Long international training course (Cil)

• Be a young international civil servant or university student
• In exceptional cases, not yet have entered the workforce but intend to pursue a career in public service for the benefit of your country of origin
• Hold senior-level responsibilities

• Must not hold French citizenship
• Must not be in the process of acquiring French citizenship

• Must hold a Master’s 1 degree or an equivalent qualification

• Must have an excellent command of the French language, both spoken and written (C1 level)
• Have a good command of English

• Have sufficient resources to cover €1,800 per month for the cost of living in France (including scholarships, if applicable), excluding any other personal expenses

• An initial phase designed to refresh students’ knowledge of contemporary France and its challenges, as well as the functioning of the French civil service
• A phase of joint coursework with students admitted through competitive exams

At a public organization selected based on the student’s career goals (central or decentralized government, state-run agency, or international organization).

The first essential step in the process is submitting an application through our online platform. Applicants fill out a form and upload supporting documents.

Once the online application period has ended, the INSP reviews the applications and selects candidates who are eligible to take the written tests.

The written exam consists of three tests, all administered on the same half-day.

• Written Expression Test
  _{^{Duration: 1 hour}}
  Objective: To ensure that the candidate has the necessary proficiency to follow the courses and fully benefit from the INSP’s instruction and the practical internship.
   
• Critical Thinking and Knowledge Test
  _{^{Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes}}
  Objective: To assess basic knowledge and the candidate’s ability to think critically, reason, and argue effectively through an essay based on two questions of the candidate’s choice.
   
• Specialization Test
  _{^{Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes}}
  Objective: To assess the candidate’s knowledge in their specific field of expertise through a multiple-choice questionnaire and short-answer questions. The candidate chooses one specialization from two options: “International Relations” or “Comparative Administration and Public Management.”
  Following the written exam, a list of eligible candidates is compiled.

Following the written exam, a list of eligible candidates is compiled.

View past written exam questions

Note: The written exams are administered by French embassies at their respective locations. Candidates who are in France during this period will take the exam at the INSP (in Paris or Strasbourg), upon invitation.

The embassies summon eligible candidates and interview them to assess their motivation and their ability to adapt to a high-level educational program in France.

The selection committee consists of at least two members, chosen from within the embassy (the chancellery or advisors for cooperation and cultural action, Cocac). Alumni of the ENA/INSP international programs may be included on the panel, if applicable.

Note: The oral exam is organized by the French embassies at their respective locations. Candidates who are in France during this period may contact the INSP (cyclesinternationaux2027@insp.gouv.fr). An appropriate format will be proposed.

A final selection committee determines the list of admitted candidates, along with a supplementary list in case of withdrawals. Admission results are communicated to each embassy, which then informs the candidates.

Successful candidates confirm their participation in the program by submitting a set of supporting documents in accordance with the requirements.

Training at INSP is free of charge.

Living costs are approximately €1 800 per month. It’s the student’s responsibility to meet these costs.

A scholarship from the French government can be requested from the French Embassy. It can also be sought from a national or international, public, or private institution, or from the candidate’s sponsoring government.