Universities in France
Education in France
Some peculiarities of the French higher education system may first surprise
foreign students :
- Many engineering schools are small compared to their
foreign equivalents (from 30 to 500 students per year).
- French universities themselves normally don't select among candidates : the Baccalaurlat itself opens the doors to higher education.
Competition among students occurs for the entry into smaller colleges, like
IUT (technical institutes), STS (special technical sections), CPGES (preparatory
classes for engineering colleges), engineering schools. Competitive examinations
are organized at the Baccalaurlat level, or two years thereafter when leaving
preparatory classes (bac+2 level).
Types of Curricula/Degree
-
Short university-level technical curricula :
There are two large categories of short, two-or-three-year, technical
programs :
- Technical institutes (IUT) are semi-autonomous structures
within universities,
leading to a University Degree in Technology (DUT) ;
- Special technical sections (STS) take place within certain high
schools and lead to an equivalent degree, the Higher Technician Certificate
(BTS).
These curricula last two years after the Baccalaurlat. As they are short
and technology-oriented, they directly lead way to employment. The delivered
degrees are valid at the national level. The students may pursue another year
of studies in some particular area and get the National Specialized
Technology Degree (DNTS).
Students may also pursue longer studies, for instance in Professional
University Institutes (IUP) or engineering schools.
-
Scientific and technical programs within
universities
Scientific university curricula are divided into three levels :
- First level (two years), leading to the Non-Specialized Studies
Degree (DEUG)
- Second level (two years), leading to the Licence degree
(bac+3level) and to the Ma?trise degree (bac+4 level)
- Third level (up to five years), with the Doctoral Qualifying Degree
(DEA) at the end of the first year, and the Doctoral Degree
after approximately three more years of research activity (bac+8 level).
Universities deliver
other more technically-oriented degrees :
- at the bac+2 level : Non Specialized Scientific and Technical Studies
Degree (DEUST) and University Degree (DU) ;
- at the bac+4 level : Bachelor Degree in Science and Technics (MST),
Bachelor Degree in Corporate Computer Applications (MIAGE)
both requiring two years of study after a previous bac + 2 degree;
Professional University Institutes (IUP) which requires three years after a
com petitive examination at the bac+level ;
- at the bac+5 level :Magister Studies ( Magist?res) requiring three years
after a bac+2 level, DESS requiring one year after a bac + 4 level ;
- at the bac+6 level : Technical Research Degree (DRT) given to students
having conducted tech nological research in close relation with a company.
All these curricula take place within
universities and aim at
providing specialists to industry.
-
Long technical studies : the engineering programs
There are a lot of engineering studies in
France. They differ
from one another on several grounds : program duration, kind of entrance
examination, areas covered. Foreign students can't easily grasp a clear
picture with such great amount of sometimes small schools. Common
characteristic of these engineering schools : the engineering degree is at
bac+5 level.
The classical model of the specifically French engineering education system
includes two stages :
- two years of preparatory classes (Classes Preparatoires aux Grandes
Ecoles Scientifiques). Preparatory sections are part of same high schools.
In these sections, students are being prepared to competitive examinations
for entering Engineering Schools (Grandes Ecoles Scientifiques technically
oriented). A few schools of education (Ecoles Normales Superieures, more
scientifically oriented) also recruit that way.
- three years of higher technical education within schools.
The better known engineering schools, some of which are 200 or more years
old, follow this model.
However, in the last forty years, new engineering programs were developed :
- some engineering curricula recruit students at the Baccalaur?at level
(most of them without a special exam), and give them a 5-year training ;
- others still recruit at the bac+2 level, but accept students who have
already got a degree (DEUG,DUT or BTS) instead of organizing a competition
for students coming from preparatory sections.
Most engineering schools take a few university graduates (bac+4) who then
follow the last two years of engineering school with the other students.
-
Masters
In France, Mastersare additional one-year programs for graduate students, offered by engineering or business schools.
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