HANDOUT French education system part II.  Post secondary education.
University and Institutes of Higher Education

1 Bibliothèque nationale, Paris/     

  2 Cité des Sciences, La Villette,

3 Paris/Bibliothèque, Centre Pompidou, Paris

4 Science Park in Poitiers (Futuroscope)                                                                                                                                                                                    3,4

1,2

FRENCH HIGHER EDUCATION is an experience quite different from the USA.
It's the European approach to education.  If one goes by looks and amenities, certainly the French universities pale by comparison with American universities.
French academia has no interest in high prestige sports teams, the emphasis is strictly on academic matter and research.
The French have the bibliotheque Nationale (e.g lib of Congress )and it is believed that all universities carry the same standards. All have excellent libraries.
French universities can be very old (they started in the Middle Ages e.g La Sorbonne , teaching the Trivium and Quadrivium, based on the Classics)  and  have been producing great minds. The tendency nowadays is still to consider universities as a place for reflection and learning first and foremost.
They do not have a vocational approach.

                                                   . 
                                                                                                                                    fig. Sorbonne-auditorium

1-Universities French public universities aim to give a general education of high level in all academic areas.
These are completely subsidized by the government.
Registration fees for the academic year are in the range of approximately $125 to $750.
In some cases, additional fees to cover health insurance (sécurité sociale), can also be incurred.
These costs do not include living expenses.
 

Degrees:  2 year degree=  DEUG (Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures )
BA= 3 year = Licence/BA-BSc
MA= 4 year = Maîtrise/master
Ph.D= 7 years =Doctorat

2-Grandes Ecoles are Institutes of Higher Education  that  limit the number of applicants admitted.
Very competitive.
To prepare for entrance competitions(e.g one in five gain admission ), lycee students must enrol in preparatory classes.
(2 years PREPA): scientific, technological and economic.
These schools have a professional specialization that is not covered in universities :

  • Engineering, Business, Administration


    • fig. Ecole Normale Sup, Lyon
    Performing Arts programs are NOT included in the university system either.

  • Visual and Applied Arts Programs e.g. Cinema. 
  • Music : National Conservatory of Music, Paris , also European Music Academy
  • National School of Fine Arts called "les Beaux Arts" for Painting  etc...and Architecture Programs;
  • Higher Institutes of Journalism
    • ....

    New Trends: France is diversifying the options for post secondary education
    Higher education evening courses ( takes longer) for people who work.

    • Europe is opening new exchange programs between universities.
    Programs of the European Union:  concerning education.  Focus on mobility:

    Erasmus/Lingua/Socrates are European exchange programs = enable students of any European

    country to study for a year in another university of the Union. (see film The Spanish Inn/Auberge espagnole)

    This confirms the European commitment to the study of other languages of the Union.


    • Study in France?

    http://www.edufrance.fr/

    http://www.kiis.org/   www.Go With CEA.com

    http://www.afs.org/
    • French Cultural Services of the French Embassy:http://www. frenchculture.org/
    • Further reading: "Everything about French education "sites (click on English options)
    -Magazine: Label France no41 on education and the internet.http://www.france.diplomatie.fr/label_france/label.gb.html
    -Ministry of Education  http://www.education.gouv.fr
    -French cultural services of Embassy: http://www.frenchculture.org/education/france/index.html )i
    -EduFrance(student exchanges): www.edufrance.fr
    -Educnet: information technology and distance learning:www.educnet.education.fr
    -Distance learning center: www.cned.fr
    -Le Rond-Point : on-line university courses:http://rond-point.org/cours
    -Europedu : promotion of European student mobility: www.sup.adc.education.fr/europedu/french/index.html
    -Télésavoirs: topics on the internet (e.g. art) (www.canalweb.net)
    -Cyber Papy: intergeneration on-line help (www.cyberpapy.com)
    - L'Université de tous les savoirs(366 courses on all human knowledge/interactive)(www.2000enfrance.com/sites/utls)