ECTS
180 credits
Duration
3 years
Training structure
Faculty of Economics
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
The integrated preparatory program at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS), set up in partnership with the Lycée Mermoz in Montpellier as part of a cooperation agreement, has been running for several years. It is aimed at a cohort of around forty students with high academic potential, who simultaneously follow university bachelor's degree courses and prepare for the ENS Paris-Saclay (formerly ENS Cachan) entrance exam.
As part of this Prep School–University partnership, students in the preparatory class take certain courses at the University, where they sit the corresponding exams. The results obtained at the University, combined with those from the preparatory class, enable the validation of the first and second years of the Bachelor's degree.
The ENS D2 preparatory class offers an excellent education in economics and management for motivated students with a strong academic background, particularly in mathematics up to the high school diploma level. It opens up a wide range of opportunities, both in terms of further study—entrance exams for prestigious universities, IEP, selective university programs—and professional careers in the public and private sectors.

The advantages of the training program
- EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING
- PERSONALIZED SUPPORT
- PREPARATION FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS
Objectives
Objectives of the ENS D2 integrated preparatory program
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To offer excellent training in economics and management, combining academic requirements with intensive preparation for competitive examinations.
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Prepare students for the École normale supérieure (ENS Paris-Saclay) entrance exam as part of the D2 program.
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Enable simultaneous validation of the first and second years of a bachelor's degree, thanks to a program combining university courses and preparatory classes.
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Develop strong analytical skills, particularly in economics, management, and mathematics.
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Train students in rigorous and demanding work methods, characteristic of preparatory classes.
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Promoteaccess to selective training programs (prestigious universities, IEP, university courses of excellence).
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Supporting the development of ambitious academic and professional projects in the public and private sectors.
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Promoting multidisciplinarity and academic excellence, based on a structured partnership between high school and university.
Know-how and skills
Know-how
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Mobilize theoretical and analytical tools from economics and management to address complex issues.
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Use quantitative methods (mathematics, statistics) in economic analysis.
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Implement a demanding work methodology: organization of work, regularity, efficiency.
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Analyze, synthesize, and structure economic and social reports.
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Write essays, summary notes, and reasoned analyses.
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Prepare for and pass written and oral exams for competitive examinations.
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Articulate the lessons learned in preparatory classes and university.
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Working independently while being part of a demanding team environment.
Skills
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Solid knowledge of economics, management, and mathematics.
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Abilityto think critically and reason rigorously.
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Ability to work under pressure and manage a heavy workload.
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Academic excellence and a strong work ethic.
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Ability to adapt to multiple teaching environments (preparatory classes/university).
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Independence, perseverance, and organizational skills.
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High level of written and oral communication skills.
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Ability to pursue selective studies and integrate into programs of excellence.
International dimension
Starting in their second year, students can spend a year (two semesters) at one of the 60 universities with which the Faculty of Economics has partnerships through the ERASMUS+ exchange programs, inter-university agreements, and CHARM-EU.
https://economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/international/
Organization
Knowledge assessment
The Bachelor's Degree in Economics, structured over three years and six semesters, is based on an assessment system designed to measure students' learning progressively and comprehensively. At the end of each semester, the skills, competencies, and knowledge acquired in each Teaching Unit (UE) are assessed in one of two ways: continuous assessment or a final exam.
Continuous assessment allows for regular monitoring of student progress through several forms of evaluation: supervised assignments, graded tutorials, presentations, projects, document analysis, and active participation in class. This method encourages attendance, regular work, and the gradual acquisition of skills.
The final exam consists of a written or oral test held at the end of the semester. It aims to assess the student's overall mastery of the concepts taught and their ability to apply their knowledge in a structured and in-depth manner.
Depending on the course units, teaching methods, or learning objectives, some units may combine both assessment methods. These methods ensure fair and diverse assessment that is tailored to the nature of the course, while allowing students to develop methodology, rigor, and autonomy throughout their academic career.
Special facilities
Students with disabilities, young entrepreneurs, and high-level athletes can benefit from personalized support.
This may take the form of study arrangements, educational adaptations, or specific rights, in order to enable them to best balance their personal or professional constraints with their university education. Depending on the situation, these measures may include an adapted schedule, adjusted assessment methods, attendance facilities, individualized monitoring, or dedicated support services.
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Possible |
|---|---|
Duration of the internship | Maximum 924 hours, or 6 months |
Internship abroad | Possible |
A true immersion in the professional world, it allows students to apply the knowledge they have acquired in class, discover how organizations work, and compare theory with practice. To get the most out of it, serious preparation is essential: learning about the host organization, defining your objectives, mobilizing your skills, and preparing for professional demands.
During a bachelor's degree, internships are possible and optional. They must be related to the course of study.
