France

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 Grenelle75357 Paris 07 SPFrance
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 Michel75005 ParisFrance
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'Assas75270 Paris Cedex 06France
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'Hopital75013 ParisFrance
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 Lognes12, Mail Barthélemy-Thimonnier77423 Marne-la-Vallée Cedex 2France
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 Grenelle75007 ParisFrance
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 Grenelle75357 Paris 07 SPFrance
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 Dutot75732 Paris Cedex 15France
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'Orsay75007 ParisFrance
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 Michel75006 ParisFrance
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 Lognes12, Mail Barthélemy-Thimonnier77423 Marne la Vallée Cedex 2France
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 Thomas75010 ParisFrance
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'Orsay75007 ParisFrance
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 Grenelle75357 ParisFrance
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