Overview

Télécom Paris (formerly École nationale supérieure des télécommunications, often abbreviated ENST, and known as Télécom ParisTech until 2019) is a leading French Grande École specialising in information and communication technologies. It is a member of Institut Mines‑Télécom and is located on the Paris‑Saclay campus, an academic and research cluster south of Paris. The school combines advanced engineering education with applied research and close ties to industry actors in telecommunications, software, digital services and the broader technology sector.

Academic programs

Télécom Paris delivers graduate-level degree programmes typical of the French grandes écoles and the European higher-education framework. Instruction is provided in both French and English, and the school attracts students from a range of countries. The principal programmes include:

  • Ingénieur Télécom Paris — the flagship engineering diploma, at master’s level, preparing students for technical and managerial roles in industry and research.
  • Research masters and PhD — postgraduate and doctoral training in areas linked to communications, signal processing, computer science and related disciplines, supporting academic and industrial research careers.
  • Mastères Spécialisés — professionally oriented post-master specialisations targeting specific industry needs.
  • Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) — modular and short courses designed for broad audiences, professionals and lifelong learners.

Research and fields of expertise

Research at Télécom Paris spans theoretical foundations and applied work. Key areas of activity include networks and telecommunications, cybersecurity, data science and artificial intelligence, signal and image processing, human–computer interaction, and the economics and regulation of digital systems. Many research units work collaboratively with national and international partners, public research organisations and private companies. Technology transfer, industrial partnerships and start-up creation form important parts of the school’s research ecosystem.

History and organisation

Tracing its origins to specialist telecommunications training in the late 19th and 20th centuries, Télécom Paris has evolved alongside the development of electronic communications and information technologies. Today the institution groups teaching departments, interdisciplinary research laboratories and professional relations services. It operates within the governance framework of Institut Mines‑Télécom and contributes to the multidisciplinary environment of the Paris‑Saclay cluster, which brings together universities, research centres and other grandes écoles.

Admissions and student body

Admission to Télécom Paris is competitive. The school recruits students from the traditional French preparatory classes and competitive entrance examinations, as well as from university degree programmes and international selection streams. The engineering cohort typically numbers around a few thousand enrolled postgraduate students across programmes; the campus community also includes doctoral candidates, continuing‑education participants and visiting international students. The student population is international and interdisciplinary, reflecting the global nature of the digital sectors.

Campus life and facilities

Most students are accommodated in dedicated residences near teaching and research facilities, with good public transport connections to the wider Paris region. Campus life combines rigorous academic training with project-based work, internships in industry, entrepreneurship initiatives and cultural associations. Facilities on site support laboratory research, collaborative projects, prototyping and events that connect students with companies and researchers from across Paris‑Saclay.

Télécom Paris maintains sustained partnerships with industry, public research bodies and international academic institutions. Collaborative research, joint degree arrangements, exchange programmes and continuing‑education offerings strengthen links between education, innovation and the labour market. The school places emphasis on translating research into industrial applications and on preparing graduates with the technical, organisational and ethical skills needed in the digital economy.

Distinctive features

Distinctive features of Télécom Paris include its long-standing focus on communications technologies, a curriculum that integrates hardware, software, networks and data, and active participation in the Paris‑Saclay research landscape. The institution seeks to balance foundational scientific training with hands‑on applied projects, entrepreneurial support and lifelong learning opportunities that respond to rapid technological change.