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EuroEducation.net The European Education Directory |
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| France |
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Structure of Educational System Pre-higher Education System Higher Education System Administrative structure of higher education Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition |
Countries
using French system: Guadeloupe; Martinique; New Caledonia;
Reunion; French Guyana; French Polynesia; Monaco. INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education
institutions: Université
(University) Institut
universitaire de Technologie (IUT) (University Institute of Technology) Institut national
polytechnique (National Polytechnic Institute) Grand Etablissement
(Higher Establishment) Ecole normale
supérieure (Higher Teacher Training College) Ecole d'Ingénieur
(School of Engineering) Grande Ecole de
Commerce et de Gestion (Advanced College of Commerce & Business
Administration) Grande Ecole
scientifique (Advanced Scientific College) Ecole d'Architecture
(School of Architecture) Etablissement
d'Enseignement supérieur catholique (Catholic Higher Education Institution) Etablissement d'Enseignement
supérieur artistique (Art Institution of Higher Education) Etablissement
d'Enseignement supérieur agricole (Agricultural Institution of Higher
Education) Ecole nationale
vétérinaire (National Veterinary School) Institut d'Etudes
politiques (Political Studies Institute) Institut
universitaire de Formation des Maîtres (Teacher Training University Institute) Lycée School leaving and higher education
credentials: Baccalauréat Capacité en Droit Diplôme d' Accès aux
Etudes universitaires (DAEU) Brevet de Technicien
supérieur (BTS) Diplôme de
Technicien Certificat Classe préparatoire
aux Grandes Ecoles (CPGE) Diplôme d'Etudes
universitaires de Technicien supérieur (DEUTS) Diplôme d'Etudes
universitaires générales (DEUG) Diplôme d'Etudes
universitaires professionnalisées (DEUP) Diplôme d'Etudes
universitaires scientifiques et techniques (DEUST) Diplôme d'Université
Premier Cycle Diplôme Premier
Cycle Diplôme
universitaire de Technologie (DUT) Diplôme d'Université
Deuxième Cycle Diplôme national de
Technologie spécialisé (DNTS) Licence Licence
professionnelle Diplôme Diplôme d'Ecole de
Commerce et Gestion Diplôme d'Etat Diplôme d'Etudes
supérieures Diplôme d'Ingénieur Maîtrise Maîtrise de Sciences
de Gestion (MSG) Maîtrise de Sciences
et Techniques (MST) Maîtrise des
Méthodes informatiques appliquées à la Gestion (MIAGE) Diplôme d'Etat de
Docteur Diplôme d'Etudes
supérieures spécialisées (DESS) Magistère Mastaire Master Mastère spécialisé Diplôme d'Etudes
approfondies (DEA) Diplôme de Recherche
technologique (DRT) Certificat d'Etudes
approfondies Certificat d'Etudes
supérieures Diplôme d'Université
Troisième Cycle Diplôme de
Spécialisation Doctorat Doctorat
d'Université Certificat de
Spécialité Habilitation à
Diriger les Recherches STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher
education: Duration
of compulsory education: Age of
entry: 6 Age of
exit: 16 Structure of school system: Primary Type of
school providing this education: Ecole Primaire Length
of program in years: 5 Age level from: 6 to: 11 Lower Secondary Type of
school providing this education: Collège Length
of program in years: 4 Age
level from: 11 to: 15 Certificate/diploma awarded: Brevet des Collèges Upper Secondary Type of
school providing this education: Lycée d'Enseignement général et technologique Length
of program in years: 3 Age
level from: 15 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Baccalauréat général
or Baccalauréat technologique Vocational Type of
school providing this education: Lycée professionnel Length
of program in years: 2 Age
level from: 15 to: 17 Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificat
d'Aptitude professionnelle (CAP) Or Brevet d'Etudes professionnelles (BEP) Professional Type of
school providing this education: Lycée professionnel Length
of program in years: 2 Age
level from: 17 to: 19 Certificate/diploma
awarded: Baccalauréat professionnel School
education: Primary education lasts for
five years. After lower secondary education (lasting four years), pupils may
opt either for general/technological education in lycées preparing for the
Baccalauréat or the Baccalauréat technologique in three years; or for
