France from Re.ViCa

(map cf: Eugris)

France is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various overseas islands and territories located in other continents. After Russia, France is the largest country in Europe (643,427 km² with its overseas départements). With a population of over 63 million inhabitants, France is the second most populous country in Western Europe (after Germany). Its territory is split into (administrative) regions. 22 of them are in Metropolitan France (the part of the country that is in Europe):

French is the official language of France, but each region has its own unique accent; in addition to French, there are several other languages of France traditionally spoken, although use of these languages has greatly decreased over the past two hundred years. French is also an official language in 41 countries, most of which form what is called in French La Francophonie, the community of Frenchspeaking nations. (cf: Wikipedia)

EDUCATION SYSTEM

The French school system is the responsibility of the Ministry for National Education. Teaching is given through the medium of the French language. 86.5% of primary school pupils and 80% of secondary pupils receive their schooling through the education provided free of charge by the state. Private education consists essentially of establishments which have signed a contract with the State.

The State plays a key role with regard to education policy. It establishes the education curricula and teaching guidelines, is responsible for the recruitment, training and management of teachers, organises examinations and issues national qualifications. Decentralisation has devolved the responsibility for the construction and maintenance of public school buildings to regional and local agencies.

France is divided into 30 education authorities (académies) each under the responsibility of a rector who represents the Minister. These authorities cover several departments which are directed by the authority's inspectors.(cf: Europa.eu)

French educational system is highly centralized, organized, and ramified. It is divided into three different stages:

• primary education (enseignement primaire);
• secondary education (enseignement secondaire);
• higher education (enseignement supérieur).

Primary and secondary education are predominantly public (private schools also exist, in particular a strong nationwide network of primary and secondary Catholic education), while higher education has both public and private elements. Education is almost free at all levels, although with less services and facilities, except for private schools and business schools. 26% of university students receive scholarships. (cf: understandfrance.org)

HIGHER EDUCATION

The baccalaureate opens up access to higher education. Then, depending on the duration involved, there are two types of higher education:

• Shorter technical and vocational studies undertaken in university technology establishments (Instituts Universitaires de Technologies) leading to the DUT: Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie), the universities (leading to the DEUST: Diplôme d'Etudes Universitaires Scientifiques et Techniques) or higher secondary establishments (leading to the BTS: Brevet de Technicien Supérieur). Entry into these channels is based on a selection process and account is taken of pupils' record of achievement during their secondary schooling.
• Lengthier studies undertaken at a university or one of the "Grandes Ecoles" (to which entry is after two years of preparation in the Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Ecoles (CPGE). After admission into these schools, the studies themselves generally last three years and lead to the "diplômes d'écoles". There is no selection for entry into university. Universities issue generic qualifications and also vocational qualifications. Teacher training is also undertaken at university.

Higher education in France also has specialised schools, recruitment being based on the baccalaureate, competitions or dossiers. They concern the paramedical sector (nursing schools, physiotherapists, etc.), the social sector (schools for specialised educators, social assistants, etc.), the arts sector or architecture. Studies vary in duration and lead to state-recognised diplomas or specific school diplomas. (cf: Europa.eu)

QUALIFICATION

The implementation of the LMD reform, which gears the structure of French higher education to the European system by offering three levels of studies (licence/master/doctorat), brings with it a new degree structure for higher education, i.e.:

• Degrees obtained after 2 years of post-baccalauréat studies, corresponding to 120 European credits (ECTS): diplôme universitaire de technologie (DUT, or technological university degree), diplôme d'études universitaires scientifiques et techniques (DEUST, or scientific and technical university degree), brevet de technicien supérieur (BTS, higher technician's diploma), diplôme d’études universitaires générales (DEUG, or general university degree);
• Degrees obtained after 3 years of post-baccalauréat studies, corresponding to 180 ECTS credits: diplôme national de technologie spécialisée (DNTS, or national specialised technology diploma), licence professionnelle, licence;
• Intermediate degree, obtained after 4 years of post-baccalauréat studies, corresponding to 240 ECTS credits: master's degree;
• Degrees obtained after 5 years of post-baccalauréat studies, corresponding to 300 ECTS credits: master's degree, diplôme d’études approfondies (DEA, or advanced studies degree), diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées (DESS, or specialised higher studies degree);
• Degrees obtained after post-master's studies, corresponding to 480 ECTS credits: doctorate. (cf: Eurydice)

UNIVERSITE NUMERIQUE DE STRASBOURG

In 2000, all 3 universities of Strasbourg – Université Louis Pasteur (ULP),Université Marc Bloch (UMB) and Université Robert Schuman (URS) – gathered in a consortium to launch a common enhancement policy of ICT in education. On 15 April 2002, all 3 Presidents signed an agreement (l’accord-cadre UNS) to build their cooperation on 3 strategical focuses : creation, dissemination and storage/management of both contents and new pedagogics. In this framework the Université Numérique de Strasbourg offers : – trainings in Computer sciences : networks and systems, digital development, multimedia design – distance trainings with 6 available modules, 6 recognised degrees and 7 under construction

(Cned.fr)

Common Name: Cned Full Name: Centre national d’enseignement à distance (National Centre for Distance Learning) Status: A public administrative institution dependent on the National Education Ministry Established: 1939 in Paris Size: The number 1 distance learning operator in Europe and the French-speaking world Digital Cned : on the Internet for the last ten years, Cned has integrated digital technology to aid the spread of learning and favour exchanges: virtual classrooms, online tutoring, electronic correction, student forum, online resources (Campus électronique®). Key dates : September 1939 : The government provisionally established a national correspondence learning structure – the CNEPC. 1945 : Correspondence learning contributed to the larger national social advancement push. 1999 : Cned celebrates its 60th anniversary with 320,000 individual enrolments. 2005 : Launch of a business training range. Cned in figures Annual Market Share 2.5 million people following a distance learning course in Europe More than 1 million in France, 300,000 of them at Cned Sales turnover : 72 million Euros Institution Budget : 100 million Euros Cned Staff : 7,500 people, 6,000 teaching and 1,500 non-teaching staff Educational Activity 500 courses – 3,000 modules More than 2 million copies exchanged 580 million printed pages 1.5 million contacts made at the client service centre 3.5 million visitors over cned.fr 30,000 videos, CD-ROMs, DVD products from Cned-audiovisual are sold each year Cned Enrolment Data 2/3 adults 50% in higher learning 13% outside France Enrolment Distribution (by number of students enrolled per year) Primary Education: 15,000 School: 30,000 High School: 60,000 BTS (Higher National Diploma): 20,000 LMD (university degrees): 15,000 Teaching Examinations: 65,000 Civil Service Examinations: 25,000 Accounting and Financial Studies: 35,000 Other Vocational Training: 20,000 Open Training across all sectors: 15,000

Campus numérique PEGASUS

The partnership : Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, Université de Haute-Alsace Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Université du Havre Université Paris 13, Université du Sud Toulon Var Université de la Réunion,Université Paul Cézanne-Aix Marseille III The Pegasus platform enables adult students to graduate for DAEU (Diplôme d'Accès aux Etudes Universitaires), a recognised national degree equivalent to Baccalauréat. Therefore DAEU is the second chance for adult learners that wish to access higher education institutions or take a higher examination in public service. There are two types of DAEU degrees with a special focus on A-Letters / B-Science. Each student registers in the nearest partner university from his hometown but then study for DAEU at distance.

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