French Double Degree Programme
Faculty of Science | College of Design and Engineering | School of Computing
Overview
The NUS French Double Degree Programme (FDDP) with the French Grandes Écoles provides the opportunities to learn from the best of both worlds, exposure to foreign cultures, networking with Singaporeans and foreigners, and proficiency in a third language. The Grandes Écoles are the top French engineering schools which provide higher education and quality research in engineering science. A common feature of all Grandes Écoles is the strong emphasis on Mathematics and Physics curricula in the first year which is equivalent to the honours level in NUS.
Table of Contents
For NUS Students
Students will spend the first two years in NUS, then leave for the French Grandes Écoles for two years, before returning to NUS to complete their Master’s degree at NUS. Students will be conferred the Bachelor degree with an appropriate class of honours after completing the first two years of undergraduate study in NUS and another two years of study in France. The Master’s degree and the prestigious Diplôme d’Ingénieur will be conferred after completion of the graduate studies in NUS.
As the study in the Grandes Écoles requires a high level of mathematics and physics knowledge, application is by invitation only. After the first semester in NUS, the top 5 to 10% of the students from the relevant majors will be invited to apply. No prior knowledge of French language is required at the point of application. The selection process is based on academic merit and on the motivation and maturity of the students to thrive in France.
I. Programme Structure
| Year | Programme |
|---|---|
| 1 |
|
| 2 |
|
| 3 |
|
| 4 |
|
| 5 |
|
Note: Maximum candidature for the integrated Bachelor and Master programme is seven years.
II. Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Cohort AY25/26 onwards
Cohort AY21/22 to AY24/25
Cohort AY20/21 and before
- Students are to obtain a minimum of 80 units before proceeding to France.
- University level requirements: Pass five General Education courses, one from each pillar.
- Faculty requirements: Check with the respective Faculty.
- Programme requirements: Students are to complete at least level 2000 major/programme requirements before proceeding to France. While in France, students should read courses that are closely related to their major.
- Honours Project: After coming back from the Grandes Écoles, students will be required to complete the Honours project (FYP) for the undergraduate programme and concurrently embark on their Master’s programme. The Master research can be an extension of the FYP or a new project. Students must complete the Honours project within the first year upon return to NUS.
- Apply for Graduation: Students in this programme will have to apply for Honours graduation as soon as they complete the Honours project and apply for Master’s graduation upon completion of the Master’s programme.
III. Technical Preparation
A common feature of all Grandes Écoles is the strong emphasis on Mathematics and Physics curricula in the first year which is equivalent to the honours level in NUS.
Students will be required to attend Special Mathematics and Physics classes held on Saturdays from 8am-5pm during the regular semester starting from their second semester in NUS.
| Year of Study | Programme |
|---|---|
| Year 1 Sem 2 to Year 2 Sem 1 |
|
| Year 2 Sem 2 |
|
Important Points to Note:
- The preparatory classes (i.e. FDP courses) will be graded on a CS/CU basis.
- Assessment details will be given by your instructor.
- Attendance is mandatory.
- Only upon successful completion will students be able to continue on to the Grandes Écoles in Year 3.
IV. French Language Immersion
Before going to Grandes Écoles, FDDP students will undergo French intensive classes in NUS and two language immersions – one in France and one locally – to learn French.
| Year of Study | Duration | French Level |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 |
Semester 2 |
NUS: LAF1201 French 1 |
| June (Special Term) | France: Immersion | |
| Year 2 |
August |
NUS: LAF3201 French 3 |
|
December |
Local: Immersion |
The immersion trip in France aims to equip students with the capacity of understanding and expressing themselves in oral and written French. The programme consists of three components: courses, cultural package and half-board accommodation, all of which are co-funded by the French embassy and NUS.
V. Returning NUS Students
Application to Master’s Programme
Returning students must obtain a good pass and fulfil their overall 2 years Grande Ecoles requirements to be eligible to continue in the FDDP. Any deviation from the above will be reviewed and advised by the committee on a case by case basis. By the second year of their study in France, students will apply to their faculties for graduate studies in Master of Science/ Engineering/ Computing studies by research programme, following the timeline specified by their home faculty.
Programme and Application Details
The details of the Graduate programmes in the Faculty of Science, College of Design and Engineering and School of Computing can be found in the following websites:
Our Partners
Facts about Grandes Écoles
- Main channel for education in Science, Engineering and Computing
- Only the top 0.15% of students in France are enrolled in the 6 Grandes Écoles
- Over 60% of the Managing Directors and Chief Executives in France’s 100 largest firms graduated from the Grandes Écoles.
CentraleSupélec
CentraleSupélec is the elite multidisciplinary engineering school within Paris-Saclay University, ranked first in France, in Europe and 12th in the world (first among non anglo-saxon universities). We form engineers who can handle problems within increasingly complex systems, we form engineers who can think scientifically, and finally we form engineers who are truly innovative. Our vision at CentraleSupélec for our graduates is for them to be able to bring together diverse fields of expertise, to generate new solutions, to initiate and invoke change. Our mission is for our graduates also to enter professional life with a strong focus on ethics, responsibility and citizenry, as well as with committed dialogue and actions on socio-environmental concerns. We shape the future by: training multidisciplinary engineer-entrepreneurs and experts in complex systems; developing innovative research responses to major technological, economic, social and environmental challenges; enabling practicing professionals to acquire the skills they need to adapt to change and make their businesses more competitive.
