École Polytechnique, Paris and TSU will train specialists in natural sciences and engineering. Thus, TSU will be the second Russian university to have a joint education programme with the best polytechnic school in Europe.
École Polytechnique is the best polytechnic school not only in France but also in the whole of continental Europe. It occupies 53rd place in the QS World University Rankings 2016-2017. École Polytechnique teaches senior management of industrial corporations, so it provides engineering and management education. In May there was a meeting with representatives of the leadership of the TSU École Polytechnique, and in September at the 28th Annual EAIE Conference, held in Liverpool, the contract for launching a joint Master's programme was agreed upon.
- École Polytechnique has joint Master's programmes with only two universities in Russia - TSU and MIPT, and this means that our university is in very good company, in fact, in the company of the world's leaders. We do not just give graduates a baccalaureate, they remain our students, with two scientific leaders - said Artyom Rykun, Vice-Rector for International Affairs.
According to Victor Demin, TSU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, because of the differences in the educational process, the joint Master's degree will last three years. One semester, students will study in Tomsk, then four semesters at the École Polytechnique, and then the final semester again will be at TSU, where a student defends the Master's thesis.
Competition for participation in the new programme was announced among TSU fourth year students in September, and at the end of October, representatives of the École Polytechnique specially arrived in Tomsk to conduct examinations. TSU was the only place in the country for competition. In total, six people took part in the selection. Besides Tomsk students, there were students from Novosibirsk and Saint Petersburg universities.
Those selected will start the intensive study of the French language, the language of instruction at École Polytechnique, during the next year. Studying in France will be free for them. As a result, graduates will receive two Master's diplomas - TSU and École Polytechnique, which will guarantee employment in the world's leading companies.
The new Master's programme will begin in September 2017.