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CLUES Master of Sciences
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Frequently Asked Questions - Clues Master's program

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the application procedure, the tuition fees and costs of the programme, the degree awarded and the job opportunities after graduating from Clues.

  • Application process
    • When can I apply? Applications open on February 15th and close in the middle of June. Admissions will be notified as early as mid-March and at the end of June at the latest. Note that you need to apply early (before April 15th) if you want to be considered for the Paris-Saclay scholarship programme.
    • How can I apply? All candidates should use the Master CLUES with online procedure on the Université Paris-Saclay web portal.  Note that since CLUES is labelled as an "international" programme, you do not need to go through the "trouvermonmaster" portal if you are French.
    • Applications should be done under the Agrosciences, environment, territory, landscape, forest graduate programme.
    • Can I apply as an ERASMUS student? Yes - you simply need to register with AgroParisTech and are most welcome. In that configuration you will only attend the first term of classes (from early September to the end of January), and not do the internship period that follows.
    • In which language may I apply? Your application should be done in English (letter of motivation and a curriculum vitæ). Reference letters should be written in English (but French is also accepted for those).
    • Do I need a certificate of my proficiency in English? TOIEC/TOEFL or IELTS scores are not mandatory  (despite the online registration form, you can upload any relevant document instead). Your proficiency will be tested during an interview if your application passes the first round of review.
    • Do I need a certificate of my proficiency in French? In principle we ask for a B2 certificate for French, but it is not mandatory either. We trust that you will pick up enough French during the programme to get by in Paris.
    • Do I need to translate my degrees and diplomas ? Since you apply to a French university, you should provide your previous diplomas translated by a sworn/certified translator in French or English. 
    • I hold a Bachelor degree awarded after 4 years of university studies. Can I apply to Clues directly or do I need to go through a first year of Master's (M1) year beforehand? You do not necessarily need to go through an M1 year if your curriculum is suitable for Clues (see pre-requisites below). For European students: note that you need 240 ECTS credits to be eligible for application at M2 level. We may advise an M1 year otherwise, or provide guidance in your selection of courses at your home university.
    • What are the scientific pre-requisites for the programme ? They are detailed on this web page. In particular we mention a background in i / ecology or ii / applied physics or environmental biophysics, iii / biosphere functioning, including agronomy or land-use planning. Students with a background in social sciences and humanities (eg in economics, law or political sciences) may also be eligible provided they have been exposed to the above scientific fields in their curriculum (eg through a joint interdisciplinary program) or through their extra-curricular or work experiences (internships).
    • Do I need to apply through Campus France? The answer is no for the academic part of this process - all applications have to go through the Paris-Saclay web portal (see above), and applications made via Campus France will not be considered. However, note that once you have been admitted into the program you will need to apply for a student visa and this may go through Campus France, depending our you country of residence. Campus France also provides grants (see below).
  • Grants / Scholarships
    • Are scholarships available to cover the costs of studying? Université Paris-Saclay does provide a grant scheme for overseas students. Please let us know if you are interested (you may tick the corresponding box in the application form to the programme). Note that students do not apply directly, they need to be selected first by the committee reviewing the Master's applications. If your application is deemed up to the standards of the scholarship programme we will contact you. Not that you need to apply before April 15th in order to be considered for this scholarship (the outcome is usually notified during the first two weeks of June).
    • Grants from Paris-Saclay program  are very selective and restrictive, and only 1 or 2 grants are awarded to CLUES each year. You should therefore prepare in your application to count on other sources of fundings such as France/your country student exchange programs ( more information here  : https://www.campusfrance.org/).
  • Practical details
    • What are the tuition fees? Until now fees have amounted to c. 500 € for the whole year, including social security registration, and for all students. However a plan to increase the fees to a sum of 3770 € per annum is currently being considered by the French government for non-EU students. For the upcoming enrolment campaign (2023-24) the Paris-Saclay University has  waived the increased fees for all applicants- see here). 
    • You also need to factor in the costs of living in Paris, which are detailed on this page.
    • Is housing available on campus ? AgroParisTech (which runs the programme for the Paris-Saclay University) does provide student accomodation in houses located in the South of Paris or close to Palaiseau, the location of our new Agro Paris Saclay campus, based on availability. Cost amounts to around 5500 € per annum for a student room. More information here .
  • Pedagogy and course content
    • How large are the classes? The maximum number of students is 25, so the class is a rather small group - conducive for individual coaching and tutored group work. 
  • Graduation and after
    • What type of degree will I receive and who will be delivering it? The degree is a National Master of Sciences, issued by Université Paris-Saclay but bearing the logos of its various components, including AgroParisTech, among others. The diploma supplement will list all courses passed by the students, and their grades.
    • What do Clues graduates do after their M2 year?  It is too early to provide good statistics, but 30 to 50% of students embark on a PhD (in France or overseas), others hold positions in public agencies, administrations, NGOs or private companies. See our Linked In Alumi group.
    • For a more personal vision of the program, you may check out this video testimony by two recent graduates

Contact

Contact 

M2.CLUES@AgroParisTech.fr

Date de modification : 06 juillet 2023 | Date de création : 31 mars 2015 | Rédaction : S. Saint-Jean / B. Gabrielle