Published on April 1, 2026 – Updated on April 1, 2026

Polytech Clermont, the commonly used name of the University Engineering School of Clermont Auvergne INP, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019: over half a century of history traced from CUST to the present day through a few key dates.


1969: the CUST is created to build a new model of engineering education.

The creation of the University Center for Science and Technology (CUST) in 1969 marked the beginning of a new engineering education model: training engineers in five years after the baccalaureate, with a dual focus — on the one hand, the professional world of industry, and on the other, the academic world of research and higher education.

1990: the first four internal grandes écoles — CUST, EUDIL (Lille), ISIM (Montpellier), and ISTG (Grenoble) — form the Eiffel network.


The model of university-based engineering schools created in Clermont-Ferrand was simultaneously established in Lille and Montpellier. It has since been joined by more than 40 internal engineering schools across French universities. Initially formed by the three schools CUST, EUDIL, and ISIM, the Eiffel network was joined by ISTG in 1996.


2003: the model expands and the Polytech network is created.


With the creation of new multidisciplinary internal engineering schools in Nantes, Tours, and Marseille, the Polytech network took shape. It has since grown significantly, now comprising 15 public schools and 5 associated schools under the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, awarding engineering degrees recognized by the Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur. Today, the Polytech network covers 12 fields of study, has over 100,000 active engineers, and 3,900 graduates per year. Training more than 10% of all engineers annually, it has become the largest engineering education network in France.


2006: the CUST becomes Polytech Clermont-Ferrand.


In 2006, CUST made a strategic decision to adopt the Polytech network’s brand name, becoming Polytech Clermont-Ferrand, while retaining its status as an institute of Blaise Pascal University. As a founding member of the Polytech network, the school continues to play an active role in national and international developments affecting engineering education. Moreover, Polytech Clermont-Ferrand benefits from increased international visibility essential to its growth.

2021: from Polytech Clermont-Ferrand to Polytech Clermont.


In order to comply with the Polytech Network charter, Polytech Clermont-Ferrand officially became Polytech Clermont. The school now operates across two sites: the Cézeaux campus in Clermont-Ferrand and the Montluçon site for apprenticeship-based programs.


2021: Polytech Clermont is now part of both the Polytech Network and the INP group.


The two universities in Clermont, the University of Auvergne (Clermont I) and Blaise Pascal University (Clermont II), merged in January 2017 to form a single university: the University Clermont Auvergne (UCA). In 2021, UCA was granted the status of an experimental public institution, leading to the creation of the National Polytechnic Institute – Clermont Auvergne INP, which brings together the three engineering schools on the Clermont campus: Polytech Clermont, ISIMA, and Sigma Clermont.