technical/vocational education in lycées professionnels preparing first for the
Certificat d'Aptitude professionnelle (CAP) or the Brevet d'Etudes
professionnelles (BEP) in two years and then, for those who want to continue,
for the Baccalauréat professionnel in two more years. Higher
education: Higher education in France is
characterized by a dual system : it is provided in universities (including
Instituts nationaux polytechniques) open to a large number of students, whose
programmes are generally geared towards research and its applications and in
Grandes Ecoles and other professional higher education institutions with
selective admission policies. Whereas most institutions come under the
responsibility of the Ministry of Youth, Education and Research, some Grandes
Ecoles come under other Ministries. Universities are made up of units offering
curricula in academic fields and of various institutes and schools - such as
the IUT - offering courses in Engineering and Technology and special programmes
in Management, Political Science, Languages and Physical Education, the IUFM
(Instituts Universitaires de Formation des Maîtres) which offer training courses
for primary and secondary schools teachers, the IUP (Instituts Universitaires
Professionalisés) which offer technological courses and practical training with
an introduction to research and foreign languages. The Grandes Ecoles offer a
high standard of professional education in three or more years after two years
of preparatory classes and the passing of a very selective competitive entrance
examination. They offer scientific training, teacher training or advanced
business studies. Five Catholic higher education institutes prepare for either
national and professional diplomas or for church diplomas. National diplomas
are conferred by universities. Main
laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Law #84-52 Year: 1984 Concerns: New Doctorate Decree: Law #85-1371 Year: 1985 Decree: Law #89-486 Year: 1989 Decree: Loi du 12 Juillet 87 Year: 1875 Concerns:
Private
higher education Academic
year: Classes
from: Sep to: Jun Long
vacation from: 1 Jul to: 15 Sep Languages
of instruction: French Stages
of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies
(technical/vocational type): Non-university
level:
Technical/vocational: Short-study courses
last for two years after the Baccalauréat and lead to a terminal diploma :
Brevet de Technicien supérieur (BTS), a national diploma awarded in vocational
and service areas. Courses are provided in Lycées; Diplôme universitaire de
technologie (DUT) offered in Instituts universitaires de Technologie to train
middle-level managers in Industry and Commerce; Diplôme d'Etudes universitaires
scientifiques et techniques (DEUST) offered in various fields related to
national or regional needs. DUT and DEUST diplomas are offered in University
institutions and are equivalent to a first cycle in a University. A DUT graduate
may, in some cases, pursue higher studies leading to the Licence and other
degrees. University level studies: University
level first stage: Premier Cycle (2 years): The first cycle of long study courses corresponds
to basic training in a specific field. It leads, two years after the
Baccalauréat, to the Diplôme d'Etudes universitaires générales (DEUG) with
mention of the major field of study. In Medicine, the first cycle is called
PCEM. Two years in Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Ecoles (CPGE) are required
to enter a Grande Ecole. In Instituts Universitaires Professionnalisés (IUP),
the first cycle is called DEUP (Diplôme d'Etudes Universitaires
Professionnalisées). University
level second stage: Deuxième Cycle (2 years): The second cycle normally leads after one year to
the Licence and after another to the Maîtrise. In professional fields, the
following Maîtrises are awarded two years after the DEUG : Maîtrise des
Sciences et Techniques (MST), Maîtrise des Sciences de Gestion (MSG), Maîtrise
des Méthodes informatiques appliquées à la gestion (MIAGE). The Magistère is
awarded three years directly after the DEUG (or the DUT). In Medicine this
cycle (DCEM) consists of four years of study and hospital internship. In
Dentistry and Pharmacy, it leads to the Diplôme d'Etat de Docteur en Chirurgie
Dentaire and to the Diplôme d'Etat de Docteur en Pharmacie after six years. In
the Grandes Ecoles, a Diploma is awarded in Engineering, Commerce or literary
