PSL PhD Tracks

Highly selective and entirely taught in English, PSL PhD tracks are 5-year fully funded programs intended for high-potential students hoping to become top level researchers, in France or abroad. Through its PhD Track Grants, PSL will support outstanding students for the entire duration of their graduate studies, from their Master’s to the completion of their PhD.

The PSL PhD tracks are structured along the lines of models in the world’s top universities, with a strong international focus and funding provided from Master’s to Doctorate. Students are immersed in the environment of excellence of the PSL graduate programs (top level facilities and academic teams, international partners, elective courses, etc.)
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Key figures

5 yrs
Master's-Doctorate curriculum
100%
Teaching in English
7
PhD tracks to choose from
1st
University in France

Why sign up for PSL PhD track?

Research track from Master’s year 1 

 

Close supervision and customized curriculum 
 

International scientific environment
 

Funding for 5 years

PRESENTATION
ELIGIBILITY
ADMISSIONS
FUNDING
FAQ

PSL PhD tracks are fully funded, 5-year programs designed for high-potential students who aspire to become top-level researchers in the public or private sector, in France and internationally.

The PSL PhD Track grant is €10,000 / year for one or two years at Master’s level then the equivalent of a doctoral contract based on French legislation (see details in the Funding tab).

  • After the first two years of the program, students are awarded a Master’s degree. During their Master’s studies, they are supervised by an academic tutor, who helps them develop their own scientific project and acquire the necessary tools to undertake an ambitious research endeavor. Once they graduate from the Master’s program, students will have their doctoral dissertation project approved through a qualifying exam (the modalities of which vary from one PhD track to another). They will then proceed directly to their doctoral studies at PSL.
  • The next 3 years are spent entirely on the research project and culminate in the PhD degree awarded by ˛ÝÁńÂŰĚł.
Timeline

PSL PhD tracks for September 2025 intake:
(Click on each PhD track for more details)
 

Find out more about PSL other fully funded PhD programs:

Who are we looking for?

The admission criteria common to all PSL PhD Tracks are as follows:

  • Academic excellence 
  • Quality of the research project 
  • Previous experience in a research laboratory (highly recommended)

Entry requirements

  • Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent diploma representing 180 ECTS credits, or they should be in their final year of such a program at the time of application. Students holding a Master’s degree or currently completing one are also eligible.*
  • Command of English (level C1 recommended)
  • Applicants must meet the entry requirements specific to the Master’s degree concerned, as described on the program website.

*Admission to a PSL PhD track is only available starting from Master’s Year 1 for the full 5-year program (2 years for the Master’s + 3 years for the PhD). Direct entry into Year 2 of the Master’s or Year 1 of the PhD within the PhD track program is not permitted.

For students already enrolled at PSL, in addition to the admission requirements mentioned above, only those in Year 3 of a Bachelor’s degree or in a Master’s degree not included in the targeted Graduate Program are eligible. See for detailed information.


Phd tracks 2025

Admissions calendar    

  • Application submissions: 17 October - 12 December 2024 (11:59 pm CET time)
  • Interviews with eligible candidates: January - February 2025 (depending on the PhD track concerned)
  • Admission results: February - March 2025 (depending on the PhD track concerned)

Note: the admissions procedure for the PhD track (5-year course) and the admissions procedure for the Master’s degree (2 years) are 2 distinct processes. Applicants may apply in parallel for both programs (PhD track and Master’s) according to the admissions calendars. As the PhD tracks are highly selective, applicants are strongly advised to apply for both programs (PhD tracks and Master’s).

Application procedure

  1. Document-based application: The application package must be submitted online from October 17 to December 12, 2024, via .*
  2. Interview: Eligible candidates will be invited for an admissions interview, which will be conducted remotely in English. 

*Candidates must submit their applications for the PhD tracks EXCLUSIVELY through the PSL portal, regardless of their nationality.

Students admitted to the PSL PhD tracks must complete the procedure for the visa pre-application if they reside in one of the countries affected by this process. For more information, please refer to the International admissions procedures at PSL.

Application package

All documents must be submitted in English. Only complete applications submitted within the deadlines will be considered by the committee. Applicants should submit the following documents: 

  • Academic CV 
  • Transcripts and diplomas from each higher education institution / university attended (Bachelor and Master if applicable). 
    One unique pdf for all your documents. You can use pdf-merge website for example.
  • Statement of purpose (In English, strict 1 page limit)
    The purpose of this document is to explain who you are and what you expect from your postgraduate studies. Give details about your interest in the field and your career goals. You can use this document to clarify anything unusual in your CV or your transcripts. One page maximum.
  • Research project (/statement) (In English, 1 to 2 pages)
    A research project is a short document that provides a brief history of your past research experience, the current state of your research, and the future work you intend to complete. It should present the context of your work first, then show how it contributes to extend other ongoing work.You should present a structured research project showing your commitment and describing what you plan for the future of your research if you join a PSL PhD track.
  • Proof of English proficiency, level C1 (compulsory proof required if English is not your mother tongue)
    The language prerequisites specific to each PhD track are detailed on the applications portal. In general:
    - If your first language is English or if you have earned a higher education diploma (BA, MA) in an English-speaking university, you should include a statement to this effect.
    - If not, you should include the official results from a recent test of English, e.g. TOEFL or IELTS. If you have no recent official results, you can submit some older test results provisionally. This will not detract from the assessment of your application, but we reserve the right to ask for more recent official results later in the selection process.
  • References: contact details (name, position title, email) of at least two academic referees.

