Aerospace Engineering in France — Airbus, ISAE-SUPAERO, Toulouse
Masters in Aerospace Engineering · France

The Aerospace
Capital
of the
World.

Airbus. Dassault. Safran. Ariane Group. France is where the world's greatest aircraft and rockets are designed — and ISAE-SUPAERO leads it all. Indian engineers, this is your launchpad.

Overview

What is a Masters in
Aerospace Engineering?

A Masters in Aerospace Engineering (MSc) is a postgraduate engineering degree that covers the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and propulsion systems. It combines aerodynamics, materials science, avionics, structural analysis, and propulsion into one of the most advanced engineering disciplines.

France is the undisputed leader in European aerospace. Toulouse — home to Airbus HQ, ISAE-SUPAERO, ENAC, and over 1,200 aerospace companies — is the aerospace capital of Europe. No other city on earth concentrates this much aerospace industry, research, and education in one place.

For Indian engineers with a background in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Physics, France offers a direct path into the global aerospace industry — with mandatory internships at companies like Airbus and Safran, affordable public university fees, and a 2-year post-study work visa.

All Masters in France

Quick Comparison

Aerospace vs Mechanical vs Aviation

Focus
Aircraft & spacecraft
Machines & systems
Operations & management
Core Skills
Aerodynamics, propulsion
Thermodynamics, design
Safety, logistics
Industry
Airbus, ESA, CNES
Auto, energy, mfg
Airlines, airports
Salary (FR)
€45K – €80K
€38K – €60K
€35K – €55K
GRE
Preferred
Preferred
Not required
Internship
4–6 months
4–6 months
3–6 months
Aerospace
Mechanical
Aviation
Institutions

Top Universities in France
for Aerospace Engineering

ISAE-SUPAERO — Aerospace Engineering France
#1 Aerospace

ISAE-SUPAERO

ENAC — Aerospace Engineering France
Civil Aviation

ENAC

Ecole Polytechnique — Aerospace Engineering France
Top 3 France

Ecole Polytechnique

CentraleSupelec — Aerospace Engineering France
Grande Ecole

CentraleSupelec

ENSMA Poitiers — Aerospace Engineering France
Aerospace Focus

ENSMA Poitiers

Universite de Toulouse — Aerospace Engineering France
Airbus City

Universite de Toulouse

Mines ParisTech — Aerospace Engineering France
Elite Engineering

Mines ParisTech

INSA Toulouse — Aerospace Engineering France
Top Public

INSA Toulouse

Grenoble INP — Aerospace Engineering France
Tech Hub

Grenoble INP

Arts et Metiers — Aerospace Engineering France
Engineering

Arts et Metiers

IPSA Paris — Aerospace Engineering France
Aero Specialist

IPSA Paris

Universite Paris-Saclay — Aerospace Engineering France
Research Leader

Universite Paris-Saclay

Why France

6 Reasons France is
the Best Place to Study
Aerospace Engineering

France is not just a country that teaches aerospace — it is the country that builds the world's aircraft, rockets, and satellites. Here is why studying here changes everything.

01

Airbus HQ in Toulouse

Toulouse is home to Airbus's global headquarters, the A380 final assembly line, and over 1,200 aerospace companies. Studying aerospace in France means studying at the source — where the world's biggest aircraft are designed and built.

02

ESA Partnership & Space Programs

France is a founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and hosts CNES, Europe's largest national space agency. Students access real satellite projects, rocket launches from French Guiana, and cutting-edge space research.

03

ISAE-SUPAERO — #1 Aerospace School

ISAE-SUPAERO is ranked the #1 aerospace engineering school in France and among the top globally. Its graduates lead engineering teams at Airbus, Dassault, Boeing, SpaceX, and every major aerospace company on earth.

04

Ariane Rockets & Defence Industry

France builds the Ariane launch vehicles, Rafale fighter jets, and Falcon business jets. Ariane Group, Dassault Aviation, MBDA, and Safran all recruit directly from French aerospace schools — your classmates become your network.

05

Mandatory Internship at Aerospace Firms

Every engineering Masters in France mandates a 4–6 month industrial internship. Students intern at Airbus, Safran, Thales, and Ariane Group — graduating with real European aerospace work experience, not just theory.

06

2-Year Visa + Passeport Talent

France's APS permit gives you 2 years to work after graduation. Engineers also qualify for the Passeport Talent visa — a fast-track to long-term residency designed specifically for skilled technical professionals.

Programs

Aerospace Programs in France
— by School

Select a school to explore its programs and USPs. Also browse related engineering programs: Engineering Management, Artificial Intelligence, Civil Engineering, and Data Science.