fields, generally three years after the DEUG, the DUT, or the CPGE. The Titre
d'Ingénieur (engineering Degree) is conferred by independent engineering
schools or by engineering schools attached to universities, upon successful
completion of five years of study beyond the Baccalauréat. Some engineering
schools accept students on the basis of a competitive examination generally
taken two years after the Baccalauréat (in this case, studies last three years
at most) or according to the Baccalauréat results, followed by aptitude tests
and an interview (in this case, studies last four or five years). Catholic
higher education institutes, besides preparing to State diplomas at this level
(in agreement with a public university), offer four-year and six-year
ecclesiastic canonic qualifications. University
level third stage: Troisième Cycle: The third cycle is devoted to specialization and
training for research. It offers two channels: a professional one, leading in
one year to the Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées (DESS), a terminal
degree. A doctoral channel leads in one year to the Diplôme d'Etudes
Approfondies (DEA) and then to preparation of a Doctorat. The latter is
obtained three or four years after the DEA and after extensive research, either
individual or as part of a group supervised by a Directeur de Thèses and the
preparation and successful defence of a thesis. Several schools of Engineering,
Business and Management offer a Mastère spécialisé to students who are
recipients of Engineering degrees or the DEA. The Mastère spécialisé is a
specialized 12-month programme (including four months' training). Since 2000, a Mastaire is awarded
to holders of a DEA or a DESS or an Engineering Diploma. Engineers with a
Maîtrise from a university (Ingénieurs-Maîtres) and engineering students in
their last year of engineering school can work towards a Diplôme de Recherche
technologique (DRT) (Technological Research Diploma), a third cycle diploma
issued after completion of a course centring on innovation through
technological research in the industrial sector and service industries. The DRT
marks the successful completion of a programme of 18 months to two years that
is carried out in an industrial or service-oriented scientific environment
under the joint responsibility of two advisers, one being a
teacher-cum-researcher, the other coming from the industrial sector or a
service industry. In general Medicine, the third cycle culminates in the
Diplôme d'Etat de Docteur en Médecine after two years' further study following
DCEM. In specialized Medicine, it leads to the Diplôme d'Etudes spécialisées
(DES) after four to five years' further study. University
level fourth stage: Post-doctorat: The Doctorat may be
followed by a post-doctoral degree, the Habilitation à Diriger les Recherches,
which constitutes the highest national award and is offered to academics who
display the ability to carry out high level scientific research and to
supervise thesis. Teacher education: Training
of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers Training lasts for one year following success in a
competitive examination. Candidates must hold a Licence or a three-year diploma
granted within the EU to be allowed to sit for the competitive examination. In
order to prepare themselves, candidates can decide to be trained in one year at
an Institut Universitaire de Formation des Maîtres. They must present a
portfolio and/or pass an interview. This year of preparation is not compulsory. Training
of secondary school teachers Secondary school teachers train for one year
following success in a competitive examination. Candidates must hold a Licence
or a three-year diploma granted within the EU
or a four-year diploma granted outside the EU to be allowed to sit for
the competitive examination. In order to prepare themselves, candidates can
decide to be trained in one year at an Institut Universitaire de Formation des
Maîtres. They must present a portfolio and/or pass an interview. This year of
preparation is not compulsory. Training
of higher education teachers The Doctorat is a
prerequisite to sit for competitive examinations leading to the positions of
Maître de Conférence and Professeur d'Université. In the fields of Pharmacy,
Law and Economics and, now, in many other fields, positions are restricted to
holders of an Agrégation de l'Enseignement Supérieur. The Habilitation à
