Master’s degree candidates are strongly encouraged to also apply to become a Normalien at the École Normale Supérieure, a prestigious status in the French academic system.
Normaliens obtain a double degree (the degree of the Master’s program in cognitive science and the degree of the École Normale Supérieure), with relatively few additional requirements.
The status also brings several very important benefits, and there are two tracks to obtain it.
Normalien International Selection track
This track is open to foreign applicants only. Normaliens admitted through it have:
- A scholarship of around 1000€ monthly
- The right to have a student room at the École Normale Supérieure
- A very high probability of securing a PhD scholarship after the master’s program
Apply early. Applications to the Normalien International Selection track are made before the application to the Master’s program. See the application procedure.
Students admitted through the Normalien International Selection track are automatically admitted to the Master’s program. International Selection candidates are nevertheless encouraged to apply to the Master’s program at the same time, on the PSL portal. The two procedures are independent and offer two parallel routes into the program, so applying to both increases the chances of being admitted.
Normalien University track
This track is open to French and foreign applicants alike. Normaliens admitted through it have:
- The right to have a student room at the École Normale Supérieure
- Financial support for an internship abroad (or to pass the Cambridge Certificate)
- Virtually automatic access to a PhD scholarship
Applications to the Normalien University track are made after you have submitted your application to the Master’s program. More information and the deadlines are given on this page.
Important. To apply to the Normalien University track at the Master’s level, you must first have applied to the Master’s program on the PSL portal. Otherwise, your application to the Normalien University track will not be considered.