This article reflects the view of the author through his experience and research. This article does not necessarily reflect the view of any official or educational agency, French or Malaysian. For further and official information, please refer to the links at the end of this article.

For employers who would like to know more about the French further education system, Fakhzan from Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Metz will attempt to explain it in brief.

The institutions

In France, there are several types of higher education institutions. In this article, I shall review only three most common and perhaps most known types of institution. There are:

• Universities
• Grandes Ecoles
• Institutions of Technological Education (IUT)

1) University

Universities in France basically have the same structure as Malaysian or American universities. They are formed by numerous departments such as Engineering department, Language department et cetera. Most foreign students currently in France are enrolled in universities. Admission is based on Baccalauréat[1] (an A-Level equivalent) and are limited to places available.

However, the accreditation system is different. While most Malaysian universities use CGPA, French universities use credits and average. These credits are then exchangeable between institutions or departments. For example, an undergraduate who has acquired 2 years of DUT (Diplôme Universitaire de Technology awarded by IUT) may enrol in universities straight into their 3rd year to pursue a License. Another example would be a student who has passed his first year may change his course and enrol directly in the 2nd year. However, these are subject to decisions made by a jury panel. Often, it is a case-by-case study and students’ achievement in extra-curricular activities might play a decisive role.

French universities deliver various degrees. After 2 years of foundation studies, students’ get a DEUG (Diplôme d’Etudes Universitaires Générales). Students can then continue their 3rd year but in a more specific field. At the end of the third year, they are entitled for a License (equivalent to an advance diploma [2]). After that, they may pursue to Maîtrise (equivalent to full degree [3] or Master). For those who would like to pursue a higher degree, then they can apply for a DEA (Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies) or a DESS (Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures et Spécialisées) and of course there is the final level of Doctorate.

Admission is not necessarily during the first year. One can enrol directly in any year but as stated earlier, this is subject to decision by a panel jury. Criteria are so vast but previous educational level is a sure one.

2) Grandes Ecoles

Grandes Ecoles are uniquely French institutions which offer specialised course at a very high standard. Admission to these institutions is very strict. Some of these institutions enjoy a very prestigious status such as the Ecole Centrale, Polytechnique (also known as The X) and HEC (Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales [4]) .

There is a huge variety of courses offered by Grandes Ecoles but the most common courses are engineering and commerce. However, there are also Grandes Ecoles which specialise in art, law, veterinary etc. However, a Grande Ecole in engineering does not offer all type of engineering courses though. Generally, a Grande Ecole is specialised in one or two field of engineering. To cite an example, my Grande Ecole is specialised in mechanical & production engineering.

In contrary to universities, most Grandes Ecoles offer a more practical approach to education. Nearly 40% of the course will be in industrial environment and laboratories. While it is not necessarily true in general, Grandes Ecoles often have substantial budget compared to universities (in terms of per student budget). They enjoy bigger and better facilities too through partnership with industries [5]. There are 2 major course structures of Grandes Ecoles. The first one is a 2+3 program. The first two years, students must follow a 2 year preparation class (class prépa). These preparation classes are usually conducted in high schools after Baccalauréat. At the end of the 2nd year, students will apply for their selected Grandes Ecoles and they will have to sit for an examination (this exam is conducted by the Grande Ecole. Each has their own admission examinations) as well as interviews. Places are very limited in Grandes Ecoles, therefore tough selection is to be expected.

Another type of Grandes Ecoles course structure is the 5 year program. Students are admitted directly after Baccalauréat and the first 2 years will be foundation classes. However, due to specialisation, at the end of the 2nd year, it is very hard to change to another Grandes Ecoles because the foundation classes are usually designed to meet the Grandes Ecoles specialisation. For example, in my Grande Ecole, the first two years, the foundation classes were already oriented towards mechanical and production engineering. Therefore, if I were to change to electrical engineering after two years, I would not be able to do so or I will have to start from the beginning which means I will lose the two years (of course, I gained in term of knowledge).

