A quick review of the French Higher Education system reveals a few distinctive features, the most noticeable one being the Grandes Ecoles. The very first Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees was set up in 1747, followed by the Ecole des Mines in 1873 and the Ecole Polytechnique in 1794. The Grandes Ecoles were founded as an alternative to the broader education provided by universities. These prestigious institutions would educate the engineers and statesmen who were to form the future elite of French Society.

Despite their name, most of the Grandes Ecoles are actually quite small, enrolling fewer than 1,000 students. Some of these schools have recently opened their courses to international students, who are strongly encouraged to apply for these first-rate programmes

The Higher Education structure consists of a large number of universities. France can claim one of the world's first universities, La Sorbonne, founded in Paris in the 13th century. The idea was also taken up in the Italian city of Bologna and in Oxford and in Cambridge in England. At the time, students were free to roam from country to country and language was no object as all the teaching was done in Latin. So Europe is not such a new concept after all and thanks to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) you too can now roam around Europe in search of an international education!

Besides Grandes Ecoles and Universities, there are University Technology Institutes and also Higher Technician courses can be found either in Lycees or Universities.

France also has on offer an amazing array of high calibre courses ranging from DESS to MBAs in the fields of hotel management, fine catering, oenology, luxury goods management, fashion, publishing techniques. In order to discover more about these courses, please visit the recommended websites and if necessary seek assistance from French representations in the UK.

The French Higher Education system has developed good links with the private sector. Most courses include a training period in a French company, which frequently leads to permanent employment. French universities benefit from close links with local industries and the experience of a foreign professional environment is always an asset for an international student. As a result, France attracts many students from abroad every year.

The main categories of Grandes Ecoles are:

Business Schools (Ecoles de Commerce)
There are more than 100 business schools offering a 3 or a 4 year programme. The Business Schools curriculum builds on a common foundation course and leads to specialisations such as auditing, finance, marketing, international trade, human resources and accountancy. Tuition fees can vary widely but generally range from £2,000 to £4,000 per year.
MS (special Masters Degree): Students can choose from 260 MS subjects at approximately 100 engineering and business schools. The course duration is 12 to 15 months. An MS qualification is not so much a full diploma as a standard excellence. Entry requirements: at least 5 years HE and one degree-level qualification. Applications are considered on the basis of their academic record, an interview and the results of written and oral tests. Tuition fees are around £6,000.

MBA (Masters of Business Administration): Unlike an MS Degree, the MBA is a general qualification recognised all over the world. Basic MBA subjects include marketing, finance, management and human resources. The course duration is 1 or 2 years. Entry requirements: at least 5 years HE and one degree-level qualification, plus a minimum of two years experience in industry. Applications will be examined by an admissions committee. Tuition fees are £5,000 to £15,000.

Schools of Engineering (Ecoles d'Ingenieurs)
A list of Engineering schools is available on:

www.cefi.org
www.industrie.gouv.fr/pratique/format/sp_ecol-en.htm

Approximately 250 Ecolesa d'Ingenieurs, some of which are housed within universities, offer a 3 - year curriculum that is approved by a national commission. Some Engineering schools, such as the Ecole Polytechnique, the Ecole Centrale and the Ecole des Mines, offers a general course which enables engineers to handle all management functions in industry. Others take a more specialised approach in subjects such as agronomics, chemistry, biology and information technology. An engineering diploma gives access to a Matere (equivalent to a Master's degree).

Most Ecoles d'Ingenieurs have admission routes for international students, whose level is determined by their prior studies in France and abroad. Annual tuition fees are approximately £400.

The "n+1" programme is targeted at students who have at least a bachelors degree. It offers them the possibility of obtaining a Masters degree (equivalent in France to a "Diplome d'Ingenieur). Studnets are offered the opportunity to extending their skills outside the traditional scientific and technological dimensions of an engineering qualification to areas such as economy, sociology and management that will be part of their future careers. This is achieved through cultural and linguistic adaptation programmes and qualifying work placements. www.nplus1.tm.fr

Institutes of Political Science
(Instituts d'Etudes Politiques or IEP)
The standard course has two stages: the first lasts 1 year and provides foundation in economics, social sciences, history, law, international relations and communications. During the second year long stage, students can specialise in public services, economy and finance, communications and human resources or international relations.

There are nine IEPs in Aix-en-Provence, Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Paris, Rennes, Stratsbourg and Toulouse. The most prestigious is Sciences Po Paris, which offers recently re-designed courses. Admission takes place through a competitive examination and students can choose between the standard programme or the foreign students programme. The enrolment fee for the first year is £600.

