ENSAE Paris - École d'ingénieurs pour l'économie, la data science, la finance et l'actuariat
ENSAE Paris - École d'ingénieurs pour l'économie, la data science, la finance et l'actuariat
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Research Track

Research Track Objectives

This track enables students to more effectively develop their research project and to benefit from personalized guidance in their third year. It also helps identify students who wish to pursue a PhD after completing the engineering program. The track is selective and limited to around ten students, chosen based on the excellence of their academic results and their interest in research careers.

Regarding coursework, the research track offers students considerable freedom in choosing their classes. These choices are made after discussions with faculty researchers and must be approved by the head of graduate studies of ENSAE Paris.

In addition to personalized support, students will be invited to attend CREST seminars (and encouraged to follow CREST doctoral courses that align with their research project), or to participate in certain working or reading groups depending on their chosen topics.

“Research Track” and Research Master 

While enrolling in a second-year research Master’s program (M2) alongside the third year at ENSAE is not mandatory within this track, it is strongly recommended. Indeed, M2 research courses allow students to get closer to the frontiers of research and provide significant added value for those aiming to pursue a PhD. They also give students the opportunity to interact with various academics who may guide them and potentially supervise or co-supervise their doctoral work, or involve them in advisory committees.

Applications

Students at the end of their second year at ENSAE (or on a gap year) who wish to pursue research (and undertake a PhD after ENSAE) are eligible to apply. Students undertaking studies outside ENSAE or spending one or two semesters abroad on exchange are not eligible.

Interested students must submit a statement of purpose explaining the fields they are interested in.

Depending on how advanced applicants are in their research plans, a CREST tutor may be contacted by the student prior to applying, or may be recommended or assigned by faculty members responsible for tracks or departments, as well as by the head of graduate studies and the Research Director of the ENSAE-ENSAI Group. If applicants have already contacted a tutor, they may mention this in their application.