Institut national des sciences appliquées de Toulouse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
National Institute for Applied Sciences (INSA Toulouse)

Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse
Type	Grande école d'ingénieurs (public research university Engineering school)
Established	1963; 62 years ago (1963)
Parent institution	Institut national des sciences appliquées (INSA)
Academic affiliations	Conférence des Grandes écoles Federal University of Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées Toulouse Tech
President	Bertrand RAQUET
Students	3,169 38% female 23% international
Location	Toulouse , France
Language	English-only & French-only instruction
Website	http://www.insa-toulouse.fr/

INSA Toulouse

Location in France

The Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse (INSA Toulouse) is a special engineering school in France. It's like a top-level university for training engineers. The school is located in the city of Toulouse. It is one of six similar schools in the INSA network across France.

INSA Toulouse was started in 1963. Its main goal is to train highly skilled engineers. It also focuses on ongoing learning and scientific research. Since 2007, it has been part of the University of Toulouse. The school is quite selective, meaning it's not easy to get in. However, it values diversity and welcomes students from all backgrounds. About 38% of its students are female, and 23% come from other countries.

The school is found next to the Canal du Midi. It is part of a big university campus in Toulouse. This campus also includes other important schools like Supaero and ENAC. INSA Toulouse works closely with many other universities and schools in the area. They all form the Federal University of Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées. This helps them offer great training and research programs together.

What Students Learn

Toulouse Tech logo

A view of Toulouse, France

INSA Toulouse is one of the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) engineering schools. These schools are known as Grandes Écoles in France. They are special higher education institutions, separate from regular public universities. Think of them like very selective, top-tier colleges. They are similar to the Ivy League schools in the United States.

Grandes Écoles are very competitive to get into. Their classes are usually smaller than those at big public universities. Many programs are taught in English. Students often get chances for international internships and study abroad. These schools also have strong connections with the government and businesses. This helps students find great jobs after graduating.

Engineering Degrees

INSA Toulouse changed its study program in 2002. This was to fit the European 3/5/8 system. Students now study for five years to get their engineering degree. The program starts with one year of general studies. Then, there are two years of pre-specialization. The last two years are for deep specialization in a specific field.

Getting into INSA Toulouse has become even harder since this change. It is now one of the most selective universities in France. Students often need very high grades from their high school exams to be accepted.

Study Areas

INSA Toulouse offers master's level degrees in eight main areas. These are called Diplôme d'Ingénieur:

• Biological engineering
• Mathematical modeling and AI (Artificial Intelligence)
• Mechanical engineering
• Applied physics
• Civil engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Computer and networks engineering
• Automatic control and Electronics

Other INSA schools in places like Lyon or Rennes offer different specializations.

Advanced Studies

Besides the main engineering degrees, students can also pursue other advanced programs.

Research Masters

These programs focus on research and are taught in French. Some examples include:

• Civil Engineering: Looking at new materials and structures for building.
• Mechanical/Energy/Thermic Engineering: Studying how fluids move, energy, and heat transfer.
• Mechanical Engineering: Focusing on the science of materials and structures.
• Embedded Networks and Connected Objects: Learning about security for smart devices and networks.

Post Master's Degrees

INSA Toulouse also offers three special post-master's degrees. These are for students who already have a master's degree. They are taught in English:

• Advanced Master in Safety Engineering & Management
• Advanced Master Business Engineering and International Affairs
• Advanced Master in Innovative and Secure IoT systems

Masters of Science and Technology

Four master's degrees are designed especially for international students:

• Electronic systems for embedded communications and applications
• Fluids Engineering for Industrial Processes
• Water Engineering and Water Management
• Industrial & Safety Engineering

PhD Programs

Students can also work towards a PhD (Doctoral degree) at INSA Toulouse. These programs are managed with other universities in Toulouse. PhD candidates can study in many fields, such as:

• Aeronautics and Astronautics
• Electrical, Electronic, and Telecommunications Engineering
• Mathematics, Informatics, and Telecommunications
• Mechanics, Energetics, Civil Engineering, and Processes
• Materials Sciences
• Ecology, Agronomy, Bioengineering, and Veterinary Sciences
• Systems engineering

International Opportunities

Every student at INSA Toulouse must spend at least 12 weeks abroad. This can be a semester at a partner university or an internship. Many students choose to stay abroad for even longer.

