FRENCH HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

€ 117.9 billion : more than 20 % of France's national budget and 6.9 % of the GDP

excellent standards in all areas of specialization

courses open to everyone, free of charge (except for enrolment fees, which are very low for universities and State-run engineering schools)

foreign students are treated in exactly the same way as French students (in terms of their status and the tuition fees they pay)

housing aid available for all students (French and foreign)

Source : the French Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research

A higher education system that is high quality, effective and easily accessible :

Higher education in France

€ 35.5 billion spent on research in France (private and State-funded) : 2.2 % of the GDP in 2006

a total of 200,000 researchers in the public and private sectors

the 4th most research-active country in the world, after the US, Japan and Germany

Source : the Ministry for Research

A new policy on research and innovation :

Research in France

The application of the Bologna Process in France

+ 9 years • National Diploma of Doctor of Medicine

+ 8 years• Doctorat

+ 6 years • National Diploma of Doctor of Dental Surgery• National Diploma of Doctor of Pharmacy

P H D

+ 5 years300 ECTS

• Research Master’s(M2) - Diplôme d’Études Approfondies (DEA)

• Professional Master ‘s(M2) - Diplôme d’Études Supérieures Spécialisées (DESS)

• Master ‘s in Engineering

• Master ‘s in Business Administration

+ 4 years • Maîtrise• Master’s (M1)

M A S T E R’ S

+ 3 years180 ECTS

• Licence

• Licence professionnelle

+ 2 years • Diplôme d’Études Universitaires Générales (DEUG)• Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie (DUT)• Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS)• Diplôme d’Études Universitaires Scientifiques et Techniques (DEUST)

L I C E N C E

End of secondary study + baccalaureate = Entry into higher education

Universities

Grandes Ecoles

Specialized schools and institutes

Students in France attend three main types of institution, spread all over the country

Higher education in France : the institutions

are public and open to everyone, with stage exams throughout the duration of the courses

lead to nationally recognized qualifications : licence, master’s and PhD

offer various types of course (short, long, vocational and long-life education) in many different areas (including law, economics, management, administration, literature, languages, the arts, social sciences, health, technology and more)

are centres of excellence for French research

Most students in France study at universities (68 % of students), which:

Higher education in France:the 83 universities

A very selective system:

• admission is via a competitive examination after two years of classe préparatoire or on the basis of exam results after 120, 180 or 240 ECTS credits (2, 3 or 4 years of study)

Different types of Grandes Ecoles:• Schools of engineering, business, management, political sciences and administration

Strong links with the industrial and economic sectors:• Constant collaboration with firms• Placements and internships worldwide

Internationally oriented schools:

• Compulsory language courses• Foreign language training• Agreements with foreign HEI• International recognition

The Higher education institutions :the Grandes Ecoles

Higher education in France :Specialized schools and institutes

• these offer training in specific areas such as the arts, architecture, paramedical services, journalism, radio and television, social services and more

• students are awarded specific diplomas related to their field

Studying in France : useful links and adresses

the CampusFrance agencywww.campusfrance.org

79, avenue Denfert-Rochereau 75014 Paris - France

the Ministry of National Educationwww.education.gouv.fr

the European Unionwww.europa.eu.int(for information about European university programmes)