Overview

The Institut des sciences et industries du vivant et de l'environnement, commonly known as AgroParisTech, is a French grande école dedicated to education and research in the life, food and environmental sciences. It trains engineers, researchers and specialists for careers in agriculture, food industries, forestry, environmental management, biotechnology and related fields. Teaching combines scientific foundations, applied technologies and multidisciplinary approaches to socio-environmental challenges.

Academic programmes and degrees

AgroParisTech delivers a range of higher-education qualifications anchored in the French engineering tradition. Key programmes include:

  • Ingénieur AgroParisTech — the diplôme d'ingénieur, equivalent to a master’s level professional engineering degree with a strong scientific and applied orientation.
  • Masters Recherche & Doctorat — research master’s leading into doctoral (PhD) studies, preparing graduates for academic and research careers.
  • Mastères Spécialisés — post-master’s specialised diplomas targeting professional expertise in niche domains.

Instruction and research activities are conducted in French and English, and cohorts typically include domestic and international students.

Research, laboratories and partnerships

Research at AgroParisTech spans agronomy, food sciences, ecology, environmental engineering, forestry, bioprocessing and socio-economic aspects of resource use. The school conducts both fundamental and applied research, often in partnership with national research organisations and public laboratories. These collaborations support technology transfer, innovation for industry and evidence-based policy work on environmental and food systems.

History and institutional context

AgroParisTech was created through the consolidation of historic French schools that specialised in agronomy, food industries and forestry, bringing together expertise across related disciplines. It occupies a position within the national network of grandes écoles and is associated with major French research ecosystems and university clusters, providing students access to shared facilities and interdisciplinary collaborations.

International profile and careers

The school attracts students from many countries and emphasises international mobility, industry internships and sectoral partnerships. Graduates find employment in agribusiness, environmental consultancies, public administrations, research institutes and non-governmental organisations. Training combines scientific skills, engineering practice and project management to prepare students for complex technical and managerial roles.

Distinctive features

AgroParisTech is characterised by its multidisciplinary focus on living and environmental systems, its blend of research and applied education, and its links with industrial and public-sector partners. The curriculum aims to equip students with the ability to design sustainable solutions for food production, natural resource management and environmental protection while addressing economic and social dimensions.