ENSAE offers:

ENSAE provides a high-level training in econometrics and quantitative methods applied to economics and statistics. Its engineering program prepares students to become experts in actuarial science, data science, macroeconomics, microeconomics, quantitative finance and risk management or in quantitative sociology. High-quality courses are proposed in various fields as the econometric evaluation of public policies, machine learning, advanced micro- and macroeconomics, stochastic calculus, Bayesian statistics, dynamic programming, risk theory, etc.

The first year is devoted to a harmonization of knowledge across students with different academic backgrounds. Those whose initial training was in mathematics take courses in descriptive and institutional economics. Those whose initial training was in economics and social sciences take intensive courses in mathematics. On top of that, both categories of students follow introductory courses in probability theory, statistics, micro- and macroeconomics. Students whose previous training was sufficient in these domains may be exempted from the first year.

In the second year, all students attend courses in the core disciplines taught at ENSAE: econometrics, statistics, time series, advanced micro- and macroeconomics. Students also choose elective courses to deepen their knowledge in statistics (advanced mathematical statistics, simulation-based methods, etc.), economics (game theory, industrial organization, international trade, etc.) or finance in a broad sense (introduction to stochastic processes, risk theory, etc.). An introduction to accounting and law is proposed in order to endow students with practical skills.

During the third year, about one hundred and thirty courses are provided at ENSAE. Each student chooses one of the following five majors:

• Actuarial Science
• Data Science
• Forecasting and Economic Policy
• Markets and Firms
• Quantitative Finance and Risk Management

More information: http://ensae.fr/

ENSAI offers:

« Modelling data, creating knowledge ». With this slogan, ENSAI’s objective is to train qualified experts capable of handling and modeling data to make sense of it and aid in decision-making. The school offers specializations in the following fields: Risk Management, Biostatistics, Statistical Engineering, Quantitative Marketing, Data Science, and Data Modeling for Spatial Analysis and Health Economics. ENSAI engineers graduate with high-level statistical modeling skills along with advanced knowledge in Computer Science and Quantitative Economics. Thanks to solid scientific and practical training, they are recognized for their skills in all sectors of the economy, meeting the needs of private business and the public sector alike. ENSAI offers possibilities for students that wish to pursue a career in research.  ENSAI also trains civil servant statisticians for France’s national statistics agency, INSEE. Every year, around 90 engineer statisticians graduate and 50 INSEE civil servants finish training at ENSAI.

More information: http://ensai.fr/

École polytechnique offers:

École polytechnique’s Ingénieur Polytechnicien Program is a unique and highly selective 4-year program that provides students with:

• Multidisciplinary courses which give a solid scientific foundation (fundamental science, engineering science, economics and social sciences)
• Specialized courses with advanced scientific concentrations that rival the top engineering schools worldwide
• Personal Development and Leadership Training
• Project-based learning
• Learning through research (at least 20% of study time is dedicated to research internships and applied projects)

General studies are offered during the first two years of the program, where students acquire a scientific foundation in six subjects out of the eight offered by the Academic Departments: Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mechanics, Economics and Computer Science.

Specialized studies are offered during the third and fourth years of the program.

In their 3rd year, the students may choose a subject or theme among 14 different specialization programs.

For the 4th-year, students may choose from the following options:

• training offered by a government administrative body or organization
• specialized studies at a partner engineering school
• a Master’s program in France or abroad,
• doctoral research (PhD)

Upon completing the three first years of the program, students earn the Engineering Degree of École polytechnique.

Once they have completed their fourth year, students are awarded the École polytechnique Diploma.

Read more: https://www.polytechnique.edu/en/ingenieur-polytechnicien-program
Admissions: https://www.polytechnique.edu/admission-cycle-ingenieur/en

Academic and Research Departments of École Polytechnique bring together professors and researchers from the Research Center laboratories, combining academic studies and research for each given discipline.

The Department of Economics whose researchers are affiliated to CREST research center gives courses in Economic Science which are designed to prepare engineers entering the domains of industry and research.

