Institut Mines-Télécom
Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT) stands as France's premier public institution dedicated to higher education, research, and innovation in engineering and digital technologies. Founded in 1783 as the École des Mines, IMT has evolved into a comprehensive network of specialized engineering schools, making it the largest group of engineering and management grandes écoles in France. The institution operates under the authority of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, reflecting its strategic importance to France's industrial and technological development. IMT's mission encompasses training engineers and managers capable of addressing contemporary technological challenges while fostering innovation that drives economic growth. The institution has earned international recognition for its contributions to telecommunications, digital transformation, energy transition, and materials science. IMT schools consistently rank among France's top engineering institutions, with several programs achieving prestigious international accreditations. The network structure enables students to benefit from shared resources, inter-school mobility, and a vast alumni network exceeding 100,000 professionals worldwide. IMT maintains close partnerships with industry leaders, ensuring that research and education remain aligned with real-world technological needs. The institution's strategic focus on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainable development positions graduates at the forefront of innovation. Through its incubators and technology transfer initiatives, IMT has launched over 1,500 startups, demonstrating its commitment to entrepreneurship and economic impact.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Student life at IMT schools carries the distinctive culture of French engineering education, with strong traditions, active student organizations, and class spirit that endures long after graduation. Each school maintains its own identity and customs, from hazing rituals (now considerably gentler than historical versions) to annual galas and sporting competitions between schools. Housing varies by school location, with some campuses providing on-site residences while others rely on private rentals in surrounding cities. The schools in Paris and its suburbs face the capital's housing challenges, while those in smaller cities like Saint-Étienne or Brest offer more accessible options. Student bureaus help newcomers navigate housing and other practicalities. Social activities balance the demanding academic schedule. Student clubs cover interests from music and theater to outdoor sports and humanitarian activities. The BDE (Bureau des Élèves) at each school organizes events, parties, and trips. Inter-school competitions in sports and other activities build connections across the network. The work-hard-play-hard culture means intense studying punctuated by enthusiastic celebrations.
Location & Surroundings
IMT schools spread across France, from Paris and its suburbs to Brittany, the Loire Valley, and southeastern regions. This geographic distribution reflects historical patterns of industrial development and provides options for students with different location preferences. Paris-area schools including Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis offer access to France's capital with its unmatched cultural resources, corporate headquarters, and startup ecosystem. Students here pay Paris living costs but gain exposure to the country's economic center. The schools themselves often occupy suburban campuses combining space with city accessibility. Regional schools like IMT Atlantique in Brittany, Mines Saint-Étienne, or IMT Nord Europe in Lille provide different experiences. Living costs run lower, campuses may feel more cohesive, and regional industries provide employment connections. Brittany's technology sector, Lyon's industrial base, and northern France's economic development all create opportunities beyond the capital. Transportation across France works well, with TGV trains connecting cities quickly and affordably for students. Many students maintain connections to hometowns while building new relationships in their school cities. International students find France's central location convenient for European travel.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition at IMT schools runs modest by international standards but significant within the French context. Public engineering school fees typically run a few hundred to a few thousand euros annually, far below American or British equivalents. However, apprenticeship programs, where students alternate between school and paid company placements, can eliminate tuition while providing salary. Living costs depend heavily on location, with Paris requiring substantially more budget than regional cities. Expect around 1,000 to 1,500 euros monthly for housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses in the capital, somewhat less elsewhere. Scholarships based on financial need (bourses sur critères sociaux) help eligible students, and international scholarship programs exist for qualified applicants. Career outcomes for IMT graduates rank among the best in French higher education. Engineering diplomas from network schools open doors at major corporations, consulting firms, and technology companies. Graduates work at companies like Orange, Thales, Airbus, Capgemini, and international tech giants with French operations. Starting salaries for engineers typically exceed 40,000 euros annually, often considerably more for graduates of the most prestigious schools or with sought-after specializations. The alumni networks spanning decades of graduates provide professional connections throughout French industry and increasingly in international contexts. Career services at each school help students find internships and first positions, with many companies recruiting directly on campus.
Campus Location
Explore More
See your match score for Institut Mines-Télécom
Find out how you compare to admitted students with a personalized admission assessment.
See your match score — Sign up free