Orientation Agenda for Exchange Students

Wednesday, August 28th

Arrival at the ENS-PSL

Students housed at the ENS-PSL accommodations may arrive beginning on Wednesday, August 28. Please email hebergement@ens.psl.eu and dri@ens.psl.eu with the date and approximate time of your arrival.

Friday, August 30th
10:30 am to 12:00 am
Salle Dussane

Welcome Day opening and presentation on Campus life

The director of the École Normale Supérieure, Mr Frédéric Worms, the ENS International Office, Direction des études, de la vie étudiante et des carrières (DEVEC), ENS-PSL Language Center (ECLA), PSL Welcome Desk, and ENS-PSL student associations will give a presentation to welcome you and provide further information concerning your stay at ENS-PSL. All international students will be offered a welcome package.

Friday, August 30th
12:00 a.m. to 12:15 a.m.
Cour aux Ernest

Group photo

A group photo is planned for all international students

Friday, August 30th
12:15 am to 2:00 pm
Cour aux Ernest (or dining hall in case of rain)

Lunch offered by ENS

ENS-PSL will be offering a lunch box to each international student.

Friday, August 30th
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Salle Dussane

Presentation on academic matters and administrative procedures

The ENS International Office will hold a welcome event in the Salle Dussane. During this event, you will receive important information for your stay, your ENS-PSL Student ID Card (which allows you to enter the campus, take out books at the library, and pay for meals at the dining hall). Please bring any questions you may have about your stay at the ENS-PSL, and your certificate of arrival if you have one.

Friday, August 30th
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Dining Hall

Campus Tour and Forum

While various offices (PSL Welcome Desk, health, student life, student associations, ENS international relations, IT department) will be running stands in the dining hall to answer the questions you may have, you will have the opportunity to visit the campus in groups. The IT department will give you your ENS-PSL email address and wifi password.

Monday, September 2nd
From 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cour aux Ernest

Welcome speech

By the director of the École Normale Supérieure, Mr Frederic Worms. This will be followed by departments photos with all new ENS students gathered in the cour aux Ernest. There will be a "humanities" group and a "experimental sciences" group.

Saturday, August 31st to Thursday, September 12th
1:30pm to 5pm

French Language Intensive Course

Whatever your level of French (unless, of course, you're already completely fluent!), you'll find at the ENS a variety of courses to learn the French language and culture, to help you succeed in your studies and feel more at ease in your daily life in Paris.

In September, before your course starts, you can register for a free intensive French session, with classes for all levels. It will take place from August 31st to September 12th. The intensive French lessons will include free cultural outings around Paris.

Hélène Boisson, the professor in charge of French courses at the ENS, will contact you by the end of August and indicate you how to register.

After that, to make sure you make the most effective progress, you can sign up for the ENS's annual French courses for all levels (A1-C2), which will take place every week. Here is a bilingual presentation of these annual courses on the ECLA (languages) center.

Monday, September 2nd to Thursday, September 12th

ENS-PSL Welcome Activities

Keep an eye on this website to find out about university-wide welcome events, including department presentations, events, conferences, and student activities. Registration for these activities will take place via the "Mon Agenda" menu.

Class Registration

Classes begin on Monday, September 16. You will have until October 26 to try a variety of courses before deciding on your final schedule and course load.

Exchange students are attached to an academic department at ENS-PSL according to their primary area of study, but may take classes in any department. Students are not required by ENS-PSL to validate, or receive a grade for, a minimum number of classes—it is up to you and your home university whether you choose to receive a grade for classes or simply enroll as an auditor.

Please take note that it will be compulsory to enroll for each class at the begining of the semester

Saturday, September 7th
4:15 pm to 6:30 pm
Cour aux Ernests

Macarons Tasting Event

If you want to test your culinary skills and meet other international students, come along to our Macarons tasting session on Saturday, September 7th! During this friendly event, you can taste this legendary French pastry and get to know other students. The registration link has been sent by the DRI via email.