PPD Programme

• I don’t speak French: Can I apply for the PSE programmes?
  Programme’s office: All compulsory courses and most optional courses are given in English. However, attending a master at PSE also means a complete immersion in a french context... being Francophone is an advantage.

• Should I provide you with an English language certificate or my GRE score?
  Prog. office: No, neither GRE nor English language certificate are required for the admission into the PPD programme. Given that all courses are delivered in English, a sound knowledge of this language is necessary to participate in the programme. We count on your common sense to evaluate your English level.

• How much are the registration fees?
  Prog. office: Around 250 euros per year for the registration, in addition to approximately 210 euros for social security (for those under the age of 28). Studying at our institution is free of any additional fees.

• Are grants available?
  Prog. office: Depending on your nationality, financial aid may be available from different institutions (central banks, embassies, foundations, etc.) We invite you to explore the different possibilities available on the websites of EHESS (only in French) and Campus France.

Students who seek to continue their studies at the PhD level in one of the Paris School of Economics (PSE) Doctoral Programmes can apply for different financing opportunities (Ministère de l’enseignement supérieur et de la recherche, Région Ile-de-France) typically providing a monthly stipend of around 1500 euros (net) for 3 years, with a possible extra year of financing.

• Is it better to apply in March ? Are the chances and available slots equal in March and in May?
  Prog. office: The probability of acceptance is equal if your application file is complete. The admissions committee can decide to postpone until May consideration of an application that requires additional information. Applications rejected in March will not be reexamined in May. However, nothing prevents students from applying for admission the following year if their academic curriculum has improved. We strongly encourage foreign candidates to apply in March in order to have more time to prepare their stay in France if their application is successful.

• How many seats are available for the PPD Masters programme? What is the average acceptance rate?
  Prog. office: Each year we offer between 20 and 25 seats in the first year of the PPD masters programme and between 10 and 15 for candidates applying for a direct admission into the second year. Among all the applications we receive each year, including candidates from partner institutions, on the average, between 15% and 20% is successful for the M1; the same percentage applies for the M2.

• Can I apply to both APE & PPD programmes?
  Prog. office: Yes, absolutely. But make sure you submit two separate applications!

• Is it possible to apply on-line or via email?
  Prog. office: No, you must send your complete application by mail in hard copy to:
  PSE-Ecole d’économie de Paris
  Secrétariat Master APE et PPD
  48 boulevard Jourdan
  75014 Paris, FRANCE

The application must include all required documents listed in the application section, as well as the application form for admission into M1 or M2.

Applications must be written in French or English.

An official translation of all documents in languages other than French, English, Italian, Spanish or Latin is required. Do not forget to attach a photocopy of the original document to the translation.

Incomplete applications won’t be considered. All documents, including the application form must arrive by mail to the Programme Administration (secrétariat) before the application deadline.

• Am I eligible for the PSE programmes ? What are the prerequisites for M1 entry?
  Prog. office:
  > An undergraduate degree (e.g. Bachelors) equivalent to the French Licence in economics, mathematics and social sciences.
  > Applicants that are unsure as to whether they have the necessary preparation for the M1 programme are strongly encouraged to take the exercises included in the appendices B and C of the book: “Introductory Econometrics” by J. Wooldridge. Applicants that are unable to complete these exercises presumably do not have the preparation necessary to take M1 classes.

• Is it possible to apply into M2 directly?
  Prog. office: Certain applicants can enter directly into the M2 year, if they have already taken and passed coursework that provides a level of preparation equivalent to that of Year 1 of the PPD Programme (microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and public policy evaluation). As a result, students who request direct admission into M2 must provide a clear and complete list of their past coursework.

• Why is it necessary to submit a detailed description of past coursework?
  Prog. office: Transcripts don’t provide sufficient information as to the content of applicants’ previous coursework in other institutions of higher education. Please provide a detailed description of courses that you have taken. Only chose courses pertinent to your PPD masters application. If you have gone to engineering school, there is no need to list all of your coursework, only those courses which are relevant to economics. It is useless to photocopy your entire university curriculum brochure; 5 to 10 lines per course are sufficient to explain the concepts and textbook(s) used in class. This information is very important for the evaluators who will have your application in hand as they make an admission decision. Therefore, be clear and precise in your presentation.

• What kind of recommendation letters should I submit? Is there a template for the recommendation letters? Do my referees have to send letters for each application, if I apply to APE and PPD programmes? Can they send them by email?
  Prog. office: Insofar as the masters APE and PPD prepare for career in academic research, academic letters of recommendation are preferable. However, if you have work experience relevant for admission to one of these masters (research assistant, project assistant in public policy evaluation, banking and finance); one of the two letters of recommendation may be written by your employer. Letters of recommendation must be sent along with the complete application file in sealed envelopes. They musn’t be sent separately or by email. If you are applying to both programs make sure you submit two sets of letters,the evaluators are not the same for each programme! There is no specific format / standard for letters of recommendation. The more personalized and detailed they are, the better we can learn to know the candidate’s skills.

• After the application is sent, is there an interview? ?
  Prog. office: No. Candidates are admitted exclusively on the basis of their application.

• Is there a distance learning option or a night programme ?
  Prog. office: The PPD Programme is full-time. There is no distance learning option, nor is there a night programme. However, students that wish to continue working or concurrently pursue another degree programme in addition to the PPD Masters can request permission to complete the masters over 4 years (2 in M1, 2 in M2). Candidates wishing to take advantage of this option, must state it clearly in their application file. These candidates should bear in mind that it will require adjustements in their work schedule approved by their employer or the manager of the other training they attend. Under no circumstances is it possible to work full-time and complete the PPD programme at the same time. Only applications from candidates demonstrating - in addition to the initial training required - a strong motivation will be accepted.

• In case I have more questions about these programmes, who do I contact ?
  Prog. office: The admission office of the PPD Master programme, master-ppd ens.fr