École polytechnique (also known by the nickname "X") is a French public institution of higher education and research, located in Palaiseau near Paris. It is one of the French Grandes écoles, and is renowned for its four-year undergraduate Ingénieur Polytechnicien degree in science and engineering. Polytechnique is known for its extremely competitive entrance exam university-level preparation in mathematics and physics or after a Bachelor of Science (Licence in French education system). It is one of the most selective French engineering schools. The average salary of graduates of École Polytechnique was reported at £74,000 ($115,440), highest in Europe.