The Department of Economics gives students three primary types of studies in economics:

• Courses which provide solid introduction to the general principles and analytical methods of economics
• Specialized courses, focused on the business world and its environment: The goal of these in-depth courses is to provide students with a general mastery of the basic methods of Economic Science and their diverse applications, so that they may confidently pursue economics-related careers, whether in industry, in the financial sector, or in national or international institutions.
• General research in economic science, with emphasis in the following areas:
  • Macroeconomics and Labor Economics: fluctuations, probability and finance, commerce, economic policy, welfare theory, education economics;
  • Microeconomic Theory and Applications: industrial economics, competition, social choice theory, mechanism design and economic modelling;
  • Economics and Sustainable Development: climate change economics, environmental economics,
  • Corporate finance and corporate environmental responsibility.

Read more: https://www.polytechnique.edu/en/departments
Visit the Department of Economics of École polytechnique Website: https://portail.polytechnique.edu/economie/fr
Find out more on the courses offered by the Department of Economics of École polytechnique: https://portail.polytechnique.edu/economie/fr/enseignement/cycle-polytechnicien

ENSAE offers:

Like most French “Grandes écoles”, ENSAE offers a fifteen-month postgraduate program which provides with a “Mastère Spécialisé” in actuarial science, Data Science, economics and statistics Modelling or quantitative finance and risk management. This degree is certified by the “Conférence des grandes écoles”.

Students are admitted into this program on the basis of their academic qualification (as a prerequisite they must hold a Master degree in economics, statistics or finance, or an engineering degree). In this program students devote about 20% of their time to tutorials, during which either a researcher or a professional helps them to deal with genuine applied or theoretical problems.

The program corresponds roughly to the third year of the ENSAE engineering program (i.e., to a specialization within one of the above five majors). The training is completed by an internship which lasts between 4 and 6 months. The “Mastère spécialisé” is particularly suited to graduates who aim at deepening their knowledge in one of the above fields and apply it as practitioners in a professional environment, as well as benefiting from the academic excellence of the “Grandes écoles”.

École polytechnique offers:

Graduate degrees from Ecole Polytechnique are industry-oriented two-year programs providing state-of-the-art multidisciplinary education and in-depth scientific knowledge. They are designed for highly qualified undergraduate students with a solid background in Science and/or Engineering and who are interested in gaining knowledge and skills necessary to play a key role in leading technology and business organizations throughout the world.

Ecole Polytechnique offers two main economics – related graduate degrees in coordination with the Economics Department:

• Corporate Strategy for New Markets (CSNM)

The graduate program Corporate Strategies for New Markets (CSNM) opened its first year in September 2016 and the opening of the second year is scheduled for September 2017.
This two-year program aims to train students in the strategic analysis of new markets, using the techniques of quantitative economics. It offers advanced training in microeconomics (especially in industrial economics), econometrics and data analysis, and corporate finance. The objective of this program is to prepare students to work in the strategic management of large companies, in consulting, finance, or to become entrepreneurs.
Primarily intended for students with comprehensive mathematical training and an interest in economics, it is also open to those whose principle background is economics with an advanced mathematical component.
The teaching is highly professional-oriented, relying on real-world case studies to uncover the hidden trends guiding the evolution of specific market segments and business models. The program benefits from the École Polytechnique’s wide-reaching network of industrial partners to gain key industry insights from leading business figures.

Read more: https://portail.polytechnique.edu/graduatedegree/newmarkets
Dedicated website: https://portail.polytechnique.edu/graduatedegree/
How to apply: https://portail.polytechnique.edu/graduatedegree/admissions/academic-requirements

