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Home >> Study Abroad in France >> Study Abroad in France Postgraduate Courses


Postgraduate courses

a) Vocational goals: The DESS A two-year programme with the Maitrise at the end of the first year. If the student's main aim is to get a job, he or she should choose a Diplome d'etudes superieures specialisees (DESS). This is a two-year course in a university. It includes a minimum compulsory three months of work experience and many hours of lectures and seminars.

b) Research goals: Diplome d'etudes approfondies (DEA) is a two­year programme, with the Maitrise at the end of the first year. If your aim is to go into research you register for the 3eme cycle to get the Diplome d'etudes approfondies (DEA) the first stage in the preparation of a doctorate. This is a two-year diploma.

The Doctorate (Ph.D.): The doctorate is the logical next step for holders of the DEA with mention, and for those who forward a research plan of exceptional standard. A doctoral thesis is prepared under the authority of a directeur  de recherche (research director) and takes two to four years. A doctorate is awarded after a viva on the thesis or research papers have been publicly examined and defended. With a doctorate you can become a university lecturer.

The -Grandes Ecoles (Competitive Universities)
The Grandes Ecoles are the unique French institutions established in the early 19th century in parallel to the university system, they are extremely selective and offer education of a very high standard. Grandes Ecoles offer diplomas at the baccalaureat five level, i.e. master's degrees. Graduates can follow up this degree with a specialization, including a specialized engineering degree or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
The classic method of admission to one of the Grandes Ecoles (competitive examination after two years of preparatory courses, followed by a three-year course of study) has changed to meet modern professional needs. A parallel admission process exists that is specially designed for foreign students. It is based on degrees and exams., with courses of study between two and five years, depending 'on the entry level granted by the institution.

Grandes Ecoles for engineering: There are roughly 240 engineering schools, which share common characteristics; this guarantees the quality of the engineering degree, which is at master's level and covers all areas of engineering science. Engineering degrees are national degrees.

Grandes Ecoles for business: The business schools (about 230 of them) offer specializations and training adapted to the changing economic environment and new management practices. Instruction is often structured around internships and international exchanges

EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA accreditation for business schools: These accreditations, bestowed on schools and/or the diplomas they offer, guarantee that their recipients meet international standards and certify international equivalence. EQUIS: European certification from the European Foundation for Management Development. AACSB: given by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. AMBA: awarded by the Association of MBAs in London to the top MBA programs.

Specialist schools So-called specialist schools offer higher-level training in specific areas such as art, design, fashion, tourism, architecture, paramedic services, social services, and so on.

Art schools: There are three types of art school; the Ecofes nationafes.

superieures d'art (Grandes Ecoles for art), which offer a national diploma after four or five years of study; the schools for applied art, which are under the aegis of the Ministry of National Education; and the schools of fine art under the Ministry of Culture, offering diplomas after three or five years of study, have selective admission policies.

Architecture schools: There are 20 architecture schools, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, offering the DPLG (Dipfome Par Le Gouvernement) architectural diploma, the only one recognized for those working as architects in France. Studies last six years in three cycles of two years each.

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