International advanced training course (Cip)

• you are an experienced civil servants from foreign public administrations
• you hold a position of responsibility and have potential for further advancement and influence

• you are not a French citizen or about to acquire French nationality

• a Master's degree or equivalent qualification is strongly recommended

• you have an excellent command of the French language both orally and in writing
• you have a good command of English

• you dispose of monthly resources of at least € 1,800 to cover the cost of living in France (scholarships included, if applicable), excluding other personal expenses

Alternating between coursework and internships, this programme trains future field experts and senior civil servants who are skilled in analysis, management and communication.

This programme encourages comparative approaches by sharing experiences and expertise:

• between international students
• with professionals in the field during internships
• with French students from the Advanced Training Cycle for Administrators (CSPA) during a joint training phase

• International Relations
• Comparative Administration and Public Management

This first phase aims to update and reinforce students' knowledge of contemporary France, but also of Europe and its place in the world, as well as certain fundamental geopolitical issues.

Students are immersed in a sector of the French administration related to their career path. Internship placements are diverse (central government departments, prefectures, other decentralised administrations, local authorities, public institutions, etc.).

This period is a phase of in-depth learning, analysis, forward thinking and small group work with senior executives and senior French government officials enrolled in continuing education programmes.

The first essential step in the procedure is to submit an application on our online platform. Applicants fill in a form and submit supporting documents.

At the end of the online application period, the INSP analyses the applications and makes a pre-selection of those eligible for the written tests.

The written exam consists of 3 tests, organised over the same half-day.

• Test of written expression
  _{^{Duration: 1 hour}}
  Objective: ensure that the candidate has a sufficient level to be able to follow the courses and take full advantage of the INSP's teaching and practical training.
   
• Reflection and knowledge test
  _{^{Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes}}
  Objective: assess the candidate's basic knowledge and ability to think, reason and argue through an essay based on a choice of two questions.
   
• Specialisation test
  _{^{Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes}}
  Objective: assess knowledge in the candidate's particular field of expertise by means of a multiple-choice test and short answer questions. Candidates choose one of two specialisations: ‘International Relations’ or ‘Comparative Administration and Public Management’.

At the end of the written test, a list of eligible candidates is established.

Discover the topics of the written tests

NB: the written tests are organised by the French embassies on their premises. Candidates who are present in France during this period will sit the tests at the INSP's premises (Paris or Strasbourg), by invitation.

The embassies invite the eligible candidates to attend and interview them to find out about their motivation and their ability to adapt to high-level training in France.

The jury is made up of at least 2 people chosen from within the embassy (chancellery or advisers for cooperation and cultural action - Cocac). Former students of the ENA/INSP international courses may be included on the jury if appropriate.

NB: the oral test is organised by the French embassies on their premises. Candidates present in France during this period may take the interview by videoconference.

The training costs amount to € 4,000.

Living costs are approximately €1 800 per month. It’s the student’s responsibility to meet these costs.

A scholarship from the French government can be requested from the French Embassy. It can also be sought from a national or international, public, or private institution, or from the candidate’s sponsoring government.

For students opting for a master's degree, they are required to pay the registration fees for the university concerned (approximately €360).

Students awarded scholarships from the French government are exempted from the university tuition fees.