Please click here for more information.
École Polytechnique
École Polytechnique offers a 3-year Engineer Degree Program, which is completed by one-year specialization. Students spend the first three years studying for a Master of Engineering, Science and Technology, and complete this degree with a fourth year of specialization
to receive a second master degree and the Diploma of École polytechnique. École Polytechnique ensures that students graduate with both an excellent scientific education and a strong multidisciplinary background. The curriculum focuses mainly on science, with
classes in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Computer Science, Mechanics, but also includes a variety of other subjects like Foreign Languages, Sports, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts and Literature.
Please click
here for more information.
Mines Paris PSL
Founded in 1783, the École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris (Mines Paris) is a member of Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Letters), a federation of excellent institutions located in the heart of Paris. Mine Paris PSL trains engineers capable of meeting tomorrow’s challenges — producing high-level scientific leaders educated in an international environment. MINES Paris PSL is a leading player in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship, energy transition, mathematics, and engineering for the digital transformation of industry, while remaining faithful since its creation in 1783, to its values of solidarity and openness to society. It trains civil servants of the Corps des Mines jointly with Télécom Paris.
Please click here for more information.
Ecole des Ponts Paris
The École nationale des ponts et chaussées, founded in 1747, is one of the oldest and most prestigious grandes écoles in France. It trains high-level generalist engineers who will become future leaders and researchers capable of addressing societal challenges. Historically renowned for its expertise in civil engineering and urban planning, it is now focusing on the issues of ecological transition by developing innovative training programs and research initiatives. Through its research laboratories, it is at the forefront of various fields such as mechanics, materials science, economics, environmental science, and applied mathematics. Click here for the Fact Sheet for double degree students.
Please click here for more information.
Télécom Paris
Télécom Paris is France’s leading school for digital technology, thanks to its close ties with industry, which ensure excellent employability across all sectors, and it ranks first among the major engineering schools in digital technology. Offering excellence in teaching and innovative pedagogical methods, Télécom Paris is at the forefront of a unique innovation ecosystem built on cross-disciplinary, interactive training, interdisciplinary research, start-up incubators and accelerators, and multiple campuses (Paris, Sophia Antipolis, Shanghai). The school’s laboratories are recognized as driving forces in the digital sciences, with outstanding international reach, substantial engagement with the socio-economic sphere and industry, and a strong commitment to education.
Please click here for more information.
For the online online catalogue of courses: please click here.
ENSTA Paris
Founded in 1741, ENSTA is the oldest and one of the most renowned Graduate Schools of Engineering in France, specialized in Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Information and Communication Science & Technology, leading to careers in Transportation, Energy, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering Mathematics among others. ENSTA Ingénieur program offers students a multidisciplinary education in Engineering by providing high-level scientific courses, up-to-date with the latest changes in cutting-edge technologies, combined with close links with world-leading companies, and transversal skills such as Economics, Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. ENSTA has two campuses, in Brest and Paris-Saclay. The recruitment presented here concerns the Paris-Saclay Campus only.
Please click here for more information.
Please click here
to view the Fact sheet for dual degree students and
here
for non-partnership students.
For French Students
| Faculty | Programmes open for application | Application Deadline | Website Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Science |
Master of Science (M.Sc) by Research:
|
Mid-November (of the year before) | MSc by Research |
| College of Design and Engineering |
Master of Engineering (M.Eng) by Research:
|
Early-January | PhD/Master’s by Research |
| School of Computing |
Master of Science (M.Sc) by Research:
|
Early-December | Graduate Admission for School of Computing Students in the French DDP |
Financial Assistance
While scholarships are not offered under the FDDP, you can contact the Grandes Écoles for financial assistance upon your admission. Additionally, the France Excellence Master and Eiffel scholarships are possible sources of funding.
Applications for the Eiffel Scholarship can only be made by the Grandes Écoles. Once you are admitted to the Grande École, you can approach the Grande École and seek their assistance to apply for the Eiffel Scholarship on your behalf. In addition, you can also try to apply for other scholarships such as the France Excellence Master Scholarship Programme.
For more information on the Eiffel Scholarship, you can check the website here.
For more information on the French Excellence Master Scholarship, you can check the website here.
FAQ
For more information, please refer to frequently asked questions here.
Contact Us
For CDE students
- Associate Professor Satyan Gautam (chesaty@nus.edu.sg)
- Ms Nikki Chiang (nikkichiang@nus.edu.sg)
For FoS students
- Associate Professor Stella Tan Wei Ling (dbstwls@nus.edu.sg)
- Ms Lim Kiah Eng (kiaheng.lim@nus.edu.sg)
For SoC students
- Dr Zhao Jin (zhaojin@comp.nus.edu.sg)
- Ms Toh Mui Kiat (comtohmk@nus.edu.sg)
Alumni
The French Grandes Écoles Alumni is an official alumni group registered under the NUS Office of Alumni Relations. It is established specifically for NUS alumni who were enrolled in the FDDP.
The FDDP Alumni is seeking new members to join them. Do feel free to connect with them through their Facebook Group or their Instagram. All students are strongly encouraged to join the team!
