ECTS
180 credits
Duration
3 years
Training Structure
School of Economics
Language(s) of Instruction
French
Overview
The preparatory program at the École normale supérieure (ENS), established in partnership with Lycée Mermoz in Montpellier under a cooperation agreement, has been in operation for several years. It is designed for a class of approximately forty students with high academic potential, who simultaneously pursue undergraduate coursework and prepare for the entrance exam for ENS Paris-Saclay (formerly ENS Cachan).
As part of this preparatory-university partnership, students in the preparatory program take certain courses at the university, where they take the corresponding exams. The grades earned at the university, combined with those from the preparatory program, allow students to complete their first and second years of the bachelor’s degree program.
The ENS D2 preparatory class thus offers an outstanding education in economics and management, designed for motivated students with a strong academic background, particularly in mathematics, up through the baccalaureate. It opens the door to a wide range of opportunities, both for further study—entrance exams for the grandes écoles, IEPs, and selective university programs—and for professional careers in the public and private sectors.

The Benefits 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 a first-rate education in economics and management, combining rigorous academic standards with intensive preparation for competitive exams.
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Prepare students for the entrance exam for the École normale supérieure (ENS Paris-Saclay) as part of the D2 track.
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To enable students to complete both their first and second years of a bachelor’s degree simultaneously through a program that combines university coursework with preparatory classes.
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Develop strong analytical skills, particularly in economics, business, and mathematics.
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To train students in the rigorous and demanding study methods characteristic of preparatory classes.
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Promoteaccess to selective educational programs (grandes écoles, IEPs, university programs of excellence).
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Support the development of ambitious academic and professional projects in both the public and private sectors.
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Promote interdisciplinary approaches and academic excellence by building on a strategic partnership between high schools and universities.
Expertise and Skills
Expertise
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Apply 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 rigorous work methodology: work organization, consistency, and efficiency.
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Analyze, summarize, and organize economic and social reports.
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Write essays, summary notes, and reasoned analyses.
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Prepare for and succeed on the written and oral portions of competitive exams.
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To bridge the gap between preparatory classes and college.
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Work independently while being part of a demanding team environment.
Skills
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A 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 handle a heavy workload.
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Academic excellence and a strong work ethic.
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Ability to adapt to a variety of educational settings (preparatory classes / university).
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Independence, perseverance, and organizational skills.
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Strong written and oral communication skills.
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Ability to pursue selective academic programs and to 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 School of Economics has partnerships through the ERASMUS+, inter-university agreements, and CHARM-EU exchange programs.
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 progress in a gradual and comprehensive manner. At the end of each semester, the skills, competencies, and knowledge acquired in each course (UE) are assessed in one of two ways: through continuous assessment or a final exam.
Continuous assessment allows for regular monitoring of student progress through various forms of evaluation: proctored exams, graded tutorials, presentations, projects, document analyses, and active participation in class. This approach encourages regular attendance, consistent work, and the gradual acquisition of skills.
The final exam, on the other hand, consists of a written or oral test administered at the end of the semester. Its purpose is 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 learning outcomes or educational objectives, some courses may combine both assessment methods. These approaches ensure fair, diverse, and appropriate assessment tailored to the nature of the course, while allowing students to develop methodological skills, rigor, and independence throughout their academic career.
Special Features
Students with disabilities, young entrepreneurs, and elite athletes can receive personalized support.
This may take the form of academic accommodations, pedagogical adjustments, or specific rights, in order to enable students to best balance their personal or professional commitments with their university studies. Depending on the situation, these measures may include an adapted class schedule, modified assessment procedures, attendance accommodations, individualized support, or dedicated support services.
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Possible |
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Duration of the internship | A maximum of 924 hours, or 6 months |
Internship Abroad | Possible |
A true immersion in the professional world, it allows students to apply the knowledge they’ve acquired in class, discover how organizations operate, and compare theory with practice. To get the most out of it, thorough preparation is essential: learn about the host organization, define your goals, draw on what you’ve learned, and prepare for professional demands.
