Studying Engineering in France Without Prépas
For students looking to study engineering in France, there are several options available that allow direct admission without the need for prépas. This article provides a comprehensive guide on where to find these engineering studies, including detailed information on different institutions and programs.
Engineering Programs Directly After High School
Many universities in France offer engineering programs that allow direct admission after completing high school. Rather than going through the prépas system, students can apply to various institutions and start their engineering education immediately.
IUT Institutes Universitaires de Technologie
IUTs, or Institut Universitaires de Technologie, are university-level technical colleges offering two-year programs leading to a DUT (Dipl?me Universitaire de Technologie) degree. After completing this degree, students can continue their studies in related engineering programs.
écoles d'Ingénieurs
Some engineering schools, such as ESIGELEC, INSA, and Polytech, offer direct admission based on high school results. Specific technical baccalaureats like BAC (Baccalauréat) are particularly useful for these admissions.
Bachelors Programs in English
Several engineering schools offer bachelor's programs taught in English. These programs may have different admission criteria, making them accessible to international students without the need for prépas.
Apprenticeship Programs
In addition to traditional programs, some engineering schools offer apprenticeship programs that combine work and study. These programs allow students to enter engineering studies directly without the need for prépas.
Public Universities and Grandes Ecoles
France has a diverse higher education landscape with both public universities and specialized Grandes Ecoles. Public universities offer a wide range of programs, while Grandes Ecoles focus on high-level education in fields like management and engineering.
Public Universities
There are 83 public universities in France, each accredited centrally by the French Government. These universities are organized into research clusters called PRES, which pool resources to compete internationally. Students can study for a licence, equivalent to a Bachelors degree.
Grandes Ecoles
Grandes Ecoles are specialized institutions focused on higher education. They are highly regarded and often regarded as the best institutes of higher education in France. Entry into these institutions usually requires taking the Classe Préparatoire aux Grandes Ecoles (CPGE), a two-year preparatory program for highly competitive exams.
Entry Requirements for French Universities
French universities have a flexible admission process, allowing institutions to set their own criteria. For public universities, students from a certain geographic area can enter a course of their choice if they have successfully completed the baccalaureate. Proof of French language proficiency may be required for courses taught in French.
For Grandes Ecoles, especially if the program is taught in French, students need to complete the CPGE preparatory program, which involves rigorous classes and national exams. However, in recent years, the CPGE has begun offering European credits (ECTS), which can be transferred to other European university courses.
The Application Process
Most applications to French universities, especially private international ones, should be done directly on their websites. For French universities, the admission process can be centralized, similar to UCAS, with applications typically due between January and March for autumn semester entry.
Business or engineering schools require direct contact. Some universities also allow late applications, even after A-level results are received, as long as standards are met.
Understanding the distinct advantages and requirements of each option can help students make well-informed choices when applying to study engineering in France.