Diriger les Recherches is required to become a Professeur d'Université. Non-traditional studies: Distance
higher education Télé-enseignement universitaire is offered to
students who are unable to attend regular courses. 29 universities cooperate in
this. The Centre national d'Enseignement à Distance (CNED) provides training
leading to technical diplomas - BEP, BP, BTS, in addition to competitive
entrance examinations for recruitment to the civil service and to adult
education courses. Lifelong
higher education Education permanente is a system of continuing
education allowing people with full-time careers to attend evening classes in
universities and thus obtain a degree without interrupting their working
schedules. The Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers (CNAM) offers such facilities
leading to the award of an Engineering diploma. Catholic universities organize
upgrading traineeships and courses leading to diplomas. Higher
education training in industry Several higher education institutions (public and
private ) offer professional training "en alternance" (sandwich
courses), consisting in theoretical training and practice periods in business
or industry. Other
forms of non-formal higher education Both private and
public institutions have "Universités du Troisième âge". In these
"third age" universities, senior citizens are offered two options:
either to follow university courses with other students or attend seminars and
lectures especially devised to improve their life and cultural background;
their advice is also sought when it comes to choosing study topics of common
interest. Finally, cycles of Physical Education, Handicraft, cultural visits
and outings are also organized. NATIONAL BODIES Administration
& co-ordination: Responsible
authorities: Ministère de la
Jeunesse, de l'Education nationale et de la Recherche (Ministry of Youth,
Education and Research) Head: Luc Ferry, Minister 110, rue
de Grenelle Tel: +33(1) 55-55-10-10 Fax: +33(1) 55-55-30-65 EMail: sp.ca@education.gouv.fr WWW: http://www.education.gouv.fr Role of governing
body: Administers
and controls public institutions, supervises private ones and maintains a
coherence on regulation of national diplomas. Conférence des
Présidents d'Université (CPU)(Conference of University Presidents) Head: Jack Lang, Président Administrative officer: Bernard
Belloc, 1er Vice-Président 103,
blvd. Saint Michel Tel: +33(1) 44-32-90-00 Fax: +33(1) 44-32-91-02 EMail: cpu@cpu.fr WWW: http://www.cpu.fr Role of governing
body: Examines
matters concerning university system. Union des
Etablissements d'Enseignement supérieur catholique (UDESCA)(Union of Catholic
Establishments of Higher Education) Head: Gaston Vandecandelaere,
Président 21, rue
d'Assas Tel: +33(1) 44-39-52-00 Fax: +33(1) 45-44-27-14 Role of governing
body: Coordinates
relations between catholic universities and coherence of their policies. Conférence des
Directeurs d'Ecoles et de Formations d'Ingénieurs (CDEFI) Head: Jack Lang, President Administrative officer: Guy Gautherin,
Vice-President 151 bd
de l'Hopital Tel: +33(1) 44-24-63-20 Fax: +33(1) 44-24-63-26 Office national
d'Information sur les Enseignements et les Professions (ONISEP)(National Office
for Information on Study and the Professions) Head: Jérôme Chapuisat, Directeur BP 86
Lognes Tel: +33(1) 64-80-35-00 Fax: +33(1) 64-80-35-01 WWW: http://www.onisep.fr ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission
to non university higher education studies Name of
secondary school credential required: Baccalauréat Minimum
score/requirement: 10 out of 20 Other
admission requirements: Admission to most short cycle
vocational courses is based upon portfolio (e.g. for University Institutes of
Technology) or entrance examination (e.g. for Catholic higher education
institutes). Admission
to university-level studies Name of
secondary school credential required: Baccalauréat Minimum
score/requirement: 10/20 Alternatives
to credentials: Diplomas or titles accepted in place of Baccalauréat. Diplôme d'Accès aux
Etudes universitaires (DAEU) which replaces the former entrance exam to
university studies (ESEU). Other
admission requirements: Competitive entrance examination to some Grandes Ecoles
and other institutions following two years of preparatory courses given in
lycées or integrated in the institution itself. Application for admission: 1st
April. Foreign
students admission Definition
of foreign student: Foreign student holding a foreign Secondary
