Home>Discover the Talent Prep Classes in Reims, Paris and Poitiers

30.06.2021

Discover the Talent Prep Classes in Reims, Paris and Poitiers

PUBLIC SERVICE ENTRANCE EXAMS: THREE PREPARATORY CLASSES TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING

>Article originally published on the Sciences Po institutional website by the editorial team

Because it is necessary to do everything possible to break the glass ceiling, Sciences Po, the Universities of Reims and Poitiers, and the University of Sorbonne Paris Nord are opening three "Talents for Public Service" preparatory classes. 

These "Talent Preparatory Classes" are among 74 projects selected from a pool of hundred or so applications by the Ministry of Public Service and Transformation. This project is based on existing collaborations between the four universities, through the regional campuses of Sciences Po in Reims and Poitiers, and the Sorbonne Paris Cité Alliance. They will each support 20 scholarship students in their professional career ambitions within the senior civil service. The three classes have been approved by the Ministry of the Civil Service and Public Transformation, and will open in Paris and Reims in September 2021, and then in Poitiers in September 2022.

Fostering ambition as early as possible

While the program is naturally aimed at scholarship students from the various partner universities, it is also intended for all young people in the regions concerned – students, high school students and even middle schoolers –  to inform them about the careers for which these competitive entrance exams provide preparation and to support them in their career plans. The scope of this program will further diversify the pool of students who will benefit from it.

A year to make a difference

During their year of preparation, students will be able to prepare for the ENA entrance exam (the future Institute of Public Service). They will also be able to prepare for the INET and EHESP (Hospital Director and Director of health, social and medico-social establishments), as well as the École Nationale Supérieure de la Sécurité Sociale (EN3S), whose program is similar to that of the EHESP. Depending on the competition, between 10 and 15% of the places will be allocated to students from the Talents Prep.

The joint pedagogical project is based on the solid experience of the four partners in preparing students for French administrative competitions. This is a historical component of Sciences Po's pedagogical project, in particular that of the School of Public Affairs, which has led to remarkable results in many competitive exams (in 2020, 60% of those admitted to the ENA were from Sciences Po, 45% of those admitted to the INET administrator's exam, 30% for the EHESP hospital director's exam). The University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne and the University of Poitiers also prepare their students for administrative examinations.

Innovative support

Each student in each of the Talent Preparatory Classes will be able to rely on the methodological, pedagogical and organizational support of a dedicated tutor. The one-hour meetings will occur every week  in the first semester, and twice a month in the second semester. This tutoring system will be extended to eligible students.

These tutors will be teachers or competition winners, working in the territories concerned. Among them will be members of the Vertus & Talents association, a partner in the project, composed, among others, of Sciences Po graduates on scholarship or from partner high schools in the Conventions éducation prioritaire. The training of these tutors will be based on the experience of Sciences Po. They will also act as a relay with the teaching staff in order to identify and respond to specific needs, or possible difficulties related to a lack of attendance or investment. 

Letting talent shine

Candidates must be CROUS scholarship holders and hold a Master 2 degree (or be in the process of obtaining a Master 2 degree in the year of application). The selection will take place in two successive stages: an eligibility phase based on an application file, followed by an admission phase which will take the form of an oral examination. Applications took place between mid-May and mid-June 2021.

Particular attention will be paid to the material conditions offered as part of these programs. Agreements with the CROUS will be signed at each of the sites to allow students to benefit from accommodation and catering conditions adapted to their needs. Each student will also receive an allowance of 4,000 euros in addition to their CROUS scholarship. 

These 74 Talent Prepas are a government initiative, led by the Ministry of Transformation and Public Service, to facilitate the preparation of civil service exams for the most deserving scholarship holders.

more information

 Video © Thomas Arrivé/Sciences Po

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