More information regarding the statement of pupose and the research statement in the "FAQ" tab.

 

|Phase 1| Master’s 

  • Scholarship: €10,000 per year
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Disbursement: Students will receive €1,000 at the beginning of each month, for 10 months per year.

|Phase 2| PhD

  • Salary: â‚¬2,200 minimum gross salary per month (per )
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Disbursement: Upon entering the PhD phase, students will sign a 3-year doctoral contract and receive a monthly salary for the duration of the contract. They are considered employees, making them eligible for benefits, and their salary will be subject to social contributions.

The funding does not cover tuition, housing, or transportation costs.


In addition to the grant, students in 2025/26 will enjoy a range of exciting support services to help them thrive at PSL and in Paris:

  • Free FLE courses (French as a Foreign Language): Enjoy free online French language classes upon admission, along with year-long French courses offered at the PSL language center.
  • Housing sssistance: Support from the PSL Housing Service to find your perfect accommodation in Paris.
  • Welcome Desk for international students: Get personalized administrative support, including assistance with residence permits, health insurance, and opening a bank account, among other services. Plus, enjoy additional resources to help you immerse yourself in local life, such as the Buddy Program and language exchange opportunities.
  • : Enjoy access to PSL’s healthcare services, including convenient remote consultations.

 

Admissions & prerequisites

What is the difference between a Master’s degree and a PhD Track?
  • The Master’s degree is a two-year program 
  • The PhD Track is a five-year, funded and research-oriented program, including a Master’s degree* and research internships, then a Doctorate. You will obtain a Master’s degree then a PhD degree. These 2 diplomas will be awarded by ˛ÝÁńÂŰĚł.

* When you apply to the PhD Track, you will be asked to choose the Master’s course that you want to follow for the first 2 years of the course (see list of eligible Master’s degrees).
 

Can I apply to the 2 programs, Master’s degree and PhD Track?

Absolutely. Given the very high selectivity of the PhD Tracks, it is strongly recommended that you apply for the Master’s degree in parallel if you are interested in both programs. Look at the page of the Master’s degree that you are interested in for the application calendar and how to apply.
 

What is the difference between a PhD Track and a graduate program?

The PhD Track is a 5-year course associated with a PSL graduate program.
The graduate programs follow the model of the “graduate school” in international universities, and consist of an entity (School) that contains research laboratories, academic teams, training programs, etc. The PhD tracks are specific training courses within a graduate program.

What does a “research-oriented course” mean?

The PSL PhD Tracks are intended for high-potential students hoping to become top-level researchers in the public or private sector.
If you are passionate about research and you want an international career, you are ideal for the PhD track program. 
 

What are the admission criteria?

The admission criteria common to all the PSL PhD Tracks are as follows: academic excellence, research project, command of English (C1 level).
 

How are the social criteria assessed for obtaining a grant? Do I have to provide proof of my financial situation?

No personal proof is required for this purpose. The admission criteria are exclusively academic.
 

Is there an age limit for applying to the PhD track?

No.

I don’t speak French, can I still apply?

Certainly, if you speak English fluently. All courses are taught in English.

What level of English is required to apply? Do I have to provide proof?

Level C1 is strongly recommended. Supporting documents are not compulsory for all PhD tracks (see what documents are required in the application portal). Note that interviews with eligible candidates take place in English and allow the jury to assess your oral level.
 

I only have a Bachelor’s degree. Can I apply?

Certainly. However, note that many applicants already have a Master’s degree.

I have not yet graduated from my current course. Can I still apply?

Yes, if you are preparing the last year of an undergraduate diploma in the year you apply for PhD Tracks. You should upload the most recent transcripts you have available to the applications portal. If you have graduated, you will then be asked to produce your diploma when you enroll.

 

Admission procedure 2025

What is the admission calendar?