In Europe, students can exchange through the Erasmus program. INSA Toulouse has partnerships with universities in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other countries. The school also offers double-degree programs with 20 universities around the world. These include institutions in Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, and Spain.

INSA Toulouse also takes part in several exchange programs:

• ERASMUS: Over 130 agreements with universities in 21 European countries.
• ECIU University: Since 2019, INSA is part of a European Alliance University. This is a research and training partnership with 12 European schools.
• FITEC: Programs for training and internships with universities in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico.
• Summer Schools: Summer programs with the University of Texas at Austin and Mississippi State University in the U.S.
• ASINSA: For Asian students (mainly from China, Vietnam, and Malaysia) interested in engineering in France.
• IBERINSA: For Spanish-speaking students interested in engineering in France.

Research at INSA Toulouse

INSA Toulouse is involved in many exciting research areas. These include:

• Aeronautics, space, and embedded systems (like computers in cars or planes)
• Environment, health, biotechnologies, and energy
• Nanosciences and nanotechnologies (working with tiny materials)
• Towns, urban networks, and information networks
• Biomathematics and bioinformatics (using math and computers to study biology)

The school works with other institutions on its research projects. It has eight main research laboratories:

• Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (LISPB)
• Laboratory of Physics and Chemistry of Nano-objects (LPCNO)
• Laboratory for Materials and Construction Works Durability (LMDC)
• Institut Clément Ader
• Institut de Mathématiques de Toulouse (IMT)
• Laboratoire National des Champs Magnétiques Intenses (LNCMI)
• Laboratoire d'analyse et d'architecture des systèmes (LAAS)
• Centre for Materials Elaboration and Structural Studies (CEMES)

Student Life and Culture

The campus at INSA Toulouse is very lively! Students have many cultural activities to choose from. The student association, L’Amicale des Elèves, has over 70 clubs. These clubs offer a huge range of activities. You can find outdoor and indoor sports, arts, special events, and social actions.

There is also a student hall and a party hall. Students can organize their own events there. The school's newspaper keeps everyone updated on campus life. A web radio station, "Radio Insa Toulouse," started in 2007. It helps students and staff communicate better. Every year, there's a fun race around campus called “Les 100 tours de l’INSA.” All student associations join in for two days of celebration.

In 2000, a student group called Les Enfoiros was created. This group helps a French charity called Les Restos du Coeur. This charity gives free meals to people in need. Les Enfoiros raise money through concerts and other events all year. They have raised about €250,000 for the charity so far!

The AIIT is another very active student association. It helps former students stay in touch. It also advises current students and graduates on their careers. The AIIT helps the school's board and professors work together. It also promotes the school and its values.

The Toulouse Ingénierie Multidisciplinaire (TIM) is a cool student association. They design and build super fuel-efficient prototype cars. The TIM was founded in 1995. Every year, they compete in the Shell Eco Marathon. This is a European competition to see which vehicle can travel the longest distance on just one liter of fuel. The TIM team is one of the best in the world. They have broken several world records, like going 3350 km on one liter of ethanol fuel in 2009!

Rankings and How Hard It Is to Get In

INSA Toulouse is highly ranked both in France and internationally.

• In 2010, L'Express magazine ranked it 2nd among 5-year engineering schools.
• In 2021, L'Etudiant magazine ranked it 2nd for academic excellence among 5-year schools in France. It was 3rd overall.
• The Shanghai Ranking by Subject 2021 placed INSA Toulouse in the world's top 200 for mathematics. It was also in the world's top 300 for biotechnologies. This is impressive for a school of its size!

Here's how hard it is to get into INSA Toulouse after high school:

Famous People Who Studied Here

Many successful people have graduated from INSA Toulouse. Here are a few:

• Pierre Andurand: A well-known manager of large investment funds.
• Sylvie Lorente: A respected academic, elected to the Academia Europaea.
• Louis Castex: A former director of INSA Toulouse and president of the University of Toulouse.
• Pierre Monsan: A biochemist and entrepreneur who founded Toulouse White Biotechnology.
• Didier Quillot: A chairman of a major media company.
• Jean Botti: The former Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of EADS (now Airbus).
• Richard Attias: A Moroccan-born businessman.
• Romain Mesnil: A French pole vaulter.
• Jean Bouilhou: A rugby player who played for the French national team.
• Thomas Castaignède: A rugby player who played for the French national team.
• David Skrela: A rugby player who played for the French national team.

See also

In Spanish: Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Aplicadas de Toulouse para niños