The Preparatory Training (abbreviated as CPGE in French) is the elite engineering basic training programme which is an essential part in the elite French university education system.  In France, the students can enter into Preparatory Training when graduated from high school and after a strict selection. The Preparatory Cycle of SIAE is  equivalent to the French scheme and is more difficult than the basic courses of other universities. This fully embodies the French CPGE focus with its high level requirements.

The SIAE Preparatory Cycle lasts three years. The first year focuses on training of the French language, and consolidating Mathematics, and Physics. The following two years strictly implements the French CPGE education, mainly teaching courses of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. In order to fully and systematically teach according to French education model, the SIAE has recruited a group of qualified, and experienced French teachers to teach these selected courses. Except language teaching (French and English), the scientific courses adopt the CPGE curriculum promulgated by the French Ministry of Education (MPSI+PSI for mathematics, and PCSI+PSI for physics and chemistry). The teaching covers theory teaching (Cours), laboratory teaching (Travaux Pratiques), group conducted courses (Travaux Dirigés), and different kinds of exams including weekly oral exams (colle). The scientific courses adopt the material in French, and together with some reference materials in Chinese and French. The main course is delivered in French or both French and Chinese. All the teaching is accomplished with the cooperation between French and Chinese teachers.

The Preparatory Cycle of SIAE also implements the “engineering training”  suggested by Chinese Ministry of Education, which attaches great importance to the teaching model of basic course teachings. In the teaching evaluation conducted by Chinese Ministry of Education every year, SIAE makes great achievements.