The International advanced training course (Cip)

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To enter the International advanced training course (Cip), the following are required :

• you are not a French citizen or about to acquire French nationality

• you have an excellent command of the French language both orally and in writing

• you have monthly resources amounting to at least €1,500 per month, grants included where applicable

• you are a civil servant or public official

• You have a master's degree 1 or an equivalent degree associated with the exercise of higher-level responsibilities as a civil servant

• you have a good command of English

• you have passed the admission tests organised by the INSP

The International advanced training course (“Cip” in French, for ‘’Cycle international de perfectionnement’’) enables experienced executives of foreign public administrations, holding a responsible position and endowed with a potential for development and influence, to become familiar with all facets of public management, in France and in Europe.

Applications are now open!

Complete your application on the online platform between 7 October and December 1st 2024.

Apply online

 
Do you have any further  questions?

The INSP teams are here to help! You can contact them by e-mail at the following address, and they will get back to you as soon as possible:

cyclesinternationaux2025@insp.gouv.fr
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The selection procedure, steered by the INSP, is carried out via French embassies around the world. It takes place in several stages:

 
Online application

The first essential step in the procedure is to submit an application on our online platform. Applicants fill in a form and submit supporting documents.

 
Pre-selection on the basis of applications

At the end of the online application period, the INSP analyses the applications and makes a pre-selection of those eligible for the written tests.

 
Eligibility test (written)

The written test consists of 3 tests, organised over the same half-day.

• Test of written expression
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  Objective: to ensure that the candidate has a sufficient level to be able to follow the courses and take full advantage of the INSP's teaching and practical training.

• Reflection and knowledge test
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  Objective: to assess the candidate's basic knowledge and ability to think, reason and argue through an essay based on a choice of two questions.

• Specialisation test
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  Objective: to assess knowledge in the candidate's particular field of expertise by means of a multiple-choice test and short answer questions. Candidates choose one of two specialisations: ‘International Relations’ or ‘Comparative Administration and Public Management’.

At the end of the written test, a list of eligible candidates is drawn up.

NB: the written tests are organised by the French embassies on their premises. Candidates who are present in France during this period will sit the tests at the INSP's premises (Paris or Strasbourg), by invitation.

 
Admission test (oral)

The embassies invite the eligible candidates to attend and interview them to find out about their motivation and their ability to adapt to high-level training in France.

The jury is made up of at least 2 people chosen from within the embassy (chancellery or advisers for cooperation and cultural action - Cocac). Former students of the ENA/INSP international courses may be included on the jury if appropriate.

NB: the oral test is organised by the French embassies on their premises. Candidates present in France during this period may take the interview by videoconference.

 
Admission

A final selection committee decides on the list of candidates admitted, with a supplementary list in the event of withdrawal. The admission results are communicated to each embassy, which informs the candidates.

Successful candidates confirm their participation in the programme by submitting a set of supporting documents.

The fees are €4,000.

Students are responsible for accommodation and training costs. They are estimated at €1,500 per month.

Scholarships from the French government can be requested from the French Embassy. They can also be sought from a national or international, public or private institution, or even from the government which presented the candidate.

Master’s registration fees: for students wishing to attend one of the two master’s courses, must pay €500 administration fees to the INSP and €260 registration fees to the university concerned.

French government scholarship students are exempt from university registration fees.

This course leads to an international diploma in public administration called “International advanced training course”.

Students also have the opportunity to obtain one of the following 2 master’s:

Master "Administration comparée et gestion publique (ACGP)" | Université de Strasbourg

Master "Administration publique et affaires internationales" | Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne