The curriculum of the courses offered by IPSA, evolves over the years according to the needs of companies in the aeronautics and space sector.
IPSA’s training focuses on developing the skills essential for a first job in an industrial company, while promoting the acquisition of a cultural background necessary for the development and broadening of the field of skills required for a job as a senior manager.
Why Study at IPSA in France?
1) Innovation: A Distinctive French Engineering Education
France boasts a unique engineering education system that prioritizes continuous curriculum updates and high training standards to maintain CTI accreditation. By completing the master’s program at IPSA, students earn a prestigious Diplôme d’ingénieur recognized by the CTI.
2) A Legacy of Passion for Space and Aeronautics Since 1961
Founded in 1961 by a group of aeronautical engineers and quickly integrated into the IONIS Group, IPSA has carved a niche among engineering schools with its specialized curriculum in aeronautics and space. This passion is deeply ingrained in the school’s culture, with faculty members instilling their enthusiasm in students from their very first year. As students progress, they dive deeper into the aeronautical domain, gaining invaluable expertise along the way.
3) French Expertise in Aeronautics
France leads Europe in the production of civil and military aircraft, including iconic names like Airbus, Falcon, Mirage, and Rafale. The nation is renowned for its cutting-edge rocket engines, launch systems, satellites, and navigation technologies utilized in Ariane rockets. The European Space Agency (ESA) is headquartered in Paris, with offices in Brussels, Moscow, Washington, and Houston, as well as a base in French Guiana. As the world’s second-largest exporter of aeronautics—after the United States and ahead of Germany—France plays a critical role in European aeronautical assembly. Landmark programs like the Ariane rocket family, the Airbus A380 consortium, and the Rafale fighter aircraft have solidified the country’s world-class status in the industry.
4) IPSA’s Core Values: Passion and Humility
IPSA is committed to equipping students with essential knowledge and skills for high-level expertise in aeronautical engineering. The school fosters an environment of guidance and support, ensuring students are closely accompanied by dedicated faculty and administrative teams throughout their academic journey.
5) Career Opportunities
IPSA collaborates closely with leading organizations in the aerospace and space sectors, including Air France, Safran, Alten, and CNES. These partnerships create exceptional opportunities for internships, industrial projects, and recruitment, enabling students to engage with real-world challenges and forge strong connections within the industry.
6) International Exposure
As a globally-oriented graduate school, IPSA offers students the chance to study abroad at one of its 120 partner universities and welcomes international students for its Master in Aeronautical Engineering program, MSc in Aerospace Propulsion, and Summer School program.
7) France: A Premier Destination for International Students
France ranks among the top five countries hosting international students and is the leading French-speaking destination for higher education.
8) A Commitment to Excellence in International Student Services
The “Bienvenue en France” label recognizes educational institutions that provide exceptional support services for international students, underscoring IPSA’s commitment to their success.
9) The French Lifestyle
France is home to over 40,000 monuments and protected sites, 41 UNESCO World Heritage cultural treasures, 8,000 museums, 2,000 cinemas, and nearly 500 festivals, offering a rich and vibrant lifestyle for students to explore.
IPSA training has 2 objectives
- To be in charge of all positions within a company (Research and Development, Systems Projects, Production Manufacturing, Maintenance and Logistic Support, Implementation and Operation of Operational Systems, Testing, Propulsion, Quality…)
- Working in related cutting-edge fields of aeronautics and space (land and sea transport, energy…) using techniques and technologies that are dual to those of the aerospace field.
Through the training provided, students assert their personality, achieve a certain autonomy, develop their ability to work in a team through industrial projects and compulsory internships and acquire a solid scientific and technical culture with an aeronautical vocation.
Components of the training
Courses and Tutorials
IPSA’s training is based on both academic aspects (lectures and tutorials) and practical aspects (projects, design offices, work placements and tutorials).
Tutorials allow students to consolidate what they have learned in the lectures. The work is conducted in half classes. Students work actively, ask questions to the teacher and take turns correcting the exercise.
Projects
The setting up of projects to be carried out by teams of two or three students aims at progressively consolidating the students’ analytical and synthesis qualities while forcing them to perfect their written and oral expression skills.
- Initiation project in Research and Innovation or Business Creation assistance project during the 4th year
- IPSA Master project during the 5th year
Design and Practical Work
Design offices consist in long studies of 4 to 12 hours conducted in teams of 2 to 4 students. It is a group activity carried out in the presence of the teacher who intervenes on request. These studies are generally complex and require a significant personal involvement.
Practical work is carried out in the same way as in design offices, in small teams that work freely and at their own pace. The professor is present to answer questions and help.
Discovery of the industrial environment
This training is supplemented by compulsory internships in companies and discovery activities in the industrial environment (company visits, conferences, participation in national research projects, etc.).
IPSA has a “Bienvenue en France” label with 2 stars
IPSA was awarded in 2020 with a 2-star “Bienvenue en France” label issued by Campus France.
International at heart, IPSA helps students to gradually blend in another culture, learn a new language and expand both personal and professional projects.
The label is based on 20 criteria covering 5 areas: quality and accessibility of information; quality and accessibility of reception facilities; quality and accessibility of the training offer and teaching support; housing and quality of campus life; quality of post-diploma follow-up.
Established in 2019 by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the “Bienvenue en France” label is awarded to undergraduate and graduate schools recognized for the high quality of their reception, support and guiding of international students: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/presentation-label-bienvenue-en-france
By being awarded to IPSA in February 2020, the label confirms the quality of work carried out by our institution.
Every year, IPSA is happy to welcome dozens of passionate international students from various countries and continents for different programs:
- exchange program
- double-degree program
- international degree programs: Master in Aeronautical Engineering program, 5-year Aeronautical Engineering program
- Summer School program
International students are accompanied through a series of actions from the moment they apply at IPSA, before integrating one of our programs, during their studies at IPSA and they are followed-up after graduation.
Among the actions through which IPSA accompanies international students:
- facilitating French language courses
- facilitating intercultural courses
- guidance regarding French administrative procedures
- guidance regarding finding an accommodation
- extra cultural activities organized by our International Student Club
All students can join one of our student clubs. IPSA counts more than 70 student clubs that reflect by their diversity the multiplicity of student profiles we have: technical, professional, humanitarian, sports and cultural clubs.
At the same time, the internationalization of our graduate school grows from year to year. Today we count more than 100 partner universities all over the world, where our students can complete an international study semester as exchange students or as double-degree students: https://www.ipsa.fr/en/exchange-agreement/