EXPLANATION OF THE FRENCH SYSTEM
The French system is a traditional European system that differs slightly in terminology from the system used, for example, in the American continent. For this reason, we include below a brief comparison between these systems so as to help foreign students to figure out where to apply. Right from the beginning, we may say that the equivalent of applying for graduate school in countries like the US, Canada, or Brazil is to apply to the M2 program of MINT, see below for further detail.
As a M1 student
In Europe, M1 (“Master 1”) is commonly identified with the 4th year of study in a Mathematical program started immediately after high school. Some standard courses at the level in question would be differential geometry, Fourier transform, a standard course on ODE-PDE, Probability and Statistics. The main advantage of starting MINT program at M1 level is to allow the student more time to settle down in the French system and get acquainted with our Faculty from an earlier stage.
As a M2 student
M2 (“Master 2”) is the last year of study before being able to officially start your PhD thesis. M2 is therefore essentially equivalent to the 1st year of a PhD program in North or South American countries (e.g. Canada, US, and Brazil). The M2 program is concluded with the preparation of a “M2 report” on a chosen topic and under the guidance of an IMT faculty member: this report plays the role of the “qualifying exam” in the aforementioned countries in the sense that after successfully completing it you are able to enroll in “thesis preparation” (which corresponds to what it is called “PhD program” in the French system).
Applying for PhD fellowship
A “PhD fellowship’’ actually means a “Thesis fellowship”. In other words, the candidate is supposed to be ready to immediately start the elaboration of his/her PhD thesis and with the agreement of a supervisor from Toulouse. The possibility of applying straight for a “PhD fellowship = Thesis fellowship” is a distinctive characteristic of the French system. The fellowship in question lasts up to 3 years. To apply for a PhD fellowship, you need to provide a thesis project endorsed by an IMT faculty member who also agrees to become your supervisor in case your application is successful. It is therefore recommended to contact prospective thesis supervisors among the IMT faculty well in advance. Alternatively, by following our year long M2 program the candidate will naturally get in touch with the members of the IMT faculty so as to be in a good position to move from M2 to a Thesis fellowship leading to the PhD degree.