Understanding the French School System
When you first encounter the French educational system, it can seem quite different from what you might be familiar with, especially if you are a non-French speaker. However, once you break it down, it follows a logical and well-structured path, similar to many other systems around the world, but with its own unique terminology and requirements.
Fran?ais vs. Anglais Terms: An Example
Let's take a moment to compare the French educational terms with their English equivalents. In France, the terms used in the educational system can often be quite different from what you might expect, making it somewhat confusing if you are not familiar with them.
Nursery and Preschool (0-3 years old)
French short: Crèche
French full: crèche
Translation: Nursery/Preschool
Age: 0-3 years old
This is the first step in formal education for children, which is highly recommended by educational and medical authorities.
Elementary School (3-11 years old)
Elementary school in France is called école primaire. Here are the details for each grade:
CP (Classe Préparatoire) / 1st grade, Age: 6 CE1 (Cours élémentaire 1) / 2nd grade, Age: 7-8 CE2 (Cours élémentaire 2) / 3rd grade, Age: 8-9 CM1 (Cours Moyen 1) / 4th grade, Age: 9-10 CM2 (Cours Moyen 2) / 5th grade, Age: 10-11The école primaire lasts for a total of 5 years.
Middle School (11-15 years old)
Middle school in France is referred to as collège. The grades are as follows:
6ème / 6th grade, Age: 11-12 5ème / 7th grade, Age: 12-13 4ème / 8th grade, Age: 13-14 3ème / 9th grade, Age: 14-15After completing the 3ème, students must take the brevet, which is a criterion of minimum knowledge after 4 years of middle school.
Senior High School (15-18 years old)
The senior high school system is called lycée. Students move through:
2nde (Seconde) / 10th grade, Age: 15-16 1ère (Première) / 11th grade, Age: 16-17 Terminale / 12th grade, Age: 17-18Upon completion of the Terminale, students take the Baccalauréat, which is a diploma proving 3 years of study. While school after 16 is not compulsory, the baccalauréat is generally required for most jobs in France.
Post-Secondary Education
After obtaining the baccalauréat, students can pursue higher education through various options:
Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS): A 2-year diploma for technical specialists.
Contrat d'Aptitudes Professionelles (CAP): A 2-year diploma for professional skills.
Dipl?me Universitaire de Technologie (DUT): A 2-year diploma for technology studies.
Or enter university to pursue:
Licence / Undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree: L1 (License 1) / freshman year, Age: 18-19 L2 (License 2) / sophomore year, Age: 19-20 L3 (License 3) / junior year, Age: 20-21Upon completing L3, a bachelor’s degree is awarded, which is recognized internationally. Students can then progress to:
Master / Master’s degree: Can range from 1 to 2 years for M1 and M2, with a final exam to obtain a diploma by the end of M2.
Finally, for a deep specialization or academic research, the Doctorat / Ph.D. is offered, which can take 2 to 3 years, culminating in a Thèse / dissertation.
Each step in the French education system is designed to build on the previous level, ensuring a steady progression from primary to higher education and beyond.