Training for the entrance exams of the MEAE with Inalco

27 February 2026

  • Competition

  • IR program

  • Continuing education

  • Menu Education

The International Relations program and the Executive Education department have joined forces to offer 14 weeks of preparation for the Foreign Affairs and Administrator exams – Orient track – with language support in Modern Standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Swahili.
Ministère des affaires étrangères - Quai d'Orsay
Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères - Quai d'Orsay © MEAE‎

Optimizing the performance of candidates in the written eligibility tests

Since 1986, the International Relations program at Inalco has been training analysts through a multidisciplinary approach combining social sciences, regional specializations, and proficiency in Oriental languages. This program has contributed to the careers of numerous diplomats who have successfully passed the competitive examinations for the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Building on this foundation, Inalco, in conjunction with its Executive Education program, offers structured preparation for the Foreign Ministry competitive examinations (Oriental Studies track), designed to strengthen knowledge, methodology, and performance in the written exams.

Who is this training for? How do I apply?

This training program is open to anyone preparing for the competitive examinations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Middle East Administration track who wishes to benefit from structured support to improve their chances of success: students completing their Master's degree, recent graduates, professionals undergoing career transitions, and civil servants.

Admission to the program is based on application review (CV, cover letter, copy of highest diploma, transcripts or academic results for candidates applying to the external competitive examination).

Two modules are offered to help candidates prepare:

The training program is structured around a combination of theoretical sessions, text analysis, case studies, simulations, methodological exercises, and in-depth feedback from instructors.

Two modules can be taken independently or together:

Module 1 – Cross-cutting Courses (108 hours + 27 hours of practice exams)
International relations, regional issues, international law, European affairs, English, practice exercises.

Module 2 – Oriental Language (36 hours + 6 hours of practice exams)
Targeted support in Modern Standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, or Swahili.

Upon request, other Oriental languages ​​from those included in the entrance exam can be added, in addition to the default languages ​​(Modern Standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Swahili). Subject to sufficient enrollment or individual requests, Inalco can mobilize its network of specialist teachers to organize targeted support in the chosen language.

Practical Information

The preparation course runs for 14 weeks from May to September 2026, including 2 weeks of reading.

144 hours of in-person instruction, 33 hours of practice exams and mock entrance exams.

Course start date: May 4, 2026
Summer break: July 13 to August 21 inclusive
Course end date: September 18, 2026

Classes are held in the evenings, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Languages ​​and Civilizations Center of Inalco, 65 rue des Grands Moulins, 75013 Paris.

See the training offer in detail