Overview

The Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA Lyon) is a French grande école and engineering school. Located on the La Doua — LyonTech campus in Villeurbanne, a suburb of Lyon, the school was founded in 1957 to train highly qualified engineers, support continuing education, and conduct research.  Created in 1957 by philosopher Gaston Berger and Rector Jean Capelle, INSA Lyon is the oldest and largest of the six schools making up the INSA Group. INSA engineers lead careers built around a logic of high adaptability, a pioneering approach to science and technology, and a strong sense of social responsibility. 

INSA Lyon is one of the largest engineering graduate schools in Europe and operates a fully integrated Education, Research and Innovation approach. Located on the LyonTech campus, INSA Lyon delivers every year more than 1,000 engineering degrees (Diplôme d'Ingénieur equivalent to a Master's degree), about 100 other Master's degrees, and about 130 PhDs. Since its creation in 1957, international development has been essential, with more than 200 bilateral agreements for academic and research partnerships. Organised around 5 societal challenges involving 23 laboratories, research at INSA Lyon involves about 700 teachers and researchers, 600 PhD students and carries over 1,000 industrial contracts. 

INSA Lyon was founded in 1957 as a specialist engineering school and grande école. It is a member of the INSA Network, which is the largest organisation for engineering faculties in France. INSA Lyon is also an affiliate of the University of Lyon, the second largest university in the nation. The LyonTech-La Doua campus is part of a vibrant cluster of science, technology and engineering institutions in Lyon — France's second-largest city and its gastronomy, biotech, and innovation capital, ranked the best European destination by the 2021 World Travel Awards.

The 2025 Shanghai Ranking ranked INSA Lyon 33rd in the world and 1st in France for Mechanical Engineering. According to the 2026 QS World University Rankings, INSA Lyon is among the top 30% of higher education institutions worldwide and ranks 10th in France.  For the past ten years, INSA Lyon has been consistently the most desired Engineering school by French high school students who express their wishes through the national Parcoursup portal. 

Intakes

INSA Lyon follows the French academic calendar with one primary intake per year.

Primary Intake — Fall Semester (September):

• 5-year Diplôme d'Ingénieur (standard French track): Applications via Parcoursup (February–March for EU/French students); international sections (ASINSA, EURINSA, GLOBALINSA) have separate deadlines beginning from November
• International Bachelor (IBMMAE — English-taught): Application form available on the INSA Lyon website; rolling admissions; apply by February–April for September entry
• Research Master's / PhD programs: Apply directly to the relevant department; rolling admissions year-round; PhD applications typically close March–June for September start

Important for Indian Students:

• The EEF (Études en France / Campus France) procedure is mandatory for non-EU students; complete through the French Embassy in India (New Delhi or Chennai)
• CVEC (Student Campus Life Contribution): €103/year — mandatory for all enrolled students
• All international students are required to demonstrate French language proficiency (B2 level) for French-taught tracks; English-only programs (IBMMAE and GLOBALINSA) are available for non-French speakers
• INSA Lyon has held the Welcome to France label since 2019 — indicating structured support for international arrivals including airport pickup, administrative assistance, and intensive French language courses
• Post-study: France offers an 18-month APS job-seeker visa for graduates; EU Blue Card pathway available for qualified engineers

Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level and English-taught program admissions. Students are encouraged to verify specific intake dates on insa-lyon.fr.

Top Courses

In the first two years of undergraduate study, students enter a first cycle in which they study courses across five subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Sciences and Mathematics. In the second cycle, students choose which specialty they will study on a three-year course, at the end of which they receive a Master's of Engineering qualification. Courses are taught in French, German, or English. Of the first cycle of courses, 80% are in English. 

INSA Lyon's curriculum is organised around 9 Engineering Departments for its flagship Diplôme d'Ingénieur, plus dedicated international programs and research Master's degrees:

Flagship: Diplôme d'Ingénieur (5-year integrated Master's equivalent)

• Biosciences Engineering (Génie Biologique)
• Civil Engineering (Génie Civil et Urbanisme)
• Electrical Engineering (Génie Électrique)
• Computer Science (Informatique)
• Mechanical Engineering (Génie Mécanique) — #1 France, #33 World (Shanghai 2025)
• Materials Engineering (Science des Matériaux)
• Chemical Engineering (Génie Chimique — Procédés)
• Energy Engineering (Génie Énergétique et Environnement)
• Telecommunications (Télécommunications, Services et Usages)