School-Leaving Certificate. Admission
requirements: Students must hold the Baccalauréat or a diploma giving access to higher
education in their country. For first registration in 1st cycle, preliminary
application files are collected from French Embassies between 1 Dec. and 15
Jan. of the preceding academic year. A birth certificate, degree certificate
and transcripts are necessary. Entry
regulations: Student visa issued by French consulates abroad (long-stay visa: more
than 3 months) except for EU, Andorra, Holy See, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San
Marino and Swiss students who must present a valid passport. Students must ask
for a "carte de séjour" (even for EU students) from, in Paris,
centres for foreigners or, in the provinces from police or town halls. Other
documents to be presented: proof of provisional registration in a university;
proof of sufficient resources (at least 25000 FF per year); health insurance;
proof of residence (address); Health
requirements: 3 photos and a medical certificate Language
requirements: Minimum mark: 10 / Diplôme approfondi de Langue française (DALF) Application
procedures: Apply to
individual institution for entry to: Grandes Ecoles, IUTs, university 2nd and 3rd
cycles and most private intitutions (e.g. Catholic Inst.); closing date: 1st
April. Apply to
national body for entry to: Universities (1st cycle) and other public institutions. Apply
to: Cultural Services of
French Embassies Abroad or universities themselves for those who are already in
France Application
closing dates: For
non-university level (technical/vocational type) studies: 1 Apr For
university level studies: 15 Jan For
advanced/doctoral studies: 1 Apr Recognition
of studies & qualifications: Studies
pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): State
diplomas/degrees are validated/accredited by one of the following ministries:
Ministry of Education; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Equipment; Ministry
of Defence. Universities and Grandes Ecoles are evaluated by the Comité
national d'Evaluation (http://www.cne-evaluation.fr) Studies
pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign
credentials): Direction de
l'Enseignement scolaire (DESCO A6) 110 rue de Grenelle Tel: +33(1)
55-55-10-72 +33(1) 55-55-11-06 Deals
with credential recognition for entry to: Profession Services
provided & students dealt with: Information on recognition of vocational
qualifications obtained abroad NARIC, Ministère de
la Jeunesse, de l'Education nationale et de la Recherche Head: Gérard Links, Responsable Administrative officer: Joëlle
Pruvost, Responsable adjointe pour l'enseignement supérieur 110, rue
de Grenelle Tel: +33(1)
55-55-04-28 +33(1) 55-55-04-21 Fax: +33(1) 55-55-04-23 Telex: 270925 edunatf EMail: joelle.pruvost@education.gouv.fr Deals
with credential recognition for entry to: Profession Services
provided & students dealt with: Academic recognition of studies completed and
qualifications awarded in higher education abroad for access to the
professions. Other
information sources on recognition of foreign studies: 1) Institutions of higher
education for students who wish to pursue their studies. 2) Specific ministries
for regulated professions: medical doctors, agronomists, veterinary doctors,
lawyers, architects, nurses, chartered public accountants, etc. 3) Rectorates
in each region Multilateral
agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies Name of
agreement: Council of Europe Agreement on Access to Establishments of Higher
Education Year of signature: 1953 Name of
agreement: Council of Europe Agreement on the Academic Recognition of Qualifications
in Higher Education Year of signature: 1959 Name of
agreement: Council of Europe Agreement on the Equivalence of Study Periods Year of signature: 1956 Name of
agreement: Council of Europe/Unesco Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications
concerning Higher Education in the European Region (Lisbon Convention) Year of signature: 1999 Name of
agreement: Unesco Agreement on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees
Concerning Higher Education in the States belonging To the Europe Region Year of signature: 1979 Name of
agreement: Unesco Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas & Degrees
in Higher Education in the European States Bordering the Mediterranean Year of
signature: 1976 Bilateral