•    Application submissions: 17 october - 12 december 2024 (11:59 pm CET time)
•    Interviews with eligible candidates: January / February 2025 (depending on the PhD track concerned). These interviews will be held in English.
•    Admission results: February / Early March 2025

What documents are required to apply?
  • Academic CV 
  • Transcripts and diplomas from each higher education institution / university attended
    One unique pdf for all documents. You can merge them with pdf-merge for example.
  • Statement of purpose (In English, strict 1 page limit)
    The purpose of this document is to explain who you are and what you expect from your postgraduate studies. Give details about your interest in the field and your career goals. You can use this document to clarify anything unusual in your CV or your transcripts. One page maximum.
  • Research statement (In English, 1 to 2 pages)
    This project should clearly define your interests within your area of research and specialization. You should present a structured research project showing your commitment and describing what you plan for the future of your research if you join a PSL PhD track.
  • Proof of English proficiency, level C1 (proof not compulsory but recommended)
    The language prerequisites specific to each PhD track are detailed on the applications portal. In general:
    - If your first language is English or if you have earned a higher education diploma (BA/BS.c, MA) in an English-speaking university, you should include a statement to this effect.
    - If not, you should include the official results from a recent test of English, e.g. TOEFL or IELTS. If you have no recent official results, you can submit some older test results provisionally. This will not detract from the assessment of your application, but we reserve the right to ask for more recent official results later in the selection process.
  • References: contact details (name, position title, email) of at least two academic referees.
What is a research project?

The research project must be written in English and not exceed 2 pages.
A research project is a short document that provides a brief history of your past research experience, the current state of your research, and the future work you intend to complete. It should present the context of your work first, then show how it contributes to extend other ongoing work.
It should be written for an audience of other professionals in your field.
Make sure that your statement is clearly tied together. Show a progression.
What is the primary question that you have tried to address over the course of your internships and work experience? Why is this question important to the field? How has each stage of your work related to that question?

What is a statement of purpose?

The statement of purpose must be written in English and not exceed 1 page.
A statement of purpose (SOP), sometimes referred to as a personal statement, is a critical piece of a graduate program application. It tells admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you’ll add value to the GP you’re applying to.
The statement of purpose reflects not only who you are as a candidate but your writing abilities and qualifications as well.
A good personal statement should contain: your personal motivations for applying to the program, your accomplishments and success-stories, the challenges you’ve faced and overcome.

 

Funding

What is the amount of a PhD Track grant?

The PSL PhD Track grant is €10,000 / year for one or two years at Master’s level then the equivalent of a doctoral contract based on French legislation.

Tuition fees, as well as the cost of housing, transport, and living expenses in general are paid by the student. 

Is it possible to combine several grants?

The combining of funding with other grants will be examined on a case by case basis by the jury of the Graduate Program concerned, which will determine whether the 2 funding methods are compatible.

Note in particular that students who have also been awarded an Eiffel scholarship may not combine the 2 grants during the 2 years of the Master’s degree. However, the Eiffel scholarship can replace the Master’s grant provided in the PSL PhD track for the first two years of the program (until the start of the doctoral studies). 

How much are tuition fees?

The PhD tracks are 5-year courses. As a rough guide, below are the provisional annual amounts for enrollment fees, based on the rates in force in 2024/2025. Note that the grant awarded to students on the PSL PhD tracks does not include these annual enrollment fees.

PSL PhD tracks

    Master's degree (2 yrs)

    Doctorate (3 yrs)

 - PhD track in Life sciences
 - PhD track in Earth sc. & biodiversity
 - PhD track in Astrophysics
 - PhD track in Physics
 - PhD track in Computer science
 - PhD track in Chemistry
  €250 / year (all nationalities)
  â‚¬391/ year (all nationalities)

In addition to these fees is the “Contribution to student and campus life” (CVEC) of around €103 / year. There are several exemptions available. I

 

International students

Do you offer a welcome service for international students?

Certainly.

The PSL Welcome Desk & Euraxess Center assists international students and researchers across all PSL schools. Their team is available to help you prepare your arrival and manage non-academic administrative processes throughout your time with ˛ÝÁńÂŰĚł. Please visit their web page for detailed information about entry requirements, residence permit, social security, health insurance, housing, and other daily life matters. The PSL Welcome Desk also offers social and cultural outings, including a .

Please feel free to or email them with your questions! 

The PSL Welcome Desk will help you at every stage, to advise you, guide you and ensure that your arrival in Paris and at PSL goes smoothly:

  • Before you arrive - For the main administrative formalities (visa, CVEC, transport, etc.) and put you in touch with other PSL students via the Buddy Program “Partner@PSL”.
  • When you arrive, come and see the Welcome Desk team during office hours to check out the next formalities that need to be completed: validation of your visa, registration with the French Social Security system, request for housing allowance from CAF, taking out home insurance, opening a bank account, etc.
  • During the university year: don’t hesitate to contact the PSL Welcome Desk for help with medical reimbursements or with finding a bilingual doctor. The international tutors can also give you a hand with finding a student job and following up on the renewal of your residence permit with the Prefecture.
Do you offer courses in French as a foreign language (FLE)?

Non-French speaking students can indeed follow FLE courses as part of their training at PSL. You will get all the information you need at the start of the academic year, at your host school.



More information about PSL


Next call for applications:

  • October 17 to December 12, 2024

 


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PhD Tracks students