Application and admission
Admission to courses is open to all candidates who meet the requirements stated below. The number of places made available is limited. To apply, please use the online Application Form which contains complete information on the required documents, including reference letters and motivation letter, to be provided.
Entry requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- be between 30 and 48 years of age;
- have a minimum of 3 years of work experience at the central or regional administrative level in fields related to education planning and management;
- hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent degree, preferably in a field related to education, economics, or statistics;
- be fully proficient (read, write, and speak fluently) in either English or French (applicants whose first language or working language is neither English nor French must provide a certificate of proficiency for one of these languages);
- possess good computer skills in MS Word and Excel software, which will be necessary for the successful completion of the programme.
Female candidates will be given priority access in the case of equal admissions qualifications. Particular consideration will also be given to applications received from the least developed countries.
Application and selection procedures
For each year session, application forms must be completed online. The following documents are required:
- A detailed cover letter of motivation;
- A short declaration from the Ministry or home institution justifying the candidature and relating it to the institution’s staff development plan/prospects. The declaration from the employer should include an assurance that the candidate will resume the same or another position that allows them to demonstrate and practice the skills they have acquired on completion of the training at IIEP;
- An organizational chart of the Ministry or home institution;
- For public servants, an official stamped and signed letter from the candidate’s employer or National Commission to UNESCO presenting the application;
- Photocopies of certificates, diplomas, and degrees;
- Two confidential letters of reference;
- A language certificate, if applicant’s first language is neither English nor French.
All candidates submit applications to IIEP online, but candidates from Ministries and other public bodies must submit by email a letter of endorsement from their Ministry or the UNESCO National Commission. Candidates from non-governmental organizations and donor agencies only need an endorsement letter from their employer.
A Selection Committee reviews all applications for the programme. Candidates from government organizations are notified in writing, through the UNESCO National Commission of their country, of the outcome of their applications. Candidates from non-governmental organizations and donor agencies will be informed directly of the Selection Committee’s decision.
Successful candidates must confirm their intention to attend the programme, and inform IIEP of the steps taken to secure a grant. They must also submit a medical report to IIEP for transmission to the UNESCO Medical Service.
Candidates can only travel to Paris once fees have been paid and their medical files have been cleared by the UNESCO Medical Service.
Financial and practical information
Participation costs must be provided for by the participants.
The financial information will be provided to successful candidates together with the official admission letter. Admitted candidates are allowed to attend the programme only if the required amount has been transferred to IIEP before their arrival.
Financial assistance and grants
IIEP is not a funding institution and cannot offer financial assistance. Candidates are encouraged to apply to appropriate institutions for fellowships or grants.
While some participants attend the programme on a self-financing basis, most participants are funded by their employer, including Ministries, international organizations, and NGOs. These grants are generally funded from human resources development or institutional capacity development programmes sponsored by governments, international cooperation programmes, or directly through international partners such as development banks, bilateral agencies, or UN funds and programmes.
International agencies may be approached directly for funding of grants from non-earmarked or special funds available at their Headquarters or at Regional or Country Offices.
UNESCO Member States may submit a request for funding from the UNESCO Participation Programme through the UNESCO National Commission. The procedure and schedule for the submission of funding requests are available from the UNESCO web site.
Participation fees
Cost for ATP and ESP
The cost is €25,300 for participation in the ATP and €16,600 for participation in the ESP, which includes: registration fee, material (computer and software), living costs in Paris.
| REGISTRATION FEE | ATP | ESP |
| Programme costs including training materials: | 9,000 | 6,000 |
| Field visits: | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Administrative costs: | 800 | 500 |
| Total | 11,300 | 8,000 |
In order to participate in the different courses, the participants will need a laptop computer and software (estimated combined cost €1,000). To this amount, Participants should add costs related their return airfare and their living in Paris, as follow:
| LIVING COSTS IN PARIS | ATP | ESP |
| Medical examination fee for French resident permit: | 60 | 60 |
| Medical and civil insurance coverage | 480 | 240 |
| Lunch vouchers | 1,200 | 600 |
| Publications postage | 160 | 100 |
| Recommended monthly stipend (€1,600 per month) | 9,600 | 4,800 |
| Reservation fee for accommodation | 1,500 | 800 |
| Total | 13,000 | 6,600 |
Costs for SCP
The fee for each course offered in the SCP is €1,800. In addition to course fees, participants are required to make arrangements to cover: (i) return air fare (ii) accommodation and living expenses in Paris (estimated at a minimum of €100 per day); and (iii) subscription to a health/accident insurance policy, which is estimated at approximately €55 for a two-week to one-month subscription period.
In addition to participation fees, participants are required to make arrangements to cover:
- return airfare;
- accommodation and living expenses in Paris (estimated at a minimum of €100 per day);
- subscription to a health/accident insurance policy, which is estimated at approximately €55 for a two-week to one-month subscription period.
Training facilities
All participants have access to high-quality equipment, whether for face-to-face or distance learning. IIEP provides participants with the most modern pedagogical tools: classrooms fully equipped with innovative computer equipment, a Documentation Centre for resources which also provides a quiet study space, a cafeteria for lunch breaks and impromptu conversations, as well as other living spaces such as a flower garden and terrace – all of which create an atmosphere which energizes participants, motivating them to work hard and get the most out of their training.
Research environment
For training organized on IIEP’s premises, the Institute offers participants a unique research environment. Participants have individual access to frontline software and the Institute’s extensive database.
IIEP benefits from a rich Documentation Centre with more than 30,000 publications and over 500 specialized periodicals and journals devoted to educational policy, planning, management and related areas (economy, demographics, statistics, sociology, public administration, political science, etc.). Participants are also ensured free access to many other libraries and documentation centres in Paris. IIEP also provides access to important online resources such as Planipolis, and offers exchanges with online communities.
Accommodation
IIEP has no accommodation facilities of its own but assists participants in finding accommodation. Upon requests received from admitted candidates, IIEP can help to arrange accommodation.
The following websites may also be consulted: