LDD3 Engineering Sciences (SAPHIRE)

Course Structure

The LDD3 SPI is structured around:

• in the first semester [S1]
  • a common science block designed to help students acquire and consolidate the mathematical, numerical, and modeling tools necessary for applying them to problems in engineering sciences (SPI),
  • introductory technology projects that introduce issues in the various SPI disciplines,
  • disciplinary elective modules* to be chosen (2 disciplines out of 3)
  • pre-orientation modules* toward a specific discipline.
• in the second semester [S2]
  • a specialization block* in Civil Engineering, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, depending on student preferences and assigned placements, paving the way toward one of the three SPI departments,
  • a disciplinary project within that specialization.

This science-based program is supplemented by instruction in English, culminating at the end of the year in the IELTS certification.

* The disciplinary elective, pre-orientation, and specialty modules for students admitted through the BUT entrance exam or the student recruitment track correspond to their recruitment track (civil engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering)

Module Descriptions

The program, including descriptions of each module, is available at Paris-Saclay University website. Click on:

• the Program tab,
• the Applied Sciences in Physics and Engineering for Research and Teaching (SAPHIRE),
• the drop-down menus for each Block,
• the titles of the course modules to access the description.

As a student at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) admitted through a competitive entrance exam

The program is open to students admitted to ENS Paris-Saclay through the first-year admission exams for the CPGE (SI-PSI, PT, TSI) and BUT tracks, which account for the majority of the class. 

Students admitted through other first-year entrance exams for CPGE tracks (MP, Info, PC) may apply to join the program through the “Joker” procedure, which is presented during the first week of the academic year at ENS Paris-Saclay.

Normaliens and Normaliennes are probationary civil servants and receive a stipend during their studies.

As a student at the ENS through application-based admission

The program is also open to any student with two years of post-high school education. Admission is based on application, by applying for admission to one of the three departments of Engineering Sciences.

Starting in September 2026, ENS students will receive a tuition allowance.

Academic Progression vs. Admissions Process

ENS students are admitted to the four-year program leading to the ENS Paris-Saclay Diploma.

From an educational standpoint, there is no distinction between student trainees and student teachers. 

During the first semester—particularly in September—refresher sessions are held for teacher-training students recruited through the TSI and BUT entrance exams, as well as for students admitted based on their application materials.

Academic advising throughout the year (choice of disciplinary options, preliminary advising, specialization) and within the Engineering Sciences departments for students admitted through the BUT entrance exam and for students admitted based on their application materials is determined at the time of their admission.

The morning sessions are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and then from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

The afternoon sessions are from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and then from 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

e-Campus is a digital platform available to every student in the program; students can access it using their ENS login credentials once they have enrolled in the program.

Each module has an e-Campus page where students can share educational resources, submit assignments and lab reports, communicate with the module instructors, and more.

There is also a page dedicated to the program’s academic administration, which compiles useful information for students: presentation materials from meetings, the program outline, assessment methods for knowledge and skills, the course schedule, regulations, tips for writing reports, and more.

The CAT tool allows you to install Eduroam automatically by selecting the "École normale supérieure" link from the list of institutions on the website. Once you have downloaded the file that corresponds to your operating system, you can run the file to configure Eduroam.