The Higher National School of Architecture of Saint-Etienne is one of the renowned public schools in France. The school is situated in a training and living area that is an integral part of the community. Located in an old factory, right in the town centre, the school is in direct contact with social and urban life encapsulating the values of its territory. Saint-Etienne Metropole, with its 450,000 inhabitants offers excellent quality of life thanks to its environment : a town with a strong past in art and history that also benefits from a remarkable industrial heritage and is home to a number of architectural achievements that bear witness to modernity. Structure of the Curriculum Installed since its creation in the town center of Saint-Etienne, the Higher National School of Architecture of Saint-Etienne owes his singularity with his territorial context.

Opened on its environment, it integrates in its pedagogy the contemporary stakes of spaces that it close, without losing sight of the fact its centre of gravity: architecture. The programme is made up of two phases: a three-year (6 semesters) Bachelor degree (B Arch) and a two-year (4 semesters) Master degree (M Arch). Both are accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Communication and by the Ministry of Higher Education.

One additional year of study is needed for professional qualification. The title ofarchitect is indeed protected by law. Completion of this qualification is requested to enter the Register of architects.

Research Programme

Research, essential with the renewal of the taught knowledge and the futurology for the trades of tomorrow, is particularly active on the mechanisms and the policies of transformation of the city and the territory.

The Higher National School of Architecture of Saint-Etienne has had an activity of research for several years, in a close connection with the university Jean Monnet and the network of the schools of architecture of the Rhône-Alpes area

The ENSASE currently lays out of competent teams : Industrial territories, Architecture of high scale and Rural teritories and results concretely in conferences and publications. 

The Higher National School of Architecture of Saint-Etienne is member of Conference des Grandes Ecoles, Grands Ateliers de l’Isle d’Abeau, Alliance des Grandes écoles Rhône-Alpes Auvergne (AGERA) and Association Européenne des Écoles d’Architecture (AEEA)