Program Overview

Introduction to the PSL International Bachelor of Environmentally Engaged Engineering I-BE³

The PSL International Bachelor of Environmentally Engaged Engineering I-BE³ is a premier undergraduate program designed for future engineers and ingénieures who desire to make a real impact. This program is taught entirely in English and focuses on forming a new generation of engineers capable of addressing the grand environmental and societal challenges through engineering.

Program Overview

• Duration: 3 years (6 semestres, 180 ECTS)
• Language: 100% in English, with French as a foreign language (FLE) for non-francophone students
• Campus: The first two years are based in Sophia Antipolis, France, with the possibility of spending the third year at the University of Rice in Houston, Texas, for a license in environmental sciences
• Admission: Open to students with a secondary school diploma (or equivalent) who have a strong foundation in sciences and a desire to tackle environmental and societal challenges through engineering
• Tuition Fees:
  • EU students: €15,000 per year, with decreasing fees based on income
  • International students outside the EU: €20,000 per year
• Financial Aid: The program offers excellence scholarships, income-based financial aid, and mobility scholarships to promote social diversity and inclusion

Curriculum

The I-BE³ program is structured around practical, collaborative, and future-oriented learning, inspired by the "main à la pâte" approach pioneered by Georges Charpak, a Nobel Prize winner and alumnus of Mines ParisTech – PSL and ESPCI – PSL. Each semester (except the fifth semester, which is dedicated to an international internship) includes:

• A semestrial project linked to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Engineering and data sciences courses (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geosciences, computer science, and modeling)
• Professional skills and challenges (technical and technological challenges, project management, professionalization, and foreign languages)

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences from the University of Rice

Students in the I-BE³ program have the unique opportunity to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences from the University of Rice, one of the leading American research universities, after completing an additional year of study.

Career Perspectives

Graduates of the I-BE³ program will have access to:

• Reserved access to engineering programs at Mines Paris – PSL, Chimie ParisTech – PSL, and ESPCI Paris – PSL
• International Master's programs
• A global network of alumni from PSL
• Career opportunities in industry, NGOs, research centers, public institutions, and more, with a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility

Application Process

• Online application system opens in December 2025
• Eligibility: Students with a secondary school diploma (or equivalent) in sciences
• Application deadlines:
  • First phase: December 15, 2025, to February 28, 2026
  • Second phase: March 1, 2026, to April 30, 2026
• Selection process: Preliminary selection based on the application file, followed by motivational interviews in English via video conference for selected candidates

Campus Life

The program is based in Sophia Antipolis, the first technology park in Europe, offering a unique blend of study, sports, and cultural activities. Students have access to a wide range of housing solutions, restaurants, and mobility options, making it an ideal location for international students.

Institutional and Territorial Support

The I-BE³ program benefits from significant support at the national, regional, and territorial levels, including funding from the French government through the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) and partnerships with the Région Sud – Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and the Communauté d'Agglomération Sophia Antipolis (CASA) for the redevelopment of the Campus Pierre Laffitte.