Institut polytechnique des sciences avancées facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Institut Polytechnique des Sciences Avancées

Motto	L'air, l'espace, l'IPSA
Motto in English	The air, the space, the IPSA
Type	Private, Grande École
Established	1961
Director-Général	Anne-Ségolène Abscheidt
Administrative staff	200 (in 2022)
Students	2,188 (in 2022)
Location	Ivry-sur-Seine, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse , France
Campus	Urban
Colours
Nickname	IPSA
Affiliations	3AF, CDEFI, Concours Advance, Erasmus, ISSAT
Website	www.ipsa.fr

The Institut Polytechnique des Sciences Avancées (IPSA) is a special French engineering school. Its name means "Institute of Polytechnic Science and Aeronautics." It is a private grande école, which is a top French higher education school.

IPSA focuses on aerospace engineering. This means they teach students how to design, build, and fly things in the air and space. The school has campuses in Ivry-sur-Seine, Lyon, and Toulouse, France. The French government has recognized IPSA since 2010. Its diplomas have been approved by a special French committee since 2011.

IPSA was started in 1961. Since 1998, it has been part of the IONIS Education Group.

History of IPSA

How IPSA Started and Grew

Main entrance IPSA Paris

IPSA began in 1961 in Paris. It was founded by Michel Cazin, Maurice Pradier, and Paul Lefort. Only twenty students started their training that year.

In 1982, students took their first school trip. They visited the European Space Agency center in Guyana. In 1987, Henri Hertert, an airline pilot and former IPSA student, bought the school.

The institute moved to new buildings in Bagnolet in 1989. They stayed there for ten years. In 1998, the school faced money problems. The IONIS Education Group bought IPSA. Then, the school moved to Le Kremlin-Bicetre.

Getting Official Recognition

In 2005, the French government officially recognized IPSA's Master diploma. This meant it was a high-level qualification. In 2007, IPSA opened a second campus in Toulouse. It also joined the Erasmus Programme, which lets students study abroad. IPSA also started agreements with foreign universities for double degrees.

In 2009, IPSA moved to Ivry-sur-Seine. In 2010, the French state officially accredited the school. This was a big step for IPSA.

In 2011, a group called the Commission des Titres d'Ingénieur (CTI) approved IPSA. This allowed IPSA to give out the official "ingénieur" title. The CTI looked at IPSA's strengths, like motivated teachers and good job placements. They also suggested areas for improvement, such as more research and better English skills for students.

IPSA quickly created a new way to pick students. This was a special test called Concours Advance. In 2013, IPSA joined the Conference of the Directors of French Engineering Schools. The CTI extended its approval in May 2013. In 2018, IPSA received the EUR-ACE label, an international quality mark for engineering programs.

Since 2021, IPSA has been a member of the Union of Independent Grandes Écoles. Since 2023, it's also part of the Conférence des Grandes écoles.

IPSA organizes an annual air show called IPS’AIR. The most recent one happened in February 2023.

IPSA Toulouse campus

Leaders of IPSA

The current director of IPSA is Anne-Ségolène Abscheidt. She also holds a leadership role in Ingénieurs et scientifiques de France. She became the director of IPSA in June 2023. She is the tenth person to lead the school since it started in 1961.

How IPSA is Managed

IPSA Marseille Campus

The IONIS Education Group owns IPSA. The president of this group, Marc Sellam, is also the president of the school.

What Students Learn and Research

Study Programs

Entrance IPSA Toulouse

IPSA wants to train engineers who specialize in aerospace engineering. These engineers will have a strong understanding of how things fly and work in space. They will be ready for jobs in research and development.

The school offers a five-year program. In the fourth year, students can choose from five main areas:

• "Energy, spacecraft propulsion and engines"
• "Mechanics and aircraft structure"
• "Telecommunications, radar and radio navigation"
• "Embedded systems"
• "Mechatronics"

Students also pick one of ten smaller focus areas, called minors. These include "Entrepreneurship," "business marketing," and "Research Management."

In the fifth year, students choose from four options:

• "Avionics" (electronics for aircraft)
• "Aeronautical Systems Design"
• "Space Systems Design"
• "Management and Industrial Logistics"

From the very first year, students learn about aeronautics. They also get a strong science education. A lot of the learning happens through hands-on projects.

Students can also get an MBA degree in "business and international negotiation." This is in addition to their IPSA diploma. Or, they can spend their last year studying at a foreign university that partners with IPSA. Students complete eleven months of internships during their studies.

After graduating, former students can join the AAEIPSA (IPSA Alumni association). About 70% of graduates work in the aerospace industry. Many work in research and development (46%). Most find jobs in the Île-de-France region (57%).

To get into IPSA after high school, students must pass a test called "Advance." This test is also used by EPITA and ESME-Sudria. Together, these three schools offer about 900 spots. Students can also join IPSA in their second, third, or fourth year. This is for students who have studied at other schools or universities.

Since 2017, IPSA also offers Bachelors degrees in aeronautics. These are in addition to the longer Master's degree program.

Studying Abroad

Lyon Campus

IPSA has partnerships with universities around the world. These partnerships allow students to earn a Master of Science degree in addition to their IPSA degree. Some partner universities include:

• Shenyang Aerospace University in China
• Cranfield University in the UK
• Moscow State University in Russia
• Université Laval in Canada
• National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan

Students can also join the Erasmus Programme. This program lets them study in other European countries. IPSA also has agreements with The University of Arizona and University of California, San Diego in the United States.

Research Projects

Main Building IPSA Paris

In 2011, IPSA had three main research labs. These labs focused on:

• 3D computer graphics and calculations
• Mechatronics (combining mechanics and electronics)
• Fluid mechanics applied to aerodynamics (how air moves around objects)

The 3D computer graphics lab works on new ways to analyze signals and images. They partnered with a CNRS lab in 2010.

In 2006, a student group called IPS'action started the UNIV'air challenge. This challenge gives students research projects. They work with groups like the Association Aéronautique et Astronautique de France.

In 2008, students and researchers from the mechatronics lab created a UAVs (drone) project called "Hélitronix." This project was chosen for a special challenge funded by the French military. The same lab also works on the "Perseus project." This project develops rockets for the French space agency, CNES. Students from the AéroIPSA association help with this.

IPSA is also part of a group called ASTech Paris Région. This group helps develop many areas in aerospace, like aircraft engines and materials.

In 2011, the fluid mechanics lab got a new tool. This tool allowed them to create a digital wind tunnel. A wind tunnel helps test how air moves around objects.

A team from IPSA won an award in 2011 from GIFAS. This award was for a student aerospace challenge.

Famous Students

The French synchronized swimmers Charlotte and Laura Tremble are students at IPSA. They are expected to graduate in 2025.

Notable Alumni

IPSA Class of 2013

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See also

In Spanish: Institut polytechnique des sciences avancées para niños