• Metroeconomics

“Building and connecting the cities of tomorrow”
This graduate program, offered by Polytechnique in cooperation with ENPC and ENSAE and partnerships with World Bank, SNI and Wharton Business School welcomes its first students in September 2017.
Why Metroeconomics?
Metropolitan economies are the basic organizing units of competition in the global economy. The geographic concentration of assets, workers, knowledge, and amenities in metro regions shapes their growth and determines prosperity.
Metropolitan areas of the 21th century will undergo profound changes faced with new technologies, urban services and mobility needs. A vast number of existing cities will need to be re-imagined and converted into Smart and Green Cities, and will be expected to directly contribute to the health and wellbeing of the people who live, work and learn inside them. The challenges in the process of doing so are unique.
The purpose of the program
The program involves applying advanced quantitative methods to the study of new and transforming metropolitan areas and their competitive environments.
For those with a strong mathematical background, an interest in economics and are looking to use their technical skills in leadership-oriented roles, this degree will provide the know-how to navigate the trends shaping the 21st metropolitan economies.
Teaching is resolutely professional-oriented, relying on a combination of methodological teachings and real-world case studies to uncover the hidden trends guiding the evolution of specific market segments and business models.

Read more: https://portail.polytechnique.edu/graduatedegree/metroeconomics
Dedicated website: https://portail.polytechnique.edu/graduatedegree/
How to apply : https://portail.polytechnique.edu/graduatedegree/admissions/academic-requirements

ENSAI offers:

ENSAI offers two Master’s degrees: An international Master’s degree in Statistics for Smart Data, taught entirely in English, and a Master’s in Evaluation and Public Decision-Making.

ENSAI’s Master of Science in Statistics for Smart Data is intended to meet the demand for skills in the field of high-dimensional data processing. Smart Data focuses on revealing the Value and Veracity from the Volume, Variety and Velocity of Big Data to meet the vital challenge of identifying relevant and valuable information among the plethora of data available. ENSAI is currently the only French engineering school accredited to offer an all-English program with this unique training, combining Statistics and Computer Science.
http://www.ensai.fr/formation/msc-in-statistics-for-smart-data.html

The Master’s in Evaluation and Public Decision-Making aims to meet the growing demand for statistical expertise in public decision-making. It responds primarily to the needs of public entities, national and international administrations, or local government. These public statistics organizations need highly qualified statisticians to identify, analyze, and exploit new sources of data. This program, through its three specializations (Methodology of Public Statistics, Statistics and Data Handling, Statistical Studies) prepares graduates for scientific and technical careers in statistical engineering, economic and social information systems, and public statistics. This program is the only French Master’s degree to be certified with the EMOS (European Master in Official Statistics) label, awarded by Eurostat for a period of 4 years.
http://www.ensai.fr/formation/master-statistique-publique.html

ENSAE offers:

The Master in Quantitative Sociology and Demography is jointly offered by ENSAE, ENS Cachan, University Versailles St. Quentin, in the framework of the University Paris Saclay. This two-year program, taught in French, offers students an advanced training in sociological reasoning and methods applied to quantitative data. It aims to prepare students to careers in academic research, international organizations, government, marketing or consulting.

In the first year, students carry out a quantitative survey and learn all steps of the exercise: sampling, questionnaire conception and execution, analysis and interpretation of the data collected. They also receive in-depth and hands-on training in econometrics and quantitative methods.

In the second year, students continue their training in advanced quantitative methods for the social sciences (e.g., social network analysis; latent class models; sequence and optimal matching analysis) and follow thematic courses in quantitative sociology (e.g., social stratification, cultural consumption, migration). In both years students have the choice between a long internship and writing a research dissertation.
https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/en/education/master/m1-sociologie-quantitative-et-demographie-sqd#presentation-m1

ENSAE and École polytechnique offers:

The Master in Economics is jointly offered by Ecole Polytechnique, ENSAE, ENS Cachan, HEC Paris and the University of Paris Sud in the framework of the University Paris Saclay scientific cooperation cluster. This two-year program taught in English was launched in September 2015 replacing Quantitative Economics and Finance and Economics and Public Policy programs.

The program relies on advanced quantitative methods for both theoretical and empirical analysis. It provides an advanced training in economics and aims at preparing students to become professional economists with careers in government, central banking, international organizations, consulting, finance or academic research by continuing into PhD.
Its ambition is to attract a considerable pool of excellent students, not only from the founding members but also from the best French and foreign higher education institutions.