International Programs (English-taught / Bilingual):

• IBMMAE — International Bachelor in Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering — 3-year English-taught program; partnership with University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Twente (Netherlands), and Czech Technical University; EU and non-EU tuition same
• GLOBALINSA — International section of the 5-year Diplôme d'Ingénieur; taught in English; students from all over the world; integrated into the standard engineering curriculum
• ASINSA — International section with a focus on Asia; half the students from Asian countries including China, Vietnam, and Malaysia; special 3-week summer school prior to first year included in fees 
• EURINSA — European section; 50% French, 50% European students; focus on European multilingual engineering environment

Research Master's Degrees (partly English-taught):

• MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering
• MSc in Materials for Energy
• MSc in Embedded Systems and Connected Objects
• MSc in Civil Engineering and Urban Planning
• MSc in Bioinformatics and Modelling

PhD Programs (via 23 Research Laboratories):

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering / Materials Science
• PhD in Computer Science and AI
• PhD in Energy and Environment
• PhD in Civil Engineering
• PhD in Biosciences

Cost of Studying at Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA)

INSA Lyon is a publicly-funded French grande école, making its tuition fees exceptionally low by international standards. The French government subsidises a significant portion of the cost for all students, including internationals enrolled in state-recognised programs.

The tuition fee for the International Bachelor (IBMMAE) is €7,300 per year for each year of the programme; the semester abroad at the University of Strathclyde or the University of Twente is included in this sum; the tuition fees are the same for EU and non-EU students.  For the EURINSA international section, specific tuition fees are €2,550 to be paid only once for the entire program when registering for the first year; the cost of the 3-week summer school is included.  For the ASINSA section, specific tuition fees are €5,350 to be paid only once for the entire ASINSA program when registering for the first year. 

Lyon is significantly more affordable than Paris, making INSA Lyon one of the best value-for-money engineering education destinations in Europe.

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 EUR = ₹91. INSA Lyon offers among the lowest engineering tuition fees in Europe for internationally recognised qualifications. Lyon is France's second-largest city and significantly more affordable than Paris. France requires non-EU student visa applicants to demonstrate approximately €7,380/year in financial resources. Please refer to INSA Lyon's official website (insa-lyon.fr) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

The INSA Group offers a wide range of support to cover most of the costs, offering access to excellence independently from socio-economic background. Publicly-funded institutions, the INSA schools provide an attractive rate of tuition fees thanks to state sponsorship. International tuition fees may also be subsidised for newcomers, in line with the international strategy of the school. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• Bourse des Filières Internationales (BFI) Scholarship — Specifically targeted at students from underprivileged backgrounds enrolled in INSA Lyon's international sections; scholarship of up to €2,000 per year deducted from accommodation and catering bills; not paid directly to the student but credited against campus living costs; duration up to 3 years provided the student progresses successfully 
• Éiffel Excellence Scholarship — Prestigious French Government award by Campus France; covers tuition, living allowance (~€1,181/month for Master's), travel, and insurance; INSA Lyon is an eligible institution; apply through the French Embassy in India in January of the enrollment year
• French Government Scholarships — Awarded through French embassies (SCACs) in India; covers various cost components for eligible non-EU students; apply at the French Embassy in New Delhi
• INSA Lyon Research PhD Scholarships — Fully-funded PhD positions (CIFRE contracts with industry, ANR-funded projects, and European H2020/Horizon grants) available through INSA's 23 research laboratories; stipend of approximately €1,500–€2,000/month; apply directly to the relevant laboratory
• CAF Housing Allowance (APL/ALS) — The French government provides financial assistance to all students living in France (including internationals) in the form of CAF grants that cover around 30% of rental costs ; approximately €100–€200/month reduction on accommodation costs
• ERASMUS+ Mobility Grants — Available for exchange semesters to partner universities in Europe; INSA Lyon has 200+ bilateral agreements for student mobility
• Scholarship from Indian Government (ICCR) — Indian Council for Cultural Relations offers scholarships to Indian students for study in France; check ICCR website annually for availability
• Campus France Excellence Scholarships — Various country-specific excellence awards administered through Campus France India

Note: Indian students at INSA Lyon should immediately register for the CAF housing allowance upon arriving in France — this is available to all students regardless of nationality and significantly reduces the cost of living.