Ecoles Normales Superieures
The ENS (ENS Ulm and ENS Cachan in Paris, ENS Lettres et Sciences Humaines in Lyon and ENS Lyon for Sciences) train HE teachers for 4 years in sciences, technology, applied arts, humanities, economics and social sciences. They are highly selective and prestigious HE institutions. Entry requirements: at least 2 or 3 years HE. Selection is by competitive examination. There is a special foreign visitors status for students on international exchange programmes.

Ecole Nationale d'Administration known as l'ENA (Higher Civil Service School)
ENA has two sites in Paris and Stratsbourg. Students take courses for 27 months in both institutions. It is the most prestigious and the most selective of the Grandes Ecoles. Entry requirements: Since it was first founded, ENA has offered an international programme specifically for foreign students. Applicants must be civil servants, state employees or (exceptionally) students studying to take up civil service positions in their country of origin. They must hold an HE diploma and be under 35 years of age. They must have an excellent written and spoken command of the French language. They must also have a good understanding of French and European society and a keen interest in international affairs. The list of Grandes Ecoles is available on www.cge.asso.fr

At first glance

What you can achieve - In the United Kingdom - In France
After two years - HNC, HND - DEUG, DUT, BTS
After three years Bachelor (BA or BSc) or BA/BSc Honours - Licence
After four years - Bachelor (Hons). Master - Maitrise
After five years - Master - DEA, DESS Mastere
After eight years & more - PhD - Doctorat

For registration purposes it is useful to know that just as university studies in the UK are divided in undergraduate and postgraduate levels, academic studies in France are divided in cycles. The first two years, which provide a fairly broad foundation course in the chosen subject, are the first cycle, known as premier cycle. The third year, (licence), and the fourth year (maitrise) are the second cycle. This cycle gradually leads students into a more specialised knowledge of their subject. Finally, the third cycle, or Troisieme cycle, starts with an introduction to research, (DEA diplome d'etudes approfondies or a highly specialised business orientated diploma known as DESS diplome d'etudes superieures specialisees), addressing subjects in the fields of science, technology or industry. It ends with a doctorate (doctorat), which is the equivalent of a PhD.

Fees: Tuition fees for the academic years in universities range from £80 to £500 for preparing a national diploma (including access to libraries), plus £100.00 for social security.

Tuition fees in Grandes Ecoles may vary from one school to another. You will need to inquire individually. However, you will find some guidance in the section "Admission to a Grande Ecole".

Admission to the French Higher Education System

General conditions for EU students
From 2001 onwards, EU students should contact the French institution of their choice directly for information regarding courses, registration procedures, diplomas equivalence and student accommodation. It is recommended to apply before March in order to secure a place.

For the premier cycle, level of French university students would normally enter university with the Baccalaureat, but if you have followed a different route you will need to insure that your qualification is equivalent.

Standard requirements for entry at University would be a minimum of either; 2 A levels or GCSEs in five different subjects (grade C or above), or three A-levels or GCSEs in 4 different subjects (grade C or above). Entry at 2nd or 3rd cycle level will be based on previous academic qualifications acquired in a foreign university.

Contact the university of your choice and ask for an application form as well as for a dossier de validation or dossier d'equivalence. A reasonably good command French is also required as it is the medium of instruction in most French institutions. The DALF (Diplome Approfondi de Langue Francaise) is accepted by all French universities as proof of competence in French and provide exemption from university language tests. Please contact the French Institute for more information about DALF on 020 7581 2701.

Non EU Students
Will need to follow a different procedure for admission to a French University and to obtain a visa/residence permit. Please contact the French Consulate on 020 7073 12000 to apply for a visa and contact the Cultural Department of the French Embassy, on 020 7073 13000, in October/November for admission procedures.

Admission to a Grande Ecole
Admission to a Grande Ecole is selective and the procedure is designed by the Grande Ecole itself, be it scientific literary or business orientated. There are two main procedures based on either previous academic qualification or on a competitive examination (concours). In the latter case, the students must prepare the concours by spending two or sometimes three years in special training courses, classes preparatoires offered by many institutions . These classes can be divided into three main areas of study: literature, science, economics and business. To enter a classe preparartoire students must hold he Baccalaureat, preferably with distinction, with top grades in the subjects to be studies, as well as good references.

As they are internationally orientated and promote exchanges between French and Foreign students, several Grandes Ecoles have devised specific schemes to allow foreign students to by-pass this selective process and enter some of the most prestigious institutions through other routes.