During the bachelor's degree program, internships are available but optional. They must be related to the program of study.
The internship may begin at the end of the second-semester exams or take place during university breaks. In any case, it must end no later than August 31, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a Bachelor’s program, a first-year Master’s program, or a University Diploma program.
Please note: The internship cannot begin immediately after the second-semester exams unless the student has successfully completed the academic year during the first exam session.
economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/carriere/partir-en-stage/
Program
The program lasts 3 years, or 6 semesters
180 ECTS
Mathematics for Economists 1
5 creditsLaw
4 creditsLANGUAGE SELECTION
2 creditsChoose one of the following 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 the following 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 credits
Mathematics for Economists 3
5 creditsLANGUAGE SELECTION
2 creditsChoose one of the following 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 SELECTION: English or Spanish
2 creditsOption 2, 4th Semester, 2nd Year, ENS
3 creditsOption 1, 4th Semester, 2nd Year, ENS
3 creditsStatistics 3
5 credits
S5 L3 ENS Course Selection
5 creditsChoose one of the following two options:
In-Depth History of Economic Events
5 creditsManagement Sciences
5 credits
Industrial Organization
LANGUAGE SELECTION
2 creditsChoose one of the following two options:
English S5
2 creditsSpanish S5
2 credits
Game Theory
4 creditsIntroduction to Econometrics
4 creditsEcological Transition for Sustainable Development
2 creditsEconomics of Growth
5 creditsIn-Depth Economic Policies 1
5 creditsOptional
Economic and Social Policy
5 creditsInternational Economics
4 creditsLANGUAGE SELECTION
2 creditsChoose one of the following 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 Analysis of Contemporary Economic and Social Issues
3 creditsOptional
Admission
Admission Requirements
- For the first year of the bachelor's degree program: High school diploma
Registration Procedures
First Year of the Bachelor's Degree Program
- If you are in your senior year of high school, you must apply through Parcoursup to Mermoz High School between January and March. This is because preparatory program students are first enrolled in high school.
- The ENS D2 preparatory class at Lycée Jean Mermoz receives an average of 600 applications for 48 spots. Admissions are handled through “Parcoursup” and are based primarily on grades earned in the 11th and 12th grades, scores on the early Baccalaureate exams, and teacher evaluations.
Target Audience
The typical profile of a student admitted to the CPGE includes intellectual curiosity and an interest in social issues, a rigorous approach, a penchant for analysis and critical thinking, strong written and oral communication skills, and a genuine ability to work intensively 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 the mathematical and statistical skills essential to economics and management
Economics courses frequently rely on mathematical modeling to better understand the problems being studied and to analyze the resulting findings in a logical manner. Furthermore, a large portion of careers in economics and business management rely on the analysis of numerical data.
Be able to apply written and oral communication skills and logical reasoning to support a conceptual argument
Economics courses require students to be able to present a structured argument—even a relatively simple one (a skill that is intended to be further developed in college)—and to reason about concepts. The bachelor’s degree program requires a certain capacity for abstraction, formal logic, and deduction.
Jobs in the field of economics often involve writing studies or reports that require structured reasoning, the ability to synthesize information, and strong writing skills.
Have a broad general knowledge
Economic analysis draws on current economic, political, and societal developments. Students must therefore be able to contextualize and understand the societal issues related to the topics covered during their studies.
Possess methodological and interpersonal skills that enable one to work independently and responsibly
In a bachelor's degree program, students take an active role in their education and success. In particular, they must be able to organize their work, seek out the resources available to them, and participate in group work sessions.
Have English language skills
There are many sectors of the economy where professional and academic documentation, as well as business relationships, rely on English. Proficiency in this language is therefore essential.
And then
Continuing Education
About 90% of students continue their studies after earning a bachelor’s degree (primarily in master’s programs). Most master’s programs in economics and finance in France are selective and require a bachelor’s degree in economics for admission. The remaining students take civil service exams or enroll in business schools through parallel admission.
Students enrolled at the ENS have preferential access to highly selective, high-level programs.