Our experience: 120 years of innovation and evolution
ESA, Ecole Supérieure d’Agricultures, was created 1898 with the encouragement of professionals from the rural world in the West of France. They wanted to develop the agricultural sector by creating a school specialised in training engineers in agriculture.
Throughout the 20th century, new developments and training (distance learning, Bac +2, 3 and more study programmes) activities were added to the school’s original goals.
We help people from all walks of life to attain a higher education or professional qualification, to achieve their professional goals. Our agricultural training centre implements various educational systems that emphasise experience, individual support and moral reflection.
Open to the world: welcoming visitors
ESA is in Angers in the West of France, the leading agricultural and agri-food region in France. ESA is part of the Université Bretagne Loire, collaborating with universities in Angers and Nantes, and the grandes écoles within the Pays de la Loire (Oniris, Agrocampus Ouest, etc.). It actively contributes to plant (Végépolys) and agri-food (Valorial) competitiveness clusters.
In addition, ESA’s CFA (networked apprenticeship training centre) promotes apprenticeships in 22 lycées (higher secondary schools) affiliated with the CNEAP network (Conseil National de l’Enseignement Agricole Privé – National council of private agricultural educational establishments) of the Pays de la Loire.
At national level, ESA is one of the four private undergraduate and graduate agricultural schools (grandes écoles d’agriculture) that make up FESIA (Fédération des Ingénieurs pour l’alimentation, l’agriculture et l’environnement – French network for Education and Research in Life Sciences). The other members are; ISARA in Lyon, ISA in Lille and INP in Toulouse. ESA is also part of CNEAP, CGE (Conférence des Grandes Ecoles – Conference of Grandes Ecoles) and FESIC (Fédération d’Écoles Supérieures d’Ingénieurs et de Cadres – Federation of Higher Schools of Engineering and Business Studies).
On the international platform, ESA is a well-known participant in European exchange programmes (Erasmus+, etc.), collaborates with, amongst others, China, Brazil, Russia and Argentina and has developed partnerships with 139 universities from all over the world, more than 10 of which propose double qualifications with ESA. With Erasmus+ recognised Master’s programmes, 250 international students hosted each year (35 different nationalities) and some ten visiting lecturers, ESA has real international cachet.
Expertise: for all
Since its very beginnings, ESA has undertaken applied research in the agricultural and agri-food sectors and trained professionals to respond to contemporary issues. This expertise and research permeates through our training programmes.
• Education and Training: ESA is different in that it offers all levels of higher education from Bac to Doctorate. Different modes of teaching make courses available to people from different walks of life: full-time (initial and continuous), work-study (apprenticeship agreements and professional training contracts), distance learning and validation of professional experience (VAE). Each year, 2,500 students choose to study at ESA making it one of the leading agricultural higher educational groups in France.
• Professional: ESA provides employee training, research, assistance in recruitment, counselling and special training for foreign employees. These services keep us in step with the challenges and realities of the professional world. Nearly 2,000 French and foreign business partners place their trust in us each year!
• Research: ESA has always been a pioneer in responsible agriculture. This is reflected in the school-business programmes, ‘Changes in Agriculture’ and ‘Ecologically Intensive Agriculture’. Given the growing food needs of mankind, our research reflects the issues and challenges facing society, such as, for example, learning to produce both more and better by ensuring the renewal of the planet’s resources or, with an aging population, guaranteeing elderly people a healthy diet.
Our mission: help feed the world intelligently
ESA aims to meet this huge goal, commiting to the food-processing and rural sectors and training young people accordingly, by:
- Combining training and education – the transmission of knowledge and initiation to professional life
- Mobilising intelligence, imagination, emotion, passion, physical skills and intuition
- Remaining open to the versatility of education, training for professional life and international relations
- Continuing as a school of agriculture for today and tomorrow