Engineering sectors in France have a tendency to prefer graduates from Grandes Ecoles in comparaison with a university engineering graduate [6]. One of the reasons behind this is that Grandes Ecole students will most probably have at least a semester long internship experience. The majority of Grandes Ecoles impose a compulsory internship during the course. To give you an example during my 5 year course, one and a half year is spent on internships and industrial project partnership. While every engineering schools must obtain recognition from the CTI [7] (Comission des Titres d’Ingénieurs) in order to bear the Grandes Ecoles d’Ingénieurs title, recognition from other country is variable. For instance, a graduate from my Grande Ecole will receive an equivalent of a Master of Engineering by a British University but this is not the case with American Universities. Equivalent recognitions often are made through MoU and exchange program.

3) Institutions of Technological Education (IUT)

IUT are developed in the seventies in order to provide a shorter and practical approach tertiary education system. IUT’s programs are shorter (2 years) and are industry-bias oriented. After two years of successful studies, students in the IUT receive DUT (Diplôme Universitaires de Technologie).

One might find IUT quite similar to the former ITM before they’ve been upgraded to university status. Those who graduated from the IUT may find work easier than those who have DEUG [8] from university . Moreover, DUT holders can apply to 3rd year in Grandes Ecoles or if they want, to Licence in universities.

4) Other higher education institutions

Universities find themselves in a dilemma because students who prefer to integrate with the working world quickly have tendency to go to IUT while those who have the ambition to be highly qualified researchers or engineers (or businessman) have tendency to go to Grandes Ecoles. This is where IUP (Institut Universitaires Professionnels) is born.

There are many private institutions too. In fact, there are private Grandes Ecoles as well. The difference is that state-funded institutions are cheaper (almost free) while private institutions can be very costly.

The EU network

The European Union provides a large possibilities to students (EU citizens or not) in terms of course as well as fund and scholarship (For ASEAN citizens specific scholarship by EU, try Erasmus Mundus program). This is a huge opportunity for students to broaden their knowledge and gain more experience in terms of culture and people management.

Upcoming related article:  My internship experience in a French company

About the author: Fakhzan Badiran is a 4th year Mechanical & Production Engineering student at the Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Metz, FRANCE. The 5-year program alternates courses with internships both local and abroad. He is currently holding a position as Junior Consultant in an Energy & Environment Engineering Consultancy based in Luxembourg and France.

Links and further information:

1) http://www.egide.asso.fr/uk/guide/
- Detailed explanation on French Higher Education. Includes a well documented glossary and admission requirements.

2) http://www.edufrance.fr/en/
 - Another information resources and guide to studying in France. Includes a worldwide link on how and where to learn French.

3) http://www.sfere.fr
 - Private education coordinator. JPA, Telekom Malaysia and Petronas are some of their clients.

4) http://www.ambafrance-my.org/
 - French Embassy in Malaysia. Visa procedure and official requirements.

Note:

[1] Baccalauréat also known as Bac is SPM like examination held throughout France during Première and Terminale in high Schools. Bac offers a broader range of orientations such as scientific, literature, economic, biology and many more. In general, students who took Scientific Bac will pursue his studies in scientific field but this is not compulsory.
 
[2] Some argue that a License is equivalent to a full degree but in my opinion it is more to advance diploma given that students only specialised during a year.

[3] Some argue that Maîtrise is equivalent of Master. I tried to get some clarifications on this but view differs so largely that one should take the official view on this. The ministry of education of Malaysia said “If France consider it as a Master, then we will consider it as Master”.

[4] Another prestigious Grande Ecole is the Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA). Many French political leaders graduated from ENA.

[5] Many Grandes Ecoles handle industrial research backed by big companies such as Airbus, Peugeot to name a few.

[6] This is strictly a personal view based on my experience working (and through conversation) with industrial partners.

[7] An equivalent of this might be the Board of Engineers. The Board of Engineers visited several Grandes Ecoles a couple of years ago in order to establish certain recognition from Malaysia. However, to this date, and to my knowledge, no official statement has been made.

[8] Again, this is personal view based on conversation with friends who attended IUT. This does not mean that University standard is lower than IUT or vice versa. Both have different structure and mission.

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