The internship may begin at the end of the second semester exams or be completed during university vacation periods. In all cases, it must end no later than August 31, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or University Diploma program.
Please note: students may only begin their internship immediately after the second semester exams if they have successfully completed their year in the first session.
economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/career/go-on-an-internship/
Program
The program lasts three years, or six semesters.
180 ECTS
Mathematics for Economists 1
5 creditsLaw
4 creditsLANGUAGE SELECTION
2 creditsChoose one of two options:
English S1
2 creditsSpanish S1
2 credits
Business economics
5 creditsPolitical Science
4 creditsHistory of economic events
5 creditsPrinciples of economics
5 creditsOptional
Optional
LANGUAGE SELECTION
2 creditsChoose one of two options:
English S2
2 creditsSpanish S2
2 credits
Contemporary economic issues
4 creditsMathematics and Statistics for Economists - 2 -
5 creditsStatistics 1
5 creditsGeneral accounting
Macroeconomics 1
5 creditsMicroeconomics 1
5 creditsChoose 1 out of 3
Mathematics for Economists 3
5 creditsLANGUAGE SELECTION
2 creditsChoose one of two options:
English S3
2 creditsSpanish S3
2 credits
Macroeconomics 2
6 creditsSociology
4 creditsComputer Science S3
2 creditsMicroeconomics 2
6 creditsStatistics 2
5 creditsOptional
Optional
Organizational management
5 creditsMicroeconomics 3
6 creditsMacroeconomics 3
6 creditsLANGUAGE CHOICE English or Spanish
2 creditsOption 2 S4 L2 ENS
3 creditsOption 1 S4 L2 ENS
3 creditsStatistics 3
5 credits
Option selection S5 L3 ENS
5 creditsChoose one of two options:
History of in-depth economic events
5 creditsManagement sciences
5 credits
Industrial organization
LANGUAGE SELECTION
2 creditsChoose one of two options:
English S5
2 creditsSpanish S5
2 credits
Game theory
4 creditsIntroduction to Econometrics
4 creditsEcological transition for sustainable development
2 creditsGrowth economics
5 creditsIn-depth economic policies 1
5 creditsOptional
Economic and social policy
5 creditsInternational economics
4 creditsLANGUAGE SELECTION
2 creditsChoose one of two options:
English S6
2 creditsSpanish S6
2 credits
Data analysis
3 creditsDatabase
4 creditsFinancial analysis
4 creditsIn-depth economic policies 2
5 creditsIn-depth contemporary economic and social issues
3 creditsOptional
Admission
Admission requirements
- For Bachelor's Degree 1: High School Diploma
Registration procedures
First year of a bachelor's degree
- If you are in your final year of high school, you must apply via Parcoursup for Mermoz High School between January and March. This is because preparatory class students are first enrolled in high school.
- The CPGE ENS D2 program at Lycée Jean Mermoz receives an average of 600 applications for 48 places. Recruitment is carried out via "Parcoursup" and is based primarily on results obtained in the 11th and 12th grades, grades on early Baccalaureate exams, and teacher evaluations.
Target audience
The typical profile of a student admitted to CPGE requires intellectual curiosity and an interest in social issues, rigor, a taste for analysis and reflection, good written and oral communication skills, and a real ability to work hard and consistently.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are set each year by the Ministry of Higher Education. They are accompanied by the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC).
The entire program is free for students receiving scholarships.
Capacity
Recommended prerequisites
Possess mathematical and statistical skills essential to economics and management
Economics courses frequently use mathematical modeling to better understand the problems being studied and analyze the resulting findings in a logical manner. In addition, many careers in economics and management rely on the analysis of numerical data.
Know how to use written and oral communication skills and logical reasoning to argue a conceptual argument.
Economics courses require students to be able to produce structured arguments, even relatively simple ones (this skill is intended to be reinforced at university), and to reason about concepts. A bachelor's degree program requires a certain capacity for abstraction, formal logic, and deduction.
Jobs in economics often involve writing studies or reports that require structured argumentation, synthesis skills, and a good level of language proficiency.
Have a broad general knowledge
Economic thinking is informed by current economic, political, and societal events. Students must therefore be able to identify and understand the societal issues related to the topics covered during their studies.
Possess methodological and behavioral skills in order to be able to work independently and responsibly.
In a bachelor's degree program, students are responsible for their own education and success. They must therefore be able to organize their work, seek out the resources available to them, and find time for group work.
Have English language skills
There are many sectors of the economy where professional and academic documentation and business relations are based on English. Skills in this language are therefore essential.
And after
Continuing education
Approximately 90% of students continue their studies after completing their bachelor's degree (mainly in master's programs). Most master's programs in economics and finance in France are selective and require a bachelor's degree in economics. Other students take civil service exams or enroll in business schools through parallel admission.
Students enrolled at ENS enjoy privileged access to selective, high-level programs.