In the first year, managed by Ecole Polytechnique, students learn the main tools used in economics and their most important applications thanks to a thorough training in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics. They also complete an annual project in applied economics and a research internship.
See M1 curriculum: http://www.master-in-economics.fr/courses_list_M1.php

During the second year, managed by ENSAE students specialize within subfields of economics (finance, games and decision theory, industrial economics, macroeconomics, international economics, public economics, labor economics, sustainable development, and econometrics) and write a research dissertation.
See M2 curriculum: http://www.master-in-economics.fr/courses_list_M2.php

Visit the dedicated website: http://www.master-in-economics.fr/
How to apply: http://www.master-in-economics.fr/admissions.php

ENSAE and Ecole Polytechnique offer:

The Master programs “Data Science” and “Statistics and Machine Learning” are jointly offered by Ecole Polytechique, ENSAE, Telecom ParisTech and Université Paris Sud in the framework of the University Paris Saclay scientific cooperation cluster.

The exponential increase of the data collected in any field of human activity, and the ongoing development of new tools for analysis and prediction make statistics and machine learning vital tools for any company, government or research institution. The demand of expertise in these fields is steadily growing.

The objective of the Master program “Data Science” is to prepare students for professional activity in data collection, data storage, data analysis, statistics and machine learning for prediction and information retrieval. As part of the Master training in Probability of the University Paris Saclay, the Master program “Statistics and Machine Learning” has a similar objective but with a more mathematically oriented approach. Both Master programs prepare students for positions in Research and Development departments in companies or doctoral studies in statistics.

Visit the dedicated website: https://master‐statml‐paris‐saclay.math.u‐psud.fr/
https://datascience‐x‐master‐paris‐saclay.fr/
How to apply: https://inception.universite‐paris‐saclay.fr/fr/

ENSAE and Ecole Polytechnique offer:

The Master « Mathematical Finance : Statistics and Finance » is a joint‐venture between Ecole Polytechique, ENSAE, Centrale‐Supélec, ENSTA ParisTech, Telecom ParisTech, and the Evry University, in the framework of the University Paris Saclay scientific cooperation cluster.

Stochastic modelling lies at the heart of the main challenges financial institutions are faced with: setting of asset allocations or trading strategies, evaluation of the risks that are embedded in some financial portfolios, retrieving information about customer needs and wishes, evaluation of ruin probabilities, the likelihood of failures to pay, prepayments, natural catastrophes, etc. In other words, applications of the statistical paradigm are multiple in finance and insurance, because past events and historical data are highly valuable to evaluate current and future risks.

The main objective of this master will be to transmit the cutting‐edge techniques, theories and practical tools towards applications, to solve quantitative problems in finance and insurance. Thanks to the recent advances of datamining and learning theory, students will be able to extract highly valuable information, even from poorly structured data. The curriculum,will insist on the modelling of financial time series and on mathematical finance for the pricing/hedging, the investment and the risk management of financial products.

Visit the dedicated website: http://www.master-statistique-finance.com/en/index.php
How to apply: http://www.master-statistique-finance.com/en/admissions.php

Presentation

PhD studies are one of the fundamental and strategic missions of CREST. Attracting, hosting and training a considerable pool of excellent and motivated PhD candidates from top French and foreign institutions contributes greatly to spreading our scientific culture and expertise.
A PhD program essentially consists in a preparation of a doctoral thesis, under the supervision of a research supervisor.
The standard timeframe for a doctorate is 3 years, but extensions may be granted.
The PhD program is run by École polytechnique and ENSAE ParisTech.
During their PhD, students are affiliated to CREST research center, register in the École Doctorale Paris Saclay that gathers research teams in Economics and other fields (Sciences de l’homme et de la societe ED SHS).

Admission

Potential candidates are required to hold a two-year Master’s Degree in Economics (French M1-M2 or international equivalent).
Admission of candidates who are currently in their second year of master is conditional upon obtaining their degree.
Candidates are encouraged to contact faculty members prior to applying in order to select potential advisors.
During their PhD, students are affiliated to CREST research center. Students in economics and sociology register at the Ecole Doctorale SHS.
Students in finance and statistics register at the Ecole Doctorale de Mathématiques Hadamard.
In addition, students without fellowship should apply for funding. Acceptance in the PhD program is conditional upon obtaining funding (for more information).

