Top Foreign Preparatory Schools for French Grandes Écoles
In a recent analysis, Le Figaro has meticulously examined the results of African preparatory classes, particularly those located in Morocco and Tunisia, which have achieved remarkable success in the entrance exams for prestigious French grandes écoles. The concept of preparatory classes, known as classes préparatoires, is a distinctly French educational feature, where students dedicate two years of rigorous study before qualifying for elite institutions. Unlike most countries where access to universities comes directly after secondary education, a few nations, especially in Africa, have adopted this meritocratic model, allowing students to enroll in local engineering and business schools while also preparing for entry into top French institutions.
The countries included in this ranking, such as Morocco, Tunisia, Guinea, and Senegal, share a Francophone educational system that closely resembles that of France. This similarity facilitates the transition for students aspiring to study in France. As noted by Laurent Champaney, the director of Arts et Métiers and vice-president of the Conference of Grandes Écoles, recruiting from these regions provides French institutions with a valuable pool of candidates, particularly as there is a growing shortage of French students pursuing engineering careers. Furthermore, the competitive nature of the CPGE examinations ensures that the caliber of students admitted is consistently high.
For this inaugural ranking, the evaluation criteria were exclusively based on the success rates of students in the entrance exam for l’École Polytechnique. Unsurprisingly, Moroccan preparatory classes dominated the rankings, with the prestigious Lycée Mohamed VI d’excellence, known as Lydex, in Benguérir leading the pack. Over the past three years, more than 17% of its students successfully gained admission to l’École Polytechnique in the mathematics-physics and physics-technical streams. Following closely are the Lymed in Tétouan and the Lycée Al-Zarhawi in Rabat, with success rates of 8.8% and 7%, respectively.
Understanding Admission Processes for International Students
A common question arises: is the entrance exam for l’École Polytechnique easier for foreign students compared to their French counterparts? At this elite institution, candidates from international preparatory classes are assessed through a separate pathway, which does not diminish the rigor of their studies. Marc Rosso, the director of admissions at l’École Polytechnique, clarifies that students from these foreign preparatory classes are required to undertake the same subjects, with admissions standards ensuring their preparedness for the challenges of the school. Each year, a specific number of seats are reserved for international candidates—45 in 2025 compared to 399 for French students. To secure admission, these students must achieve scores that meet or exceed the average of the last admitted French candidate.
To uphold the quality of recruitment, the institution maintains a strict benchmark for admissions, occasionally resulting in fewer candidates being accepted if they do not meet the required standards. During the exams, international candidates may take written assessments in their home countries, with supervision provided by French military personnel due to the military nature of l’École Polytechnique. However, for oral exams, students must attend the French schools where they qualify.
In contrast to l’École Polytechnique, business schools do not offer a separate pathway for foreign students, requiring them to take the same entrance exams as French candidates. For the preparatory classes focusing on economics and commerce, two separate rankings were established: one for the general track (ECG) and another for the technological track (ECT). The top-ranked preparatory class in the ECG category is the La Résidence school group in Casablanca, with 19 students admitted to French schools out of 14 placements. Meanwhile, the ESTEM in Casablanca leads the ECT category with 36 admissions for 33 placements. Generally, the success rates in foreign business preparatory classes are less impressive compared to their scientific counterparts, as many of the brightest Moroccan students prefer to enroll in French preparatory classes rather than their domestic equivalents.
Moroccan institutions stand out in these rankings due to the country's commitment to this educational system, with approximately 10,000 students placed in these preparatory classes each year. Mohamed El Bourkadi, who oversees the regional inspection of CPGE for the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, emphasizes that only the top students are selected, ensuring that the best resources are allocated to them. Despite the focus on foreign examinations, Moroccan authorities recognize the benefits of this system, as many students who study abroad eventually return to contribute to their home country.
As reported by etudiant.lefigaro.fr.
