ISTOM
College of Advanced Studies
in International Agro-Development
College of Advanced Studies
in International Agro-Development
PRESENTATION
| ISTOM’s unique five-year M.Sc. programme at
Cergy-Pontoise in France prepares specialists in international
agro-development and leads to the ISTOM Diploma that is recognised by
the French Commission of "Engineering School" Diplomas. The school, founded in 1907, has over 2200 alumni worldwide and in almost all tropical and subtropical countries. |  |
The curriculum, the practical field projects, the four placements abroad and the numerous extra-curricular activities are also organised in partnership with key players in development work.
All opportunities to further meetings between the 80 students of each class and international corporations, development organisations, research centres as well as French and foreign universities are thus developed.
INTERNATIONAL AGRO-DEVELOPMENT
Africa, Latin America, South East Asia and more recently Eastern Europe...
International Agro-development includes all the sectors and professions related to farming, especially in developing countries.
Nine main sectors of activity are concerned, including farm production, agricultural supplies, the agri-food industry, development consulting, international institutions, research, humanitarian work, education and the marketing of agricultural produce and products.
ISTOM graduates find outlets in the numerous professions linked to development projects, in livestock farming, on plantations, in water management, trade and quality control etc.
International Agro-development includes all the sectors and professions related to farming, especially in developing countries.
Nine main sectors of activity are concerned, including farm production, agricultural supplies, the agri-food industry, development consulting, international institutions, research, humanitarian work, education and the marketing of agricultural produce and products.
ISTOM graduates find outlets in the numerous professions linked to development projects, in livestock farming, on plantations, in water management, trade and quality control etc.
ADMISSION
1st. Phase: Admissibility based on application file.
Admissibility to the competitive entrance exam is based on school results, teachers’ comments and the applicant’s letter of motivation in the application file.
2nd. Phase: Competitive Entrance Exam at Cergy.
5 written exams: Maths, biology, general knowledge, synthesis of text and English.
Oral Exam: Interview with a panel of professionals.
Candidates living abroad or in the DOM-TOM can do these exams in their country of residence.
Modality of admission into the first year
Baccalauréat S or STAE (good marks in the science subjects).
Modality of admission into the second year
Baccalauréat + a one-year science or agricultural diploma.
Modality of admission into the third year
Baccalauréat + a two-year science diploma.
Admissibility to the competitive entrance exam is based on school results, teachers’ comments and the applicant’s letter of motivation in the application file.
2nd. Phase: Competitive Entrance Exam at Cergy.
5 written exams: Maths, biology, general knowledge, synthesis of text and English.
Oral Exam: Interview with a panel of professionals.
Candidates living abroad or in the DOM-TOM can do these exams in their country of residence.
Modality of admission into the first year
Baccalauréat S or STAE (good marks in the science subjects).
Modality of admission into the second year
Baccalauréat + a one-year science or agricultural diploma.
Modality of admission into the third year
Baccalauréat + a two-year science diploma.
STUDY CURRICULUM
 | A programme that corresponds to professional realities and requirements. ISTOM’s international vocation and the specifics of apprehending economic development means that the pedagogical approach is of a cross-disciplinary and professional nature. Our ambition is to form scientifically curious, economically aware and inter-culturally sensitive graduates. |
The topics taught are grouped together in three modules(agronomics, economics and political and social sciences) that include theoretical classes, practical work and field projects.
Confronting and deepening theoretical knowledge with the professional realities of four obligatory placements is also an integral part of the study programme.
PLACEMENTS
The student does four placements during his or her studies.
First year: Placement on a farm (European Union).
Length: 1 to 2 months between July and September
Second year: Placement in development work (inter-tropical regions).
Length: 2 to 3 months between July and September.
Third year: Technical placement in a corporate context (inter-tropical regions or E. Europe).
Length: 3 to 4 months between June and September.
Fourth-Fifth year: Dissertation placement (inter-tropical regions).
Length: 6 to 8 months between May and December.
First year: Placement on a farm (European Union).
Length: 1 to 2 months between July and September
Second year: Placement in development work (inter-tropical regions).
Length: 2 to 3 months between July and September.
Third year: Technical placement in a corporate context (inter-tropical regions or E. Europe).
Length: 3 to 4 months between June and September.
Fourth-Fifth year: Dissertation placement (inter-tropical regions).
Length: 6 to 8 months between May and December.
PARTNERSHIPS
| A unique network of partners. ISTOM networks with a wide range of institutions, companies, consultants, ministries, universities and NGOs guaranteeing the pragmatism and effectiveness of the curriculum. |  |
These partnerships generate placements, pedagogical projects, placement tutors, class patronage as well as dissertation juries and are catalysts for students’ development projects.