agreements concerning recognition of foreign credentials Name of
agreement: Accord Franco-Allemand (Sciences, Lettres et Sciences Humaines) Year of
signature: 1980 Country/state
involved: Germany References
to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies Title: Brochure : Etudiants
étrangers : les procédures d'inscription Publisher:
Ministère
de l'Education nationale, de la Recherche et de la Technologie STUDENT LIFE Main
student services at national level Bureau de la Vie
étudiante, Ministère de l'Education nationale 61-65, Rue Dutot Tel: +33(1) 55-55-10-10 Category
of services provided: Social and welfare services; Academic and career
counselling services Services
available to foreign Students: Yes Centre National des
Oeuvres universitaires et scolaires (CNOUS) 69, Quai d'Orsay Tel: +33(1) 44-18-53-00 Fax: +33(1) 45-55-48-49 Telex: 203048 cnous WWW: http://www.cnous.fr Category
of services provided: Social and welfare services Services
available to foreign Students: No Mutuelle nationale
des Etudiants de France 137 Bd St Michel Tel: +33(1) 40-92-54-92 Fax: +33(1) 56-24-40-75 Category
of services provided: Social and welfare services Office national
d'Information sur les Enseignements et les Professions (ONISEP) PO Box 86 Lognes Tel: +33(1) 64-80-35-00 Fax: +33(1) 64-80-35-01 Category
of services provided: Academic and career counselling services; Employment
services Services
available to foreign Students: Yes National
student associations and unions Union Nationale des
Etudiants de France Indépendante et Démocratique (UNEF-ID) 46 rue Albert Thomas Tel: +33(1) 42-02-25-55 Fax: +33(1) 42-03-33-91 EMail: international.unef-id@wanadoo.fr WWW: http://www.unef-id.org Health/social
provisions Social
security for home students: Yes Cost/fee
(per year): 165 (Euro) Social
security for foreign students: Yes Cost/fee
(per year): 165 (Euro) Foreign
student social security provisions: Only students from EC countries (or from a country
having an agreement with France) duly registered in a university may draw
benefit from the social security system. Others must take out their own
insurance. Special
student travel fares: By rail:
Yes By air: Yes Available
to foreign students: Yes Student
expenses and financial aid Student
costs: Average
living costs: 6100 (Euro) Home
students tuition fees: Minimum: 183 (Euro) Maximum:
6860
(Euro) Foreign
students tuition fees: Minimum: 183 (Euro) Maximum:
6860
(Euro) Bodies
providing information on student financial aid: Centre national des
Oeuvres universitaires et scolaires (CNOUS) 69, Quai d'Orsay Tel: +33(1) 44-18-53-00 Fax: +33(1) 45-55-48-49 Deals
with: Grants
and Loans Category
of students: Administers scholarships awarded by the Government within cooperation
agreements. Publications
on student services and financial aid: Title: Guide de l'étudiant
: "Enseignement supérieur dans la Communauté européenne" Author: Commission des
Communautés européennes Publisher: Commission des Communautés
européennes, Office des publications Title: Je vais en France.
Guide à l'intention des étudiants étrangers Publisher: Centre national des Oeuvres universitaires
et scolaires Title: Study Abroad
2000-2001 Publisher:
UNESCO/IBE Year of
publication: 1999 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES Principal
national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and
exchanges in higher education: Direction des
Relations internationales et de la Coopération, Ministère de l'Education
nationale 110 rue de Grenelle Tel: +33(1) 55-55-10-10 WWW: http://www.education.gouv.fr Participation
of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes Name of
exchange programme: SOCRATES (EEC Programmes) GRADING SYSTEM Usual
grading system in secondary school Full
Description: 0-20; 10-12 : Passable; 12-14 : Assez Bien; 14-16 : Bien; 16-20 :
Très-Bien. Highest
on scale: 20 Pass/fail
level: 10 Lowest
on scale: 0 Main
grading system used by higher education institutions Full
Description: 0/20, 10-12 Passable, 12-14 Assez-Bien, 14-16 Bien, 16-20 Très Bien.
Highest : 20, Pass : 10, Lowest : 0. Highest
on scale: 20 Pass/fail
level: 10 Lowest
on scale: 0 NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for
academic year: 2001-2002 Source: Bureau de la Mobilité et de l'Information internationale, Ministère de l'Education nationale, Paris, 2002 Copyright © International Associations of Universities |
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