ISAE-SUPAERO

#1 Aerospace

4 Programs Available

Programs Offered

MSc Aerospace Engineering
MSc Aeronautical Engineering
MSc Space Systems Engineering
MSc Applied Mathematics for Aerospace

Why ISAE-SUPAERO

#1 aerospace engineering school in France and among the best globally
Direct partnerships with Airbus, Safran, Thales, and CNES
Students work on real satellite and drone projects during the program
Located in Toulouse — the aerospace capital of Europe

Ready to apply to ISAE-SUPAERO?

Eligibility

What Indian Students
Need to Qualify

These are baseline criteria. Our counsellors assess your profile individually and tell you exactly where you stand.

01

Academic Score & Accepted Degrees

Bachelor's degree (3 or 4 years) in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical), Physics, or Mathematics — B.Tech, BE, BSc all accepted. ISAE-SUPAERO and Ecole Polytechnique expect 75%+ (CGPA 7.5+). CentraleSupélec and ENAC accept 70%+. Public universities like Toulouse and ENSMA Poitiers work with 65%+. A strong technical foundation is essential for aerospace programs.

02

GRE Score (Preferred)

A GRE score of 310+ with strong quantitative section strengthens applications at ISAE-SUPAERO, Ecole Polytechnique, and CentraleSupelec. Some public universities do not require GRE at all. Plan to take the GRE 4–6 months before your application deadline.

03

English Proficiency

IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90+. All top aerospace programs are taught in English — NO French language requirement for admission. Learning basic French helps with daily life.

04

Work Experience

Not strictly mandatory, but relevant experience — technical internships, aerospace research projects, or hands-on engineering work — significantly strengthens your application. Candidates with experience in CAD/CAE tools, CFD simulation, or aerospace lab work stand out at top programs like ISAE-SUPAERO.

05

Documents Required

Statement of Purpose (1–2 pages, essay-style), 2–3 Letters of Recommendation (1 academic + 1 professional preferred), updated CV, all academic transcripts, passport copy, and relevant project portfolio. Important: Charpak Scholarship SOPs are checked for plagiarism and AI-generated content is now flagged — always write your own.

Not sure if you qualify? Our counsellors do a profile analysis and tell you which aerospace schools you can get into — and what it takes to strengthen your application.

Intakes & Deadlines

When to Apply for MSc Aerospace Engineering
in France

French universities and schools follow a rolling admissions model. Applying early gives you the best chance at scholarships and preferred campus choices.

September / Fall Intake

Primary Intake — Most Programs

Recommended

Round 1 (Early)

Best scholarship chances

October – December

Round 2 (Regular)

Main application window

January – March

Round 3 (Late)

Limited seats, fewer scholarships

April – June

Classes Begin

Orientation typically starts late August

September

January / Spring Intake

Select Programs Only

Limited

Applications Open

Fewer schools offer Jan intake

June – September

Application Deadline

Rolling admissions at most schools

September – November

Visa Processing

Allow 6–8 weeks for Campus France

November – December

Classes Begin

Some schools start late January

January – February

Pro tip: Apply in Round 1 (October–December) for the September intake. This gives you the highest scholarship allocation, more campus choices, and ample time for visa processing through Campus France.

Most top schools fill their seats by Round 2. Don't wait for Round 3 unless you have no other option.

Cost

Aerospace Engineering in France
— Tuition Fees

Public universities in France offer near-free tuition. Part-time work (20 hrs/week) offsets living costs of €800–€1,100/month.

UniversityTuition (Approx.)
ISAE-SUPAERO₹8 – 15 lakhs/year
ENAC₹2 – 8 lakhs/year
Ecole Polytechnique₹12 – 20 lakhs/year
CentraleSupelec₹10 – 18 lakhs/year
ENSMA Poitiers₹0.2 – 1.5 lakhs/year
Universite de Toulouse₹0.2 – 1.5 lakhs/year
Mines ParisTech₹10 – 18 lakhs/year
INSA Toulouse₹0.2 – 2 lakhs/year
Grenoble INP₹0.5 – 3.5 lakhs/year
Arts et Metiers₹3 – 8 lakhs/year
IPSA Paris₹8 – 15 lakhs/year
Universite Paris-Saclay₹0.2 – 3.5 lakhs/year

Total Budget Estimate

Tuition (avg.)₹0.2 – 20 L/yr
Living (2 yrs)₹14 – 22 L
Visa & Travel₹0.5 – 1 L
Part-time offset–₹5 – 10 L
Net Estimate₹5 – 33 L

Public University Tip

French public universities charge as low as ₹0.2 lakhs/year — making an aerospace Masters in France cheaper than most Indian private colleges. That is up to ₹30 lakhs saved vs the USA.