ISTOM has also signed agreements with international schools for the fourth-year technical options (Cranfield University in England, ENSA-SIARC and CIRAD in Montpellier, Larenstein University in Holland and EIER in Burkina Faso).
PARTNERSHIPS
Placements:
Agence Française de Développement, A.F. Volontaires du progrès, ACF, Atladis, Amerger, APDRA-F, Aquasol, Arco, Aventis, BDPA, Bolloré, BRL, Cacao Barry, Calliope, Carrefour, Chambres d’Agriculture, Chiquita, CIRAD, Dagris, Dole, GRET, IFREMER, INRA, IRAD, IRAM, IRD, Katopé, Léon Vincent, MADERA, Maps Havelaar, Nutriset, OCAB, Océanic Développement, ODEADOM, ONUDI, Résolution, Sélection, SEPAM, Sivex, SOCAS, SOCFINCO, SOFRECO, Soufflet, Sumitomo, Technisem, Toscafé, Total Fina Elf, UNESCO, VSF, Vivendi...
Pedagogical and teaching partners:
ACDE, Agropolis, AUF-CIFEDA, Banque Mondiale, BRG, CDE, CIRADEMVT, CAMEL, CNEARC, EBI, EIER-ESTHER Ouagadougou, DG8, SICDA, CIDR, CNRS, Cranfield University Royaume-Uni, EADI, IGAL, ENSA Sénégal, Handicap international, INA-PG, ISAB, Université Larenstein Pays-Bas, Marchés tropicaux et méditéranéens, MSF, Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Natura, OCDE, OHADA, SIRA, Sup de Co Dakar, Y. Rocher...
Recent class patrons:
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Jacques Pelletier, Théodore Monod, RFI, IRD, CFD, GRDR, Max Havelaar, Action Contre la Faim...
Agence Française de Développement, A.F. Volontaires du progrès, ACF, Atladis, Amerger, APDRA-F, Aquasol, Arco, Aventis, BDPA, Bolloré, BRL, Cacao Barry, Calliope, Carrefour, Chambres d’Agriculture, Chiquita, CIRAD, Dagris, Dole, GRET, IFREMER, INRA, IRAD, IRAM, IRD, Katopé, Léon Vincent, MADERA, Maps Havelaar, Nutriset, OCAB, Océanic Développement, ODEADOM, ONUDI, Résolution, Sélection, SEPAM, Sivex, SOCAS, SOCFINCO, SOFRECO, Soufflet, Sumitomo, Technisem, Toscafé, Total Fina Elf, UNESCO, VSF, Vivendi...
Pedagogical and teaching partners:
ACDE, Agropolis, AUF-CIFEDA, Banque Mondiale, BRG, CDE, CIRADEMVT, CAMEL, CNEARC, EBI, EIER-ESTHER Ouagadougou, DG8, SICDA, CIDR, CNRS, Cranfield University Royaume-Uni, EADI, IGAL, ENSA Sénégal, Handicap international, INA-PG, ISAB, Université Larenstein Pays-Bas, Marchés tropicaux et méditéranéens, MSF, Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Natura, OCDE, OHADA, SIRA, Sup de Co Dakar, Y. Rocher...
Recent class patrons:
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Jacques Pelletier, Théodore Monod, RFI, IRD, CFD, GRDR, Max Havelaar, Action Contre la Faim...
OPENINGS AND CAREERS
 | ISTOM prepares pluri-disciplinary executives for
companies and organisations in international agro-development and
related fields. "Development project leader" would be the most representative job profile for our graduates’ know-how where their scientific ability and solid knowledge in agronomics combined with a pluri-disciplinary competence in agro-development engineering are sought-after qualities giving a wide-ranging understanding of sustainable development in rapidly-evolving and culturally diverse regions. |
Our alumni also work as plantation managers, in agri-food quality control, in the sales and marketing of agricultural inputs, as import-export executives and consultants for international organisations etc.
75 % work in the private sector, 21% for institutions and professional bodies and 5% for associations.
SECTORS OF ACTIVITY
Farms: 10%
Agricultural suppliers: 14%
Agri-food companies: 9%
Technical consultants and development engineering: 17%
International development institutions: 12%
Teaching and professional training: 5%
Applied research: 8%
International trade and trading: 11%
NGOs and aid work: 5%
Various tertiary sectors: 9%
Agricultural suppliers: 14%
Agri-food companies: 9%
Technical consultants and development engineering: 17%
International development institutions: 12%
Teaching and professional training: 5%
Applied research: 8%
International trade and trading: 11%
NGOs and aid work: 5%
Various tertiary sectors: 9%