Students have two options:
- Register only for the PCA (pool of courses that students can choose from based on their testing strategy; open selection, no attendance requirement); please note: access to the PCA is selective (written test + motivation interview).
- Register for the PCA and the 2nd year of the Master's in Public Service Careers and National Exams (the courses for this program are the same as the preparatory courses; there is an attendance requirement and various electives for both semesters, as with any other Master's program). Before enrolling in the Master's program, you must have:
- been approved for the PCA
- paid the relevant fees for the PCA (in addition to the registration fees for the Master's program)
Who can apply?
Applicants are eligible for admission if they have completed:
- the 1st year of a Master's (in law, economics, social science, political science, or management)
- a degree from an IEP (Institut d'études politiques)
- a Grand établissement degree
How do you apply?
Admission takes place in four steps:
- Online application
- Eligibility decision based on the application file
- Admission based on the file or invitation to an interview, depending on the applicant’s profile
- Admission results: Early April 2026
- Letters of recommendation are not accepted.
- Since the Preparation is a non-degree training, it cannot lead to the obtaining of a Public Service Allowance, nor to a training contract (except if enrolled in the 2nd year of Master Public Careers and Major Competitions: cost of a national master).
- There is no correspondence courses or evening courses.
- The Preparation is not compatible with other studies.
When to apply?
Grants and Scholarships
INSP Financial Aid
Financial support from the French National Institute of Public Service (INSP) is limited and awarded by the Institute’s management, based on nominations from preparatory centers, taking into account both academic merit and the taxable income of students or their parents.
As an accredited preparatory center, the PCA enables its students to apply for and benefit from this financial support, which can be combined with the CROUS grant and the “Talents” scholarship.
Applications are submitted each year in September–October.
Questions? Préparation au concours externe | Institut national du service public | INSP
Needs-Based Scholarships
For students enrolled in the Master of Public Careers and Major Competitions, in addition to the PCA.
Awarded by CROUS Paris, needs-based scholarships are available to students under 28 years old who are enrolled in an initial training program at an institution of higher learning.