Economics serving society

APE FAQ

General questions:

1 / I don’t speak French: can I apply to the APE program?
All compulsory courses and most optional courses are offered in English. Depending on your choice, you can thus follow 100% of your coursework in English. As a result, a certificate of English language ability (minimum level C1 or equivalent) is required for all applicants who aren’t native English speakers, except for French candidates and those who are graduates of universities where coursework is in English. In class, not speaking French isn’t a barrier, but like any time abroad in a francophone country, participation in the PSE master’s implies a complete immersion in a French-speaking cultural environment...(more: download the brochure “International English Masters programmes… within the French system !”)

2 / How much are the registration fees?
The university fees are annual and set by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research in France.
In 2019 the French government has voted a law that stipulates an increase in the registration fees up to € 3,770 for the Master’s degree for international students coming from outside the European Union and who were not registered previously in France at the master level.. However, our partner institutions have been able to exempt international students from paying the full fees this academic year: they gave a waiver and allowed all students to pay the same amount as the EU students: 243 euros per year (plus a 90 euros contribution to the CVEC).

Our partner institutions are willing to do the same again in 2024-25. We will update the website as soon as we get a confirmation (usually around March-April 2024).

3/ Are there grants available?
Depending on your nationality, financial aid may be available from different institutions (central banks, embassies, foundations, etc.). You can dowload the dedicated brochure “Funding opportunities for Foreign Students”. We invite you to explore the different possibilities available on the websites of EHESS (only in French) and Campus France.

Do not hesitate to browse the dedicated page “Prepare your arrival at PSE” (accomodations, visas, health insurance, grants...)

4/ How many places are available for the APE Master’s program? What is the average acceptance rate?
Each year we offer between 60 and 70 places in the first year of the APE master’s programme and between between 15 and 30 seats for candidates applying for a direct admission into the second year. For September 2023, we received 563 applications at M1 level, and 86 admitted students registered; at M2 level, we received 158 external applications and 37 students registered. Among all the applications we receive each year, on the average, one quarter of the M1 applicants are successful, while 20% of the “external” M2 applicants get admitted (most of the slots are dedicated to M1 students). In the end, 50% of the students come from a foreign institution.

All admissions are conditional on the applicant gaining the degree necessary for access to the desired master’s level (degree or equivalent for entry to M1; M1 or equivalent for entry to M2). The certificate of achievement will be demanded, in September, during the enrolment process.

5/ Am I eligible for the APE programme? What are the prerequisites for M1 entry?
For entrance in M1: an undergraduate degree (e.g. Bachelors) equivalent to the French Licence in economics or mathematics. Masters applicants must have an advanced command of the English language as well as of basic qualitative methods. For entrance in M2: a master’s degree (one year of study avec the undergraduate degree). Applicants that are unsure as to whether they have the necessary preparation for the M1 program are strongly encouraged to do these exercises “Mathematical Prerequisites”. Applicants that are unable to complete them presumably do not have the preparation necessary to take M1 classes.

6/ Is it possible to apply into M2 directly?
All candidates are individually evaluated by the admissions committee. Certain applicants can enter directly 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 APE programme (microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics). As a result, students who request direct admission into M2 must provide a clear and complete list of their past coursework. The committee can also extend an offer of admission into M1 for candidates with interesting profiles but an insufficient background.

7/ After the application is sent, is there an interview?
No. Candidates are admitted exclusively on the basis of their application.

8/ Is there a distance learning option or a night programme?
APE is a full-time programme. There is no distance learning option, nor is there a night programme. However, candidates who think they might want or need to take an extra year to complete the master programme can request it. In total, only one extra year can be granted over the course of the master (which has to be completed in maximum three years starting from M1 or two years starting from M2). Such extra time will not be granted automatically and if so, it will require individual study plan arrangements and approval from the program director. Candidates who wish to continue working in addition to the master should bear in mind that it will also require adjustments in their work schedule approved by their employer. Under no circumstances is it possible to work full-time and complete the master at the same time. Candidates wishing to take advantage of this option, must state clearly their motivation for such a request in a dedicated letter.

Questions regarding PSE Application:
1/ In practice, how can I apply on PSE Application?
You will be able to create your own “candidate profile”, fill your personal information and upload the requested documents. You will be able to follow the status of your profile once you have submitted it. Applications must be written in French or English. An official translation is required for documents in languages other than French or English.

The admission results will be available by email and/or via the pse-application platform.

2/ How can I be sure that my application has been taken into account on PSE Application?
Once you’ve completed and validated your application, you will receive an automatic email of confirmation. Then, on your candidate profile, you will be able to check the status of your application: in progress, missing files…

3/ I submitted my application on PSE Application. Can I change some information anyway?
Yes and no. The personal details (except your email) are the only information you will be able to change. All the other information you filled up (Education and documents) cannot be changed once the application file is validated and sent, but they can be viewed.

4/ Why is it necessary to submit a detailed description of past coursework?
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 master’s 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.

5/ How to proceed with my letters of recommendation?
Please note that there is no specific format for letters of recommendation: the more personalized and detailed they are, the better we can learn to know the candidate’s skills. When you fill the information in your online profile, you enter details (name, email) about your referees. They will receive an automatic email with a link allowing them to upload their letter of recommendation. Therefore, inform them about that before confirming their details in your application profile.

Please note that you cannot upload a reference letter on the website on your own.
Also, it sometimes happens that our server does not recognize some foreign email addresses and send our automatic messages into spam. Please ask your referee to also check their spam boxes. If they still do not find the message, you can submit the form again. Another email will be automatically sent. If even like this they don’t receive the upload links let us know as we will give you more instructions.

Questions regarding TrouverMonMaster:
The admission platform TrouverMonMaster won’t be used for this year’s applications.

This section will be updated as soon as we receive more information.