Funding

The acceptance in the Economics PhD program is conditional upon securing funding. There exist several funding opportunities for French and foreign students.

• PhD grants from the University of Paris-Saclay to be hosted in one of the Paris-Saclay institutions (ENSAE-École polytechnique for students willing to join our program) (link)
• PhD grants from IDEX Paris-Saclay, Interdisciplinary initiative IDI (link)
• PhD grants from ENSAE (contact)
• PhD grants from Labex ECODEC (link)
• PhD grants from Fondation École polytechnique (link)
• Students from the “Cycle Polytechnicien” at École polytechnique can apply for AMX (Allocation-Moniteur Polytechnique) grants (link)
• Students from ENS Cachan can apply for AMN (Allocation-Moniteur Normalien) grants (link)
• CIFRE contract: this is a joint-contract where the candidate is funded through a private or public company. A successful applicant then spends part of his/her time (usually about two days a week) at the firm. (link)

Organization of the program

During the course of the 3-year PhD program, each student is required to successfully attend some specialized mini-PhD courses (usually taught at ENSAE by invited professors), to be active in at least a specialized reading group/workshop organized within the CREST research group to which the student will be associated, and to participate and present his/her work at CREST internal seminars.
At the end of the first year, each student presents a progress report to a departmental committee including his/her supervisor and two other faculty members. Members of this committee propose whether the student should be allowed or not to progress to the second year of the program.
By the end of the third year, students are expected to have written three research papers. The thesis is made of at least three chapters which can be three independent research papers. In some circumstances, students may be allowed more time to complete their dissertation (4th year). However, students will be granted extensions to a fifth/sixt year only in exceptional circumstances.
More information on Polytechnique PhD program in Economics: https://sites.google.com/site/econphdx

After the thesis—Placement

Our goal is to produce well-trained doctoral students who are able to pursue careers at a high level in academia, government agencies or in the private sector (e.g., consultancies).

Contacts

PhD Program coordinator at École polytechnique: Alessandro Riboni (contact)
PhD Program Coordinator at ENSAE: Thibaud Vergé (contact)

2019—2020
@ENSAI
Adaptivity in Online Learning. Tim van Erven, Leiden University Download the syllabus
@ENSAE
Information-theoretic methods in computer science and statistics, Yury POLYANSKIY, MIT Download the syllabus
Topics in Behavioral Political Economy, Allan DRAZEN, University of Maryland Download the syllabus
Estimation of Functionals of High-Dimensional Parameters: Bias Reduction and Concentration, Vladimir Koltchinskii, School of Mathematics, Georgia Institute of Technology Download the syllabus
Short-Course Proposal : Risk Estimation via Copulas and Curve Time Series, Flavio A. Ziegelmann, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil Download the syllabus

2018—2019
Polynomial method in statistical estimation: from large domain to mixture models. Wu YIHONG, Yale University Download the syllabus
Introduction to Social Science Genetics. Felix Tropf, University of Oxford Download the syllabus
Monetary Policy. Paul Pichler, Université de Vienne Download the syllabus
Firm Dynamics and Input-Output Networks in Macroeconomics, Basile Grassi, Bocconi University Download the syllabus
Statistical Estimation via Convex Optimization, Anatoli Jouditski, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Professeur associé à l’Ecole Polytechnique, Initiative Data Science Download the syllabus
Introduction to Social Science Genetics, Felix Tropf, University of Oxford Download the syllabus
Theoretical results for deep neural networks – Johannes SCHMIDT-HIEBER, Leiden University Download the syllabus
Topics in Behavioral Political Economy – Allan DRAZEN, University of Maryland Download the syllabus

2017—2018
Données numériques en sciences sociales, Collecte, traitement et analyse, Etienne OLLION, CNRS – Université de Strasbourg Download the syllabus
Introduction to Dynamic Mechanism Design and Recursive Contracts: Theory and Applications, Nicola PAVONI, Bocconi University Download the syllabus