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?
- Step 1: Registration is done on the MyCandidature platform.
- Step 2: Preselection (admissibility)
- Step 3: Admission of students at the end of the analysis of the results
- 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
In accordance with Decree No. 72-734 of August 2, 1972, applicants to the open competitive exam who are enrolled at the Université Paris-Dauphine preparatory center for academic year 2017-18 may receive financial aid from the Ecole nationale d'administration.
The allocation of such aid, which, corresponding to a full year, cannot be combined with another Cnous or Crous grant.
In addition, recipients are subject to the twofold obligation of regular attendance at PCA courses and at the INSP entrance exam that immediately follows the preparatory year.
Questions? Préparation au concours externe | Institut national du service public | INSP
Talents grant
This scheme, set up by the government, aims to provide financial support (up to 2,000 euros) to the most deserving candidates on limited incomes to help them prepare for A or B category civil service competitions.
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.