Education: a talent incubator

Toulouse has established itself as a key European city for students and companies seeking highly qualified talent. Thanks to its excellent higher education institutions, every year the city trains engineers, researchers and experts in strategic sectors such as aeronautics, space, agronomy and digital technology.

A talent hub for strategic sectors

Aerospace: home to Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and a multitude of innovative SMEs, Toulouse is at the global forefront of aerospace technology.
Digital & IoT: the sector’s dynamism is driven by specialised clusters, fast-growing start-ups and a strong culture of collaborative innovation.
AgriTech & Biotechnology: applied research, sustainable innovation and numerous public-private partnerships are supporting the region’s transition towards ecological and food sustainability.

The training programmes offered in Toulouse are designed to meet the technological and industrial challenges of tomorrow, with courses focused on research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Exceptional education

Toulouse stands out for the quality of its higher education institutions. Two of its universities, Toulouse 1 Capitole and Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, feature in the prestigious 2021 Shanghai Academic Ranking.
The city is also a global hub for aeronautics, with schools such as ISAE-SupAero and ENAC training engineers and pilots who are recognised around the world.

The Toulouse School of Economics (TSE), headed by Nobel Prize winner Jean Tirole, is a benchmark in economics. Toulouse Business School (TBS) ranks 7th among French business schools.
Finally, the Toulouse School of Management (TSM) has an excellent employment rate, with 90% of its graduates in employment one year after graduation.

An international university hub

Toulouse is a young and dynamic city, a true university hub that welcomes 147,748 students enrolled in the Toulouse Academy, with 117,000 students, including 12,000 foreign students, in Toulouse Métropole. The Toulouse metropolitan area is home to some of Europe’s best engineering schools and universities, renowned for their academic excellence and close ties with major industrial groups. The Federal University of Toulouse comprises 23 higher education institutions and six research organisations.

AN ACADEMIC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

THE “COMUE”

The Toulouse Community of Universities and Institutions brings together 15 institutions and major research organisations, forming a unique and multidisciplinary academic hub. With 15 doctoral schools and more than 140 laboratories, the COMUE is a major research centre that attracts Master’s students, doctoral students and researchers.

10 engineering schools

ISAE-SUPAERO: Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space), internationally renowned in the field of aeronautics and space.
INSA: Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (National Institute of Applied Sciences), a generalist school offering numerous specialisations.
Mines Albi-Carmaux: General engineering school.
Toulouse INP (National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse), which includes several schools:
- • ENSEEIHT: Electrical engineering, electronics, computer science, hydraulics, telecommunications.
- • ENSIACET: Chemistry, process engineering, materials.
- • ENSAT: Agronomy and environment.
- • PURPAN: Life sciences, agriculture and agri-food
- • ENM: National School of Meteorology
- • ENIT: National School of Engineers of Tarbes
- • National Veterinary School

8 specialised schools

Toulouse School of Economics
Toulouse School of Management
TBS Education: Business and Management School
Sciences Po Toulouse: Institute of Public Affairs
ENFA Toulouse-Auzeville: National School of Agricultural Education
ICAM: Catholic Institute of Arts and Crafts
ENAC: National School of Civil Aviation, specialising in aeronautics and air transport professions
ENSA: National School of Architecture of Toulouse

The favourite city of students*

Regularly ranked among the most attractive cities for students, Toulouse appeals for:
☀️ its exceptional quality of life: pleasant climate, cultural heritage, gastronomy.
🚆 its accessibility: efficient transport network, proximity to Spain and major European capitals.
🌟 its atmosphere: more than 120,000 students, a rich community life, cultural and sporting events.

This attractiveness helps to retain locally trained talent, who often choose to stay and build their careers there.

*In 2025, the magazine L’Étudiant voted Toulouse the best city for students.