*Fees are approximate and change each intake. Contact our counsellors for current, scholarship-adjusted figures.

Funding

Scholarships for Aerospace
Engineering in France

All Scholarships in France
Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
Government

Excellence Eiffel Scholarship

Charpak Excellence Masters
For Indians

Charpak Excellence Masters

ISAE-SUPAERO Merit Scholarships
University

ISAE-SUPAERO Merit Scholarships

Universite de Toulouse Fee Waiver
University

Universite de Toulouse Fee Waiver

CNES Space Scholarship
Research

CNES Space Scholarship

Airbus Foundation Scholarship
Corporate

Airbus Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship availability changes each intake cycle. Our team tracks these in real-time — speak to us before you apply.

Why StudyFrance.in

We've lived this
journey.
We walk it with you.

We've stood where you are — uncertain, hopeful, and afraid of getting it wrong.

What began as our own journey to France became a promise to guide others with honesty, not pressure. Our founders and partners don't just know about France — they live in Europe. Our co-founder pursued her Masters in France and calls Paris home today.

She didn't read about the experience online. She lived it. That means when you talk to us, you get reality — not a sales pitch built on brochures. We tell you what university interviews feel like. What the visa process actually requires. What Paris costs in January. What you'll miss about India, and what you'll love about France.

"We are always there to help or guide you — anytime — from India to France, forever."

— StudyFrance Founders & Co-owner, Paris

Our End-to-End Services

University Selection & Shortlisting

We match you with the right aerospace schools based on your profile, budget, and career goals — not what's easiest to sell.

Application & SOP Crafting

Our team has reviewed hundreds of successful applications to ISAE-SUPAERO, Ecole Polytechnique, CentraleSupelec, and more. We know what works.

Scholarship Guidance

We track all scholarship cycles and help you apply for every opportunity you qualify for — government and school-level.

Visa Support — Zero Guesswork

France visa applications can be complex. We guide you through every document, every step, with zero confusion.

Pre-Departure & Settlement Support

From accommodation hunting in Toulouse to setting up your French bank account — before and after you land.

Ongoing Mentorship — Always

Our co-owner in Paris and our France alumni network are always a WhatsApp message away, for as long as you need us.

Careers

Career Prospects After
Aerospace Engineering in France

€55K
Average starting salary
Aerospace engineers in France
1,200+
Aerospace companies
In Toulouse alone
2 yr
Post-study work visa
APS + Passeport Talent

France's aerospace industry is the largest in Europe and second only to the USA globally. Toulouse alone hosts over 1,200 aerospace companies including Airbus, ATR, Thales Alenia Space, and Safran — creating a job market that directly absorbs graduates from ISAE-SUPAERO, ENAC, and Universite de Toulouse.

Starting salaries for aerospace engineers in France range from €42,000 to €80,000 per year (₹37–72 lakhs), depending on specialisation. Propulsion, satellite systems, and project management roles command the highest premiums.

The 2-year APS work visa and the Passeport Talent visa (designed for engineers) create a powerful path for Indian graduates to build long-term aerospace careers in Europe. Many StudyFrance alumni now work at Airbus, Safran, Dassault, and ESA.

Job RoleAnnual Salary
Aerospace Design Engineer€45,000 – €68,000
Flight Test Engineer€48,000 – €70,000
Propulsion Engineer€50,000 – €75,000
Structural Analyst€42,000 – €62,000
Avionics Engineer€45,000 – €65,000
Satellite Systems Engineer€50,000 – €78,000
Aerospace Project Manager€55,000 – €80,000
FAQs

Your Aerospace
Questions, Answered.

Everything Indian students ask us before deciding to study Aerospace Engineering in France.

Absolutely. France is the heart of global aerospace — home to Airbus, Dassault Aviation, Safran, Ariane Group, and the European Space Agency. ISAE-SUPAERO is ranked the #1 aerospace school in France. For Indian students, it offers world-class technical education, mandatory internships at aerospace giants, a 2-year post-study work visa, and public university tuition as low as ₹0.2 lakhs/year. No other country offers this combination of aerospace industry access and affordability.

Free. Honest. No Pressure.

Ready to Launch Your
Aerospace Career?

Whether you're aiming for Airbus, ESA, or your own aerospace startup — our Paris-based team walks every step with you. From India. To France. Forever.