment, and Space Sciences (SDU2E)
• Systems (SYS)

Yes, this is a dual degree agreement.

Some elective courses are limited in terms of numbers, but the choice is vast, and all students have courses that meet their needs.

Some universities schedule bachelor’s thesis defenses after the start of the academic year at ISAE-SUPAERO. If this is the case, contact your program coordinator in advance to request a day to visit your university to defend your final dissertation.

No, you don’t have to be passionate about these fields to join us.

Not all ISAE-SUPAERO students are passionate about these fields. This is what makes the school unique: students who aren’t passionate about them sometimes find themselves involved in exciting projects or clubs involving drones, Mars simulations in the Utah desert, aeronautics, etc., and sometimes absorb the passion of other students!

The customizable curriculum allows you to choose courses related to other fields, particularly in the third year, with the choice of a major and an area of application.

Visit the program page to learn more about the courses.

Find out how to become an engineer at ISAE-SUPAERO through different admission routes: https://www.isae-supaero.fr/offre-de-formations/ingenieur-generaliste-isae-supaero/

No, in French.

In the final year, there are areas in high demand, we try to satisfy everyone!

22.1% in 2024.

Yes.

Yes, but apprentices (employees) do not have priority over students in initial training.

Once admitted, all information is sent by email before your registration.

The minimum 9-week international period takes place within a company; this can be in a subsidiary, with a partner, a client company, or a company that has no relationship with the company where you are doing your apprenticeship. It is also possible to achieve your mobility in a university laboratory.

ISAE-SUPAERO welcomes 1,900 students, 41% of whom are international students; 62 nationalities are present on campus.

Work placements are very varied. Students complete them in all sectors.

In aeronautics, this can be on a production line, for example. Some also do it in flying clubs.

Students have classes every day from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m., except Thursday afternoons, which are free for personal activities or for involvement in school associations, for example.

Monday afternoons are reserved for sports and second and third language classes. Wednesday afternoons are dedicated to arts and culture classes. Students do not have classes on weekends.

A whole week is dedicated to it, with numerous activities, visits, etc. organized by the administration and especially by the students. Learn more on the student association website: https://ae-isae-supaero.fr.

Yes, it’s possible. The school has its own fleet of aircraft and instructors with whom you can learn to fly. Watch the video about piloting activities at ISAE-SUPAERO.

The city of Toulouse is very well served: Toulouse-Blagnac airport is 15 minutes from the campus, and Toulouse-Matabiau train station is also 15 minutes away. You can reach Paris in 4.5 hours by train or 1 hour by plane, Lyon in 5 hours by train and 1 hour by plane, Marseille in 4 hours by train, and Bordeaux in 2 hours by car or carpool!

Advanced Masters programs are not eligible for scholarships, including CROUS scholarships.

Except the Advanced Master IEM Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Management offering 3 scholarships (exempt from tuition fees) in partnership with SAFRAN.

Nota Bene: Safran scholarships will support students who have a professional project in the aeronautics, space, or defense sectors and who commit to following the track “Innovation in Aeronautics, Space and Defense.” Exceptionally, scholarships may also be awarded to students carrying other deeptech projects who commit to following the track “Consulting in Strategy, Innovation and Business Transformation.”

Of the total tuition fees, a €1,500 deposit (non-refundable) must be paid upon receipt of the jury’s results to confirm your registration for the Advanced Master® at ISAE-SUPAERO.
The balance must be paid on the first day of the academic year in September, or in three installments in September, October, and November.

In addition to tuition fees, a monthly budget of around €900-€1000 is required (accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, miscellaneous expenses).

The programs offered by ISAE-SUPAERO make it difficult to combine classes, group work, report writing, and exam preparation with a student job. However, students sometimes find a small job on campus for between 10 and 20 hours per week.

Yes, we support them by relying on the school’s network, in particular by providing best practices in company searches and passing on the offers we receive. But it is still up to the apprentice to take charge of their search (like a job search).