France - Education System

The French higher education system consists of 80 state funded universities and a number of ecoles. The system is as follows:

Higher education

Higher education is divided into short and long programmes of study.

Short programmes

• BTS (Brevet de Techniciens Superieurs) are available in numerous agricultural, technical, industrial and tertiary specialisms.
  

• DUT (Diplome Universitaire de Technologie) are available in secondary and tertiary specialisms taught in Instituts Universitaires de Technologie (IUT).
  

• The IUP is a part of the university system. Entry is selective, and leads within 3 years to a DEUG, a licence, then a maitrise. In some cases, a Master Engineer can be gained (ingenieur-maitrise).

Long programmes

• These courses are provided by universities, the grandes ecoles and the ecoles superieures.

University sector

• They award national diplomas/ degrees (diplomes nationaux) or university diplomas/ degrees (diplomes d'universite) for first-, second-, and third-cycle qualifications.
  

• The DEUG (Diplome d'etudes universitaires generales) and DEUST (Diplome d'etudes universitaires scientifiques et techniques) are awarded for first-cycle qualifications.
  

• A DEUG lasts two years and confirms the acquisition of fundamental knowledge, and is always a multidisciplinary course.
  

• DEUST programmes relate to a specific profession and include work placement with companies.?lt;br>

• Second-cycle studies for national diplomas/degrees are open to DEUG, or equivalent, holders. The second-cycle can take 2 years. A licence is achieved after the first year (3rd year) and a maitrise (4th year) (specialising in a main subject) after the second. Some specialised maitrises are awarded after 2 years without the award of a licence at the end of the first year.
  

• Medical programmes generally take longer, for example 6 years for pharmacy and 8-12 years for medicine and dentistry. The award is given after the production of a 'practice' thesis, which permits the candidate to practice in the profession.

Non-university sector

• Ecoles provide areas of study traditionally not covered by universities.
  

• Grandes ecoles provide training for engineers, teachers/lectures, agriculturalists and vets, and business and management. The course takes the form of two years CPGE (Classes preparatoires aux grandes ecoles) in lycees.
  

• Specialised ecoles offer practical study and award a state degree. The specialised ecoles provide training in areas such as legal (notariat), architecture, music and drama, and social work.

Postgraduate education

• This is known as the third-cycle. This cycle is the most important in university.
  

• Grandes ecoles can include the preparation of a DEA (Diplome d'etudes approfondies) at university in the 5th year.
  

• Other ecoles offer varied levels of third-cycle programmes such as 'masteres'.
  

• There are two types of programmes: professional and academic.

Professional programmes

• The DESS (Diplome d'etudes superieures specialisees) prepares students for professional life. The one-year course consists of theoretical and practical lessons, and a compulsory 3-month work placement with a company.

Academic programmes

• The DEA (Diplome d'etudes approfondies) is the preparation year for a doctorate and forms the first year of a doctorate degree. The one-year course trains students in preparing for research in groups within laboratories, often linked with CNRS (Centre nationale de la rescherche). Students are taught research techniques through theoretical and methodological classes.?

The doctorate

• The doctorate normally takes 3 years including the DEA. A degree is awarded after the defence and presentation of a research thesis and confirmation of the student's theoretical knowledge.
  

• Students in health sector disciplines wishing to take careers in research and in higher education are required to submit a doctoral thesis and present a defence after a DEA.?

Qualifications required

• Admission to first-cycle programmes are highly competitive and require the candidate's school records, examination records, an interview, etc.
  

• Admission to grandes ecoles is determined principally by a competitive examination.
  

• Admission to DESS programmes requires a maitrise or equivalent and determined on the presentation of a dossier.
  

• Admission to DEA programmes requires a maitrise or equivalent and the presentation of a dossier based on a research project.

Language requirements

• French is the language of instruction and proof of language proficiency is needed.
  

• Diplomas such as the Certificat pratique de langue francaise, the Diplome d'etudes francaises and the national diplomas: DELF (diplome d'etudes en langue francaise) and the DALF (diplome approfondi de langue francaise). Only the DALF allows entry to French universities without other language examinations.?

Cost

• Annual university enrolment fee is between F1,600 and F2,500.
  

• Personal insurance fee is between F2,500 and F5,000.
  

• Living expenses vary depending on location of accommodation and lifestyle but the cost is estimated to be between F4,500 and F5,500 per month.

Application procedure

• Admission to doctorate programmes require applicants to write to the department responsible for the course in April. The applicant is required to send an admissions dossier, including:
  - a detailed letter of the applicant's interests in research (only for DEA)
  - a detailed curriculum vitae
  - a copy of a dissertation (French summary if not in French) produced in a master's, or equivalent, degree
  - approved copies of degree certificates, accompanied by an authorised French translation.

Finding accommodation

• University halls of residence are limited in number and it is advised to apply early.?lt;br>

• University accommodation costs F685 per month for one room, and between F1,500 and F1,900 for a studio flat or university apartment.
  

• The local CROUS (Centre regional des oeuvres universitaires et scolaires) can help students find accommodation in the private sector.
  

• Private accommodation typically cost F1,500 for one room and F2,500 for a studio flat. li> Grants and allowances are limited in number.
  

• Research allowance is available from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
  

• For more information, please contact the grants office or the postgraduate office at the individual institute.
  

• Information on research possibilities can also be found through here