Admissions

The Polytechnic Institute of Paris's acceptance rate is at 10%, indicating that admission is tough and that the screening process is extremely rigorous. All academic programmes are created for top-tier students who have exceptional talent and are capable of completing a rigorous course load.  INSA Lyon individually is similarly selective, particularly for its flagship engineering programs.

For the International Bachelor (IBMMAE — English-taught, recommended for Indian students):

• Completion of Class 12 (CBSE / ISC / IB) with strong results in Mathematics and Physics
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 / equivalent
• Application form available on the INSA Lyon IBMMAE website (ibmmae.insa-lyon.org)
• Supporting documents: transcripts, CV, motivation letter, reference letter
• No French language requirement for IBMMAE
• Rolling admissions; apply early (February–April) for September entry

For the Diplôme d'Ingénieur (5-year integrated program — French/International sections):

• Class 12 with excellent results in Mathematics, Physics, and Science (top academic record strongly recommended)
• French language proficiency (B2 level) for French-taught tracks; English track (GLOBALINSA) available
• For ASINSA: knowledge of an Asian language is advantageous
• Campus France EEF procedure mandatory for non-EU students
• Applications via the INSA Lyon international admissions portal; 3 rounds beginning November

For Research Master's and PhD Programs:

• Bachelor's degree / Diplôme d'Ingénieur in a relevant engineering or science field
• Strong academic record with research experience or thesis
• IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90+ (for English-taught programs)
• French B2 for French-taught Master's programs
• Research proposal and academic references required for PhD applications
• Apply directly to the relevant department at insa-lyon.fr

Indian students can check INSA Lyon's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus

Placements

Lyon's position as France's biotechnology capital, its thriving industrial ecosystem (automotive, chemicals, energy, aerospace, digital), and its emerging status as a tech startup hub give INSA Lyon engineering graduates exceptional career access across France, Europe, and globally. The placement rate at INSA Lyon is 90%. 

At IP Paris-affiliated institutions and comparable grandes écoles, a little over 47% of graduates enter the corporate sector, 29% pursue a PhD, 15% opt for the public sector, and 3% establish their own startup. More than 65% of graduates find employment well before graduating.  INSA Lyon engineers are recruited directly by leading companies through an active campus recruitment programme, and the INSA brand carries significant employer recognition across France and francophone Europe.

Jobs After Graduating from INSA Lyon

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 EUR = ₹91. INSA Lyon Diplôme d'Ingénieur holders are classified as Master's-level engineers by French and EU law — directly eligible for engineer-grade roles. Graduates who move to Germany, Switzerland, UK, or Scandinavia typically earn 30–50% more. Actual salaries vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

INSA Lyon's career support ecosystem includes:

• INSA Lyon Career Centre (Relations Entreprises) — Year-round career support including CV workshops, mock interviews, employer presentations, sector career fairs, and the online job portal for internships and graduate roles
• 1,000+ Industrial Contracts / Year — INSA Lyon's research involves about 700 teachers and researchers, 600 PhD students, and carries over 1,000 industrial contracts per year ; many translate into direct industry-academia internships and job offers for graduating engineers
• CIFRE Industrial PhD Contracts — Jointly funded by companies and the French National Research Agency; PhD students are employed by a company while conducting research at INSA Lyon; provides both a salary (€2,000/month+) and a PhD degree
• INSA Group Network — France's largest engineering education network with campuses in Lyon, Toulouse, Rennes, Rouen, Strasbourg, and Hauts-de-France; shared employer network and alumni database of 100,000+ Insaliens worldwide
• Erasmus+ and International Partnerships — 200+ bilateral agreements enable international internships and industry placements across Europe and Asia
• LyonTech Campus Ecosystem — INSA Lyon shares the La Doua campus with Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, École Centrale de Lyon, and ENS Lyon Sciences, creating a rich interdisciplinary environment for research careers
• INSA Alumni Association (Insaliens) — Active alumni network connecting 100,000+ graduates across engineering, energy, consulting, defence, automotive, and technology sectors
• French Post-Study APS Visa — International INSA graduates eligible for an 18-month job-seeker visa in France; no employer sponsorship required; facilitates a smooth transition to careers in France or Europe

For personalised guidance on INSA Lyon admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.